Cidsports first Top 30 Rankings after Week 1 of the 2016 College Football season.

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Preseason polls and early polls do have to be taken with a grain of salt. No College Football Playoff champion, in only two years of history, has ever won the title with a perfect record in the season. Both Ohio State and Alabama, lost regular season games in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Week 2 and Week 3 games, actually for each program, so while early losses matter, Oklahoma overcame a loss in Texas in 2015 and we will see, if they can do it again in 2015?

Alabama OC Lane Kiffin has Crimson Tide buzzing, after a win over his
former team. The Crimson Tide will also play Tennessee in SEC play,
another former team, so there are many backstories as the 2016 season unfolds.

The two most dominate programs in College Football are Alabama and Ohio State over the past three seasons. Florida State won the last BCS title played, in 2013, and Michigan State is tied for #3 in winning percentage with the Seminoles, followed by Clemson.

Power 5 programs keep getting richer on the backs of College Football. Story

The MSU Spartans did it with a single quarterback, Connor Cook, who graduated after 2015, but the defending Big Ten champions can't be discounted completely in 2016, though they come in at #12 in the preseason. The Spartans lean on senior QB Tyler O'Connor, who is 2-0 as a starter now, including leading the Spartans 17-14 win over the Buckeyes in Columbus, last year. 

If the College Football Playoff was selected today ... we wousld place a Group of 5 school in, using the data from last year, which is always a part of preseason and early polling!

So, after Week 1 of the 2016 College Football season, here is our Top 30 ...

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0/ 38-5 2013-present) - defending champion, Roll Tide!
2. Clemson Tigers (1-0/ 36-6) - awful good over last three seasons ...
3. Houston Cougars (1-0/ 30-11) - they were #8 at the end last season, with win over Florida State, and now OU ...
4. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0/ 39-4) - the Buckeyes shouldn't have lost in the regular season last year; very young this year, with 6 starters back!
5. Florida State Seminoles (1-0/ 38-4) - young at QB, but experienced all around him ...
6. Stanford Cardinal (1-0/ 32-10) - young QB; seems to be a theme around FBS ...
7. Michigan State Spartans (1-0/ 37-5) - bye week ahead and they have a new, senior QB ...
8. Washington Huskies (1-0/ 25-16) - watch out Pac 12, it is Chris Petersen's third team here ...
9. TCU Horned Frogs (1-0/ 28-11) - door of opportunity in 2016 ...
10. Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0/ 28-13) - this is where they finished 2015 ...
11. Wisconsin Badgers (1-0/ 31-10) - Paul Chryst has signature win in his first five season as a head coach, second season at hometown school ...
12. Michigan Wolverines (1-0/ 23-16) - Harbaugh plays five straight in Ann Arbor ...
13. Oklahoma Sooners (0-1/ 30-10) - not how Bob Stoops and the Sooners wanted to get started ...
14. Ole Miss Rebels (0-1/ 27-13) - the Rebels came very close vs. Seminoles ...
15. Georgia Bulldogs (1-0/ 29-11) - new era begins with a solid win over UNC to kick it off ...
16. Baylor Bears (1-0/ 33-7) - transition year will likely have ups and downs ...
17. Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0/ 28-12) - single QB system planned for 2016 ...
18. Oregon Ducks (1-0/ 34-8) - can they find a way back to the Top 10?
19. LSU Tigers (0-1/ 27-12) - not a good start for Les Miles and his staff in Lambeau ...
20. Tennessee Volunteers (1-0/ 22-17) - survived a home scare in OT ...
21. Louisville Cardinals (1-0/ 30-10) - we shall see how the Cardinals do in 2016 ...
22. North Carolina Tar Heels (0-1/ 24-17) - near win vs. Bulldogs in season opener ...
23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-1/ 27-13) - fall in OT in Austin, as streak over Longhorns end ...
24. Texas A&M Aggies (1-0/ 26-14) - nice win over Bruins to kickoff 2016 ... 
25. Florida Gators (1-0/ 22-17) - a 24-7 win over UMass is a little underwhelming ...
26. Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0) - the Cornhuskers open with a win over Fresno State, after a bowl win over UCLA ... 
27. San Diego State Aztecs (1-0/ 27-14) - the Aztics had a strong season in 2015, so can they repeat?
28. UCLA Bruins (0-1/ 28-12) - the Bruins fall in OT in Texas against the Aggies, so they have now lost three straight, dating back to end of 2015 regular season ...
29. Boise State Broncos (1-0) - they used to be known as the #1 non-BCS program, but since the CFP, the Broncos haven't carried the new banner as top Group of 5 school ...
30. Texas Longhorns (1-0/ 20-19) - the 50-47 win over preseason # 9 Notre Dame in 2 OT boosts the Longhorns record over the last 3+ years to one game over .500. Charlie Strong was 6-7 in 2014, then 5-7 in 2015, so he is off to a great start in 2016, but the Longhorns need to show consistency, after all, they did beat rival Oklahoma 24-17 in 2015, but lost games against Cal, @ ISU in the last 12 months ...

On par Game of the Week: Western Michigan 22, Northwestern 21 - looking at the preseason composite rankings, this season opener was between the #43 and #44 programs in College Football, entering 2016 ... it went right down to the wire, as the Wildcats fumbled, turned the ball over at the goal line of the Broncos to close out the game!

Overrated for the Top 25: Preseason #14 USC (8-6 in 2015), simply a blue blood name pick, who ranked #34 in winning percentage, over the prior three seasons in College Football, entering coach Clay Helton's first full season at the helm ...

Next Group of 5 school: Western Kentucky (1-0/ 29-11), ended the 2015 season ranked #24 in the AP poll, followed by San Diego State (1-0/ 27-14).

Best near miss against a Power 5: Appalachian State (0-1/ 18-8), who nearly upset Tennessee, falling 20-13 in overtime in Knoxville on Thursday night.

Iowa kicks off the 2015 season with a 31-14 win over FCS #2 Illinois State

Iowa City, IA -- The University of Iowa was happy to finally get out and play someone other than the Black & Gold teammate on the other side of the football, as they kicked off the 2015 College Football season at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.

The preparation paid off, as the Iowa Hawkeyes open the 2015
season with a solid 31-14 win over Illinois State at Kinnick.

The Hawkeyes wore down Illinois State in the First Half
Iowa scored 17 unanswered points in the first half on route to a 31-14 win over Illinois State to open the season. The Hawkeyes scored on back to back opening possessions to take a 14-0 lead. The Hawkeyes lead 17-0, after a Marshall Koehn, senior PK, 40 yard field goal to close out the first half. The Iowa defense completely bottled up the Redbirds offense in the first half, holding the Redbirds to zero yards rushing and 36 yards passing.

In his first career start at Kinnick Stadium, C.J. Beathard lead the Iowa offense,
contributing 15-24, 211 yards, 1 TD passing, along with 2 rushing TDs for Iowa.

The Hawkeyes nearly doubled up the Redbirds in total offense, finishing with a 423-231 advantage. Iowa eclipsed the 200-yard mark on the ground, finishing with 202 yards on 43 carries, while finishing with 221 yards through the air.

Iowa senior DE 95 Drew Ott recorded two sacks, while
junior DT 67 Jaleel Johnson played very solid as a new starter.

Iowa’s defense stifled the 2014 FCS runner-up, limiting the Redbirds to 79 yards through the first three quarters. Illinois State scored all 14 of its points in the fourth quarter, where it nearly doubled its offensive output, piling up 152 yards. Illinois State redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Kolbe replaced a dinged Tre Roberson.

The Hawkeyes scored 31 points to open the scoring in the Iowa-Illinois
season opener, as junior WR 89 Matt VandeBerg finished Iowa's scoring on
the day, on this nine yard TD pass to complete a perfect day in the Redzone.

The Hawkeyes have won 14-of-17 season openers under Kirk Ferentz, averaging 35.3 ppg in the 14 wins. Iowa is 95-29-2 (.762) in home openers.

Oh Nellie!

Iowa's 99-yard scoring drive on its second possession was its first 99-yard scoring drive since 2002 at Miami (OH). 

Iowa DE 95 Drew Ott recording one of his two QB sacks against former IU,
present Illinois State QB 5 Tre Robeson, who made his first career start as a
QB at Kinnick Stadium, back during the 2011 season.

Iowa finished the game with five sacks, all in the opening half. Senior DE Drew Ott had two sacks. Redshirt freshman DE Parker Hesse, senior DE Nate Meier, and sophomore LB Ben Niemann each had one. It was the first career sack for Hesse and Niemann. 

The coin toss was important strategy for Iowa, since it gave Iowa's physical offensive game strategy an early boost winning the toss. In 17 seasons as Iowa's head coach, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes received the opening kickoff in 163-201 games (96-67). Iowa has started the game on defense in 38-of-201 games under Ferentz (20-18).

Junior Iowa RB 29 LeShun Daniels, Jr. made his first career start.

Junior RB LeShun Daniels, Jr., carried Iowa's rushing attack with career-highs in yards (123) and carries (26). Junior QB C.J. Beathard finished 15-of-24 for 211 yards with a touchdown. Senior RB Jordan Canzeri had four catches for 90 yards, also a rushing touchdown; while junior WR Matt VandeBerg had six receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. 

Senior RB 33 Jordan Canzeri reacts after scoring a rushing TD, after leading 2014
College Football rushers, without a rushing TD during the season.

On defense, senior WLB Cole Fisher had a career-high eight tackles in his first career start, while Iowa's senior DEs Ott (two sacks) and Meier (three tackles for loss) combined for five tackles for loss.

True freshmen WR Jerminic Smith, WR Adrian Falconer, and OL James Daniels played today. Daniels is the first true freshman to play offensive line since Bryan Bulaga in 2007.

The Hawkeyes have played 57 consecutive games without a missed or blocked PAT, the longest streak of any school in the nation. Iowa has converted on 172 consecutive PATs during the streak.

Instant replay was not used today. The NCAA has a new booth replay system and it off to a very effective start, as witnessed over the course of three days of the first five day weekend opening the 2015 College Football season.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, dean of B1G coaches, in his 17th
season at the helm. Illinois State Brock Spack, a former Purdue
player and two-time assistant coach speak before kickoff.
Spack was very positive about Iowa ahead and after today's game.
Both programs have a lot to play for in 2015.

The Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) return to action Sept. 12, traveling to Ames, Iowa, for the Cy-Hawk Game against Iowa State. Game time is 3:45 p.m. (CT) on Fox Sports from Jack Trice Stadium, in Ames. Iowa State (0-0) kicks off at 7 p.m. tonight against Northern Iowa (0-0) in Ames. Illinois State (0-1) and UNI will play each other in Missouri Valley Football Conference play, later this season.

The 2010 season is in the books; time for a final Top 25 rankings in College Football

We saw some outstanding football in 2010, with Auburn and TCU finishing the season undefeated, with wins in the BCS title game and the Rose Bowl, respectively. We witnessed a variety of conferences inviting new programs in, highlighted by Nebraska leaving the Big 12 for the Big Ten and Colorado headed to the Pac 10, along with Utah from the Mountain West.

How should the Final Top 25 look for the 2010 season? 2010-11 Bowl Results
Here's my CidSports final Top 25 in College Football for 2010:

1. Auburn Tigers (14-0, 8-0 SEC West) - Only in his second season as head coach Gene Chizik winsthe BCS Title, behind Heisman Trophy winner and junior QB Cam Newton. BCS Title Game: Auburn 22 Oregon 19 ...


2. TCU Horned Frogs (13-0, 8-0 MWC) - In coach Gary Patterson's tenth season at the helm, the Horned Frogs capture a win in the Rose and their first BCS bowl win in the modern era. Rose Bowl: TCU 21, Wisconsin 19 ...


3. Oregon Ducks (12-1, 9-0 Pac Ten)


4. Stanford Cardinal (12-1, 8-1 Pac 10)


5. Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1, 7-1 Big Ten)


6. Oklahoma Sooners (12-2, 6-2 Big 12 South)/div>


7. Wisconsin Badgers (11-2, 7-1 Big Ten)


8. Boise State Broncos (12-1, 7-1 WAC)


9. LSU Tigers (11-2, 6-2 SEC West)


10. Alabama Crimson Tide (10-3, 5-3 SEC West)


11. Arkansas Razorbacks (10-3, 6-2 SEC West)


12. Nevada Wolf Pack (13-1, 7-1 WAC)


13. Oklahoma State Cowboys (11-2, 6-2 Big 12 South)


14. Michigan State Spartans (11-2, 7-1 Big Ten)


15. Virginia Tech Hokies (11-3, 8-0 ACC Coastal)


16. Florida State Seminoles (10-4, 6-2 ACC Atlantic)


17. Mississippi State Bulldogs (9-4, 4-4 SEC West)


18. Missouri Tigers (10-3, 6-2 Big 12 North)


19. Texas A&M Aggies (9-4, 6-2 Big 12 South)


20. Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-4, 6-2 Big 12 North)


21. Utah Utes (10-3, 7-1 MWC)


22. South Carolina Gamecocks (9-5, 5-3 SEC West)


23. Central Florida Knights (11-3, 7-1 C-USA)


24. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (10-3, 6-2 C-USA)


25. North Carolina State Wolfpack (9-4, 5-3 ACC)

peace

Happy New Year 2011: Rough Start for the Big Ten Conference

After winning two bowl games in 2010 to close out the year, the Big Ten goes 0-5 to open the New Year. It's not been a strong beginning to 2011 for the Big Ten Conference.

The Big Ten is now 2-5 heading into the Sugar Bowl: Ohio State vs. Arkansas, on Tuesday night. Will the Buckeyes reverse history? The Buckeyes have never beat a SEC team in a bowl.

Looking at the match ups, Rivals.com had the Big Ten 0-8 for the 2010-11 bowl line up. The Big Ten were considered underdogs in all eight games.

In the first two Big Ten-Big 12 games, Iowa and Illinois took care of business knocking off Top 15 Missouri and Baylor, respectively. Iowa was coming off a three game losing streak in November, while coach Ron Zook picked up his first bowl win, in six seasons in Champaign.

Northwestern faced Texas Tech on New Year's Day for the third Big Ten-Big 12 match up. The Wildcats entered the game, bowl eligible, but without the quarterback that got them there. QB Dan Persa's season came to an end on the final play that gave Northwestern a win over Iowa in Game 10 for the Wildcats. It was an ugly New Years Day for the Wildcats, but they made it respectable, 38-45, to Texas Tech, without Persa, the teams #1 weapon.

The real loss for the Big Ten was in the BCS game, where Wisconsin fell to a very solid TCU team in the Rose Bowl 19-21. TCU was clearly the better coached team. Further, is there any question that QB Andy Dalton wasn't the best QB on the field, in comparison to Wisconsin's QB Scott Tolzien? Why did Badger coach Bret Bielema move away from the bread and butter in the Rose Bowl? Wisconsin OC Paul Chryst went away from inside running and on the two point conversation, used the shotgun to the amazement of everyone.

TCU is a Top 3 team this season, without a doubt. There is a reason why the Horned Frogs coach, Gary Patterson, has avoided invitations from BCS programs for a job. Now, TCU will move to the Big East in 2012.

In the NCAA Basketball Tournament, guard play is so important. For Football ...

We witnessed how important quarterback play is in College Football on New Year's Day with the losses Wisconsin and Penn State had. The difference in the Outback Bowl: Penn State vs. Florida, came down to Penn State's charitable quarterback and special teams. Penn State Sophomore QB Matt McGloin didn't get it done for 84 year old head coach Joe Paterno. Congratulations to Florida Gator head coach Urban Meyer, who retired at age 46, after the Gators 37-24 win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl.

Quarterback play is very important in bowl games. Simply, it's important in any football game. There is a reason ESPN is dedicating 2011 to the quarterback.

A quarterback doesn't necessarily have to win a game. Wisconsin certainly could have pounded the football and beat TCU in the Rose Bowl. But, a quarterback can hurt you, if they turn the ball over and put their team in poor positions.

We saw how important QB play can be in the Insight Bowl, with both Iowa's Ricky Stanzi and Missouri's Blaine Gabbert. Also, it is important to have more than just a quarterback, as we saw with Michigan in 2010. By the way, Mississippi State is a Top 25 program. Michigan isn't. They went 7-6 this season, beat Big East champion, UConn, but outside of super sophomore QB Denard Robinson, the Wolverines have one of the most dysfunctional defenses, playing a 4-2-5, that has been witnessed in the modern era in major college football.

The Big Ten had a very good season, but far from a great one. Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan State finished 7-1 in the Big Ten.

• Ohio State wasn't a dominant BCS Title Game candidate this past season.


• Wisconsin was hot-cold, depending on the mood of their coaching staff.


• Michigan State benefited from schedule, but clearly Iowa and Alabama (Capital One Bowl) found ways to exploit the Spartans.

The Big Ten begins a new decade in 2011, with 12 members and a need to pick it up a notch, again. This fall, we will welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers as the 12Th member.

Some thoughts and resolutions for the New Year ...

• Ohio State remains the program to beat, since 2005, in the Big Ten. However, the program has some questions off the field and it would be nice to see the Buckeyes clean up things, both on and off the field. Will Tressel and the Ohio State program finally beat a SEC team in a bowl, with the Sugar Bowl game on Tuesday, for the first time in school history?


• The Big Ten West (Legends, if you listen to the conference) appears wide open heading into 2011. Only Iowa won a bowl game. The Hawkeyes have won three straight bowl games for the first time in Hawkeye football history. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz is 6-3 in bowls, 3-1 vs. SEC schools, 2-1 vs. Big 12, 0-1 vs. Pac Ten. The Hawkeyes have two co-Big Ten titles under Ferentz ('02 and '04), when will number three come and Iowa's next Rose Bowl trip, since 1991?


• Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio will enter his fifth season in East Lansing as head coach in 2011. The Spartans have not won a bowl game in a decade now. The Spartans did win a share of the Big Ten for the first time in 20 years, however, the 7-49 loss to Alabama in the Capital One Bowl on New Years Day was ugly, but not surprising. Alabama was supposed to defend its BCS title and be in the BCS mix this past season.


• Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is now 2-3 in bowl games, after replacing Barry Alvarez, who lead UW to three Rose Bowl wins. Wisconsin won a share of the Big Ten title for the first time in over 10 seasons. Next up: division play for Big Ten teams, including the Badgers, who will play in the Big Ten East (Leaders, if you listen to the conference).


• Penn State will welcome 84 year-old Joe Paterno for a remarkable 46Th season in 2011. The Nittany Lions are young, but they will have to replace nine senior starters on offense and seven on defense, along with place kicker and holder heading into 2011. The Nittany Lions had a trio of three young QBs this season, but now two appear set to transfer leaving junior to be Matt McGloin remaining, coming off five INTs vs. Florida in Outback Bowl, ouch!


• Michigan football has fallen on bad times over the past three seasons. The Wolverines did go 7-6 and get back to a bowl game, after a two year absence. But, the coach Rich Rodriquez experiment has turned into a mistake. Lloyd Carr maybe wasn't getting it done, but he was a better representative for one of the best programs in college football history. What's next for the Michigan AD? Jim Harbaugh isn't the likely answer or option?


• Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald will begin his sixth season in 2011. The Wildcats have gone to three straight bowl games, which is a school record. The school only has one bowl victory ever (1949 Rose Bowl, 1-7 overall). It should be very interesting to see Northwestern in division play, joining others in the Big Ten West.


• Illinois coach Ron Zook saved his job this season and will enter his seventh season in Champaign in 2011. Zook is the only current Big Ten coach with division play experience, after three seasons in the SEC East at Florida, as head coach. Zook has never coached his team in a conference title game though. Next up: closing out the Class of 2011 recruiting and the Big Ten East.


• Purdue coach Danny Hope will enter year three in West Lafayette. The Boilermakers will resume a rivalry with the Iowa Hawkeyes in the new Big Ten division schedule format, as the designated rival. Look for Hope to continue the rebuilding process and like other coaches in the past, becoming bowl eligible in year three.


• Indiana will begin a new era of Hoosier football under a new head coach in 2011. Kevin Wilson is coming back to the Big Ten as a head coach this time, after the Hoosiers make the call for the Oklahoma OC. There is new excitement again in Bloomington. Wilson hired Nebraska's current LB coach, as his DC.


• Minnesota will open its third season in TCF Bank Stadium with a new head coach. The Golden Gophers hired Northern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill to lead Minnesota into 2011. Will excitement come back to a dormant program, with a rich football history over 50 years ago?


• Finally, Nebraska heads to the Big Ten in 2011 and will represent the West. Not since Penn State, when they arrived from the East in 1993, does the conference add a new member. Head coach Bo Pelini is coming off two straight Big 12 division titles, but no conference titles or BCS games, in three seasons. How far will the Huskers go in 2011?

peace

Insight Bowl: Iowa (7-5) vs. Missouri (10-2)

After 100 years, Iowa-Missouri resumes in Tempe for the 2010 Insight Bowl. It should be a good Big Ten-Big 12 match up between the Hawkeyes and Tigers.

Prediction: Iowa 24, Missouri 15

peace

The Top non-BCS Bowl of the 2010-11 College Bowl season from Las Vegas

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

Utah (10-2, 7-1 MWC) vs. Boise State (11-1, 7-1 WAC)
Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium
Dec. 22 - 7 p.m.
ESPN or ESPN3.com

ESPN has it's top broadcasting crew for what should be an outstanding bowl game from the Utah Utes from the MWC and the Boise State Broncos from the WAC. The top runner-ups from each conference square off in Las Vegas in the 2010 MAACO Bowl.

The Utes will join the Pac 10 in 2011, while the Broncos will move to the MWC, as the Utes and BYU exit. Sorry Bronco fans, our choice are the Utes from Utah.

peace

Another four days of College Football bowls,with Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg on Tuesday

Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl

Southern Mississippi (8-4, 5-3 C-USA East) vs. Louisville (6-6, 3-4 Big East)
from St. Petersburg, Fla. and Tropicana Field
Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Central Time
ESPN or ESPN3.com

Not the best bowl game of the week, which we would suggest will be Wednesday night, in the Las Vegas Bowl, when Boise State and Utah square off. Of the four bowl games between Tuesday and Christmas Eve, this is the only game spotlighting a BCS team, though it is a Big East team at that and one with a losing conference record.

If this game interests you, here are some news stories on the Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl Game ...

Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl pits Southern Miss against Louisville ‎- Kansas City Star
... as the Golden Eagles will collide with the Louisville Cardinals on December 21st in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, ...
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl: Louisville (6-6) vs. Southern Miss (8-4) ‎ - ESPN (blog)
Bowl notebook: 2 injured players attend practice ‎ - Jackson Clarion Ledger

Despite the Golden Eagles logo, we will root for Southern Miss in this one!

Other Games this week ...

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

Utah (10-2, 7-1 MWC) vs. Boise State (11-1, 7-1 WAC)
Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium
Dec. 22 - 7 p.m.
ESPN or ESPN3.com

S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Navy (9-3) vs. San Diego State (8-4, 5-3 MWC)
San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium
Dec. 23 - 7 p.m.
ESPN or ESPN3.com

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Hawaii (10-3, 7-1 WAC) vs. Tulsa (9-3, 6-2 C-USA West)
Honolulu at Aloha Stadium
Dec. 24 - 7 p.m.
ESPN or ESPN3.com

peace

The Hawkeyes arrive in The Valley on Monday, just in time to avoid Iowa's latest winter weather

The University of Iowa football team left the Eastern Iowa Airport for Phoenix and The Valley on Monday in preparation for the Tuesday, December 28Th Insight Bowl game with the Missouri Tigers. The Hawkeyes are slight underdogs heading into a classic Big Ten-Big 12 match up.

December 20, 2010 - Insight Central: Hawkeyes are Excited, Appreciative - University of Iowa Athletics

Iowa (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten) vs. Missouri (10-2, 6-2 Big 12 North)

Over 100 years ago, the Iowa-Missouri football series ended after 12 games. The story was "Iowa stopped playing the Tigers because of racial threats against its 1st black player."

It should be an interesting Game 13 in the series in the 2010 Insight Bowl.

Tigers zero in on Iowa ‎- Columbia Daily Tribune (blog) - Dave Matter

Gary Pinkel said he's been cleared to practice when the team arrives in Tempe, Ariz., later this week. MU's contingent leaves for the Insight Bowl on ...

December 20, 2010 - Clayborn Recognized as Consensus All-American - U of I Athletics

peace

Defensive coordinator Norm Parker for Iowa will hopefully make his first trip in 12 years to Desert as Iowa heads to Insight Bowl vs. Missouri

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is completing his 12Th season 2010 at Iowa this season. He enjoyed nine seasons previously, as offensive line coach under former head coach J. Hayden Fry from 1981 to 1989. Ferentz's right hand man on defense over the past 12 seasons at Iowa has been Norm Parker, who has been coaching college football as an assistant or coordinator, since 1968.

Heck, I began watching college football during the 1974 season, which was my first season as a Hawkeye ticket holder. Thank you, Mom and Dad. Unlike many coaches in today's college game, Norm Parker has been coaching longer than I have been following college football.

Well, back to Norm Parker, Iowa's defensive mastermind as defensive coordinator ...

Iowa has made two trips previously to the Desert during the Kirk Ferentz era (1999 to 2010). In 2004, the Hawkeyes traveled to Arizona State to play a non-conference game with the Sun Devils. Earlier this season, the Hawkeyes traveled to Tucson to face the Arizona Wildcats. In both cases, Norm Parker missed the trips due to health reasons, battling diabetes.

Well, with the Insight Bowl birth with the University of Missouri, Norm Parker will hopefully get that first trip as Iowa's defensive coordinator to the Desert. The always colorful Norm Parker sat down with the Media this past week for the first time, since missing much of the 2010 season, due to medical reasons associated with diabetes.

Insight Central: A Method to Their Madness - University of Iowa Athletics
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- When the Hawkeyes take on No. 14 Missouri in the Insight Bowl, they'll have a key part of their defense back in the press box. ...

December 17, 2010 - Watch Ferentz, O'Keefe, Parker Live - The University of Iowa Athletics

"Before, when I was coaching, it was all about wins and that kind of stuff.
Now it's about being around the guys. I like being around the young guys. I like
being around the coaches. I like being out of the house." - DC Norm Parker

Norm Parker says he'll be back in 2011 - ‎Washington Post
Defensive coordinator Norm Parker being out because of diabetes was the most ... Parker, Iowa's 69-year-old defensive mastermind, was hospitalized by the ...

Hawks' Parker: 'This is really where I want to be' - Quad City Times
IOWA CITY - If ever there were doubts in Norm Parker's mind about his future, all of them sifted away quickly Oct. 23. Iowa's 68-year-old defensive ...

Guess what, Hawkeye fans? Norm's coming back in 2011, if it's up to him - DesMoinesRegister.com (blog) - Sean Keeler
Other than being without a right foot, Norm Parker says he moves "like a rabbit." Iowa City, Ia. — If Norm has his way, he'll be coming back. ...

Norm Parker committed to coaching - Iowa City Press Citizen
Norm Parker rolled into the auditorium of the Iowa football complex Friday afternoon, shuffling along with the assistance of a walker. ...

Norm Parker is like Iowa's version of Joe Paterno. Despite health and age, he doesn't want to step aside and give up coaching. He enjoys being around young student-athletes and remaining active in college football.

peace

Iowa vs. Missouri in the Insight Bowl

The final BCS Ratings are out. The BCS Title Game will pit #1 Auburn (13-0) vs. #2 Oregon (12-0) for the BCS Championship.

For the Iowa Hawkeyes, an invitation to the Insight Bowl has been extended and the Hawkeyes will face the Missouri Tigers (10-2, 6-2 Big 12 North). Interesting match up, after the 2005-08 series between the two opponents was canceled, when Missouri opted out of the first two games.

Iowa has not played Missouri for over 100 years. Missouri leads the all-time series with a 7-5 record.

Here's the full 2010-11 bowl line up. The Big Ten, Pac 10 and SEC all send two teams to BCS bowls this season.

peace

The BCS is about getting #1 and #2 in the BCS Title Game, but the rest of the Bowl Line up would look better like this for 2010-11 Bowl Season

It will be a great 2011 BCS Title Game:

#1 Oregon Ducks (12-0) vs. #2 Auburn Tigers (13-0)

Champions of the Pac 10 vs. the SEC Champ on January 10Th on ESPN!

Yes, we know the #1 BCS team is Auburn, but our #1 is Oregon ...

But, once the BCS gets the 2011 Title Game right, we would like to see the following match ups for the 2010-11 Bowl Season:

The Remaining BCS Bowl Games:

Sugar Bowl: #3 TCU (12-0) vs. #6 Ohio State (11-1) - 1/4/11 on ESPN

Orange Bowl: #12 Virginia Tech (11-2) vs. unranked Connecticut (8-4) -1/3/11 on ESPN

Fiesta Bowl: # 9 Oklahoma (11-2) vs. #8 Arkansas (10-2) - 1/1/11 on ESPN

Rose Bowl: #4 Stanford (11-1) vs. #5 Wisconsin (11-1) -1/1/11 on ESPN

*** *** ***

How would we like the to see the Non-BCS Bowl Games? Official announcements are Sunday, December 5Th ...

New Mexico Bowl

BYU (6-6, 5-3 MWC) vs. UTEP (6-6, 3-5 C-USA West)
Albuquerque, N.M., University Stadium
Dec. 18 - 1 p.m.
ESPN

uDrove Humanitarian Bowl

Toledo (8-4, 7-1 MAC West) vs. Fresno State (8-4, 5-3 WAC)
Boise, Idaho, Bronco Stadium
Dec. 18 - 4:30 p.m.
ESPN

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Ohio U. (8-4, 6-2 MAC East) vs. Florida International (6-6, 6-2 Sun Belt)
New Orleans, Louisiana Superdome
Dec. 18 - 8 p.m.
ESPN

Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl

Louisville (6-6, 3-4 Big East) vs. Southern Mississippi (8-4, 5-3 C-USA East)
St. Petersburg, Fla., Tropicana Field
Dec. 21 - 7 p.m.
ESPN

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

#19 Utah (10-2, 7-1 MWC) vs. #10 Boise State (11-1, 7-1 WAC)
Las Vegas, Sam Boyd Stadium
Dec. 22 - 7 p.m.
ESPN

S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

San Diego State (8-4, 5-3 MWC) vs. Navy (8-3)*
San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium
Dec. 23 - 7 p.m.
ESPN

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

#24 Hawaii (10-3, 7-1 WAC) vs. Tulsa (9-3, 6-2 C-USA West)
Honolulu, Aloha Stadium
Dec. 24 - 7 p.m.
ESPN

Little Caesars Bowl

Middle Tennessee (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) vs. Northern Illinois (10-3, 8-0 MAC West)
Detroit, Ford Field
Dec. 26 - 7:30 p.m.
ESPN

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl

Air Force (8-4, 5-3 MWC) vs. North Carolina (7-5, 4-4 ACC Coastal)
Shreveport, La., Independence Stadium
Dec. 27 - 4 p.m.
ESPN2

Champs Sports Bowl

Maryland (8-4, 5-3 ACC Atlantic) vs. #23 West Virginia (9-3, 5-2 Big East)
Orlando, Fla., Florida Citrus Bowl
Dec. 28 - 5:30 p.m.
ESPN

Insight Bowl

Iowa (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten) vs. #15 Nebraska (10-3, 6-2 Big 12 North)
Tempe, Ariz., Sun Devil Stadium
Dec. 28 - 9 p.m.
ESPN

Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman

East Carolina (6-6, 5-3 C-USA East) vs. Boston College (6-6, 5-3 ACC Atlantic)
Washington, D.C., RFK Stadium
Dec. 29 - 1:30 p.m.
ESPN

Texas Bowl

Northwestern (7-5, 3-5 Big Ten) vs. Texas Tech (7-5, 3-5 Big 12 South)
Houston, Reliant Stadium
Dec. 29 - 5 p.m.
ESPN

Valero Alamo Bowl

#14 Oklahoma State (10-2, 6-2 Big 12 South) vs. Washington (6-6, 5-4 Pac 10)
San Antonio, Alamodome
Dec. 29 - 8:15 p.m.
ESPN

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

Army (6-5)* vs. SMU (7-6, 6-2 C-USA West)
Dallas, Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Dec. 30 - 11 a.m
ESPN

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Kansas State (7-5, 3-5 Big 12 North) vs. Syracuse (7-5, 4-3 Big East)
Bronx, N.Y., Yankee Stadium
Dec. 30 - 2:20 p.m.
ESPN

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl

Miami-FL (7-5, 5-3 ACC Coastal) vs. Georgia (6-6, 3-5 SEC East)
Nashville, Tenn., LP Field
Dec. 30 - 5:40 p.m.
ESPN

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl

#16 Missouri (10-2, 6-2 Big 12 North) vs. Arizona (7-5, 4-5 Pac 10)
San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium
Dec. 30 - 9 p.m.
ESPN

Meineke Car Care Bowl

Clemson (6-6, 4-4 ACC Atlantic) vs. South Florida (7-5, 3-4 Big East)
Charlotte, N.C., Bank of America Stadium
Dec. 31 - 11 a.m.
ESPN

Hyundai Sun Bowl

North Carolina State (8-4) vs. Notre Dame (7-5)
El Paso, Texas, Sun Bowl
Dec. 31 - 1 p.m.
CBS

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Kentucky (6-6, 2-6 SEC East) vs. UCF (10-3, 7-1 C-USA East)
Memphis, Tenn., Liberty Bowl
Dec. 31 - 2:30 p.m.
ESPN

Chick-fil-A Bowl

#22 Florida State (9-4, 6-2 ACC Atlantic) vs. #20 South Carolina (9-4, 5-3 SEC East)
Atlanta, Georgia Dome
Dec. 31- 6:30 p.m.
ESPN

TicketCity Bowl

Illinois (6-6, 4-4 Big Ten) vs. Baylor (7-5, 4-4 Big 12 South)
Dallas, Cotton Bowl
Jan. 1 - 11 a.m.
ESPNU

Outback Bowl

Penn State (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten) vs. Florida (7-5, 4-4 SEC East)
Tampa, Fla.Raymond James Stadium
Jan. 1 - 12 p.m.
ABC

Capital One Bowl

#7 Michigan State (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) vs. #11 LSU (10-2, 6-2 SEC West)
Orlando, Fla., Florida Citrus Bowl
Jan. 1 - 12 p.m.
ESPN

Gator Bowl

Michigan (7-5, 3-5 Big Ten) vs. #21 Mississippi State (8-4, 4-4 SEC West)
Jacksonville, Fla., Municipal Stadium
Jan. 1 - 12:30 p.m.
ESPN2

GoDaddy.com Bowl

Miami-OH (9-4, 7-1 MAC East) vs. Troy (7-5, 6-2 Sun Belt)
Mobile, Ala., Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Jan. 6 - 7 p.m.
ESPN

AT&T Cotton Bowl

#17 Alabama (9-3, 5-3 SEC West) vs. #18 Texas A&M (9-3, 6-2 Big 12 South)
Arlington, Texas, Cowboys Stadium
Jan. 7 - 7 p.m.
FOX

BBVA Compass Bowl

Pittsburgh (7-5, 5-2 Big East) vs. Tennessee (6-6, 3-5 SEC East)
Birmingham, Ala., Legion Field
Jan. 8 - 11 a.m.
ESPN

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

Temple (8-4, 5-3 MAC East) vs. #13 Nevada (12-1)
San Francisco, AT&T Park
Jan. 9 - 8 p.m.
ESPN

* Have one more regular season game on 12/11 - Army (6-5) vs. Navy (8-3)

As previously mentioned the times are all Central Time

peace

Our final CIDSports College Football Top 25, after 14 weeks of the College Football as regular season concludes for all, but Army-Navy game on Dec. 11

It has been an interesting season, with all the non-AQ talk falling short as we hit late November. Boise State (11-1, 7-1 WAC) nearly got it done, but a Week 13 date @ Nevada Wolf Pack (12-1, 7-1 WAC) cost the Broncos dearly for the BCS in 2010.

The Oregon Ducks (12-0, 9-0 Pac 10) have played outstanding all year, as has the top non-BCS program in 2010: the TCU Horned Frogs (12-0, 8-0 MWC). The BCS title game should be outstanding this season. The rest of the BCS bowl line up will likely do better with some adjusting, but that is for another post.

Others jumped from the preseason unrated programs to the Top 25 in 2010: Michigan State (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten), Nevada Wolf Pack (12-1, 7-1 WAC), Missouri Tigers (10-2, 6-2 Big 12 North), Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-2, 6-2 Big 12 South), Texas A&M Aggies (9-3, 6-2 Big 12 South), South Carolina Gamecocks (9-4, 5-3 SEC East), Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-4, 4-4 SEC West), West Virginia Mountaineers (9-3, 5-2 Big East), Hawaii Rainbows (10-3, 7-1 WAC) and

Several teams surprised in 2010, especially Auburn Tigers (13-0, 8-0 SEC West), Stanford Cardinal (11-1, 8-1 Pac 10) and Arkansas Razorbacks (10-2, 6-2 SEC West), who were all outside our preseason Top 25, but will finish 2010 in a BCS bowl. Congratulations to all three programs, especially Auburn for an undefeated season and a date with Oregon in the BCS title game.

Other programs didn't hit form in 2010, especially our preseason #7 Texas Longhorns (5-7, 2-6 Big 12 South), preseason #23 Cincinnati Bearcats (4-8, 2-5 Big East), preseason #25 Houston (5-7, 4-4 C-USA West). All three programs will be home for the Holidays in 2010.

We can't forget other programs, who will still bowl in 2010, but are not in the final regular season Top 25. Our preseason #4 Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten). preseason #5 Florida Gators (7-5, 4-4 SEC East), preseason #11 Miami-FL (7-5, 5-3 ACC Coastal), preseason #14 Georgia Bulldogs (6-6, 3-5 SEC East), preseason #16 Brigham Young Cougars (6-6, 5-3 MWC), preseason #17 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-5, 3-5 Big 12 South), preseason #19 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-6, 4-4 ACC Coastal), preseason #20 Penn State Nittany Lions (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten) and preseason #22 Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5, 5-2 Big East).

The season will likely be remembered most for conference realignment talk.

• Nebraska is leaving the Big 12 for the Big Ten in 2011. Colorado is joining Utah from the MWC and moving to the Pac 10


• The Big Ten and Pac 10 conferences will have 12 programs and new championship games


• The Big 12 will lose two teams, so they will go to a nine game conference schedule, as the Pac 10 has enjoyed for several years and lose their conference championship game


• BYU is becoming an Independent, joining Army, Navy and Notre Dame as the only Independents in FBS


• Boise State is moving to the MWC from the WAC


• But the MWC will be losing programs: BYU, Utah and TCU


• TCU is the latest to join the list and will move to the Big East in 2012


• Fresno State and Nevada will follow Boise State as WAC schools moving to the MWC


• Will Hawaii stay or go? Talk in November is Hawaii wants to move for football only ...


• If the WAC doesn’t add an eighth football school by 2012, the conference won’t lose its FBS status? Texas-San Antonio and Texas State are joining the WAC and moving to FBS


• Congratulations to North Texas for hiring former ISU head coach Dan McCarney and electing to remain in the Sun Belt Conference, rather than move to the WAC

Final Regular Season CIDSports Top 25

1. Oregon Ducks (12-0, 9-0 Pac Ten) - #9 preseason


2. Auburn Tigers (13-0, 8-0 SEC West) - unranked


3. TCU Horned Frogs (12-0, 8-0 MWC) - #8 preseason


4. Stanford Cardinal (11-1, 8-1 Pac 10) - unranked


5. Wisconsin Badgers (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) - #10 preseason


6. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) - #2 preseason


7. Michigan State Spartans (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) - unranked


8. Arkansas Razorbacks (10-2, 6-2 SEC West) - unranked


9. Oklahoma Sooners (11-2, 6-2 Big 12 South) - #18 preseason


10. Boise State Broncos (11-1, 7-1 WAC) - #3 preseason


11. LSU Tigers (10-2, 6-2 SEC West) - #12 preseason


12. Virginia Tech Hokies (11-2, 8-0 ACC Coastal) - #6 preseason


13. Nevada Wolf Pack (12-1, 7-1 WAC) - unranked


14. Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-2, 6-2 Big 12 South) - unranked


15. Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-3, 6-2 Big 12 North) - #15 preseason


16. Missouri Tigers (10-2, 6-2 Big 12 North) - unranked


17. Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3, 5-3 SEC West) - #1 preseason


18. Texas A&M Aggies (9-3, 6-2 Big 12 South) - unranked


19. Utah Utes (10-2, 7-1 MWC) - #13 preseason


20. South Carolina Gamecocks (9-4, 5-3 SEC West) - unranked


21. Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-4, 4-4 SEC West) - unranked


22. Florida State Seminoles (9-4, 6-2 ACC Atlantic) - #21 preseason


23. West Virginia Mountaineers (9-3, 5-2 Big East) - unranked


24. Hawaii Rainbows (10-3, 7-1 WAC) - unranked


25. Navy Midshipmen (8-3) - #24 preseason

The Final Regular Season FBS Game of the 2010 season:

Army (6-5) vs. #25 Navy (8-3)

December 11, 2010

@ Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA

Kick-off: 2:40pm Central Time on CBS

peace

A season not to be for the Iowa Hawkeyes

After a solid 11-2 season in 2009, prospects for the 2010 season were high in Iowa City, Hawkeye fans and many through college football. But, the Hawkeyes will head into the final game of the season at 7-3 and 4-3 in the Big Ten, after a disappointing 17-20 loss to #8 Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa witnessed 26 seniors take the field for the last time at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday vs. Ohio State. It was Senior Day and a tribute to our men and women in are Armed Services. As a Hawkeye fan, Hawki97 in Section 130 put on YouTube:

Iowa had opportunities, like each and every game, since 2008, but Ohio State finished strong to give Iowa their fourth loss of the 2010 season. Iowa has lost four games by a total of 15 points in 2010. The Hawkeyes lost four games by a total of 12 points in 2008. Iowa has not been defeated by more than 7 points, since the 2007 season.

Football Releases from the U of Iowa:

• November 20, 2010 - Coach Kirk Ferentz Postgame Press Conference Transcript


• November 20, 2010 - Postgame Notes


• November 20, 2010 - Oh, so close


• November 20, 2010 - Hawkeyes Come Up Short

peace

Mike Daniels gets sack and forces IU to another field goal

Iowa 6, Indiana 6 in the middle part of the second quarter in Bloomington ...

• Both QBs have thrown a interception
• Iowa gives up nice KOR to near mid field
• Iowa's passing game out of sync
• Running game good with Coker and Rogers, but red zone plays don't use it
• Iowa looks tentative at times on defense and defending KOR

peace

Iowa takes early 6-3 lead in the Second Quarter @ IU in Bloomington

Iowa's placekicker Mike Meyer hits 27 yard field goal early in the second quarter to put up Iowa 6-3. Meyer, a true freshman, hit a 23 yard field goal on the first drive for Iowa.

Iowa's passing game in the red zone hasn't accomplished much, thus far, @ Indiana.

peace

Iowa 3, Indiana 3, in Bloomington at the end of the first quarter

Iowa using freshmen running backs Marcus Coker and Brad Rogers, converted fullback, in replacement for injured sophomore RB Adam Robinson, in Bloomington.

Iowa has had some miscues early, including a INT of a Ricky Stanzi pass.

Iowa running game looks strong, but passing game doesn't look in sync yet.

peace

Iowa ends IU's second drive with a INT on Ben Chappell

IU adds fire with late hit out of bounds, late in first quarter in Bloomington. Iowa will have ball for third drive of game, after INT of Ben Chappell pass.

peace

Iowa throws INT with Ricky Stanzi making mistake at midfield

Ricky Stanzi throw number three of the season on second drive of game @ Indiana. IU has ball, in 3-3 game.

peace

IU responds with a FG to tie game up 3-3 in the First quarter vs. Iowa

Iowa defense gives up two penalties, including a 15 yard pass interference, as Iowa forces IU to a FG. Iowa's linebackers and corners are going to be tested today in Bloomington ...

3-3, first quarter Iowa @ IU.

Up next, Hoosiers kick off.

peace

Iowa takes 3-0 lead on first drive, when drive slows in Red Zone

Nice drive running the ball for the Hawkeyes. Three pass plays, with two misses in the end zone slow Ricky Stanzi and the Hawkeyes. Nice running by true freshman #34 Marcus Coker for Iowa. Iowa true freshman Mike Meyers with short FG for 3-0 lead.

Iowa up 3-0 over IU, as Iowa will kickoff to IU for first time, early in the 1st quarter.

peace