How do the All-Time AP Top 25 Teams look heading into 2018?

The All-Time AP Top 25   

How are the top rated programs of all-time performing heading into 2018?

            AP All-Time Rank, Team Points Top 20 Top 10 Top 5 1st 2nd (2017 final rating)

1. Oklahoma 890.5 55 41 32 6 4 (#3 in '17) - the Sooners (12-2) are coming off their second CFP appearance in four years of the CFP. HC Lincoln Riley will have a lot of work ahead, with #1 NFL draft choice QB Baker Mayfield absent. Riley and his coaching staff return 6 offensive starters, 6 defensive starters and senior PK/P Austin Seibert back in 2018. Stassen Composite has OU trending at #8 in the country and #1 in the Big 12 again. Last national title: 2000, under Bobby Stoops!
2. Alabama 888 55 43 26 12 3 (#1 in #17) - the Crimson Tide (13-1) are the defending national champion. HC Nick Saban has taken each team to the College Football Playoff, since its inception in 2014. The Tide return 7 starters on offense, including both QBs, but only 3 on defense and will have new kickers on special teams in 2018. A new year for  The schedule again is favorable for the defending champions, who have won 2 of  4. Stassen Composite has Bama trending as the #2 team, now. They did not win the SEC West in '17, but they are projected to win it back in '18. The past decade has been impressive with ten Top 10 finishes and five national championships for Coach Saban! 
3. Ohio State 881 56 37 26 5 7 (#5 in #17) - the Buckeyes (12-2) began August, with an announcement that HC Urban Meyer was placed on administrative leave, due to the circumstances surrounding the firing of assistant coach Zach Smith, and his domestic abuse allocations. The Buckeyes co-OC Ryan Day was named interim HC for camp. The coaching staff returns 7 offensive starters, but they will have to turn to sophomore QB Dwayne Haskins, 5 defensive starters and both their PK and punter. OSU have made two CFP appearance, winning the inaugural in 2014, but they were eliminated 31-0 in the 2016 semi-finals by Clemson. Stassen Composite  has the Buckeyes #3 heading into 2018 and the team to beat in the #1 in the Big Ten East, the #1 projected division in College Football. The Big Ten didn't send a team in 2017, after the Buckeyes lost another 31 point game, this time in the regular season 55-24 at Iowa!
4. Michigan 801 57 38 15 2 2 (not rated in '17) - Talk about a program under-performing, as hits Year 4 under HC Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines (8-5) were the only Big Ten team that failed to win their bowl game in 2017. Seven teams pulled out wins in Big Ten bowls, but South Carolina defeated Michigan 33-28, knocking them completing out of Top 25 consideration. Harbaugh needs to find a new QB again. Like his first year, he turns to an immediate transfer, as Ole Miss QB Shea Patterson arrives in Ann Arbor. The coaching staff is working with 8 starters back on offense, 9 defensive starters from a unit that should be very strong, plus both kickers. Despite the under performance in 2017, Stassen Composite has the Wolverines trending #9 nationally, and #2 in the B1G East. Last national title: 1997, under Lloyd Carr!
5. Notre Dame 783.5 53 36 23 8 5 (#11 in '17) - the Fighting Irish (10-3) took care of business 21-17 over LSU to close out 2017, but the past BCS participant hasn't made it into the College Football Playoff, like Michigan, who will open in South Bend to kickoff the 2018 season! HC Brian Kelly returns 6 offensive starters, including junior QB Brandon Wimbush, 9 defensive starters and both specialty players. Stassen Composite has the Irish trending at #13. Last national title: 1988, under Lou Holtz!
6. USC 672 52 28 19 5 5 (#12 in '17) - the Trojans (11-3) have never reached the CFP and lost the Cotton Bowl 24-7 to #3 Ohio State. HC Clay Helton must replace their QB, but do return 7 offensive starters, 6 defensive starters and both kickers. Without QB Sam Darnold back, the Trojans are trending #15 in the Stassen Composite nationally, but still #1 in the Pac 12 South!
7. Nebraska 638 43 30 13 4 2 (not rated in '17) - the Huskers (4-8) last major bowl game was the 2001 BCS title game in the Rose Bowl, where they lost 37-14 to Miami-FL. Excitement is soaring, with the hiring of HC Scott Frost, the former Huskers' QB of the program's last national title team. Frost and his entire staff are coming off a 13-0 season at UCF in 2017. Frost and his staff return 7 offensive starters, with true freshman QB Adrian Martinez leading as the opening day starter for 2018. The Blackshirts have been silent for years in Lincoln. DC Erik Chinander, a former Iowa walk-on lineman has 8 defensive starters back and the punter back. No immediate Top 25 bounce back is projected and the Huskers are trending #5 in the B1G West by Stassen Composite. Last national title: 1997, under Dr. Tom Osborne!
8. Texas 626 42 26 10 3 2 (not rated in '17) - the Longhorns (7-6) welcomed HC Tom Herman last year, but the season got off to a slow start. A 51-41 loss in the season opener to Maryland (4-8) at home didn't set the tone for an immediate jump start. But, by season's end, the Longhorns did pick up a 33-16 win over Missouri (7-6) in the Texas Bowl. The coaching staff have 7 starters on offense back, including sophomore QB Sam Ehlinger; also 7 starters are back on defense, but the kickers will be new and likely young. The Longhorns are trending in the Stassen Composite #17 nationally and #2 in the Big 12, behind rival OU. The last BCS game was 2009. Last national title: 2005, under Mack Brown!
9. Tennessee 560 40 23 13 2 4 (not rated in '17) - the Volunteers (4-8) turn to Alabama's DC Jeremy Pruitt, as the new HC, his first head coaching job. This is a program that recruits well, but haven't had a double digit win season, in over a decade. The new coaching staff return 6 starters on offense, with Stanford graduate transfer QB Keller Chryst projected #1 at position; 6 starters on defense, including their placekicker. The Vols are trending in the Stassen Composite at #40 nationally and #6 in the SEC East, so it may be a slow start in 2018? Last national title: 1998, under Phillip Fulmer!
10. Penn State 558 41 26 14 2 3 (#8 in '17) - the Nittany Lions (11-2) won the Big Ten in 2016, but fell short in '17, with back to back losses on the road against Ohio State and Michigan State. They are coming off a 35-28 win in the Fiesta Bowl over Washington, as HC James Franklin will have senior QB Trace McSorley back. The offense returns 7 starters, including McShorley, but only 3 starters are back on defense, plus their punter, so their will be some adjustments, with RB Saquon Barkley, top TE, and #1, #3 WRs gone. The roster is at full-strength again, after the demise due to the fallout of Joe Pa and the Sandusky scandal in 2011. Stassen Composite has the Nittany Lions trending #12 nationally and #4 in the strong B1G East division. Last national title: 1986, under Joe Paterno! 
11. Florida State 533.5 30 19 17 3 2 (not rated in '17) - the Seminoles (7-6) have gone three straight season, without a birth in the CFP, making it in the first year of the FBS playoff system! A new era begins with HC Willie Taggert returning to Florida, after one season at Oregon. The Seminoles return 8 starters on offense, with junior QB Deondre Francois back; only 4 defensive starters back, plus punter. FSU is coming off a 42-13 Independence Bowl win over Southern Miss, and a two game win streak over Group of 5 programs to build on! The Stassen Composite has the Seminoles trending #18 nationally and #2 in the ACC Atlantic. Last national title: 2013, in the final BCS season, under Jimbo Fisher!
12. LSU 528 40 21 9 2 3 (#18 in '17) - the Tigers (9-4) enter Year 3 under HC Ed Oregeron, with one of the losses, a 24-21 loss vs. Troy (11-2) last year. They also fell to Notre Dame in the Citrus Bowl to close out  the season. The staff has a new OC and only 5 starters return on offense, 5 starters on defense, plus both kickers. QB has yet be decided, as junior Joe Burrow arrived this Summer from Ohio State and is in contention. Stassen Composite has the Tigers trending #20 nationally and #4 in the SEC West, so their is work ahead, if they wish to be in the mix nationally for the first time, since 2011. Last national title: 2007, under Les Miles!
13. Georgia 481.5 33 21 11 1 3 (#2 in '17) - the Bulldogs (13-2) are coming off the SEC title and runner-up in the College Football Playoff, with a 26-23 OT loss to fellow SEC brother, Alabama. HC Kirby Smart enters Year 3, with 8 starters back on offense, including sophomore QB Jake Fromm, but only 5 starters are back defensively, plus their PK junior Rodrigo Blankenship. The Tigers are trending #4 nationally and #1 in the SEC East in the Stassen Composite. Last national title: 1980, under Vince Dooley!
14. Auburn 467 35 19 9 2 2 (#10 in '17) - the Tigers (10-4) beat Alabama 26-14 to win the SEC West, but lost 28-7 in the SEC title game, then were upset 34-27 in the Peach Bowl to undefeated UCF (13-0). HC Gus Malzahn enters Year 6 and has not made the CFP, after their loss in the final BCS title game to FSU. The coaching staff returns 6 offensive starters, including junior QB Jarrett Stidham, 7 starters on defense, but will likely have new young kickers. The Tigers are trending #7 nationally #2 in the SEC West in the Stassen Composite. Last national title: 2010, under Gene Chizik!
15. Miami-FL 466 30 15 10 5 4 (#13 in '17) - the Hurricanes (10-3) enter the third season under Mark Richt, at his alma mater, coming off the first double digit season in over 10 seasons. Both coordinators return, with 7 starters back on offense, including senior QB Malik Rosier, and 7 starters on defense, plus punter. The Stassen Composite has the Hurricanes trending #10 nationally and #1 in the ACC Coastal division. Last national title: 2001.
16. Florida 449.5 28 17 11 3 1 (not rated in '17) - the Gators (4-7) welcome former OC Dan Mullen back to Gainsville, after nine seasons as HC at Mississippi State. The new HC has 10 starters back on offense, including sophomore QB Feleipe Franks; and 9 defensive starters, but new kickers and coordinator and staff. The Stassen Composite has the Gators trending #21 nationally and #2t in the SEC East division. Last national title: 2008, under Urban Meyer, while Mullen was OC!
17. Michigan State 389.5 27 17 9 1 4 (#15 in '17) - the Spartans (10-3) enter Year 12 under HC Mark Dantonio, who bounced back from a 3-9 season, coming off the Big Ten title and birth in the College Football Playoff in 2015. The Spartans beat Washington State 42-17 in the Holiday Bowl and return 16 Big Ten honorees, with 19 returning starters, with 10 on offense and 9 on defense. Junior QB Brain Lewerke returns along with both kickers. The Spartans are trending #11 nationally and #3 in the tough B1G East in the Stassen Composite. Last national title: 1966, under Duffy Daugherty!
18. UCLA 378 32 17 9 0 1 (not rated in '17) - the Bruins (6-7) dismissed Jim Mora and lost 35-17 to Kansas State (8-5) in the Cactus Bowl. New HC Chip Kelly returns the college game, after a 28-35 NFL record and previously four seasons in the Pac 12 at Oregon. The new coaching staff will need to groom a new QB, with 5 offensive starters back and 7 defensive starters, plus both kickers. The Stassen Composite has UCLA trending at #44t and #4 in the Pac 12 South. Last national title: 1954.
19. Clemson 348 27 11 5 2 2 (#4 in '17) - the Tigers (12-2) have either lost to Alabama or beat them in the College Football Playoff the past three seasons, going 1-2, with the title in 2016 in a 35-31 win over the Tide! HC Dabo Swinney enters his 11th season, with 7 offensive starters back, including senior QB Kelly Bryant, 8 defensive starters also return, plus both kickers. The Stassen Composite has the Tigers trending #1 nationally and #1 in the ACC Atlantic division, so another date with Alabama could occur again, if business is taken care of in 2018! Last national title: 2016, under Dabo!
20. Arkansas 328 28 14 4 0 1 (not rated in '17) - the Razorbacks (4-8) let coach Bret Bielema go after five seasons. HC Chad Morris arrives after leading SMU (7-6) to first bowl since 2012. The new staff will have to find a new QB, but they return 9 offensive starters, along with 8 defensive starters and both kickers. The Razorbacks haven't won double digit games, since back to back marks in 2010-11. Like the Cornhuskers in the Big Ten, the Razorbacks are not trending to open the season in the Top 25, and the Stassen Composite has them trending last in the SEC West division, after 1-7 last year. Last national title: 1964.
21. Wisconsin 313 21 14 3 0 1 (#7 in '17) - the Badgers (13-1) are entering Year 4 under HC Paul Chryst, who is 34-7 at Wisconsin, having won back to back B1G West divisions and leading his team to the first 12-0 regular season record in program history. The Badgers return 9 offensive starters, including junior QB Alex Hornibrook, and only 4 defensive starters to the #3 defense in the country from last season. Both kickers are back, but PK has been sidelined again. The Stassen Composite has the Badgers trending at #6 nationally and the consensus #1 in the B1G West division for 2018. Last national title: The highest team without a national title in the past!
22. Texas A&M 299.5 25 12 3 1 0 (not rated in '17) - the Aggies (7-6) let go of Kevin Sumlin, after six seasons, with only the first season with double digit wins at 11-2. HC Jimbo Fisher moves over from Florida State and inherits a Aggies team coming off a 55-52 loss to Wake Forest (8-5) in the Belk Bowl. The new staff return 8 offensive starters, including sophomore QB Nick Starkel, and 8 defensive starters, plus their PK. The Stassen Composite has the Aggies trending #30 nationally and #5 in the SEC West division. Last national title: 1939, under Homer H Norton!
23. Washington 293 22 11 6 0 2 (#16 in '17) - the Huskies (10-3) failed to repeat in 2017, after making their lone appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2016. The Huskies came up short against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, but they will look to rebound in HC Chris Petersen's fifth season at Washington. The coaching staff returns 8 offensive starters, including senior QB Jake Browning, entering his fourth season, as a starter. The defense returns 9 starters, plus their punter. The Stassen Composite is trending the Huskies #5 nationally and #1 in the Pac 12 North for 2018. Last national title: 1991, under Don James!
24. Ole Miss 282.5 23 12 4 0 2 (not rated in '17) - the Rebels (6-6) on the heals of scandal in 2017, leading to the dismissal of Hugh Freeze before the season, after five seasons at the helm. Interim coach Matt Luke was retained, after the season. He and his staff have 8 returning starters on offense, with part-time starting senior QB Jordan Ta'amu back; 7 starters back on defense. The Tigers are not getting any preseason love entering 2018. The Stassen Composite has Mississippi trending #6 in the SEC West division for 2018. The other all-time AP Top 25 program without a national title.
25. Iowa 276 22 14 3 0 1 (not rated in '17) - the Hawkeyes (8-5) won their first bowl game, since 2010, with a 27-20 win over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl. HC Kirk Ferentz enters his 20th season as dean of College Football again. His staff returns in tack and revamping the offensive staff before last season. The Hawkeyes return 7 offensive starters, including junior QB Nate Stanley, 5 defensive starters and both kickers. The Stassen Composite has the Hawkeyes trending #32t nationally and #2 in the B1G West division heading into 2018. Last national title: 1957, under Forest Evashevski!

Who were ranked to close out 2017, but not in the all-time AP Top 25?

• #6 UCF (13-0) - the Knights welcome HC Josh Heupel moving over from Missouri, where he was OC the past two seasons. In 2015, the program was 0-12, in George O'Leary's final season. Scott Frost took the program from 6-7 to 13-0 in his two seasons at the helm. The entire new staff return 6 starters on offense, including junior QB McKenzie Milton, and 6 defensive starters, plus both kickers. The Stassen Composite has the Knights trending #24t nationally and the consensus #1 in the AAC East division for 2018.
• #9 TCU (11-3) - the Horned Frogs enter Year 18 under HC Gary Patterson and a 39-37 win over Stanford in the Alamo Bowl. Only five starters are back offensive and they will need to find a new starter at QB. The defense returns 6 starters and their placekicker. The Stassen Composite has the Horned Frogs trending #19 nationally and #3 in the Big 12 for the 2018 season. Last national title: 1938, under Dutch Meyer!
• #13 Oklahoma State (10-3) - the Cowboys are entering their 14th season under HC Mike Gundy coming off a 30-21 win over Virginia Tech in the Camping World Bowl. QB Mason Rudolph and his top two receivers have departed, but 5 offensive starters and 7 defensive starters return, along with both kickers. The Stassen Composite has the Cowboys trending #26 and #4 in the Big 12 for 2018. 
• #17 Northwestern (10-3) - the Wildcats enter Year 13 under HC Pat Fitzgerald and have won back to back bowl games for the first time in program history, with a 24-23 win over Kentucky (7-6) in the Music City Bowl. The Wildcats have a question at QB, with senior Clayton Thorson coming off an ugly ACL injury in the bowl win last year. The Stassen Composite has the Wildcats trending #29 nationally and #3 in the B1G West heading into 2018.
• #19 Mississippi State (9-4) - the Bulldogs welcome former PSU OC Joe Moorhead, as their new head coach. MSU returns 9 starters on offesne, including senior QB Nick Fitzerald; 8 defensive starters and their sophomore PK. The Bulldogs are coming off a 31-27 win over Louisville in the Taxpayer Bowl. The Bulldogs are trending #16 in the Stassen Composite, #3 in the SEC West.
• #20 Stanford (9-5) - the Cardinal won the Pac 12 North division, losing the title game 31-28 to USC. Then, fell short in the Alamo Bowl to TCU 39-37. HC David Shaw enters Year 8, with 9 returning starters on offense, including sophomore QB KJ Costello; 6 starters on defense, including PK and punter. The Cardinal are trending #14 in the Stassen Composite and #2 in the Pac 12 North heading into 2018.
• #21 USF (10-2) - the Bulls are coming off a 38-34 win over Texas Tech in the Birmingham Bowl, their second straight over a P5 there. HC Charlie Strong enters Year 2, with 6 offensive starters returning and 5 defensive starters. Junior QB Blake Barnett arrives in Tampa, after stops at Bama and ASU. The Bulls are expected to fall back nationally outside the Stassen Composite heading into 2018, but #2 in the AAC East.
• #22 Boise State (11-3) - the Broncos are coming off a 38-28 win over Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl, as HC Bryan Harsin enters Year 5 at the helm. The Broncos return 6 offensive starters, including senior QB Brett Rypien; 10 defensive starters and both kickers. The Broncos are trending #22 in the Stassen Composite and the consensus #1 in the MWC Mountain division, after defeating Fresno State 17-14 in last season's MWC title game.
• #23 North Carolina State (9-4) - the Wolfpack are coming off a 52-31 Sun Bowl win over Arizona State, as HC Dave Doeren enters Year 8 at the helm. The Wolfpack return 6 offensive starters, including senior QB Ryan Finley; but only 3 defensive starters and their punter. NC State is trending #36 in the Stassen Composite and #3 in the ACC Atlantic division in 2018.
• #24 Virginia Tech (9-4) - the Hokies are coming off a 30-21 loss to Oklahoma State in the Camping World Bowl. HC Justin Fuente enters Year 3 with 7 offensive starters back, including sophomore QB Joshua Jackson; only 5 back on defensive and their punter. The Hokies are trending #23 in the Stassen Composite and #2 in the ACC Coastal division for 2018.
• #25 Memphis (10-3) - the Tigers are coming off a 21-20 loss at home in the Liberty Bowl against Iowa State (8-5) to close out last season. HC Mike Norvell enters Year 3 at the helm, with 7 offensive starters back; 8 defensive starters and their PK. Junior, grad transfer Brady White from ASU is an option at QB. The Tigers are trending #39 in the Stassen Composite and #1 in the AAC West division for 2018. 

They made the inaugural College Football Playoff; but not Top 25 all-time!

• Oregon (7-6) - the Ducks were 13-2 in 2014 and played in the College Football title game, but they have fallen to a low of 4-8 in 2016. Last season, under HC Willie Taggert, they finished 7-5 in the regular season, only to lose Taggert to Florida State. Co-OC Mario Cristobal was named HC and DC Jim Leavitt was retained, but their debut was a 38-28 loss to Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl. The new coaching staff will return 7 starters on offense, including junior QB Justin Herbert; 7 starters on defense, plus their punter. Stassen Composite has Oregon trending #24t nationally and #3 in the Pac 12 North. The Ducks were 3-2 in BCS era bowl games, but the program is seeking their first national title, after losing the first CFP title game in 2014!

Don't forget about our conference or our team in 2018!

• West Virginia (7-6) - the Mountaineers lost to Utah 30-14 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl to close out last season. HC Dana Holgorsen enters Year 8, with 7 offensive starters back, including senior QB Will Grier; 5 starters back on defense, along with both kickers. WVU is trending #27 in the Stassen Composite and #5 in the Big 12 for 2018.
• South Carolina (9-4) - the Gamecocks are coming off a 26-19 win over Michigan in the Outback Bowl. HC Will Muschamp returns 8 starters on offense, including junior QB Jake Bentley; 6 back on defense and both kickers. The Gamecocks are trending #28 in the Stassen Composite and #2t in the SEC East division for 2018.
• Missouri (7-6) - the Tigers are coming off a 33-16 loss to Texas in the Texas Bowl last year. HC Barry Odom is entering Year 3, with 9 starters back on offense, including senior QB Drew Lock; 7 starters back on defense and both kickers. The Tigers are trending #31 in the Stassen Composite and #4 in the SEC East division for 2018.
• Arizona (7-6) - the Wildcats are coming off a 38-35 loss against Purdue (7-6) in the Foster Farms Bowl. New HC Kevin Sumlin will have 7 starters back on offense for the Wildcats, including junior QB Khalil Tate; 9 starters back on defense and both kickers. The Wildcats are trending #32t in the Stassen Composite and #2 in the Pac 12 South division for 2018.
• Utah (7-6) - the Utes are coming off a 30-14 win in the Heart of Dallas Bowl over West Virginia last year. HC Kyle Whittingham is entering his 14th Year at the helm, with 8 starters back on offense, including junior QB Tyler Huntley; 6 starters back on defense and both kickers, who are among the best in the nation. The Utes are trending #34 in the Stassen Composite and #3 in the Pac 12 South division for 2018.
• Florida Atlantic (11-3) - the Owls are coming off a 50-3 win over Akron (7-7) in the Boca Raton Bowl last season. HC Lane Kiffin enters Year 2, with 5 starters back on offense and 10 defensive starters back. Kiffin hasn't determine his #1 QB yet heading into game against OU. FAU are trending #35 in the Stassen Composite and #1 in the C-USA East division for 2018.
• Georgia Tech (5-6) - the Yellow Jackets are coming off a losing season for the second time in three years, under HC Paul Johnson entering his 11th season. The Jackets return 8 starters on offense, including senior QB TeQuon Marshall; 5 starters back on defense and both kickers. GT is trending #37 in the Stassen Composite and #4 in the ACC Coastal division for 2018.
• Kansas State (8-5) - the Wildcats are coming off a 35-17 win over UCLA in the Cotton Bowl last season. HC Bill Snyder signed a five year extension this summer, as he enters the 10th straight season and 27th overall at the helm in Manhattan. The Wildcats return 8 starters on offense, including junior QB Alex Delton; 5 defensive starters are back. K-State is trending #38 in the Stassen Composite and #7 in the Big 12 for 2018.
• Duke (7-6) - the Blue Devils are coming off a 36-14 win over Northern Illinois (8-5) in the Quick Lane Bowl last season. HC David Cutcliffe enters Year 11, with 7 offensive starters back, including junior QB Daniel Jones; 8 starters back on defense and both kickers. The Blue Devils are trending #41 in the Stassen Composite and #3 in the ACC Coastal division for 2018.
• Louisville (8-5) - the Cardinals are coming off a 31-27 loss to Mississippi State in the Taxslayer Bowl last year. HC Bobby Petrino enters Year 9 at the helm, with 7 starters back on offense, both kickers, but only 4 starters back on defense. The Cardinals are trending #42 in the Stassen Composite and #4 in the ACC Atlantic division for 2018.
• Boston College (7-6) - the Eagles are coming off a 27-20 loss against Iowa in the Pinstripe Bowl last season. HC Steve Addazio enters Year 6, with 10 starters back, including sophomore QB Anthony Brown; 6 defensive starters back and their PK. The Eagles are trending #43 in the Stassen Composite and #5 in the ACC Atlantic division for 2018.
• Arkansas State (7-5) - the Red Wolves are coming off a 35-30 loss against Middle Tennessee (8-5) in the Camellia Bowl last season. HC Black Anderson enters Year 5, with 7 starters back on offense, including senior QB Justice Hansen; 5 back on defense and both kickers. The Red Wolves are trending #44t in the Stassen Composite and #1 in the Sun Belt West division for 2018.
• Texas Tech (6-7) - the Red Raiders are coming off a 38-34 loss to USF in the Birmingham Bowl last year. HC Kliff Kingsbury enters Year 6, with 6 starters back on offense, 10 starters back on defense and both kickers. The Red Raiders are trending #44t in the Stassen Composite and #8 in the Big 12 for 2018.
• Wake Forest (8-5) - the Demon Deacons are coming off a 55-52 win against Texas A&M in the Belk Bowl last season. HC Dave Clawson enters Year 5 at the helm, with 8 starters back on offense, 6 starters back on defense and their punter. The Demon Deacons are trending #47t in the Stassen Composite and #6 in the ACC Atlantic division for 2018.
• The top picks in the MAC in 2018 - Ohio U (9-4) in the East and Northern Illinois (8-5) in the West. HC Frank Solich is heading into his 14th season at Ohio, while HC Rod Carey is heading into Year 6 for NIU.

Nope, Iowa State is not trending in any preseason Top 25 ratings

• Iowa State (8-5) - the Cyclones are coming off a 21-20 win against Memphis in the Liberty Bowl last year. HC Matt Campbell enters Year 3, with 6 starters back on offense, including senior QB Kyle Kempt; 6 starters back on defense and their PK. The Cyclones are trending #6 in the Big 12 in 2018.

Happy New Year's Eve - College Football & Basketball

Independence Bowl :
Arizona vs. Boston College at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN (HD)
Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez appears on track at Arizona, unlike his former team, Michigan, and their recent bowl trip to AZ (K-State beat Michigan 31-14 in BWW Bowl)

Sun Bowl:
UCLA vs. Virginia Tech 1:00 p.m. on CBS (HD)
Battle of young and old coach lead programs in El Paso!

Liberty Bowl :
Mississippi State vs. Rice at 3:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD)
SEC vs. C-USA bowl match up on New Year's Eve!

Peach Bowl:
Duke vs. Texas A&M at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD)
Close out 2013 with the final game of 2013!

Of course plenty of Big East and Big Ten conference games in College Basketball to enjoy elsewhere on the dial to celebrate the close out of 2013.

Nebraska at Iowa at 6 p.m. to open Big Ten play ...
Marquette at Creighton at 9 p.m. to open Big East play ...

Bring on the New Year 2014 ...
                                                        including the New Year's Games and final days of BCS!

Rivalry Saturday with Ohio State - Michigan; while basketball enjoys a good Thanksgiving

Michigan-Ohio State tied at the half on ABC ...
Ann Arbor, MI -- The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is tied 21-21 at the half in the Big House in Ann Arbor.  Does rival Michigan knock out coach Urban Meyer, and the Buckeyes, out of the BCS title game race and win streak?  The Buckeyes are going for 24 wins in a row, under Meyer, including 15 straight in the Big Ten.

Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst's statement on Coach Pelini's job status ...

Lincoln, NE -- "My approach has always been to not comment publicly about our coaches until their full seasons are complete, as I strongly believe it is unfair and counter to best practices.  However, given the volume of unfounded speculation and conjecture about our head football coach, I want to reaffirm what I have said many times since I have arrived at the University of Nebraska -- that I positively respect, appreciate and support our football student-athletes, coaches and staff, as we do everyone in the Husker family.  We very much look forward to our upcoming bowl game and Coach Pelini continuing to lead our program in the future." - Nebraska AD


Arizona wins 72-66 in Pre-Season NIT over Duke on hardwood on Friday ...
NEW YORK – Does anyone wonder if the Arizona Wildcats can eventually turn into Final Four contenders now? More

Creighton falls on Friday night in The Wooden Legacy to San Diego State 86-80 ... 
Fullerton, CA -- Creighton (5-1) will play for third-place in a 5:30 pm Central contest against George Washington (5-1) on Sunday in a game that will air on ESPNU. More

Iowa advances to Finals on Friday night to face Villanova in the Battle 4 Atlantis
Paradise Island, Bahamas --* Iowa will play Villanova for the Battle 4 Atlantis championship Saturday at approximately 8:30 p.m. The game will be televised on NBC Sports Network on DirecTV 220. More

Black Friday Challenge Answered

Linebackers lead the charge during a 3-touchdown rout at Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The challenge was issued on Black Friday in 2012. In University of Iowa football terms, it was a dim moment that Nov. 23 day as the Hawkeyes limped out of Kinnick Stadium with a 13-7 loss to Nebraska and a record of 4-8.

"This is significant," Iowa linebackers coach LeVar Woods said, 371 days later. "A year ago they challenged themselves and we challenged them to move forward."

University of Iowa linebackers
Anthony Hitchens and Christian Kirksey
jar the football loose from Nebraska
running back Ameer Abdullah
on Nov. 29 in Lincoln, Neb.

This is in reference to the entire Hawkeye team, but specifically the senior linebackers. They are the best group of linebackers assistant Jim Reid has been around in 41 years of coaching. They combined for 28 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, two sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles on a sunnier Black Friday 2013, as the Hawkeyes thumped an eight-win Nebraska team on its home turf by three touchdowns.

They helped the Iowa  secure second place in the Big Ten Conference Legends Division with a record of 8-4 overall, 5-3 in the league.

"Their effort (at Nebraska) was exactly the same as their effort every single game this year and more importantly, every single practice this year from spring practice on," Reid said. "I'm not sure I have ever been around a more intense, hard-working, focused group as I have been around in James (Morris), Anthony (Hitchens), and Chris (Kirksey). They are remarkable guys."

"Their effort (at Nebraska) was exactly the same as their effort every single game this year and more importantly, every single practice this year from spring practice on. I'm not sure I have ever been around a more intense, hard-working, focused group as I have been around in James (Morris), Anthony (Hitchens), and Chris (Kirksey). They are remarkable guys." Jim Reid UI linebackers coach

All three senior linebackers played a part in causing or securing at least one turnover against the Cornhuskers. Hitchens and Morris had interceptions, Kirksey and Morris forced fumbles.

It was one of those games when head coach Kirk Ferentz's buddy Bill Belichick would have said, "Stats are for losers, the final score is for winners."

In a game that was dominated by the Hawkeyes on Tom Osborne Field, the final statistics showed Nebraska with advantages in first downs (20-14) and total yards (288-281). The final score of 38-17 showed the worst whipping of a Nebraska team on its own soil since Missouri defeated the Cornhuskers 52-17 in 2008.

"It's exciting for us, we just want to help the team win," Morris said. "We want to play well and you can feed off it when all the guys are playing well. Maybe we did a little bit of that today."

First it was Hitchens with an interception and 18-yard return on Nebraska's opening possession.

"As soon as I saw Hitch get an interception I was so excited," Kirksey said. "We always said Hitch was going to get one some time."

For Hitchens, it was the first pick of his career.

Morris followed with his fourth interception of the season (and sixth career) to end Nebraska's second drive.

"Then when James got his, I was like, `OK, it's my turn. I have to get one.'" Kirksey said.

What Kirksey got was the most important turnover of the final quarter. Iowa was leading 24-17 with more than 10 minutes remaining and the Cornhuskers were 60 yards from a tying touchdown. Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah -- with 1,568 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season -- darted up the middle and veered left before running into a Hitchens road block. Kirksey whizzed in from the side and jarred the ball loose before Hawkeye Louis Trinca-Pasat recovered. Iowa went on to record its first win in Lincoln since 1943.

"Hitch made a great play," said Kirksey, who until post-game interviews thought his teammate forced the fumble. "I was there with him containing the ball carrier."

And knocking the ball free.

"Every minute of every day since last year they worked their butts off to get to where they are now," Woods said. 

"They compete every day in practice to see who can make the most plays and get the most turnovers. It's always great for a defense when your senior leaders are the ones making the plays and showing the way."

They did it in the final regular season game of their final season... on a big stage... against an excellent opponent.

"We wanted to make sure we left it all on the field," Morris said. "I think some of the turnovers were a result of that effort and intensity."

Week 7 College Football on Thursday

Rutgers at Louisville 6:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) - Big AAC game for two teams exiting the conference, after this season!

San Diego State at Air Force 8:00 p.m. CBSSN (HD) - A Thursday showdown in the Mountain West.

Arizona at USC 9:30 p.m. FS1 (HD) - The Wildcats are first up for Trojans in the post-Lane Kiffin era in the Pac 12.

Should the Big Ten Schedule Early Season Conference Games?

Discussed on the Big Ten Network on Wednesday night. Our answer is "NO" since the conference schedule is better for October and November, with the new Big Ten Championship Game in December. Play the out of conference games first, then open the Big Ten and work to avoid any out of conference once the Big Ten season begins. It can occur now, with an equal number of teams again.

In other conference races, we saw a couple of conference games in Week 1. There was an ACC conference opener, along with an conference opener in the Sun Belt in Week 1.

• Miami-FL @ Maryland was a great game, with the Terps winning 32-24 over the Hurricane, in the first games for new head coaches at both schools. Maryland's Randy Edsall beat Miami-FL's Al Golden in College Park, as both coaches began their respective eras as head coaches.


• North Texas @ FIU was a blowout. FIU beat North Texas and coach Dan McCarney's debut, with a 41-16 win in Miami. McCarney's first game in Denton will be in Week 2, as Houston (1-0) comes to town on the heals of a 38-34 home win over UCLA (0-1)

In Week 2 - There are some monster in-conference openers:

• In the ACC, North Carolina State (1-0) @ Wake Forest (0-1)


• In the C-USA, Southern Miss (1-0) @ Marshall (0-1); Tulsa (0-1) @ Tulane (1-0); and UTEP (1-0) @ SMU (0-1)


• In the MAC, Temple (1-0) @ Akron (0-1)


• In the MWC, TCU (0-1) @ Air Force (1-0)


• In the Pac 12, California (1-0) @ Colorado; Utah (1-0) @ #21 USC, as both newcomers of the new Pac 12 open conference play for the first time in their new conferences.


• In the SEC, #16 Mississippi State @ #25 Auburn; #14 South Carolina @ Georgia

Again, we are thankful, the Big Ten remains in the out of conference heading into Week 2. It should be an interesting Week 2.

Thursday, September 8Th

Arizona at #9 Oklahoma State, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3

• Do we really expect coach Mike Stoops and the Arizona Wildcats to upset the #9 team on their home field in Stillwater? Not really, but we sure hope the former Hawkeye football player can lead his Wildcats to victory.

Oregon 60, UCLA 13 in Thursday night College Football in the Pac 10

#2 Oregon certainly has an offense today, in contrast to the performance in Boise in the 2009 season opener. After Thursday night's performance in Eugene, it may be getting harder and harder to not vote Oregon #1 right now in College Football.

Why Oregon will beat UCLA on Thursday - ‎ESPN (blog)
This week the Oregon Ducks will play their first-ever game as AP No. 1, but don't expect the Ducks' stay at No. 1 to be short-lived. Since No. ...
No. 1 Ducks romp over UCLA 60-13 ‎ - The Associated Press

Interesting to see that Colorado and Utah will be joining both Arizona and Arizona State in the same division of the Pac 10, soon to be Pac 12. The Pac 8 has come a long way and it is a little interesting that the four newest members are all in the same division ...

Conference reveals two-division setup for football as Pac-12 - The Statesman Journal
It's a whole new world in the Pac-10, er, Pac-12 Conference ...

peace

Bye Week for Iowa: Changes the routine for the Day

How will #14 Iowa @ #21 Michigan be next week in Ann Arbor?

• #17 Michigan State is playing well against in Ann Arbor heading into 4Th quarter
• #1 Alabama is in another dogfight heading into the 4Th quarter @ #16 South Carolina
• Does #13 Arizona keep winning, with a game vs. Oregon State in Tucson?

You have to love Week 6 in College Football for drama. Wow, Illinois wins big in Happy Valley! Georgia gets a win big over Tennessee! Sometimes those down can pick up the boot straps and pull it off ...

peace

Week 6: For Iowa it's a Bye Week and for others it is Business as Usual

Tuesday night football: Troy (2-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) is @ Middle Tennessee (2-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) on ESPN2 in a huge Sun Belt showdown. The #14 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) have a bye week in Week 6, before heading up to Ann Arbor for a showdown with Michigan (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) in Big Ten play. Michigan State (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) will play @ Michigan in Week 6.


Clayborn Earns Big Ten Defensive Honor - U of Iowa
IOWA CITY, Iowa - - University of Iowa senior defensive end Adrian Clayborn has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following Iowa's 24-3 win over Penn State last Saturday. The announcement came Monday from the Big Ten office ...

Iowa Football Has Break from Action this Weekend - U of Iowa
10/5/2010 - Iowa has an open week after defeating Penn State 24-3 in Kinnick Stadium to begin Big Ten Conference play. The Hawkeyes are 4-1, with home wins over Eastern Illinois, Iowa State, Ball State and Penn State and a loss at Arizona ...

A popular question on Iowa message boards, such as Rivals.com HawkeyeReport, is where would Iowa be ranked right now, if they had not been upset at the University of Arizona in Week 3? ESPN radio guy, Colin Cowherd on Monday called Iowa a Top 10 program, despite the loss in Tucson.

peace

Upset Alert for Week 6: Does Oregon State continue to get #13 Arizona's number in Football?

It's 9 of 11 for Oregon State over Arizona isn't it? Oregon State enjoyed a win the last time in Tucson in 2008, with a 19-17 win, kicking a 24 yard FG as time expired.

Will it be three's a charm for the Oregon State offense? They have already faced the #1 and #3 defenses in College Football. #2 is next!

Our #13 ranked Arizona Wildcats team is ranked #2 in team defense. WR James Rogers for Oregon State should be back per ESPN, after the injury he sustained in Week 4 @ #3 Boise State.

James Rodgers should play at Arizona - ESPN (Blog)

Oregon State was able to beat Arizona State at home without James Rodgers. Will his return from a concussion be enough for the Beavers to record an upset at No. 9 Arizona on Saturday ...

Arizona did beat Oregon State last season on the road, in junior QB Nick Foles, first start in the Mike Stoops era. Foles hit 25-34 for 254 yards and 3 TDs.

peace

Iowa Hawkeyes host 'Throwback Game" vs. Ball State to wrap up OOC play in September

#17 Iowa (2-1) will return to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, after the disappointing 27-34 loss in Tucson vs. #16 Arizona (3-0). The Hawkeyes will host Ball State (1-2), wearing the 1958 style uniform when the face the MAC opponent in Week 4.

The Hawkeyes will honor the "Evy" era on Saturday.

Iowa has some special teams to work on, after a poor performance in Tucson yielding a KOR for a TD and a block punt. Injuries mounted with the loss of three performers, two running backs and a reserve MLB for this week's game. Iowa will likely pull a redshirt off one or two running backs, due to depth at the position. Sophomore # 32 Adam Robinson will be the #1 at the position for now for the Hawkeyes.

Fans will likely see true freshman #34 Marcus Coker make his debut in the Ball State game today, while true freshmen #31 Anthony Hitchens and #30 De'Andre Johnson may make it on the field for the first time, as well.

Iowa needs to step up play heading into Big Ten Conference play in Week 5, with a Homecoming Game, on October 2Nd in prime time vs. #21 Penn State (3-0).

Saturday, September 25th

• Austin Peay at #10 Wisconsin 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Ball State at #17 Iowa 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Score: Iowa 35, Ball State 10 is our pick
• Bowling Green at # 25 Michigan, 11:00 a.m., ESPN2 (HD)
• Buffalo at Connecticut, 11:00 a.m., SNY / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Central Michigan at Northwestern, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Florida International at Maryland, 11:00 a.m., ESPNU (HD)
• North Carolina State at Georgia Tech, 11:00 a.m., ESPN (HD)
• Northern Colorado at #22 Michigan State, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Toledo at Purdue, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Virginia Tech at Boston College, 11:00 a.m., ESPN-GP *2 / ACC Network (cable)
• UAB at Tennessee, 11:21 a.m., SEC Network / ESPN-GP
• Central Florida at Kansas State, 11:30 a.m., FSN (HD)
• Air Force at Wyoming, 1:00 p.m., MTN (HD)
• #19 USC at Washington State, 2:00 p.m., FSNW / FSPT (HD) / FCS Pacific (cable)
• #1 Alabama at #14 Arkansas, 2:30 p.m., CBS (HD) / online video
• Arkansas State at Troy, 2:30 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / (CSS & CST) (cable)
• Eastern Michigan at #2 Ohio State, 2:30 p.m., (ABC *1 / ESPN *7) (HD)
• North Carolina at Rutgers, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• #20 Stanford at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m., NBC (HD)
• Temple at #21 Penn State, 2:30 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Tulane at Houston, 2:30 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• UCLA at #4 Texas, 2:30 p.m., (ABC *1 / ESPN *7) (HD) / ESPN-GP *2
• Wake Forest at #23 Florida State, 2:30 p.m., (ABC *1) (HD) / ESPN-GP *2
• Nevada at BYU, 5:00 p.m., MTN (HD)
• #8 Oklahoma at Cincinnati, 5:00 p.m., ESPN2 (HD)
• Akron at Indiana, 6:00 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Georgia at Mississippi State, 6:00 p.m., (FSS/FSSW/FSHO/FSAZ) (HD) / ESPN-GP *2
• Kentucky at #6 Florida, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• New Mexico State at Kansas, 6:00 p.m., DirecTV - 623 / FCS Central (cable)
• South Dakota State at #9 Nebraska, 6:00 p.m., PPV
• Western Kentucky at South Florida, 6:00 p.m., ALT/SNY/MASN/ESPN-GP/ERTV(cable)
• Fresno State at Ole Miss, 6:30 p.m., ESPN-GP / CSCA / CSS (cable)
• #13 South Carolina at #18 Auburn, 6:45 p.m., ESPN (HD) / ESPN 3D
• Baylor at Rice, 7:00 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• Oregon State at #3 Boise State, 7:00 p.m., ABC (HD)
• Northern Illinois at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m., BTN (HD)
• #24 West Virginia at #12 LSU, 8:00 p.m.. ESPN2 (HD)
• California at #16 Arizona, 9:00 p.m., CSN Plus / FCS Pacific (cable)
• New Mexico at UNLV, 9:00 p.m., MTN (HD)
• #5 Oregon at Arizona State, 9:30 p.m.. FSN (HD)

Games not selected for nationally available networks.

• Army at Duke, 2:00 p.m., espn3.com
• Central Arkansas at Tulsa, 6:00 p.m.
• Charleston Southern at Hawaii, 10:30 p.m., espn3.com / Oceanic PPV
• Colgate at Syracuse, 2:30 p.m., espn3.com
• Idaho at Colorado State, 3:00 p.m.
• Memphis at UTEP, 8:00 p.m., Time Warner cable (TX)
• Miami (Ohio) at Missouri, 1:00 p.m.
• Middle Tennessee at Louisiana-Lafayette, 6:00 p.m.
• North Texas at Florida Atlantic, 6:00 p.m.
• Northern Iowa at Iowa State, 6:00 p.m., Mediacom (cable)
• Ohio U. at Marshall, 6:00 p.m., WSAZ (cable)
• San Jose State at #11 Utah, 8:00 p.m.
• Southeastern at Louisiana-Monroe, 6:00 p.m.
• Southern Miss at Louisiana Tech, 6:00 p.m., espn3.com
• Utah State at San Diego State, 7:00 p.m.
• VMI at Virginia, 12:30 p.m., espn3.com

peace

The Iowa Hawkeyes fall 27-34 @ Arizona in Week 3

Iowa's previous loss was 24-27 in OT at Ohio State last year. In a way, the Iowa loss @ Arizona in Week 3 was similar to the loss in '09 @ Ohio State. Both games witnessed an Iowa opponent on their home field gain separation, due to Iowa's poor execution or turnovers.

In both games, Iowa scored a big touchdown in the endzone by WR Marvin McNutt in the come back. But, at the end, the Iowa play calling couldn't keep the momentum on track as another opponent pulled the game out.

Former Iowa safety and now seventh year head coach Mike Stoops at Arizona appeared to have everything riding on the Iowa @ Arizona game in Week 3. He paced, he shouted, he disagreed with just about every negative play that impacted his Wildcats, despite what replay would have suggested as a good call on the field.

On the flip side, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz remained calm and quiet in his demeanor as Iowa fell behind 7-27 at halftime in Tucson. The Hawkeyes midway in the fourth quarter came back to tie the game 27-27. A missed extra point became costly, on a night where Iowa's special teams were not playing well.

"Both teams had their share of sloppy plays, but we got off to a fast start in
that department. That makes it tough, but our guys battled back." - Kirk Ferentz

Arizona blocked an Iowa punt deep in Iowa territory on Iowa's first possession. Arizona went on to take a 7-0 lead. Iowa made some positive plays in their next possession taking the ball nearly into the Arizona redzone, only to drop a pass that deflected right into the hands of Arizona CB Trevin Wade for a pick 6. Wade scored a pick 6 in Iowa's 27-17 win in '09 in Iowa City.

Iowa bounced back with another drive to make the score 7-14, but on the next kickoff, Arizona took the kickoff 100 yards for another Wildcat touchdown. Turnovers and special teams lead to 21 points right out of the gate for the Wildcats in what the ESPN television coverage called a "Hawkeye ambush." The "red out" was working in Arizona Stadium on Saturday night in the Desert in Tucson. And that was all in the first 16 minutes of the game.

The Hawkeyes (2-1) gave it a great effort in the second half, with Broderick Binns returning the pick-six favor with 8-minutes, 12-seconds left to knot the score at 27. Iowa also scored a touchdown after cornerback Shaun Prater recovered a muffed Wildcat punt.

After Iowa tied the ball game up 27-27, with solid defense in the second half and a mix of patient passing and several big plays, it was time for one final drive for the Wildcats. The #21 Arizona Wildcats (3-0) secured the upset by executing a 73-yard scoring drive late in the nonconference contest. #4 Iowa falls in the desert, after running out of momentum on the heals of the missed PAT.

Iowa allowed the most points since Indiana scored 38 in 2007 against the Hawkeyes. "They made the plays they had to make at the end and we didn't get it done," Ferentz said.

"The bottom line is that we made too many mistakes to win the game," UI linebacker Jeff Tarpinian said. "We knew we had to stop them and we didn't get it done." Tarpinian led the Hawkeye defense with 12 tackles. It was the second week in the row the new starting MLB has lead Iowa in tackles.

"We're going to go in (Sunday) and it will be a good teaching tool for us," Tarpinian said. Iowa will regroup with one final nonconference game, before the eight game conference schedule begins in the Big Ten.

Iowa will host Ball State at Kinnick on Saturday, September 25Th. The game will be telecast nationally on the Big Ten Network with an 11 a.m. Central Time start.

peace

#4 Iowa @ #21 Arizona to Cap off a great Week 3 in College Football

The Big Ten vs. Pac Ten: The #4 Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0) @ the #21 Arizona Wildcats in Tucson for a 9:30 p.m. Central Time kick off with a national audience on ESPN. Of course, the Big Ten vs. Pac Ten is occurring in Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well, this afternoon, with #19 USC @ Minnesota and Arizona State @ Wisconsin.

Iowa beat Arizona 27-17 in Iowa City in '09. The game was not as close as the score would indicate, with the final score coming late, when now starting QB #8 Nick Foles was inserted for the final action for Arizona.

Iowa hasn't won in the West, since 1987. They have lost six straight, but the last win was in Tucson, over the Arizona Wildcats. Although the all-time series is tied 6-6, Iowa has won four of the last five meetings. The lone blemish in that streak is a 35-11 Hawkeye loss in 1998 -- the last time the teams met in Tucson.

Iowa is 4-8 in true road openers. The Hawkeyes were blown out in the Desert in 2004, when they traveled to play Arizona State. But, Iowa may shake the monkeys off their back in 2010.

"We got quite an education and lesson that night. As I recall we didn't even
swarm properly. There's a picture -- you can probably look it up on the
Internet, where we were just all over the joint with our swarm. I'm not saying
it started there, it started before that, but it just is an indicator that we
weren't thinking right and they were. When you play a good team that's thinking
right and you're not, that's not good. If we do that this week we'll be beaten
by 60. It will be ugly." - Kirk Ferentz is talking about that '04 ASU game

In the 2003 Orange Bowl, Iowa wasn't up to the task vs. USC. Last year, in the Orange Bowl vs. Georgia Tech, the Hawkeyes were a +6 underdog, but the task was completed. Iowa was a 24-14 winner over the Yellow Jackets. In the 12Th year under Kirk Ferentz, with a veteran staff, Iowa appears to benefit from previous experience. Will it pay off int he desert in Tucson?

Last year, Iowa travel to Penn State as a +9 underdog in Week 4. It was a national audience and the Nittany Lions were offering Iowa with a "white out" game. The Hawkeyes started off down 0-7 off a big 80 yard pass play, but stayed calm and in the 3Rd quarter, took the lead and completed the game with a 21-10 finish.

This year, the "red out" is greeting the Iowa Hawkeyes as the travel to Tucson to face the Arizona Wildcats. Iowa brings a team with quite a bit of senior leadership. Iowa will likely bring a couple fans, as well, with twelve thousand Hawkeye fans expected for the game in Arizona Stadium, which holds 57,400.

The Arizona offense has some very good weapons.

• Junior #8 QB Nick Foles
• Senior #5 RB Nic Grgsby
• Junior #82 WR Juron Criner
• Senior #88 A.J. Simmons

The Iowa offense has some very good weapons, as well.

• Senior #12 Ricky Stanzi
• Sophomore RBs #32 Adam Robinson and #27 Jewel Hampton
• Senior #82 TE Allen Reisner
• Junior #7 WR Marvin McNutt and Senior #15 WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos

Both programs are good in special teams. The Iowa defense is very good on paper. They played very well vs. Arizona last year. They have two new linebackers starting, but they have experience in the program, with a 5Th year senior at MLB in #33 Jeff Tarpinian and a fourth year junior at OLB in #45 Tyler Nielsen. This should be a close game. Either team could be capable in this game. The edge is with Iowa, who have finished in the Top 10 four of the past eight seasons.

Our Pick:

• Iowa Hawkeys 24


• Arizona Wildcats 18

We see both teams very capable in special teams, so if one team extremely out plays someone, then this phase of the game may create the difference. Turnovers are always big and last year, Arizona scored one of it's two TDs off a Pick 6. Iowa can't afford to allow Arizona easy plays. Look for Iowa to play ball control and take away the big plays on defense. A Pac 10 shootout favors the Wildcats. Iowa typically wins game with sound defense and success controlling the line of scrimmage.

peace

It's College Gameday: Week 3

Saturday, September 18Th
Times are Central Time

Sorry, but we see two Top 25 match-ups, not one, in Week 3. Most talk has been about #4 Iowa (2-0) @ #21 Arizona (2-0), but #5 Texas (2-0) @ #13 Texas Tech (2-0) is a Top 25 match-up, as well. Texas Tech, with new coach Tommy Tubberville, has been in our Top 25, since the preseason, coming off the heals of their Alamo Bowl win over Michigan State. Both games should be two of the best in Week 3 of the 2010 College Football season.

• #17 Arkansas at Georgia, 11:00 a.m., ESPN (HD)
• Ball State at Purdue, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Connecticut at Temple, 11:00 a.m., SNY / MASN / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Georgia Tech at North Carolina, 11:00 a.m., ESPN-GP *2 / Raycom (HD) *3
• Iowa State vs. Kansas State (Kansas City), 11:00 a.m., FSN (HD)
• Kent State at #23 Penn State, 11:00 a.m., ESPN2 (HD)
• Maryland at #25 West Virginia, 11:00 a.m., ESPNU (HD)
• North Texas at Army, 11:00 a.m., CBSC (HD)
• Northern Illinois at Illinois, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Ohio at #2 Ohio State, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• UMass at # 24 Michigan, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Vanderbilt at Ole Miss, 11:21 a.m.,SEC Network / ESPN-GP
• Air Force at #9 Oklahoma , 2:30 p.m., FSN (HD)
• #1 Alabama at Duke, 2:30 p.m., ABC *1 / ESPN-GP *2
• Arizona State at #10 Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m., ABC *1 / ESPN2 *7
• BYU at Florida State, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Colorado State at Miami (Ohio), 2:30 p.m., STO *8 / ESPN-GP
• #6 Florida at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m., CBS (HD) / cbssports.com
• Hawaii at Colorado, 2:30 p.m., DirecTV - 623 or 617 / FCS Central (cable)
• #12 Nebraska at Washington, 2:30 p.m., ABC *1 / ESPN2 *7 / ESPN-GP *2
• #19 USC at Minnesota, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Washington State at SMU, 2:30 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• Baylor at #7 TCU, 3:30 p.m., Versus (HD)
• Indiana at Western Kentucky, 4:00 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Louisville at Oregon State, 4:30 p.m., FSNW / FCS Pacific (cable)
• Akron at Kentucky, 6:00 p.m., FSS / SUN / FSNO / FSAZ / ESPN-GP
• Central Florida at Buffalo, 6:00 p.m., ESPN-GP / (Time-Warner / BHSN) (cable)
• Clemson at #18 Auburn, 6:00 p.m., ESPN (HD) / ESPN 3D
• Furman at #16 South Carolina, 6:00 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (SC)
• Marshall at Bowling Green, 6:00 p.m., ESPN-GP / WASZ (cable)
• Mississippi State at #14 LSU, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• San Diego State at Missouri, 6:00 p.m., PPV (HD)
• Maine at Syracuse, 6:30 p.m., SNY
• #3 Boise State at Wyoming, 7:00 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• Fresno State at Utah State, 7:00 p.m., ESPN-GP / WAC Sports Network
• Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas State, 7:00 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / (CSS & CST) (cable)
• Notre Dame at Michigan State, 7:00 p.m., (ABC or ESPN2 *7) (HD)
• #5 Texas at #13 Texas Tech, 7:00 p.m., (ABC or ESPN2 *7) (HD)
• #11 Utah at New Mexico, 7:00 p.m., MTN (HD)
• #20 Houston at UCLA, 9:30 p.m., FSN (HD)
• #4 Iowa at #21 Arizona, 9:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• UNLV at Idaho, 9:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Wake Forest at #22 Stanford, 10:15 p.m., ESPN2 (HD)

Games not selected for nationally available networks.

• Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan, 3:00 p.m.
• East Carolina at Virginia Tech, 12:30 p.m., espn3.com
• Florida International at Texas A&M, 6:00 p.m.
• Middle Tennessee at Memphis, 6:00 p.m.
• Navy at Louisiana Tech, 6:00 p.m., espn3.com
• New Mexico State at UTEP, 8:00 p.m.
• Northwestern at Rice, 6:00 p.m.
• Portland State at #8 Oregon, 5:15 p.m., Comcast OR & WA (cable)
• Southern Utah at San Jose State, 7:00 p.m.
• Toledo at Western Michigan, 6:00 p.m.
• Troy at UAB, 3:00 p.m.
• Tulsa at Oklahoma State, 6:00 p.m.

FCS Game Watch

• Stephen F. Austin (1-1) @ Northern Iowa (1-0)
  The Panthers host a strong passing team in FCS play at the Dome!

peace