Thursday Night College Football: Three games better than one?

Thursday, October 4th


Arkansas State at Florida International 6:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD) / espn3 *9

East Carolina at UCF 7:00 p.m. CBSSN (HD)

#12 USC at Utah 8:00 p.m. ESPN (HD)

Last Thursday night, the Stanford @ Washington game was an outstanding game in the Pac 12 in Week 5.  But the game Friday night was a total one sided game between BYU-Hawaii.     With three games up tonight, hopefully college football fans will have something to enjoy, with games featuring conference match ups from the Sun Belt, C-USA and Pac 12.   The NFL also offers a game on Thursday night, as the old St. Louis franchise, the Arizona Cardinals (4-0) return to St. Louis to face the St. Louis Rams (2-2) on the NFL Network.  

Super Bowl 43: Kurt Warner represents the State of Iowa today

To most in the USA, Super Bowl 43 is a match up between the AFC's Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFC's Arizona Cardinals. But, to most people in the State of Iowa, Super Bowl 43 is about native son, QB Kurt Warner, being back in the biggest football game of the season.

His home town paper, The Gazette, put together a 12 game spread in today's paper headlined:

C.R.'s Warner Returns to Football's Biggest State

SUPER AGAIN

Growing up, I have always been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, behind the Green Bay Packers and others. I guess the Black & Gold didn't hurt, while Terry Bradshaw & company were stepping up and getting it done in the NFL. I don't recall ever rooting against the Steelers before in a Super Bowl. But, today, as an Iowan, I have to go with the local feel good story, with Kurt Warner.

It's great to see Warner get back to the elite game, after three outstanding seasons in St. Louis, ironically, the prior home of the now Arizona Cardinals. Warner played high school football in Cedar Rapids. He went up the road to the University of Northern Iowa, but didn't start until his final year, as a fifth year senior.

From Hy-Vee Food Stores to the Arena Football League to the National Football League, Kurt Warner has clearly been a Cinderella Story. A win today leading his Arizona club over Pittsburgh could lead the way to a Hall of Fame spot for Warner in Canton. Another outstanding accomplishment, since no Iowa native sits in the NFL Hall of Fame.

Of course, today is about the game, a classic chess match between the defensive minded Pittsburgh Steelers and the offensive minded Arizona Cardinals.

Game Forecast:

Pittsburgh's defense is allowing six points more in the postseason, as compared the the regular season. On the flop side, Arizona's defense is playing stronger in the postseason. This should be a good game. Turnovers will be huge, as could special teams.

Here's to a great Super Bowl today. Hopefully, Kurt Warner will help his team bring home the Trophy.

peace

Super Bowl XLIII - Pittsburgh (AFC) vs. Arizona (NFC)

We countdown to Super Bowl 43 . With Iowa's native son, Kurt Warner, starting QB for the Arizona Cardinals facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, it should make for some interesting story lines for this year's Super Bowl.

Super Bowl history.... from last year's 17-14 New York Giants win to Super Bowl I and the Green Bay Packers!

Computer simulation projects a Steelers win 20-14 - USA Today
Another close game would be outstanding for the Super Bowl and it's viewers. We can't just live on commercials can we on February 1?

Is Hall of Fame in Warner’s future? - Vancouver Sun,
Kurt Warner clearly appears to be on his way into the Hall of Fame... but, you never want to count your chickens until they hatch.

NFL: Super Bowl security to be tight in Tampa - The Associated Press

Super Bowl Ben thanks his wife - Melbourne Herald Sun

peace

January 25, 2009 - One Week from Super Bowl XLIII

Leaving church this morning, I visited briefly with a women, who like me was heading out to her car... I commented about the weather and said hello, her initial response was...

"What are we going to do with no football?"

So, I asked her who she was rooting for for the Super Bowl? She said, "I am University of Northern Iowa graduate." We didn't' have to say anymore about that one.

I have always enjoyed the Pittsburgh Steelers back during the 1970s and early 1980s under coach Chuck Noll. But, as a Cedar Rapidian and Iowan, I have to go with the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII (that's 43, if you don't know your Roman numerals). After all, Arizona starting QB Kurt Warner is a native of Iowa, a Cedar Rapids Regis graduate (now a middle school) and one-year starter for the University of Northern Iowa Panthers (now home of my oldest).div>

What are we going to do with no football?

I'll leave that for another day, since we have college football signing day approaching in early February. And, we still have the game of the year in professional football next Sunday. Let's welcome in Super Bowl XLIII week tomorrow.

Today, I'll relax with some classical music and the arts tonight.

peace

January 4, 2009: Kirk Warner and Darren Sproles in the NFL playoffs

Yesterday in the NFL, it was nice to see former Cedar Rapids Regis prep and University of Northern Iowa QB Kirk Warner back in the NFL playoffs for the first time, since 2002.

Warner and his Arizona Cardinals' teammates pulled out the NFC Wild-Card game over the Atlanta Falcons 30-24 yesterday in Phoenix.

The Cardinals held on to win the game, after a 14-3 start.

In the nightcap, the San Diego Chargers knocked off the visiting Indianapolis Colts and Payton Manning 23-17 in overtime.

Darren Sproles, born in Waterloo, Iowa; stepped in for an injured LaDainian Tomilinson, scored the winning touchdown in OT to move the Chargers to the next round of the NFL playoffs. Sproles was hot most of the night, though he had a few turnovers.

Amazing game, when you think about the Chargers 4-8 start this season to finish 8-8 in the regular season, then host the Colts, who were 12-4 on the regular season.

It was nice seeing the former Iowa guys on Saturday in the Colts-Chargers game. The Colts' TE Dallas Clark and S Bob Sanders, #21 in the Sproles picture above, and OG Mike Goff and PK Nate Kaeding for the Chargers.

Next up today, the AFC Wild-Card: Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins at 12 p.m central time on CBS, while in the night cap, in the NFL Wild-Card: Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings at 3:30 p.m. central time on FOX.

If today's games are anything like yesterday's games, the NFL playoffs should be off to a very good start. The playoffs should really heat up as they move to the Round of 8.

peace