Happy Thanksgiving, as Hawkeye fans, there is plenty to be thankful for in 2015

Cedar Rapids, IA -- It is Thanksgiving. A time to be thankful, spending time with family and friends over a meal and conversation. This year, the Iowa Hawkeyes have given the Big Ten, the nation and the fans plenty to be thankful for in 2015.





Iowa has its best start in program history (11-0), due to excelling in all three phases of the game.

The Iowa Hawkeyes switched signal callers ahead of the 2015 season. This
move has been a huge factor in Iowa's rebirth in Kirk Ferentz's 17th season at
the helm leading the Hawkeye program.

#3 IOWA (11-0, 7-0 B1G West) at Nebraska (5-6, 3-4 B1G West)

The Real difference between Hawkeyes and Huskers in 2015 - Link

Date: Nov. 27, 2015 | 2:36 p.m. (CST)

Location: Lincoln, Neb. | Memorial Stadium (87,000)

TV: ABC

Radio: Learfield Communications

Online: Hawkeye All-Access

Live Stats: Stat Broadcast | Twitter Game Updates

The Hawkeyes are in the Big Ten Championship Game for 2015. The Heroes Game is a key step, if Iowa plans to also capture a spot in the second annual College Football Playoff. Black Friday should be very exciting place in Lincoln, as the Hawkeyes and Huskers square off in Memorial Stadium for the fifth straight season. It is the 25th straight season for the Huskers playing the day after Thanksgiving.

Iowa won the Big Ten West Division and clinched a berth in the Big Ten Championship game after defeating Purdue, 40-20, on Nov. 21. The Hawkeyes’ East Division opponent will be determined Nov. 28. If Michigan State defeats Penn State, the Spartans will win the East. If Michigan State loses, the winner of the Michigan-Ohio State game will win the East. The Big Ten Championship game is in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is 7:17 p.m. (CT). The game will be televised nationally on FOX. Iowa will be the home team and wear its black jerseys at the Big Ten title game.

Iowa is now ranked #4 in the College Football Playoff poll for the first time in program history this week. The Hawkeyes are now fourth behind #1 Clemson, #2 Alabama and #3 Oklahoma, after being fifth prior to the latest poll.

The top four teams on Dec. 6 advance to the CFP semifinals on Dec. 31 at one of two locations: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; Capital One Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. The semifinal winners advance to the National Championship Game on, Jan. 11 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

A great tribute story on Iowa's Bob Brooks ...

Long time, veteran Iowa broadcaster and reporter Bob Brooks.

KWWL ‏@KWWL 

3 hours ago

From #TodayInIowa: If you're a fan of
@TheIowaHawkeyes, you've heard
his legendary voice: Link

Black Friday: The Hawkeyes from Iowa vs. the Huskers from Nebraska @ Lincoln for a Crossroads Battle in the Heroes Game

Iowa RB #33 Jordan Canzeri, now a senior, running for yardage during the 2013
Heroes Game between Iowa and Nebraska. The Hawkeyes won 38-17 in Lincoln.
First win in the series, since Iowa's 1981 win in Iowa City. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz
was a first year OL coach during the 1981 season. He has experienced a 2-6 record
over the 26 seasons on the sidelines at Iowa, with a 1-1 record as an assistant.

Lincoln, NE -- On Black Friday, it will be the fifth meeting between, now an unbeaten, #3 Iowa (11-0, 7-0 B1G West) and Nebraska (5-6, 3-4 B1G West), since the Huskers joined the Big Ten Conference in 2011. The Huskers have fallen from seven straight seasons, with a minimum of nine wins and four losses, since first year of Mike Riley arrived. moved over from Oregon State, after 14 years, in between his time leading the Beavers, with a stint in the NFL between.

The game will draw a national audience on ABC, with a 2:30 Friday kickoff,
with Adam Amin, Kelly Stouffer and Olivia Harlan announcing and reporting.
Many national talking heads have been waiting for the ax to fall
on Iowa, as one of only two unbeaten teams left in the FBS.

Nebraska's post-Thanksgiving game has been nationally televised by ABC each year since 1991 (25 games). In addition to the past four years, Nebraska and Iowa also closed the regular season against each other nine times from 1892 to 1916.

Nebraska junior WR #1 Jordan Westercamp in a non-conference game for the
Huskers. Here is a link to his comments ahead of the game with Iowa.

Since the 2002 season, both Iowa and Nebraska have 115 wins to rank tied for 19th in the FBS. The Cornhuskers won three mythical national titles in the 1990s and have not participated in a BCS bowl, since the 2001 season, as a member of the Big 12. The Huskers lost to BCS champion, Miami-FL to finish the 2001 season. They are now on their fourth head football coach, since the success of Bob Devaney and Dr. Tom Osborne in Lincoln 

The Hawkeyes have played in two BCS bowl games (2002, 2009), won two Big Ten co-championships (2002, 2004) and are seeking an opportunity to play in their first College Football Playoff, if they can defeat Nebraska on Black Friday, then win in the Big Ten Championship Game on December 5th. Ohio State won the inaugural College Football Playoff last year, after winning the Big Ten Conference with an 8-0 record and win over Wisconsin in the Championship Game.

Iowa WR #4 Tevaun Smith, now a senior, scores in the 2014 game against
Nebraska S #28 Bryerson Cockrell, now a senior. It should be another battle
during the Heroes game this Friday.

The Hawkeyes are coming off a 40-20 win at home against Purdue to clinch the Big Ten West Division title and a date in the Big Ten Championship Game. Iowa is 11-0 for the first time in program and is seeking to finish undefeated for the first time, since back to back 7-0 finishes in 1921 and 1922. It would only be the fifth time in the regular season that Iowa finished undefeated. Iowa head coach is seeking his second 8-0 finish in the Big Ten, as well. His first was in 2009.

The Huskers are looking to close out November on a three game winning streak, after opening 3-6 for the first time, since the 1958. season. The last lost by the Huskers was on Halloween with a 55-45 loss @ Purdue. Nebraska is 1-4 vs. common opponents with Iowa, all in the B1G West.

Nebraska junior QB #4 Tommy Armstrong missed the game in 2013, but
lead the 37-34 comeback victory in OT during last year's game in Iowa City.
Armstrong gives Nebraska an option with his feet and threw the air.

Talk about crossroads with Iowa and Nebraska, the Hawkeyes were considered a mythical national champion in 1958, so a win over Nebraska and the Big Ten East winner in the Big Ten Championship Game could put Iowa on path to revisiting their glory days of the 1950s. Something the Huskers have over Iowa with the success under both Devaney (1970s) and Osborne (1990s), during the days of mythical championships. Nebraska has won five national titles (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997).

Dean of the Big Ten, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz during the 2013
game, which was his first victory against Nebraska as a head coach.
Ferentz is enjoying his best season in his 17th year at the helm.

Iowa was last ranked #1 in the regular season back in 1985. The Hawkeyes have celebrated the 30th anniversary of their last outright Big Ten Championship with a great 11-0 start and Big Ten West division title. Now, with the Championship Game, there are no more co-champions in the Big Ten. 

Huskers, Hawkeyes Set to Battle for Heroes Trophy

Nebraska and Iowa will battle for the Heroes Trophy when they hit the field at Memorial Stadium on Friday. The HyVee Heroes Game is the annual trophy game between Nebraska and Iowa. While both teams will aim to win the trophy on the field, both Nebraska and Iowa wished to make their annual meeting about more than just winning a football game. With that in mind, the schools partnered together to not only create a trophy, but to use a national stage to honor a citizen hero from each state.

In addition to the trophy that will be claimed by the winner of the game, both an Iowa and Nebraska native will be honored for extraordinary acts. Those winners will be announced early this week.

Nebraska owns a 19-6 record since 1990 in games on the day after Thanksgiving, including a 5-1 record against Okahoma, an 11-4 mark against Colorado and 3-1 against Iowa. Definately, a new tradition for Iowa, who lost the two first meetings with Nebraska, but won 38-17 in Lincoln in 2013 and nearly won in 2014, if not for a great comeback by the Huskers, after Iowa took a 24-7 lead, only to lose in Overtime 37-34 in Iowa City.

Iowa C #63 Austin Blythe and TE #80 Henry Krieger Coble, now seniors in
2015, celebrating a rushing touchdown during the 2013 win at Lincoln.

In the six games played from 1979-82 and 1999-2000, Iowa only won one game, the first season, when Kirk Ferentz arrived as an offensive line coach under Hayden Fry in 1981. The other five games were one sided affairs with the Huskers winning. But, since 2011 and Nebraska's arrival to the Big Ten, the series has begun to become competitive for Iowa, fueled mostly by the past two games.

This is the 46th game in the series, with Nebraska owning a 29-13-3 lead overall. But, the fourth all-time winning program in FBS is tied for 19th, since 2002, with Iowa and Virginia. The list includes the following: Boise State (155); Ohio State (152); Oklahoma (147); LSU (141); USC (141); Alabama (137); TCU (134); Georgia (136); Oregon (134); Florida State (133); Texas (130); Wisconsin (130); Virginia Tech (128); Florida (127); Auburn (123); Utah (120); West Virginia (120); Virginia (115); Iowa (115); Nebraska (115); Miami, FL (112); Michigan (111); Texas Tech (110).

Iowa P #16 Dillion Kidd, now a senior, in last year's Heroes Game.
Special teams will be a big area for both teams. It could be the area of the
game that determines who wins and who doesn't on Black Friday?

This season, the Hawkeyes are 4-0 on the road against Power 5 programs with a pair of wins over ranked opponents (#18 Wisconsin; #20 Northwestern). Iowa is one of only four schools with multiple road wins over ranked opponents: Alabama (3), Michigan State (2) and UCLA (2). Nebraska only has one Power 5 win at home in the Big Ten, with a controversial one point win over now #6 Michigan State. 

Can Nebraska spoil Iowa's dream season?

The Hawkeyes are also right in the thick of the race for a spot in the College Football Playoff, ranking fifth in the Nov. 17 poll. Iowa checks in at No. 3 in this week's Associated Press Poll and USA Today Coaches polls. The strength of the Hawkeyes has been a strong defense that has limited opponents to just 18.5 points per game and 322.5 yards of total offense.

Iowa QB #16 C.J. Beathard , now a junior, back during the 2013 win over the
Huskers. Since his first start in 2014 at Purdue and his 11 starts throughout
the 2015 season, Beathard is 12-0 as a starter, including 5 road wins. He
scored a rushing TD in the game against Nebraska in a mop up role.

A victory would give Nebraska two wins over top-10 teams in the month of November, after a 39-38 win over Michigan State on Nov. 7. It would mark the first time since 1999 that Nebraska has defeated a pair of top-10 teams in the same season.

Iowa will find out on Tuesday night, if they move up in this week's College Football Playoff poll. The top four teams on Dec. 6 advance to the CFP semifinals on Dec. 31 at one of two locations: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; Capital One Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. The semifinal winners advance to the National Championship Game on, Jan. 11 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Who's In?

The Hawkeyes celebrate the 30th anniversary of one of three Rose Bowl births under Coach Fry in 2015. The Hawkeyes have not played in the Rose Bowl, since the 1990 season, but Ferentz with the right ranking could find the Hawkeyes in their third Orange Bowl, as part of the CFP, if Iowa can finish out 8-0 in the Big Ten regular season and win the Big Ten Championship? 

It is the fourth and final trophy game on Iowa’s schedule in 2015: Iowa State (Cy-Hawk: W, 31-17), Wisconsin (Heartland; W, 10-6), Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale: W, 40-35). Iowa has scored over 30 points in the last two meetings, after scoring as many as 30 points just twice in the first 43 meetings. Nebraska scored 30 points for the first time, in last year's win, after 20 points or under the last three meetings, since joining the conference.

Of course, Iowa has secured a West division trophy and will be playing for a Big Ten Championship trophy on December 5th. But, the Heroes Game is up first and this one should have a lot of national interest, as Iowa seeks to come out of no where to crash the 2015 College Football Playoff.

Nebraska enters the game with a 5-6 record and a 3-4 mark in Big Ten play, following a 31-14 victory at Rutgers on Nov. 14. Nebraska comes into the matchup following a bye week after playing 11 straight weeks to open the season. A win over Iowa would even the Huskers' record at 6-6 and secure a bowl bid for Nebraska.

Iowa QB #16 C.J. Beathard running the ball as a freshman against Nebraska,
back during the 2013 game. Junior C.J. Beathard is one of only four Power 5
conference quarterbacks to win each of their first 12 career starts since 2010.

Both teams have the potential to be balanced in all three phases of the game, but Iowa has really put it together in 2015, on way to their first 11-0 start in program history.

IOWA OFFFENSE: 

• Iowa has a balanced offense. Its 4,601 total yards are divided by 2,291 yards rushing, and 2,310 yards passing. 
• Iowa has 33 rushing touchdowns, first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally. 
• The Hawkeyes have scored 30-plus points in five straight Big Ten games for the first time in school history, including back-to-back 40-point outbursts the last two weeks against Minnesota and Purdue. 
• Iowa has six touchdown drives over 90 yards and 18 touchdown drives over 75 yards. 

IOWA DEFENSE: 

• Iowa has allowed seven rushing touchdowns; tying Michigan for No. 1 in the conference and fourth nationally. 
• Iowa leads the Big Ten in interceptions (13), takeaways (21), and turnover margin (+11). 
• Limiting big plays: Iowa has allowed 12 scrimmage plays of 30-plus yards. Only Michigan (11) has allowed fewer among Big Ten teams. 

IOWA SPECIAL TEAMS: 

• Marshall Koehn’s 57-yard game-winning field goal vs. Pitt is the second longest in school history and the second longest in FBS this season. 
• Iowa’s two-man punt team of Dillon Kidd (42.6) and Marshall Koehn (45.0) rank fourth in the Big Ten averaging 42.0 yards per punt. 
• Desmond King averages 25.6 yards on KO returns (No. 2 in Big Ten) and 12.7 yards per punt return (No. 3 in the Big Ten).

In 2013, former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, who coached from 2008 to 2014 in
Lincoln, congratulating Iowa DC Phil Parker after Iowa's first road win in the
series, since the 1946 game in Lincoln. Iowa's turnaround has been shown,
with a solid defense, eliminating a lot of explosion plays that hurt Iowa in '14.

The Huskers' one-point win over Michigan State reversed the trend of close setbacks Nebraska has suffered through in 2015. Nebraska's six losses have came by a total of 23 points, with the first five by a total of 13 points. Nebraska's first four losses were especially difficult. Each of the first four setbacks occurred with the opponent scoring the winning points on the game's final play or in overtime.

There is a reason Vegas and many national talking heads have this game as a very close one. Nebraska was very close to having a very good first season under Riley. The Huskers have won three of the last five games in the Big Ten.

Nebraska has never defeated top-10 opponents in consecutive home games.The Huskers are 3-1 against ranked Big Ten teams at Memorial Stadium since 2011. Nebraska is 4-6 overall against ranked Big Ten teams since joining the league.

The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 71-23 in the first quarter, and 44-3 in the final two minutes of the first half. Iowa has trailed just five times this season, never by more than seven points. The Hawkeyes trailed by seven at Iowa State on two occasions, 10-3, 17-10. Iowa trailed 3-0 at Wisconsin, 7-6 against Illinois, and 17-14 at Indiana. In 660 minutes played, Iowa has trailed for 55:15.

Nebraska DE #95 Jack Ganwish is one of 18 seniors on the Huskers roster.

It will be Senior Day for 18 Nebraska seniors. The 2015 seniors hail from eight states, including nine native Nebraskans. The senior class also features three players from Texas and one each from Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mississippi and Wisconsin.

A loss on Black Friday would be the first 5-7 season for Nebraska, since the 65-51 loss on Black Friday to Colorado to end the 2007 season. That was the final season, under four year coach Bill Callahan, who also finished 5-6 in his first season, with a 26-20 loss in Lincoln.

Nebraska coach Mike Riley is in his first season leading the Huskers. He meet
with the media on Monday ahead of this week's game against Iowa. Iowa
meets with the media on Tuesday. Link to Riley's discussion with media.

This is coach Riley's first Black Friday game in Lincoln, as Nebraska's first year coach. It is coach Ferentz's third Black Friday game in Lincoln, after losing his first in 2011 20-7 and winning his second 38-17 in 2013.

Iowa is a one point favorite. A six point computer favorite by one simulation service listed on Massey. Iowa is 4-0 on the road against the spread in 2015.

Iowa CB #14 Desmond King, now a junior, with the Heroes Trophy, after
the 2013 win, Iowa's only victory, since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011.

Happy Thanksgiving #Hawkeyes #Jays #Cornhuskers #Panthers

Cedar Rapids, IA -- We have reached the point in the athletic calendar where College Football is winding down and College Basketball has tipped off another regular season.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

The Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4, 4-3 B1G West) will host the Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-3, 4-3 B1G West) on the gridiron of Kinnick Stadium on Black Friday. It will be a 11 a.m. start televised on ABC.

Both, the Iowa and Nebraska basketball programs are off to a slower start with each experiencing a loss already on the books. Iowa is 4-2, while Nebraska is 3-1.

In football, some Hawkeye fans and even more Cornhusker fans are getting restless, tired and frustrated with their head coach's lack of high success. Neither Kirk Ferentz or Bo Pelini have won a conference title in the last ten and seven years, respectively. Ferentz did win in 2002 and 2004 at Iowa. Pelini is enjoying his seven year itch at Nebraska.

Remember, change for the sake of change often doesn't bring fruit in the Heartland. The Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers will enjoy their border way on Black Friday. Iowa won last year in Lincoln 38-17, but haven't won at Kinnick over Nebraska in 33 years.

At the present time, neither is ranked in the Top 25 in either sport.

Both will be heading south for the bowl season, but this game was hopefully for a division title on the line, but will have to wait for next season?

The B1G West title will be determined Saturday, as Minnesota @ Wisconsin is played for Paul Bunyan's Ax. The winnet will earn a date in the Big Ten title game with Ohio State. We expected the Golden Gophers to win, but with RB David Cobb's injury, the Badgers are likely in a good position for a date with the Buckeyes.

Creighton men's basketball is off to a 5-0 start, as head coach Greg McDermott turned 50 on Tuesday night with the Jays' fifth win of the season. Last week's win over then #18 Oklahoma at CenturyLink placed the Jays at #23 in this week's AP Poll.

With only one returning full-time starter, senior PG Austin Chatman, the new look Jays have seen five different players step up to lead the Creighton scoring chart in five straight games. Last year, NCAA player of the year Doug McDermott lead Creighton in scoring in all but three games.

The Jays men's soccer team beat Oregon State on Sunday to advance to the Sweet 16 of the College Cup. The women's volleyball team is still playing, after a successful Big East season.

Iowa State football plays West Virginia on Saturday at Jack Trice for Senior Day. It has been a long journey a 2-8 season and zero Big 12 victories. Time is running out, but the Cyclones won the Cy-Hawk Trophy, so Life's Good for Paul Rhoads and his program in Ames.

Iowa State (3-1) men's basketball is in good hands with coach Fred Hoiberg. The Cyclones fell to Maryland in Kansas City ahead of Thanksgiving.

The Cy-Hawk Game will be in Iowa City in December. Creighton at Nebraska will be another good intra-state basketball game coming in December. Both games will be televised by the Big Ten Network.

The University of Northern Iowa Panthers open the FCS Football Playoffs in the UNI-Dome hosting Stephen F Austin. The winner travels to Illinois State in the next round of the Playoffs.

On the hardwood, the Panthers are 6-0 and appear to have a good unit for the 2014-15 season. The Panthers received 17 votes in the latest AP Basketball Poll. They are coming off a 61-42 victory over Northwestern in Mexico on Wednesday night.

The smell of Thanksgiving is in the air, as the Detroit Lions continue the tradition of the NFL on this Holiday hosting the Chicago Bears (5-6) indoors. However, it is the Green Bay Packers (8-3) that now lead former Hawkeye Jim Caldwell's Lions in the NFC Central Division.

Enjoy the turkey and the festivities everyone!

It's Happy Thanksgiving: Yes, we can talk College Basketball now

College Basketball has been on, since early November, but as a big College Football fan ... it a little ahead of our natural sports clock.

Today is Thanksgiving, so we are thankful our two teams, #20/18 Creighton and #23 Iowa, tip-off with basketball games this evening. As the Thanksgiving arrives, the blending of both basketball with football is easier to enjoy.

Packers @ Lions to kickoff the Thanksgiving afternoon ... than the Hawkeyes and Bluejays in the evening on the hardwood!

It's time for a little business: College Basketball over the Thanksgiving holidays!

Creighton all-American, senior forward Doug McDermott,
an Iowa native, leads the Jays upward in the two College Basketball polls,
after jumping off to a 4-0 start in 2013-14.

The Creighton basketball team has a historic season in 2013-14, as coach Greg McDermott, along with all-American son, Doug, help transition the Jays from the MVC to the Big East Conference. The Jays have picked up back to back solid wins at St. Joseph's and vs. Tulsa, after two cupcakes to open the season at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha.

 Doug McDermott became Creighton's first player to open the season with four straight 20-point performances since Cyril Baptiste in 1969-70. Creighton is now 44-0 all-time in home games on or before Nov. 26th

Tonight on ESPN2 at 10 p.m., the undefeated Creighton Jays (4-0) will  play in The Wooden Legacy against the undefeated Arizona State Sun Devils (6-0) in a rematch of last year's Holiday week tournament in Las Vegas.

Iowa senior SG
Roy Devyn Marble
leads the Hawkeyes
against Xavier with a
6 p.m. tip off on NBC Sports.

Prior to Creighton-Arizona State, the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes (5-0) will square off with Xavier Musketeers (5-0) in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis from Paradise Island, The Bahamas on NBCSports (DirecTV 220) at 6 p.m.  Butler, Creighton and Xavier are all new members of the Big East Conference in 2013-14.

"We're playing very well, but we've beaten teams everybody expected us to beat," said Iowa coach Fran McCaffery of Iowa's 5-0 start. "Now we're playing teams that people aren't sure if we're going to beat. (I want us) to go out and play well against those teams and compete in a way that exemplifies our capability moving forward."

For the first time this season, Iowa will square off against competition that can match-up athletically and depth-wise. The Hawkeyes have 10 players averaging at least 15 minutes per game.

"This is a field where you have more teams like us in terms of they have 10 good players," said McCaffery. "It is going to be an interesting three days for us."

Below is a team-by-team rundown of the Battle 4 Atlantis field. Iowa will play Xavier today, UTEP or Tennessee on Friday and one team from the group of Kansas, Villanova, Wake Forest and Southern California on Saturday

"I am very excited," said sophomore transfer Jarrod Uthoff, who played at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. "It should be a great test for us, playing Xavier, Tennessee or UTEP, and if we win those two, probably Kansas."

Plenty of teams this week will be looking to move up into the polls.  Iowa, Kansas and Creighton all will seek to remain or stay at a high level.

Xavier (5-0)
Xavier is currently 5-0 after downing Abilene Christian, 93-65, on Nov. 25. The Muskateers are led by guard Semaj Christon, who averages 16.4 points and five assists per game. Christon was a 2012-13 Kyle Macy Freshman All-American. Matt Steinbrook averages 10.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and has 13 blocks. Xavier has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in seven of the last eight seasons, which includes three trips to the Sweet 16 and one Elite Eight appearance.

Tennessee (3-1)
The Volunteers have reeled off three-straight victories since falling to Xavier, 67-63, in their regular-season opener. Tennessee has three players averaging in double digits with Jordan McRae leading the team with a 21.5 scoring average. Jarnell Stokes (11.5 points, 8.3 rebounds) and Antonio Barton (10.8 points) also average 10+ points. The Vols have played in the postseason in each of the past eight years, which includes back-to-back appearances in the National Invitation Tournament under head coach Cuonzo Martin.

UTEP (3-2)
The Miners bring a 3-2 record to the Bahamas with both losses coming to New Mexico State. UTEP has four players averaging in double figures with McKenzie Moore leading the team with 14 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists, while Vince Hunter adds 10.2 points and 7.4 rebounds. The Miners are led by former Iowa State head coach Tim Floyd.

Kansas (4-0) - Ranked #2 nationally
The Jayhawks are currently ranked second in both the Coaches' and Associated Press polls and bring a 4-0 record into the Battle 4 Atlantis. Kansas defeated fourth-ranked Duke, 94-83, in the Champions Classic on Nov. 12. The Jayhawks are led by freshman Andrew Wiggins (16.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and sophomore Perry Ellis (16.8 points, seven rebounds). Kansas has made 24-straight NCAA Tournament appearances -- the longest streak nationally -- and won nine-straight Big 12 regular season titles.

Villanova (4-0)
The Wildcats bring a 4-0 record into the tournament following an 84-80 victory over Delaware on Nov. 22. Villanova has three players averaging in double figures with JayVaughn Pinkston pacing the team at 20.3 points per game. James Bell averages 18 points and seven rebounds, while Darrun Hilliard chips in 14 points to go along with a team-best 17 assists. The Wildcats have played in the NCAA Tournament in seven of the last eight seasons.

Wake Forest (5-0)
The Demon Deacons are 5-0 this season under fourth-year head coach Jeff Bzdelik. Wake Forest has four players averaging double digits with Codi Miller-McIntyre leading the way with 18.6 points and 24 assists. Big man Devin Thomas averages 14.4 points and an ACC-best 11.6 rebounds. The Demon Deacons haven't played in the NCAA Tournament since 2010.

Southern California (4-1)
The Trojans have reeled off four-straight victories since falling 78-65 to Utah State in their season debut. USC has three players averaging in double figures with Byron Wesley pacing the squad with 19.8 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Trojans are led by first-year head coach Andy Enfield, who led Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet 16 last season.

Two Big East programs, Xavier and Villanova are among the Battle 4 Atlantis participants, so Creighton fans may want to take a sneak peak of two teams that will be coming to CenturyLink during the conference schedule in 2013.

Happy Thanksgiving, Black Friday and the holiday, shopping weekend!

• Creighton at The Wooden Legacy
• Iowa at the Battle 4 Atlantis
• Iowa @ Nebraska in the Heroes Game III on Friday at 11 a.m. on ABC for College Football

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from Cidsports

There is plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving as a sports fan.

• Creighton has joined the Big East Conference - Volleyball, men's soccer, men's and women's basketball and baseball all should be very competitive for the Bluejays!
• Iowa, Creighton and Iowa State are all ranked in the Top 25 in College Basketball, with the Hawkeyes and Bluejays on TV this Thanksgiving, as celebrate the holiday with a tounrament!
• Iowa Football has rebounded from the awful 4-8 season a year ago, with an opportunity to finish 8-4, with a win in the Heroes Game III in Lincoln on Black Friday.
• The 2013-14 College Bowl Season and NFL Playoffs to look forward to, though the Green Bay Packers are not looking very healthy in 2013 ...
• The end of the BCS is near ...

  Iowa was awarded a MNC, after the 1958 season by the Football Writers Association of America.  Iowa received the Grantland Rice Trophy for the work of coach Forest Evashevski's team performed on the field that season.

Nebraska has won four Grantland Rice Trophies over the years, for the work Bob Devaney (1970, 1971) teams and Dr. Tom Osborne (1994, 1995) teams performed.

The modern era of College Football began in 1954.  The 50 years of College Football, a Modern History of America's Most Colorful Sport was written, beginning with the 1953 season.

The BCS era brought the end of the Big 8 Conference, including the Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry. In many ways, it ended the Nebraska dominance in football. The fate of Nebraska coach Bo Pelini has been debated endless by many in the media and Cornhusker fan-base.  The reality is Nebraska hasn't won a conference title, since 1999.

The 1992 season brought the Bowl Coalition, which didn't have much impact on Nebraska. By the 1995 season, the Bowl Coalition had become the Bowl Alliance.

Nebraska enjoyed its last undefeated season in 1997, as Dr. Tom Osborne's Cornhuskers went 12-0, with a MNC split with the Michigan Wolverines, who won the Grantland Rice Trophy for the season.

The first the Bowl Championship Series was 1998. It also was the first season of the Big 12 Conference.

• Tennessee, 1998 season
• Florida State, 1999 season
• Oklahoma, 2000 season
• Miami - FL, 2001 season
• Ohio State, 2002 season
• LSU, 2003 season
• USC, 2004 season
• Texas, 2005 season ***
• Florida, 2006 season
• LSU, 2007 season
• Florida, 2008 season
• Alabama, 2009 season
• Auburn, 2010 season
• Alabama, 2011 season
• Alabama , 2012 season
• The 2013 season is the final season of the BCS. With two weeks left in the regular season, only five teams remain undefeated: Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, Fresno State and Northern Illinois.
• In 2014, a four game playoff will begin with a College Football Playoff 13 member selection committee. By the way, former Nebraska head coach and athletic director Dr. Tom Osborne is one of the 13 committee members.

*** Highest rated BCS title game in the history of the BCS.

Hope everyone is enjoying their week of Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Creighton Bluejays pushed the Michigan Wolverines into OT in Orlando on Thanksgiving. But, too many mistakes cost the Jays down the stretch.

Ott's Thoughts: Michigan 83, Creighton 76 (OT) - White and Blue Review ‎
Except Creighton fans could say the same thing. The Bluejays out rebounded Michigan for the better part of 45 minutes. The Jays shot better than UM. ...
Michigan Holds Off Creighton in Overtime - New York Times
Michigan 83, Creighton 76 - USA Today
Recap: No. 15 Wolverines 83, Jays 76 (OT) - Detroit Free Press

Celebrating Thanksgiving today with our family and a little football

Friday, November 27Th on DirecTV today

• Rutgers at Louisville 10:00 a.m. ESPN2 (HD)


• Temple at Ohio 10:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD)


• Illinois at Cincinnati 11:00 a.m. ABC (HD) - Tough times for the Fighting Illini!


• Wyoming at Colorado State 1:00 p.m. Mtn.


• Alabama at Auburn 1:30 p.m. CBS (HD) / Online


• Memphis at Tulsa 2:30 p.m. CBSC (HD)


• Nebraska at Colorado 2:30 p.m. ABC (HD) - A Thanksgiving Family Tradition


• Pittsburgh at West Virginia 6:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD)


• Nevada at Boise State 9:15 p.m. ESPN2 (HD)

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend!

peace

Iowa Basketball is 1-0 outside and 0-4 within the CBE Classic to open the '09-'10 season

The 2009-10 basketball season for the University of Iowa has not gotten off to a good start. The Hawkeyes did get one victory over Bowling Green in game 3 of the season. But, the Hawkeyes went 0-4 in the CBE Classic. The Hawkeyes lost two games at home in the on-campus part of the CBE Classic. Then, they followed it up with back to back games in Kansas City, both losses. The Hawkeyes fell to #3 Texas on Monday, then vs. Wichita State tonight.

Iowa is now 1-4 to open the season.

It's not likely going to be a pretty season for coach Todd Lickliter, now in his third season, at Iowa. The Hawkeyes have only two upper classmen and are not at full strength with a 13 player roster.

Looking at the teams in the CBE Classic field. Clearly the University of Iowa played the toughest slate of teams. Duquense and Texas-San Antonio were two of the better bottom bracket teams.

The bottom line is Iowa is not a very good team right now. They are inconsistent and lack a lot of what it takes to compete with the better programs in the NCAAs.

If you are an Iowa fan in 2009-10, it would serve you well to be patient. Otherwise, it will get pretty negative at times.

Remember, this is the time for Thanksgiving. On the football side, Iowa finished 10-2, 6-2 in the Big Ten, which is good for second place. Time will tell in the next couple of weeks, whether Iowa will pull in their second BCS bid in the history of Iowa football.

peace

Happy Thanksgiving from cidsports

May you have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving! Hopefully you can enjoy time with friends and family wherever you may be.

http://twitter.com/cidsports

peace