Jumbo, B1G, HD

• At Iowa State football media day Thursday, the Cyclones rolled out their most anticipated newcomer in years: The HD Jumbotron. It's so big, it overwhelms the north end, but how can that be a bad thing? I'd make one whole wall of my living room an HD screen if I didn't really enjoy having a wife and kids.

• We don't ever learn much at media day---it's mostly a photo op---but it's interesting to hear Paul Rhoads say this will be his most talented team. Rhoads' Clones won 7 games his first season, but that 2009 schedule was not the bear this Big 12 2.0 is. If Rhoads coaches ISU to 7 wins in 2011, Jamie Pollard should start drawing up a lifetime contract.
• The Vegas over/under is 3 wins. I'll take the over.
• No starting QB yet. Rhoads says he won't platoon. Smart man.
• The Big Ten, or as it's now written, B1G (silly), announced members will begin playing nine conference games in 2017. This is mostly good for fans, and despised by coaches. Fans see one additional meaningful game, while coaches who want to keep their multi-million dollar jobs know job security decreases when wins do. The negative for fans is that we're headed for an NFL type preseason, where schools play what amounts to exhibitions against FCS schools before conference play begins.

• The Cy-Hawk series will continue, and it will mean more than ever because the other games will be against schools you won't recognize.
• Our radio show listeners say the next improvement to Jack Trice Stadium needs to be bowling in the south end zone. It's an easier fix in the vote for Kinnick Stadium: Tigerhawk logo at midfield. That won't happen with Kirk Ferentz coaching.
• Cool scene on Walnut Street in Des Moines Thursday as Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne showed up and played Bags with Nationwide employees (as in NASCAR Nationwide series).
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes is getting stellar reviews. 86% of the nation's critics, as of Friday morning, recommend seeing it. I'm shocked. I still won't see it. Unless you tell me I'm really missing something.

• The boss delivered a new HD big screen for the sports office. It's the little things in life. Who am I kidding? It's big.