Monday, September 20, 2010

Hawkeye Heartbreak, Injury Limbo, Cyclones Stumbling

What a weekend. I'm still coming to grips with the fact that Iowa lost at Arizona. I felt much more confident about this game than I have about any big Hawkeye game in a long time. Honestly, I have no idea what to take from the loss. Should I be encouraged that Iowa played that bad, and still had a real chance to win the game, against a really good team? Or should I be wary of all the problems that arose? Special teams is clearly a major problem, right now; but what about the offensive line looking like bowling pins on that final drive, or the defense (which was supposedly one of the best in the nation) completely collapsing in the final minutes? We'll find out, but it won't be this week. Ball State is the opponent. Snooze....

After playing BS, the Hawkeyes face an all-out onslaught --- their first four Big Ten games, are against ranked opponents. Oh, and then there's #2 Ohio State at the end of the year.

There success moving forward could hinge on the results of Jewel Hampton's MRI. Late reports from Hawkeyeinsider.com's Rob Howe, say it's not looking great. Ferentz told Howe that Hampton will be out "a while", and linebacker Bruce Davis could be out for the season. We should learn more on Monday.

Paul Rhoads says his team isn't practicing hard enough. They better ratchet up the intensity, this week. A loss to Northern Iowa, at home, would spell disaster for the Cyclones.

I thought Austen Arnaud played his best game of the season, against Kansas State --- but it still wasn't good enough. This offense shouldn't be having this many problems. ISU is ranked 82nd in passing, 84th in rushing, and 103rd in point per game. That's not good for any BCS team, especially a BCS team with such an inexperienced defense.

Did you see what happened to Cubs outfielder Tyler Colvin? It's actually worse than it looks.  http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5592592
Colvin is in stable condition, but he's expected to remain in the hospital for several days. His season is over.

Chris

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