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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uncharted territory: Iowa Football and the Big Ten; 3 more to play in Week 1 of College Football

Tough way to begin 2016 for LSU and four other SEC schools ...

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Week 1 doesn't define a season. Look at the past two years in the B1G & beyond ...

Good example: Stanford Cardinal in 2015, after an ugly 16-6 loss at Northwestern to kickoff the 2015 season. By the way, the Cardinal played 0-12 UCF in Week 2 at home. They won 31-7. The following week, @ #6 USC, who finished 7-6 and no reason they are at Top 25 program right now or then ...

Preseason Polls are meaningless. Examples ...

Should we write off OU, LSU or Northwestern right now?

Last year, Oklahoma lost to Texas in the Red River Shoutout and still made Final 4 in CFP. 

They call Houston, a winner by upset, but Houston ended #8 last year. Why so low to open 2016?

This picture was used in discussing the OU/Houston game on Twitter.

Is a battle between #5 vs. #8 a big upset, if #8 wins the game?
Was Stanford's win over Iowa an upset in the Rose Bowl, after all, when you compare the common opponent in 2015?

Wins and losses matter, but teams for the CFP will be judged on the full season, especially the conference title, which is important, so hard to see two from same division or same conference, if not in a title game?

Look who reached his 64th win over ranked opponents in College
Football, the old head coach at Michigan State. By the way,
Steve Spurrier was honored at Florida, with the field name
on Saturday night, as Gators beat UMass 24-7.

In 2014, eventual #1 Ohio State lost at home to VA Tech in Week 2.

Well, the Big Ten finished the first week of the 2016 College Football with a 12-2 record, just like Iowa during the 2015 season.

There was a blowout by a Pac 12 team on the West Coast and a Michigan team beat the B1G at the end of the game in the final minute. Sound familiar ...

Wow, are you excited about the 2016 College Football season? 

There are THREE FBS games left this Labor Day weekend.

Wait, ESPN keeps talking about TWO games. 

Of course, the Power 5 is what matters, more importantly teams not named ODU or even Iowa.

One talking head said Desmond King won the first major trophy for Iowa, since the 1950s. Just like Iowa does not face a winning program on the road in 2016. ESPN is dead wrong on both accounts, are they not?

How far can the Hawkeyes fly in 2016, with 15 starters returning
and now a mix of 10 new true freshmen playing snaps this season?

By the way, there are more than TWO more Games over the weekend. Yes, Phil Steele had the game playing on Saturday too, but look at your LSU TV schedule for what games are really on folks!

ODU plays today, as well as the showdown in Austin. The final game will kickoff from Orlando on Labor Day in primetime on ABC.

- a battle for bragging rights in VA
- a battle for respect in Texas
- a battle between ACC-SEC bragging rights 

Not sure they have the same interest, since no B1G, except, Notre Dame and Florida State are involved. Oh, odu ...

How about Clemson over Auburn, Wisconsin over LSU, South Alabama over Mississippi State, West Virginia over Missouri, not as happy to hear Southern Miss rallied to beat Kentucky as the SEC witnesses five programs falling in Week 1?

By the way, it is Year 6 of the new era of Big Ten Football or is it Year 3, since the CFP is now here and we scrapped the Leaders and Legends?

Iowa is coming off 12-0. The two game losing streak, it was a three game losing streak last year at this time, Iowa was coming off and the Cy-Hawk Game is next.
Of course, this is the 1981 season all over again for Iowa, after all ...

• The world or at least many in the media have it for the B1G 2 again ...
• It is at Defcon 5, after OSU opened with a 77-10 win over Urban Meyer's former program ...
• For the first time, since 1975, Michigan beat a program by 60 or more points ...
• Who is Iowa - they don't play OSU or MSU this year?
• PSU was 7-6 last year ...
• Can we dream of 1981 of 1985 when Iowa vs. Michigan is played?
• Iowa ends the season at Kinnick with Nebraska, since we both are in the B1G now, but when was the last time Iowa won over Nebraska at Kinnick (1981) ...

Iowa opened the 2016 season playing ten true freshmen, clearly uncharted territory for the Hawkeyes? In 2007, 11 true freshmen played through out the season, I read recently.

One thing we don't like to see about Iowa defense ... 

A team not at full strength, but remember DE Drew Ott in 2015. Remember, MLB Josey Jewell is averaging 1 tackle right now per game. An assist at that ...

The Iowa Hawkeyes are lead by senior QB 16 C.J. Beathard,
who is now 14-2 as a starting QB. Next up: vs. Iowa State.

At Iowa, C.J Beathard is our QB. Though, we may see more of Tyler Wiegers in 2016?

Look at Alabama's first week at QB, in the win over USC. They did win right?

After all, it is a long season and don't forget about VA Tech, Arizona and Ole Miss [2]; Northwestern,Texas and Nebraska in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

By the way, no undefeated team has won the CFP, in the first two years.

Florida State and Clemson each went 13-1 at end, and didn't make title game, after undefeated regular seasons.

This is Year 3 of the CFP and the new B1G and it will be a roller coaster of a season, just like many B1G games.
                                                                                                                             

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 27-2, since the CFP kicked off.

1. Ohio State (1-0) - the team to beat in 2016? 

OU, the other B1G East opponents, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Nebraska ...

But, not for Iowa in the regular season. They will see others, such as Iowa State this week.

Neither for Alabama, who appear headed to play more spread offense, than any previous Nick Sabin team, ever. The OC creation of Lane Kiffin, oh my?

Iowa junior RB 25 Akrum Wadley, lead the Hawkeyes' ground
attack in the 45-21 win over Miami-OH in the season opener.
He also recovered a key fumble early in the game, as Iowa
allowed a free shot on QB C.J. Beathard. Iowa recovered
three fumbles to fuel the opening win of the 2016 season.

2. Iowa (1-0) - are they worthy, what would a game vs. OR ST, WMU, LSU or Fresno St have been like on Saturday? 

This is Year 5 of Phil Parker and Greg Davis, how special can 2016 be w/ new KF and the new Hawkeye team for this year?

The Spartans enjoy a bye week in Week 2, as they hit the road
@ Notre Dame, as senior QB 7 Tyler O'Connor, looks to build
on his 1-0 record on the road, as a starter, after leading MSU
to a 17-14 win to help clinch the B1G West division title.

3. Michigan State (1-0) - the Badgers open the B1G season in East Lansing on 9/24. 

The #12 Spartans have a bye week ahead of road trip against Notre Dame on 9/17.

4. Wisconsin (1-0) - yes, they just beat LSU and a won bowl game over USC last year. Lost last year to Alabama 35-7 to Iowa 10-6 and Northwestern 13-7. 
The Badgers win on defense and Paul Chryst is in Year 2 ...

The 2016 Michigan Wolverines kicked off the season, with the
first of five home games, including a 63-3 win over Hawaii'.
Sleep deprived Wolverines slaughter jet lagged Rainbow Warriors!

5. Michigan (1-0) - the Wolvernies face 1-0 UCF next. The Knights have given up less points than the Wolvernes, who open w/ 5 straight games in Ann Arbor for 2016.

Western Michigan defeated a Big Ten team for the first time, since
the 2007 win @ Iowa 28-19 to close out the Hawkeyes' regular
season. It is a game of inches, as the Wildcats may have learned?

6. Northwestern (0-1) - yes, they lost to WMU 22-21 on Saturday. In the loss, junior running back Justin Jackson scored all three touchdowns for the Wildcats, but a costly fumble at the goal line by sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson, ended the bid for a win.

The Wildcats beat Stanford in home opener last year and what did that say, it is a long season? One game doesn't define you, as a team?

The Nebraska paid tribute to the passing of punter Sam Foltz
during the season opener, as they only sent ten men onto the
field, ahead of the first punt attempt of the 2016 season. After
the delay of game penalty, Nebraska went on to defeat Fresno
State in the game, 43-10, with a 2nd half shutout.

7. Nebraska (1-0) - Mike Riley just won his 100th game as a College head coach. KF has 128 wins now at Iowa?

They have 1-0 Wyoming, who defeated NIU 40-34 in OT.

We all remember the Huskies out of the MAC? 

Tracy Claeys surprised the BTN
crew, when he went for 2 with a
seven point lead late in the 4Q.

8. Minnesota (1-0) - they beat Oregon State ugly in opener w/ three DQs or was it 2) 

B1G @ Penn State on 10/1 for B1G opener. They don't play anyone strong in OCC, except Gary Anderson's Beavers.

Penn State University announced recently they will honor the
50th anniversary of the hiring of Joe Paterno, as head football
coach, during the 9/17 game against Temple.

9. PSU (1-0) - the Nittany Lions are @ Pitt this Saturday, then host Temple. It is nice to see Penn State resuming with the Panthers in non-conference play.

Will they win or free fall? 

Open B1G @ Michigan, as well on 9/24.

The Hoosiers return 13 starters from a 6-7 team that
lost 44-41 in OT to Duke in the Pinstripe Bowl.
RG Dan Feeney, LB Clyde Newton, LB Marcus
Oliver and WR Ricky Jones are all back in 2016

10. Indiana (1-0) - Ball State is next, after road win @ FIU. The Hooisers are coming off bowl game, as they begin Kevin Wilson's sixth season. He was OC I believe in 1999, when Northwestern last lost to a MAC program in season opener?

Two B1G games are ahead to wrap up non-conference
play and September for the new Fighting Illini, as
the Lovie Smith era has come to Champaign,
after 20 years working the sidelines of the NFL.

11. Illinois (1-0) - host UNC, off loss to UGA in Atlanta, this Saturday in Champaign ...make or break game for former #23 Tar Heels? Western Michigan (1-0) also plays Illinois to round off non-conference play in 2016.

Can the Lovie Smith era, like the 1979 Iowa Hawkeyes under J. Hayden Fry, with a strong game(s) or even better with a big win(s)?

The Boilermakers opened 2016 with a new offensive and
defensive coordinator, as coach Darrell Hazell enters a critical
stage in 2016, his fourth season at the helm.

12. Purdue (1-0) - next up are the Cincinnati Bearcats from the AAC for Boilermakers. The Boilermakers took care of business against Eastern Kentucky and move on to the next test, with three non-conference games at home, including a bye week.

First year head coach D.J. Durkin celebrate his first career win
over a FCS program 

13. Maryland (1-0) - travel to play @FIU on Friday, so they face a Panthers program looking to get to 1-1 vs. B1G East.

The Chris Ash era has begun, as #16 Washington rolls 48-13
over the Scarlet Knights to kickoff the 2016 season. The next
game against 0-1 Howard, who were 1-10 last season may
not provide much feedback, in preparation for a B1G season.

14. Rutgers (0-1) - new head coach Chris Ash has work ahead before B1G opener on 9/24 w/ native state, Iowa.  Ironically, the Scarlet Knights play Howard, who were at Maryland for the season opening loss 52-13, to kickoff Week 2.

That's football ...

Sunday, September 4th 

• Notre Dame at Texas 6:30 pm on ABC / espn3 - the Longhorns have won 16 straight home openers by an average of 37 points, wow! Who do they actually play in home openers? Rice was opponent last year, after the 38-3 loss @ Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are 9-2 all-time in this series, winning five straight now. This game will likely be close?
• Hampton at Old Dominion 2:30 pm on $CUSA Video - There hasn't been much talk about this one. Phil Steele magazine had this one for the 3rd (Saturday), but C-USA pulled a nice win in the SEC on Saturday. ODU's next opponent is @ Appalachian State on Saturday, who took Tennessee down to the wire, losing in OT, after 17 straight points were given up by Mountaineers. ODU does play @ North Carolina State in Week 3, as they kickoff the 2016 season today against the Pirates, who were 6-5 at the FCS level in 2015 ...

Monday, September 5th 

• Florida State vs. Ole Miss (Orlando) 7:00 pm on ESPN - a loss to Ole Miss in back to back season didn't cost the Razorbacks in either 2014 or 2015, on the road to the College Football Playoff ...

Nice win Texas over Baylor ... now, what about tonight Iowa vs. Michigan State for B1G Championship?

Indianapolis, IN -- How did the Iowa Hawkeyes ever get to here? 

The 2015 Big Ten Championship Game is tonight in Lucas Oil Stadium, from Indianapolis.

Big Ten Championship Game: Michigan State vs. Iowa

Michigan State wasn't supposed to be here either, but That's Football. The games have to be played. The Spartans were a unanimous #2 in the B1G East Division, but they took out the unanimous choice in 2015, the defending champion, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and won every game, except one played in Lincoln, to open the month of November.

Ohio State was supposed to be here. The Buckeyes were supposed to repeat. They have been playing with fire throughout the season, with wins over Northern Illinois, Indiana, before falling at home to Michigan State, 17-14. But, how good is Ohio State, on any given Saturday?

Last season's Final 4, after conference championship games were played.

After winning the 2015 College Football Playoff Championship Game, players moved on from Columbus, assistant coaches moved on and the 2015 College Football season begins as a new year, and as a new team. Look at the success of the Ohio State's former offensive coordinator today ...

Houston vs Temple

Final - Today, 11:00 AM

TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

20Temple Owls (10-3) 13 17Houston Cougars (12-1) 24 The Houston Cougars won today the AAC Championship Game There head coach is Tom Herman, former OSU OC in '14 They will be the non-Power 5 in the New Year's Day 6

Alabama and Michigan State are two Top 10 programs that
are in the College Football Playoff hunt. They also have one loss,
Bama at home against Ole Miss and MSU @ Nebraska.

Preseason rankings, eye tests and recruiting ratings make for smack talk, overvalued ratings and a need for some high waders, since games still need to be played on the field. The Blue Bloods don't always win. Players are aged 18-23 and there is plenty of noise throughout the season.

The 2015 season may be a great example, especially, if you are the non-Blue Bloods, like Iowa, that the games need to be played. Both Iowa, Clemson and Oklahoma were not Top 10 picks, in their conference or division.  

Interesting fact about today's game. Neither, Iowa nor Michigan State have played or been in the conversation for the College Football Playoff, until this year. Yes, Michigan State was in the ratings last year, but with two losses they were not in the 2014 conversation, like today.

In 2013, Michigan State won the Big Ten, with a win over Ohio State, to close out the Legends and Leaders era of Big Ten football. But, that was the final season of the BCS, so no College Football Playoff, but a great season. In 2014, Ohio State kicked off the College Football Playoff era with a journey from #16 to Last In, at #4, after smoking a Wisconsin team, whose coach was ready to get out of Madison.

Interesting, in 2012, Michigan State was, like Iowa coming off a 7-6 season. Unlike Iowa, Michigan State had finished with back to back 11 win seasons. Though, Iowa beat Michigan State two out of those three seasons.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is the dean of the Big Ten head coaches, with 17 years
at the helm. Overall, he has 26 years in the Big Ten, after serving as an OL
coach from 1981 to 1989, under Hayden Fry at Iowa.

Iowa, like Michigan State, has had two 11 win seasons under Kirk Ferentz. They are not back to back, but, both Iowa and Michigan State have finished 8-0 in the Big Ten under their current coach. Iowa has now done that twice, after finishing the 2015 regular season at 12-0.

Don't worry Becky, the Big Ten will be represented. Ohio State
was 6-7 in 2011 and has played in 2 of the 5 B1G Championship
Games, since 2011. The Big Ten is very healthy right now.

Iowa scheduled and played 10 Power Five schools in 2015, unlike most of the programs, not named Oklahoma, in the College Football Playoff discussion. Stanford is another one with 10 Power Five Games and with a win today and the right mix of upsets, could justify jumping Ohio State.

The Big Ten will have a representative for the second straight year, since the College Football Playoff began during the 2014 season. They have an outside chance of two, if things turn out right, in a couple of conference championship games.

#12 Baylor fell at home to unranked Texas today. Is Alabama really the best
1-loss team in the College Football Playoff? Ole Miss-Bama isn't the rivalry
game that the Red River Rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas.

The SEC and ACC championship games will determine whether anyone outside the Top 5 rejoins the conversations. Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, Iowa and Michigan State all controlled their own destiny and they have all month, since the first College Football Playoff rankings were released.

Yes, you only get once chance

In the second quarter, Florida is competing with Alabama, leading 7-5, but with under 3 minutes the Crimson Tide took the lead again. This is the same Florida team that was trailing Florida State, last Saturday, from the 12:11 mark of the first quarter. There is a reason, why the games must be played. After all, Alabama struggled in a loss at home vs. Ole Miss in 2015.

The Iowa Hawkeyes got to Indianapolis by taking care of business throughout the season. The Hawkeyes were behind a couple of games, where opponents lead in games,into the third quarter. But, Iowa owned every fourth quarter in 2015.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz addressing his team, after a 12-0 season. It is Iowa's
fifth unbeaten season ever, first since 1922 and most wins ever in program history.

The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 71-23 in the first quarter, and 44-6 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. The Hawkeyes have not trailed since the 3-minute mark in the second quarter against Indiana (14 quarters ago). In 720 minutes played, Iowa has trailed for 55:15.

Yes, they started in the off season, with a lot of noise against the program. The coaching staff was getting negative votes of confidence by the fans, the media and those outside the program. Inside the program, 

• Ferentz moved C.J. Beathard to #1 signal caller, in January
• Iowa went out to Oregon and visited with the Ducks about morning practices and put the program under the microscope
• Iowa moved into a state of the air Football facility for 2015
• Iowa moved to morning practices; moved non-practice day to Thursday, from Monday
• The Hawkeyes went from 0-4 in trophy games in 2014 to 4-0 this season

Junior C.J. Beathard is one of only three Power 5 Conference quarterbacks to win each of their first 13 career starts since 2010. The others include Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, who led Auburn to the BCS National Championship in 2011 and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, who led Florida State to the 2014 BCS National Championship. Beathard's record in 13 career starts includes a 6-0 mark on the road, a 7-0 mark at home, and an 8-0 mark in the Big Ten.

Former #1 Jake Rudock transferred to Michigan. Michigan defeated two B1G West opponents, Minnesota and Northwestern, which was good for Iowa, since Iowa faced each of those opponents immediately after the B1G West opponent faced Michigan.

Iowa has greatly improved in 2015, much like 2013 at Michigan State.

Iowa's offensive line has been named a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, which honors offensive line units that display a high level of toughness, effort, teamwork, physicality, tone setting and finishing. The Joe Moore Award winner will be announced Friday, Dec. 11. Other finalists include Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Stanford. The Hawkeyes earned a "Game Ball" from the Joe Moore Award following wins at Iowa State and against Pitt. At Iowa State, Iowa's offense rushed for 260 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per rushing attempt. Iowa controlled the fourth quarter with 10:55 in possession time, scoring two touchdowns in the final 2:14 to earn the road win. 

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard is 13-0 as a starter at Iowa. He has been
called a difference maker, game manager and #1 reason Iowa is unbeaten.

Against Pitt, the Hawkeyes owned more than a five minute advantage in time of possession and allowed just one sack, allowing QB C.J. Beathard to throw for then-career bests in completions (27), attempts (40), and yards (258). Iowa has rushed for over 200 yards in seven games. The Hawkeye offense has six touchdown drives over 90 yards and 18 touchdowns drives over 75 yards. Iowa scored over 30 points in five straight games for the first time ever. Iowa's offensive line includes center Austin Blythe, tackles Cole Croston, Boone Myers and Ike Boettger, and guards Sean Welsh and Jordan Walsh. Blythe and Walsh are seniors, while Myers, Boettger and Welsh are sophomores. True freshman James Daniels has rotated in at the guard positions, and filled in at right tackle vs. Illinois. The Joe Moore Award is named after Joe Moore, widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football history, and is the only major college football award to honor a unit.

Iowa junior Desmond King has lead the Hawkeyes' secondary with eight
interceptions and on special teams in 2015.

Iowa improved greatly on defense in 2015, reducing explosive plays and against the run compared to 2014. Further, special teams played a positive role, lead by two senior specialists and the insertion of junior CB Desmond King as a kick and punt returner. 

The majority are picking Michigan State to win its second Big Ten Conference Championship Game, but the Hawkeyes have a good history in B1G games over the years against the Spartans. Thirty years ago, Iowa won its last outright Big Ten title. The game against Michigan State went down to the wire that game. 

Iowa DC Phil Parker, who came in Kirk Ferentz's first season in Iowa City.
OC Greg Davis has experience leading championship football at Texas.

Iowa's defensive coordinator Phil Parker was an all-Big Ten safety at Michigan State back in 1985. The last time Iowa went 8-0 in the Big Ten was in 2002, the fourth season, under new offensive and defensive coordinators. Parker is in his fourth season as DC for Kirk Ferentz. In many ways, the stars have aligned for Iowa, with history, development, momentum, schedule and emotion, as 2015 unfolded.

Who's In?                                            Iowa or Michigan State?

We shall soon know, as the winner from the Big Ten Championship Game will be in ...

Thursday Night College Football

Thursday night of Week 3 has a little Iowa flair this evening, with North Texas hosting Louisiana Tech at 7 p.m. on CSBSN. LA Tech is lead at quarterback by senior Iowa transfer Cody Sokol. North Texas is coached by former Iowa alum and Hayden Fry assistant Dan McCarney. Fry coached at North Texas ahead of taking the job at Iowa for the 1979 season.

Tonight's games:

Louisiana Tech at North Texas @ 7:00 p.m. on CBSSN
Houston at BYU @ 8:00 p.m. on ESPN

Syracuse beats Minnesota in Texas Bowl: 3 is a charm for Orange vs. B1G

Houston, TX -- After opening the 2013 season with back to back losses against Big Ten opponents (Penn State, @ Northwestern), the Syracuse Orange (7-6) finished the season at the Texas Bowl, with a 21-17 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-5). 

 What does that have to do with
Minnesota vs. Syracuse in the Texas Bowl?

During the game, the "Who Hates Iowa?" chant was apparently in full force, during the 2013 Texas Bowl.

Another sidebar to the game, was the return of Minnesota coach Jerry Kill to the sidelines. 

Kill decided to coach from the sideline for the first time since the Golden Gophers Homecoming game with the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sept. 28th. 

Iowa beat Minnesota 23-7 for the first time in three tries at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Just like Syracuse, who won their first game against a Big Ten opponent in 2013, with the 21-17 win over Minnesota.

	1st 2nd 3rd 4th F  Syracuse 0 7 7 7 21  Minnesota 0 3 0 14 17
17	Final Stats |  Photo Gallery	21

Stats at a Glance MINN SYR  First Downs 19 23  Total Offensive Yards 350 396  Passing Yards 223 188  Rushing Yards 127 208  Penalties-Yards 8-65 9-53  Turnovers 1 1  Punts-Avg. 6-47.7 4-43.0  Punt Returns-Avg. 2-(-1) 4-27.6  Kick Returns-Avg. 3-16.0 3-18.6  3rd-Down Conversions 8-17 7-14  4th-Down Conversions 1-1 1-2  Time of Possession 30:13 29:47  Scoring Summary  First Quarter No Scoring  Second Quarter SU 10:04 Smith 1 run (Norton kick) UM 0:00 Hawthorne 41 FG  Third Quarter SU 2:57 Hunt 5 run (Norton kick)  Fourth Quarter UM 14:55 Leidner 20 pass to Williams (2-point failed) UM 12:34 Leidner 55 pass to Wolitarsky (2-point good) SU 1:14 12 Hunt run (Norton kick)  Statistical Leaders  Rushing: David Cobb - 18-91 yards  Passing: Mitch Leidner - 22-11-0, 205 yards, 2 TDs  Receiving: Drew Wolitarsky - 4 - 94 yds, TD  Defense: Cedric Thompson - 14 tkls, FR

"I made a decision," Kill said about joining his team on the sideline. "I felt that we needed a little bit of pick up. I talked to a couple of the coaches, and we weren't as zippy as we have been. I made an instinct decision, but whether right or wrong, I did it."

Kill began the Texas Bowl in the press box, where he has observed his team since returning from a leave of absence because of his epilepsy. Kill has had five seizures on game day in his two-plus seasons in his three season at the helm of the Minnesota program. Kill took the leave of absence in October and returned a couple of weeks later.

"I felt I would do anything I can to help," Kill said. "I'm not sure if it helped or not. Evidently, it didn't because we didn't win the game."

The Golden Gophers loved seeing Kill back on the sideline, but disappointed not to finish the game, after taking a lead in the fourth quarter.

"I think the whole team got pretty pumped when he made that announcement," receiver Drew Wolitarsky said. "Coming into halftime, I felt like everything was a little flat and he gave us that spark, which is another reason why we came out and started executing better."

Unlike the Iowa game, where Iowa dominated the Golden Gophers in the first half. Syracuse and Minnesota played a back and forth game in the Texas Bowl.

Syracuse pulled out the game in the final minutes, with a 12 yard carry from sophomore quarterback Terrel Hunt.

Like the "Who Hates Iowa?" chant, emotion only gets you so far in College Football. Also, it is important to have an effective quarterback leading your football team. While the Golden Gophers won at least eight games for the first time, since the 2003 season, an effective quarterback is still needed.

Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4) will face the LSU Tigers (9-3) in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day. The last time LSU was in Tampa, it was the Syracuse Orangemen (nickname back in 1988) defeated the Tigers 23-10 in the Hall of Fame Bowl. The Tigers will be starting a new quarterback, with freshman Anthony Jennings in for injured starter, senior Zach Mettenberger, who was injured in LSU's final game.

The Big Ten (0-1) opens the 2013-14 bowl season with a LOSS. 

Tonight, the Michigan Wolverines (7-5) will face the Kansas State Wildcats (7-5) in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl from Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Wolverines, like the LSU Tigers, will start a true freshman at quarterback, when Shane Morris replaces injured junior Devin Gardner, who was injured in Michigan's final game.

Could we witness a Major Upset on Thursday Night College Football?

Thursday, October 18th

Houston at SMU, 7:00 p.m. on FSN affiliates (HD) - a Thursday night C-USA showdown... Go Mustangs, as former SWC foes meet in Dallas

#2 Oregon at Arizona State, 8:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) - The Sun Devils look to earn there way into the Top 25, as leaders of the Pac 12 North and Pac 12 South meet in Tempe.  Do the Ducks stay clean for BCS title run?

Week 6: Our Top 25 picks heading into Week 7 and the second half of the 2011 College Football season

The SEC will be tough to beat for the BCS? Big 12: Oklahoma smoked Texas 55-17 in the Red River Rivalry and little brother , Oklahoma State travels to Austin in Week 7. The Big Ten and the Pac 12 historically play for the Rose Bowl, but will one or two sneak into the BCS talk in the second half of the 2011 College Football season?

CIDSports Top 25 College Football Teams after Week 6

1. LSU Tigers (6-0, 3-0 SEC West)
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0, 3-0 SEC West)


3. Oklahoma Sooners (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
4. Stanford Cardinal (5-0, 3-0 Pac 12 North)
5. Boise State Broncos (5-0, 0-0 MWC)
6. Oregon Ducks (4-1, 2-0 Pac 12 North)
7. Wisconsin Badgers (5-0, 1-0 B1G Leaders)
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
9. Clemson Tigers (6-0, 3-0 ACC Atlantic)
10. Arkansas Razorbacks (5-1, 1-1 SEC West)


11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-0, 3-0 ACC Coastal)
12. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-1, 1-0 Big East)
13. Michigan Wolverines (6-0, 2-0 B1G Legends)
14. Illinois Fighting Illini (6-0, 2-0 B1G Leaders)
15. Arizona State Sun Devils (5-1, 3-0 Pac 12 South)
16. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1, 1-1 ACC Coastal)
17. Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1, 1-1 B1G Legends)
18. Auburn Tigers (4-2, 2-1 SEC West)
19. South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1 SEC East)
20. Kansas State Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
21. Texas Longhorns (4-1, 1-1 Big 12)
22. Texas A&M Aggies (3-2, 1-1 Big 12)
23. Michigan State Spartans (4-1, 1-0 Legends)
24. Baylor Bears (4-1, 1-1 Big 12)


25. Penn State Nittany Lions (5-1, 2-0 B1G Leaders)

Knocked out: Florida Gators (4-2, 2-2 SEC East) - loss of starting QB in Week 5 lead to second loss in as many weeks in Week 6; Florida State Seminoles (2-3, 0-2 ACC Coastal), who are underperforming under second year coach Jimbo Fisher.

Undefeated, but unranked by CID: Houston Cougars (6-0, 2-0 C-USA West)

Ranked in AP or Coaches, but not by CID: Houston Cougars (6-0, 2-0 C-USA West), who are #25 in AP and #22 in Coaches.