Hawkeye Hoops

Fran McCaffery promised, if nothing else, his Hawkeyes would be more interesting to watch this year. So far, Iowa has been. Sure, the Hawks blew an 18 point lead and lost in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge (again). But for the first time in a long time, I was entertained watching an Iowa basketball game. Are you not entertained?

Eric May is Vanilla Thunder. That kid can dunk from anywhere on the floor. What an athlete. It's amazing the transformation May has made in his short time under McCaffery.

Shawn

Underachievers, Iowa vs. Nebraska, Cooter Finds Internet

The Hawkeyes had 11 All-Big Ten performers, this year --- the most of any team in the league. That, right there, tells you all you need to know about this football team. It takes more than just a bunch of good players --- just ask the 9-8 Miami Heat.

Adrian Clayborn (named 1st-Team All-American on Monday) said that the team has "lost it's will to win". Some fans are upset with his comments following the loss to Minnesota, but I think it's refreshing. Would you rather have him lie about it? Sure, it would be nice if the team could stay motivated for a game against a 2-9 football team, but after the expectations this team had, how could you? I think we sometimes forget the human element involved in games played by kids.

Hawkeye Insider, Jon Miller, thinks the Hawks will play Missouri in the Insight Bowl. An even more intriguing possibility is this: http://www.omaha.com/article/20101127/BIGRED/711279845 ... If Nebraska loses in the Big 12 title game, and ends up playing Iowa in the desert, sign me up. For what it's worth (and I'm no Hawkeye Insider), I think the Hawks will play in the Gator Bowl. Call it a "gut feeling".


We've been hearing whispers that the 5-7 ISU football team could receive a bowl bid out of necessity. There were rumors that there weren't going to be enough 6-win teams to fill every bowl position. I'm not sure if that's true, or not, but I do know ISU isn't preparing for a bowl. A school administrator told me that he hasn't heard anything about it, while a player told me that they began the "off-season" today.

Our favorite Husker fan somehow gained access to the Internet. You can follow him on Twitter at @CooterRayCorn ... We knew he wasn't a smooth talker, but it also turns out he's not such a good speller. Here's his first status update: http://twitter.com/CooterRayCorn

This could be the worst match up in Monday Night Football history. The 3-7 49ers vs. the 3-7 Cardinals. The sad thing is, the winner of this game will only be one game out of first in the horrid NFC West.

Chris

Hawkeye Fallout

Iowa's loss to Minnesota was by far the most disappointing loss (in the most disappointing season) that I can remember... and here's why: The Gophers had more heart than the Hawkeyes. They wanted it more than the Hawkeyes. They out-hustled the Hawkeyes. Think about that. The 2-9 team playing for nothing but pride (and Floyd) played with more passion than the team trying to lock up an invite to the Outback Bowl.

Remarkably, Iowa is still very much in contention for an invitation to Tampa. But based on the 50 emails we've received from Hawkeye fans since early this evening, I don't think the black and gold faithful are real keen on the idea of traveling 2,000 miles to watch this team play another game.

Shawn

Thanksgiving Bowling, Born Free, Black Friday

• I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Mine could only have been better if my mom and sister were here with me. Well, I could add more names to that wish list, but all told, a blessed day. We had a breakfast fit for a king, overate so much we skipped lunch, and then had a dinner so delicious even the kids raved, and they're not easily impressed. All credit to my wife, Jenny. My dad ate his weight.
• I  later earned my keep with solid football analysis from my manchair. First we watched the Patriots and Lions. The Patriots wore their throwbacks, so I instantly felt like a kid. Lions wore throwbacks too, but they're almost the same. Just a great game for uniforms. Uniforms are my only fashion care.
• Tom Brady is in the zone. He put on a passing clinic against the Lions. There is no one alive throwing the football better.
• Did you catch Kid Rock's performance at halftime? His Bob Seger sound-alike, Born Free, is a good song, and the entire God Bless America production was like something Ricky Stanzi would direct.
• Next up, Saints at Cowboys. We watched this one from the bowling alley. Yes, a tradition like no other... bowling. We had a blast at Plaza Lanes while the Saints ran up a big lead on the resurgent Cowboys. By the time I finished my 260, the Cowboys were showing life. (And by 260, I mean two games.) Dallas nearly won its third straight, but a Roy Williams fumble opened the door, and Drew Brees passed right through it. Great game.
• Jets-Bengals... couldn't see it. I have Mediacom. Mediacom, I'm barely hanging on. Need the NFL Network! I'm loyal because of MC22's devotion to local sports, but need that NFL Network! Sounds like the game was a dog anyway.
• Cyclone women won in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Hawkeyes in Mexico. I'll bet it was warmer.
• Andy Fales looked frozen at Jordan Creek Town Center. Wind chill of 10 and thousands of people are lined up for Black Friday doorbusters. That's nuts. I can never, ever see myself doing that. I realize some do it because they need the savings, and some turn it to sport, but I just don't get it.
• My wife and I are going on a trip and needed a few overlooked items. Wal-Mart was open on Thanksgiving. Selfishly, I'm glad, it helped, but come on, give everybody the day off! Shoppers, including absentminded me, can wait.
• Uh oh. I need to be up at 6 a.m., but Old School just came on HBO. I'm hooked.
• I'm thankful you indulge me with these scatter-shot thoughts. Thank you for stopping by. Please be nice to Shawn and Chris. They're good guys.

Hoiberg's Perfect, Miller Flips, Unstoppable Stopped

• Fred Hoiberg remains perfect as a head coach. The Cyclones are now 5-0. They haven't really beaten a good team, so the record isn't a shock, but what's most impressive is the way the team is playing. The Cyclones are having fun again.
• As I type, I'm watching one of my favorite comic commentators, Dennis Miller. It's fascinating to see his act go from the left to the right. He used to skewer what he now embraces, and vice-versa. He's funny in any ideology.
• I've been called out on the comments section for Tuesday's review of the movie Unstoppable.

Not Philip31972 said...


Murph your an idiot. How can you give "Unstoppable" an A-? There are some great action sequences, but aside from that, the movie is one tired cliche. From the big bad corporate execs motivated only by profit to the co-workers and Hooters patrons watching the coverage on TV while cheering on our heroes, we've seen it all before. And once the train is stopped - all broken relationships are repaired! C'mon, Murph! I know you've watched enough movies to know better.

I responded....

Everything you write is true, but I still enjoyed myself. It's been a bad year for action movies, so maybe I'm too generous. I also got to see it with my dad, which is a treat, so my mood was good going in.


All told, I like Unstoppable a lot.

Thanks.


The Idiot

Upon further reflection, A- is too high, but I didn't expect The Hurt Locker or Social Network. I expected a runaway train wreaking havoc for 90 minutes, and Unstoppable delivered top notch action. Plus, it wasn't animated.

• Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have the opportunity to spend time with friends and family.

Unstoppable, Idiot, Thanksgiving

• Saw "Unstoppable" with my dad. Great action movie. 90 minutes of runaway train. Two thumbs up from the Murphy boys. A-
• The Hawkeyes have bounced back faster than their fans. They seemed fine at their weekly media interviews Tuesday. Lynn Melling said on the 9 p.m. news tonight, "The Hawkeyes could sleep on the field and still beat the Gophers." Lynn's from Minnesota.
• I had a Nebraska fan call me out on twitter. Philip31972 says, "murphy your an idiot". The grammar police asked Philip to change it to, "Murphy, you're an idiot".
• Joe Paterno turns 84 next month. He says he'll return for his 62nd season at Penn State. JoePa was coaching the Lions before they even realized they were playing football.
• Doesn't Thanksgiving get better and more meaningful with age?

No TV, A-Rob Rocked, Bo Knows Tantrums

• It's crazy the Iowa State - Creighton game wasn't on TV. All but the 10,000 at Wells Fargo Arena missed an early season classic. Jamie Vanderbeken's last second 3 was late, but it was still an incredible Laettner-like shot, aided in large part by an overlooked strike by Scott Christopherson. Had the game been on TV, Vanderbeken's shot would have been waved off, but that equals overtime, not an Iowa State loss. Who knows what happens then.
• Greg McDermott entered and exited with class. Bad fit at Iowa State. He'll win at Creighton.
• I'm worried about Adam Robinson. He looked knocked out after an uncalled illegal hit by Ohio State. That's A-Rob's second concussion in a month, and as Shawn Terrell reported Monday night, once you've had one concussion, you're five times more likely to have another. Robinson won't play against Minnesota, and I trust Iowa will take every precaution before running him in a bowl.
• Great teams find a way to win. Iowa is now finding a way to lose. It's just not Iowa's year. Offense, Defense, Special Teams, and Coaches all would like do-overs at critical times. That's football.
• Over-reacting Hawkeye fans need to realize Iowa doesn't have the talent or depth some elite programs have, and never will. It's a thin margin between wins and losses. Iowa was on the right side of it last year; this year, it's going the other way.
• I picked Iowa to go 9-3, and Iowa State 6-6. Turns out I thought too much of both teams.
• ISU's 0 points isn't all on Jerome Tiller, but the Cyclones need a QB to push Tiller, not just hand him the job. Iowa State also needs to go find a Seneca, Persa, Daniel, Tate or Reesing somewhere. An overlooked short guy who can really run the spread.
• Hawkeye and Cyclone fans, aren't you glad Bo Pelini isn't your coach? The guy is embarrassing. Erin Kiernan loves Nebraska, but she's had enough of Pelini's temper tantrums. She's not alone.
• The Vikings waited too long to fire Childress. He lost the team a long time ago. It's a lost season now.
• If you get a chance, check out the Iowa Energy. It's an entertaining night.
• The Event on NBC started with promise, but it's losing me.

Dubious Debate and Donuts

I used the drive back from Kinnick tonight to debate (with myself) whether or not this is the most disappointing Iowa season, based on expectations, in my lifetime. The candidates are: 1997, 2005, or 2010. In '97 and '05, the Hawks began the season with Rose Bowl aspirations, but stumbled to 7-5 finishes, punctuated by losses in bowl games. At this point, '97 has the edge, but if this year's team fails to win at Minnesota or in the bowl game, it earns the dubious distinction.

I was stunned that Iowa State didn't fire a shot against Mizzou, especially considering what was on the line. The Tigers have upgraded their defense considerably, but there's no way ISU's offense should get shutout on Senior Night with bowl eligibility on the line.

Shawn

Wrigley Debacle, Pearl of No Wisdom, Blue Steel

• What an embarrassing day for the Big Ten. How could you get all the way to the day before kickoff before realizing you don't want Northwestern and Illinois football players running into the Wrigley Field wall?
• Bruce Pearl was the overwhelming choice of Hawkeye fans after Gary Barta fired Todd Lickliter. Be careful what you wish for. The SEC suspends Pearl for eight games. Pearl knowingly committed NCAA violations, then lied about it. One Iowa fan told me today, he doesn't care. He'd take Pearl and probation in exchange for some winning. I think more fans feel that way than you'd think. Meantime, Illinois fans of a certain age have a good laugh.
• The bar is so high in Madrid, the Tigers are disappointed at a 13-1 football season. It was a title or bust season for a school that's enough of finishing second (1-7 in championship games). Boys, take it from me and many other football players who never even made it to the playoffs: you had a great run.
• Is the 4-A title game halftime show over yet? That was longer than Avatar, though it was good to see Tim Dwight. I just wish they'd have interviewed TD about his love of the movie Zoolander. Tim could have hit everybody with some Blue Steel.
• Bucs finally lose Friday night. Winning streak ends at six. Regg Simon has the boys playing (and fighting).
• Harrison Barnes shot 0-13 Friday night. That's a rough night for a pre-season All-America, but he is still a freshman.
• Xavier beat Iowa in the Paradise Jam. That's going to happen to the Hawks a lot this season. Fran McCaffery doesn't have enough talent for his system, or any system. It will take time, and it starts with recruiting. McCaffery can coach.
• I have a hard time predicting what this Iowa football team will do. I think Ohio State wins Saturday, but this season, who knows. Which Iowa team will show?
• I don't see any way Iowa State beats Missouri. Prove me wrong Clones.
• Iowa Energy start the season with an easy win at home. Energy at home Saturday once Dane Cook clears out of The Well. The Energy is under-rated entertainment. Cook? I'm not sure.

Bear Nap, Eastside Pride, Going Griswold

• Sounds like it was a good night to NOT have the NFL Network. Even Bears fans saying the game at Miami was an absolutely snoozer, but it was a Bears win. Bears now 7-3. Could be the worst 7-3 team in memory, but they're a contender. Heavy lifting ahead. As Cutler goes, so go the Bears. Defense will do its part.
• Major props to Eastside Pride. Four African-American honor roll students signing D1 basketball scholarships. Not surprising, the Scarlets are #1 in the first girls basketball poll.
• I spent $650 on new tires today. Is there anything less exciting than spending that kind of cash on tires. No one notices, no one cares, but you have to have them. I felt the same about a new roof. That was much more expensive.
• We had Iowa State's Scott Christopherson on the Murph & Andy Show. He was fun, and said he still hadn't missed a shot after going 11 for 11 against Drake. He knew that would change once he got back in the gym, unless he moved to Pleasantville and didn't know it. (The one in the movie, not Iowa.)
• I've seen several of the Harry Potter movies for the kids, and while they were entertaining, I'm sure it's not the same if you haven't read the books, and I haven't. Never even considered it.
• I just can't back Felix Hernandez winning the Cy Young award. It's not his fault his team was awful, but he was 13-12 and never pitched in pressure games. Again, not his fault, but numbers aren't everything.
• We ate at Red on Ingersoll for the first time. Highly recommended. Nice place.
• We shot our Christmas promo for the news team today. I got tangled in some lights like Clark Griswold. I hope that's left on the cutting room floor. I fear it won't be.

First Margarito vs Paquiao, Now Drake vs ISU

• Iowa State and Drake have played basketball 170 times and Wednesday night the Cyclones won by 48, their largest margin of victory in the series ever. How many people thought a team picked for 12th in the Big 12 would more than double the score on a young & talented Bulldog team? Not me.
• I think most Cyclone fans are realistic about the quality of competition in Iowa State's impressive 3-0 start. Still, Fred Hoiberg's team has outscored opponents 243-154.
• It's early, and there will be some rough nights for Iowa State, but it's hard to imagine the season starting with more promise. Hoiberg was smart enough to surround himself with a great staff, the players are clearly buying into the new system, and a year thought disposable may provide a thrill here and there. Already did.
• Scott Christopherson 11 for 11...  That's hard to do in the driveway with no defenders. When Christopherson left the game, he had outscored Drake 29-28.
• What in the world happened to Drake. Props to Mark Phelps for his candor. That was a good, old fashion whipping. 

White Magic Wins, Arnaud Really Done, iTunes Adds Who?

• That's one win for Fran "White Magic" McCaffery. The Hawkeyes still look like they're trying too hard, and there are going to be some rough, ugly nights, but at least McCaffery gets after it, and so do his players.
• Why don't more people support Iowa women's basketball? Lisa Bluder has the team in the tourney and competing for Big Ten titles, but compared to Iowa State, it's apathy in Hawkeye country. Why?
• Nice to see several of the Hawkeye football players admitting to Chris Hassel that they too are disappointed with not meeting their expectations this season. Many teams would love to have Iowa's current season, but Iowa is not one of them.
• Worst fears realized for Cyclone quarterback Austen Arnaud, torn ACL&MCL in his left knee. Paul Rhoads says Austen will have surgery after Thanksgiving. The Senior should expect a huge ovation Saturday on Senior Night---well, as much noise as the crowd can make. I'll be pleasantly surprised if attendance reaches 40,000.
• iTunes exciting, game-changing announcement is adding the Beatles?! Is there anyone out there who wants these songs who doesn't already have them? Well, at least Paul McCartney can finally make some money.
• My wife and I just bought new luggage. It's exciting to think where it might go. I just hope it does.

Vick Dazzles, Fennelly 500, Thanksgiving Rules

• Michael Vick put on one of the all-time great shows on Monday Night Football. I'm not sure a quarterback has ever played a better all-around game. 4 TD passing, 2 running?! It's staggering how much better Vick has gotten in the pocket. He's now a pass first, run second guy, and he's doing both at the highest level. It was 28-0 Eagles at Washington after one quarter. I haven't forgotten the horrible things Vick did to dogs, but he did his time, and he's making the most of his second act. I'm not cheering Vick, but I am in awe of his talent.
• Congratulations to Bill Fennelly on his 500th win. That's a number I wouldn't thought possible when Fennelly arrived at Iowa State, and the Cyclones didn't win or draw fans. I've said it many times, it's the most remarkable turnaround in women's basketball.
• The quality of the video in Monday night's MC22 broadcast of the Drake vs ISU game was much improved. Props to Mediacom for working to fix the problem.
• Hawkeye fans will feel a lot better if Iowa upsets Ohio State. The players must bounce back quicker than the fans have.
• It's going to be a cold night at Jack Trice Stadium for the Cyclones and #15 Missouri. We'll find out who the real fans are.
• Anyone see "Unstoppable"? Looks good to me.
• I just ate an entire bag of chocolate pretzels even though I'm not hungry. Seriously, how good are those?
• Can't wait for Thanksgiving. I love this holiday, and it moves up the charts as I get older.

Hawkeye Meltdown, Cyclone Letdown

• With great expectations come great disappointments---sometimes. And this is one of those times for Hawkeye fans. You should see our SoundOff emails. Wow. Hawkeye fans are TICKED, at least some of them are, and they're taking it out on their keyboards. "Fire O'Keefe... Ferentz is overpaid... Defense is Overrated... What's wrong with Stanzi?... The team is out of shape... We're too predictable... We never make adjustments... Time for serious changes... etc." It's brutal. Iowa is 7-3! May go 9-3, 8-4 at worst. Fans thought this could be the dream season, and it sure started with that potential, but great teams find a way to win, not lose.
• Perspective is needed. Iowa once had 18 straight losing seasons. Now 8-4 and a January bowl is a disappointment.
• It's easy to see why Kirk Ferentz doesn't like talking about his enormous salary. Frustrated fans go to the overpaid card quickly.  The money has gotten ridiculous, but Ferentz is making market value. Some Hawkeye fans don't understand, and never will, it's much harder to win at Iowa than it is Ohio State, Michigan, or Penn State. Iowa has several top ten finishes the past decade. That's impressive.  Plus, Ferentz and Hawkeye football make the U of I, and Iowa City, a fortune.
• Still, I do understand the frustration. Iowa wasn't ready to play at Northwestern, and with all it had on the line, that's inexcusable. Fans can complain about how predictable Iowa is, but so were Lombardi's Packers. That's Ferentz's style, and he's not going to change.
• Complain all you want about Ken O'Keefe, he's not doing anything without Ferentz's blessing.
• Iowa State had a disappointing Saturday too. The Cyclones were flat, sloppy, and manhandled by a bad Colorado team. The Cyclones were favored, but learned something they should have already known: they're not good enough to come with anything less than maximum effort.
• Paul Rhoads is easy for fans to love, and media to respect, but it's been a mixed season for ISU. Great program wins against Texas Tech and Texas, a near upset of #7 Nebraska. But there's also an embarrassing home thumping at the hands of Utah, a 52-0 loss at Oklahoma, a beat-down at Iowa, and a loss at Colorado with bowl eligibility on the line. Much work ahead and it starts with an upgrade in talent, especially speed.
• At least UNI won. Another conference title for the Panthers.
• I tried to watch a little basketball Sunday, not ready, but it's time. Iowa State's Fred Hoiberg still hasn't lost as a coach. Fran McCaffery still looking for his first win at Iowa. Hawks lost to South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits. Not a good start. It will be a season of transition at both places.
• It's 1:47 a.m.  NBC's Sunday Night Football pushed SoundOFF to an 11:30 p.m. start, a near record. Since the Patriots ripped the Steelers, I almost didn't mind --- until the post game show went on... and on... and on.

Reality

The reality is, the Hawkeyes are good, but not they're not a great football team. Great defenses don't allow teams to march 80 or 90 yards down the field and score a touchdown with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. That's happened to Iowa three times this season (four, if not for a drop by Indiana). Great offenses aren't held under 20 points by pedestrian defenses, which is what's happened to Ricky Stanzi and company in back to back games. And while Iowa's special teams have improved, see Arizona and Wisconsin for a commentary on those units.

The reality is, life isn't always fair. Austen Arnaud is the definition of a Cyclone football player, but I'll be shocked if he's able to run out of the tunnel on Senior Day against Missouri. That's not fair. Nothing is official until Arnaud is examined/tested by a doctor back in Ames, but I think his college career ended in Boulder. Paul Rhoads said as much in his post-game interview.

One of the few bright spots of Saturday was UNI. The Panthers are headed back to the playoffs after clinching the conference title against Missouri State. The reality is, UNI is the most consistent football program in the state of Iowa year in and year out.

Shawn

Ankeny-Dowling = Lethal Weapon 2

• Ankeny-Dowling 2, "The Rematch" proves a sequel can surpass the original (see Godfather II).  How can a team that lost 42-0 in October, nearly pull off an upset and lose 24-21 in November? They're kids. They have short memories. Congrats to Dowling on advancing to the title game. It's not easy being #1. Three close calls but the Maroons are still standing and still unbeaten.
• I hope Madrid wins the title. The Tigers have a reserved spot for their bus at the Dome, they're in the playoffs every year, but they often come up just short, kind of like the Atlanta Braves.
• Since I'm on a roll with predictions, I'll state with confidence Iowa beats Northwestern by double digits--- 14 sounds right. Teams often take on the personality of their coaches, and this is particularly true at Iowa. Kirk Ferentz seems tired of losing to Northwestern, the same way he was once tired of losing bowls, and losing to Iowa State. When he has that look, his teams respond.
• Teams who have fired their coaches, often play better. This scares a few Cyclone fans as Iowa State goes to Colorado. I don't think it should. ISU is not talented enough to win without playing hard, but I think the Clones will. ISU by 7.
• I took my mom to the new movie "Morning Glory". It's about network morning shows, and while it's no "Broadcast News", it's breezy and fun. Harrison Ford does his best work in years. He anchors the news in a growl---very unBachmanlike.
• Kevin love of the Timberwolves scored 31 points and pulled down 31 rebounds vs. the Knicks Friday night. First NBA 30/30 since Moses Malone in 1982.
• The Heat are good for the NBA. I enjoyed the Celtics win Thursday night way more than I should in November.
• A big welcome to Alisa Link. She's a channel 13 intern hall of famer who is now a full time employee working right here at whotv.com  Good for us, good for you.

11-11-11, Big East BS, sCam Newton

Don't look now, but we're just one year away from 11-11-11, and 2 years, 1 month, and 1 day away from 12-12-12. Thank GOODNESS there won't be a 13-13-13.

It would be nice if we could enjoy Thursday night NFL games --- the problem is, the majority of people can't see them because they're on the NFL Network. Instead, I'm stuck watching the Little East game of the week featuring Pitt and UConn. It amazes me that this conference is still considered a "power conference" by the BCS. There's no way any of the teams in the Big East deserve to play in a BCS game. That's part of the problem with NCAA football.

They're calling for cold weather and rain, on Saturday, in Chicago. That may bode well for the Hawks against Northwestern's heavy passing attack, but it sure as heck doesn't bode well for the fans (and me). It's hard to imagine worse weather than the torrential downpour at the Iowa-Ball State game --- but this could be worse.

Think of all the coaches that have been fired (in any sport) in the middle of the season. Then think of how many times those teams went on to win the very next game. It seems to happen all the time. On Sunday, I was picking the Cyclones to beat the Buffs, but after Dan Hawkins' firing, I'm going with Colorado. I'm worried ISU may run into a buzz saw, in Boulder. Hopefully I'm dead wrong.

Gene Chizik said, earlier this week, that Cam Newton would start vs. Georgia, this Saturday, PERIOD. Well, Rivals.com begs to differ http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news;_ylt=AniF1d1MiE7Yrix0DvPDHQwcvrYF?slug=cr-newtonnext11110

What ever the NCAA decides, I hope they do it soon. It wouldn't be fair to the Heisman voters, or the teams competing against Auburn, if it takes months for the NCAA to rule Newton ineligible. It also wouldn't be fair, to Newton, if this cloud of controversy engulfs his entire season, and costs him the Heisman, a championship, and possibly more, if he's innocent.

Chris

Hawkins Fired, Hawkeyes Fired Up

• I think Saturday's game just got more challenging for the Cyclones. The Buffaloes quit on Dan Hawkins a long time ago, so Iowa State should expect a better effort with Hawkins fired.
• What an awkward Senior Day for quarterback Cody Hawkins. At least his dad has the day off.
• Iowa will not underestimate Northwestern again. Kirk Ferentz will have the Hawks ready for a reversal of fortune against the Wildcats.
• Either there is an organized smear campaign against Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, or his past is catching up to him. Until the latter is proven, he still has my Heisman vote (provided he keeps outplaying everyone else).
• I have one of those tweener colds.  Not bad enough to stay in bed, too sick to be of much good to anyone.
• Can anyone beat Ankeny at state volleyball? I doubt it.
• Looking forward to watching the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on Marcus Dupree. Dupree was the all-time "can't miss" prospect who missed. He played for Oklahoma in the 80s, so who knows what we'll learn in this one.
• Kurt Warner was voted off Dancing with the Stars. I like Kurt, but I couldn't bring myself to watch.
• Andy and Chris will likely show up at work Wednesday having not gone to bed. Why? Call of Duty: Black Ops is released Tuesday.

Rhoads' Onions, A-Rob Missed, Megamind Control

• I love that Paul Rhoads plays to win. I'd rather he played to win with someone other than a back-up punter throwing a pressure pass in OT against the #7 team in the nation, but I'll take aggressive over playing not to lose anytime. Dare to be great.
•  I didn't have a problem with Rhoads not taking a few shots down field with 40 seconds to play in regulation. Needed at least 40 yards for a field goal, kicker had already missed two, and quarterback Austen Arnaud had thrown a pick-six.
• I couldn't believe how many Cyclone fans had sold their tickets and parking passes to Nebraska fans.
• After Cooter Ray makes an appearance on SoundOFF, we always get several emails from Cornhusker fans who don't get how intentionally silly and over the top it all is. Fans are basically the same---good and bad, smart and stupid----anywhere.
• Iowa caught a break. John Bachman told me Iowa at Indiana would be closer than anyone expected. John was right. Iowa is fortunate to leave Bloomington with a win. As I said here last week, Iowa's challenge would be overcoming the complete lack of energy in the stadium.
• Marcus Coker proved a capable back-up, but Adam Robinson was missed, especially in the red zone where he's invaluable coming out of the backfield.
• Ricky Stanzi missed too many red zone throws, but he was clutch on winning drive.
• Congrats to Kirk Ferentz on 100 wins. Only 300 more to catch Joe Paterno!
• How in the world did TCU beat Utah at Utah by 35? Horned Frogs must be the real deal.
• I still can't believe the Browns blew out the Patriots.
• Say what you will about Brett Favre, that was a hall of fame comeback against the Cardinals.
• Is Brad Childress a buffoon, or did he just lose his mind in the post-game?
• Jerry Jones had no choice. The Cowboys quit, and you can't fire the players.
• It's good to see Iowa and Iowa State scoring in the hundreds again on the basketball court---I don't care who the opponent.
• If only Zenyatta had known how long the race was.
• Megamind was good. Great voice work by Will Ferrell and Tina Fey.
• Jerry Jones had no choice.
• I already have my first winter cold. What is up with that?

You Make The Call

I loved the call. To quote Herm Edwards, "You play to win the game!" and I love that mentality. That fact that Daniel Kuehl's pass fell incomplete doesn't change my opinion of Paul Rhoads' decision to go for two.

90 percent of the SoundOFF email we've received in the hours since the game share the same opinion of the call. And the 10 percent that disagree with the call admit they didn't like it only because it didn't work.

A week ago I praised Ricky Stanzi's prowess, so it's only fair to point out that Stanzi didn't play very well at Indiana. His final numbers weren't too shabby, but I thought the Rickster missed several throws in the red zone, which forced Iowa to settle for field goals. I should point out that Stanzi was clutch at crunch time, as he has been in most games throughout his career.

Can you imagine the meltdown Hawkeye nation would be experiencing had DeMario Belcher hung on to that last-second pass? Had Belcher made the catch, I'd would have received 40 angry Ken O'Keefe-related emails since the end of the game... As it turns out, I've only received one. It just goes to show how a close win vs. a close loss leaves people with wildly different perspectives. It had felt like karma wasn't on Iowa's side all season, until Belcher's drop.

The League is my favorite show on TV right now. The quirky humor is akin to Seinfeld, albeit cruder. And the backdrop is a group of guys in a fantasy football league, as opposed to a coffee shop.

Pearl Jam rocks.

Shawn

Hoiberg's Nervous, Marv's Run, Chizik's Headache

• Great to see Hilton Coliseum open for business. Props to the folks who worked around the clock to get the place ready in time for the first basketball game.
• Fred Hoiberg told me he's getting butterflies and spending sleepless nights as his first game as Iowa State head coach approaches. Fred leads the Clones for the first time Friday night.
• Nebraska at ISU is sold out except for the hillsides. That's a lot of cash at 90 dollars a seat.
• The Paul Rhoads locker room speech is an indelible image from the mostly one-sided ISU-Nebraska series, but my favorite moment is Marvelous Marv Seiler's improbable run to lock-up the stunning upset in 1992. Marv will join Andy and me in the KXnO studio Friday at 2:30 p.m.
• Where there's smoke is there fire at Auburn? ESPN.com and the NY Times both report Heisman front-runner Cam Newton was offered by a middle-man to schools for around $200,0000. Ruh-roh. Former Iowa State coach Gene Chizik said on his radio show Thursday night, "I will  say very loud and very clear: Cameron Newton is eligible at Auburn University, period. End of story''. I doubt it. 
•  Iowa can still win a Big Ten title, and if Wisconsin loses, go to the Rose Bowl, which is what makes the complete lack of buzz in the Iowa-Indiana game surprising, but somewhat understandable. It's hard to get up for a game in Bloomington, where the Hoosier fans don't even care. That's one of the challenges facing the players. There won't be much energy to feed off.
• I hope Adam Robinson doesn't play unless he's 100% after the reported concussion (Hawkeye Insider.com), and I trust Kirk Ferentz will make the right call.
• Nice job by good guy Doug McDermott, scoring 18 points in his Creighton debut.
• Wrestling is back, and that means interviews with Iowa's Tom Brands. Didn't take him long at media day to drop another, "I don't know if they're going to poop their pants" when talking about his young Hawks. Inexperienced or not, Iowa being ranked 7th is crazy. Come on, three time defending NCAA champs.
• I'll take Dowling over Ames, but I'm less sure about Ankeny-Urbandale. The Jayhawks are the hottest team in the state right now, but I'll go with Ankeny in a toss-up.
• I'm ready for the weekend. You?

Garnett vs Villanueva, Hoiberg vs Keno, Democrat vs Republican

• The Vikings cut Randy Moss because he turned out to be... Randy Moss. How did this organization become such a joke? What a mess. Only one team even bothered to claim Moss on waivers---the Titans---which tells you a lot about how this talented receiver is regarded throughout the league. He's just not worth the headache anymore.
• Charlie Villanueva, who has a condition that prevents him from growing hair, says NBA trash-talker extraordinaire Kevin Garnett called him a "cancer patient". Garnett now claims he said, "You are a cancer to your team and to the league". Who do you believe? Me too. One rings a lot truer than the other.
• Fred Hoiberg, who has had open-heart surgery, will join 63 other D1 coaches in a free throw shooting tournament for the American Heart Association. Not only does Hoiberg have personal experience on his side, he was a world class shooter not too long ago. Fred's first round opponent is Keno Davis. If Hoiberg keeps winning, and he should, he could face Steve Alford, a guy who could also fill it up back in the day, and loves to compete. (Ben Jacobson and Greg McDermott are both in the bracket as well.)
• Fran McCaffery--White Magic--is not. McCaffery did spend time in his media talk Wednesday saying how terrific Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore were when they used his luxury box. McCaffery said they did nothing wrong, and simply posed for a few pictures with anyone who asked. Any story involving Hollywood celebrities gets blown out of proportion. This was no different. The story, first reported by The Shovel, the Des Moines Register's Tom Witosky, went international.
• I'm watching more NBA than I have in years.
• Happy birthday to the nicest man I know, my dad.
• Derek Jeter will reportedly marry Minka Kelly next weekend. Sorry guys.
• I'm proud of my colleagues at channel 13. I thought the election night coverage was the best I've seen. I also wonder why more people on opposite sides of the aisle can't have thoughtful, respectful, civil discourse like our political insiders, Mike Mahaffey and Jerry Crawford. They proved all night it doesn't have to be an angry yelling match. Bravo.

HB at NC, Posting the Vote, 400 vs 100

• Here's an interesting question: If Ames' Harrison Barnes had picked Iowa State, not North Carolina, would he still have been the AP's first freshman voted to the pre-season All-America team? I'd say no. Either way, Barnes wouldn't have played a minute of college basketball yet, and in both scenarios he would have been equally impressive in high school, AAU, and all summer against big time competition, but the perception of recruits tends to go up or down based on the school they choose.  One can argue Barnes will be a better player when surrounded by more talent at North Carolina, but this vote takes place before we even know.
• Yes, I voted on election Tuesday. I think it's now law to say that in a blog, or facebook, or twitter --- if that gets more people out, I'm all for it. My favorite voting quote comes from Churchill: “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.”
• I respect anyone who puts it out there and runs for elected office. I can't imagine doing it.
• No more attack ads!
• Joe Paterno will soon win his 400th game. For perspective, Kirk Ferentz will soon win his 100th. Think about that.
• Bummer Iowa linebacker Tyler Nielsen is likely out the rest of the regular season with a neck injury. Nielsen is a gamer.
• Baseball still has a pulse on TV. The World Series beat Monday Night Football in the ratings.
• Our thanks to the guys at http://www.buildahead.com/ They just sent a Ferentz, Stanzi, and Hoiberg. If your school needs a fundraiser, the guys have some good ideas.
• I hear Cooter Ray is back on SoundOFF Sunday night. Hide the women and children.

Toss Moss, Demigate, HB Hype

• What in the wide world of sports is going on in the Vikings front office? Trade a third round draft pick to New England for Randy Moss mid-season, then cut him? Moss is a strange guy, and it was surreal hearing him talk about the Patriots like an old girlfriend he suddenly appreciated, but whatever's ailing the Vikings, I doubt dumping Moss is the cure. It's just a dysfunctional mess. I keep thinking the Vikes will find a way to make the playoffs, but I'm starting to wonder.
• Somewhere Bill Belichick is laughing a mad genius maniacal laugh.
• Glad the NCAA did the right thing, which was nothing, over Demigate. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher didn't intend Iowa any harm by posing for pictures with recruits, but they did do something unthinkable for years: put Iowa basketball on the national media radar. The story was everywhere, which ironically, does end up helping recruiting.
• Ames' Harrison Barnes is the first ever Freshman named to the AP pre-season All-America team. Think about that... he hasn't played a minute of college ball, and he's already considered one of the five best players in America. No wonder Cyclone fans wanted to believe so badly he'd pick Iowa State.
• The Giants are World Series champions. The Giants!? Meantime, Cubs fans wait. And wait. And wait...
• Monday, my son Cade and I went to U of I Hospitals & Clinics and had a great day. We celebrated the only way you should when you're in Iowa City and feeling good: a trip to Steak n Shake!

Hawkeyes Punk Spartans, Cyclones Punk Jayhawks, Kutchers Punk Recruits

• When people said before the football season, that if things went right, Iowa could go 12-0 and play for the BCS title, those people expected to see the Hawkeye team that played Saturday. Iowa absolutely destroyed #5 Michigan State.
• Iowa State had a perfect day, a good crowd, and a bad opponent. The Cyclones had to win, and after a sluggish start, took care of business. Paul Rhoads and staff are working wonders with a team that needs a serious talent upgrade. 5-4, and believe it or not, Iowa State controls its own destiny in the Big 12 North. It likely won't last long with Nebraska headed to Ames Saturday, but it's true on November 1st.
• Faithful blog readers know before the season I picked Iowa to go 9-3 and Iowa State 6-6. No way I hit both, so which is more likely right (or is that wrong)?
• This is the week we find out just how many Nebraska football fans live near us and work with us. We won't hear from them during basketball season.
• Recruits posed for a picture with Ashton & Demi? Yawn. If this makes someone sign with Iowa we're all being punked. It's minor stuff.
• Brett Favre has guts, I'll say that for him. His act is tired, but against the Patriots, Favre played hurt and played well. The NFL will be a lot less interesting when Favre's gone. He's never boring.
• How can the Cowboys be this bad?
• Hang in there. The attack ads are almost over. (See Andy and Hassel's in the whotv.com video player)