Well that was a year of build-up for 60 minutes of hell (if you're a Hawkeye fan). Iowa saved its worst for last, in arguably its most meaningful game. Maybe they thought the game was on Saturday. If I had to guess, I would say Nebraska fans didn't enjoy it that much either. It was a brutal game to watch.
As the season has come apart, Hawkeye fans seem to be standing on opposite sides of the fence. Some fans want change. Other fans think things are fine the way they are. I think changes have to be made. With programs like Michigan, Michigan State, and Nebraska on the rise, Iowa is headed slightly downhill. Yes, you can make the argument that the Hawks won 7 games and could win an 8th at some meaningless bowl game, but come on...this team isn't good. Who has Iowa beaten? Michigan was a good win, but after that you have Tennessee Tech, Pittsburgh, Louisiana Monroe, Northwestern, Indiana, and Purdue. None of those teams are good. This was the easiest schedule Iowa has had since I started watching football in 1990.
Heading into Big Ten play, the Hawks hadn't lost by more than 7 points, since 2007. Three of Iowa's four conference losses were by double-digits. So much for Ferentz's conservative nature keeping him in games. They were completely out of this one by the 3rd quarter.
Looking ahead, things don't look any better. Iowa's schedule is easy again next season, but the team loses a lot of its key players. Then, you're adding Ohio State and Wisconsin into the mix, beginning in 2013. The future looks very hazy in Iowa City.
What in the world happened to James Vandenberg? There was a time, earlier in the season, that I thought he was the best passer in the Big Ten. Saturday, he wasn't even the best passer on the field...that distinction belonged to Taylor Martinez --- the guy that throws a football like a submarine pitcher.
My wife (a Hawkeye fan), went to the game with her grandpa, uncle, and cousins ... all Husker fans. They made her wear a pink Husker jersey after the game.
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| Not only is it an ugly jersey, it's number 0. Ick. |
What's the deal with the balloons that Nebraska fans let go when the Huskers score the first points of the game? Isn't that just a fancy way to get away with mass-littering?
I'm really looking forward to watching Iowa State play, at OU, Saturday. I have no idea what to expect, but with ISU, we should all expect the unexpected. Iowa has come to be extremely predictable, under Kirk Ferentz. To me, that's one of the exciting things about Paul Rhoads and the Cyclone football program.
I don't think I ever remember the bowl situation being this cloudy as the season comes to an end. If I had to guess, I'd say Iowa will go to the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Houston. I would also say that's ISU's most likely destination, but I highly doubt the bowl reps want an all-Iowa rematch. Maybe ISU slides down to the Pinstripe Bowl in New York. Or, better yet, maybe the Big 12 gets two teams in the BCS, and the Holiday Bowl in San Diego comes into play (highly unlikely). I've never been wrong about a bowl prediction before ---- but I've never made one, either. I'm going with Iowa vs. Texas A&M in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, and ISU vs. Cincinnati in the Pinstripe Bowl.
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5 comments:
I know what to expect: state will be blown out
So then what would happen to Iowa Don? Last I checked they beat Iowa a few weeks back.
You know what? I am getting really sick of your hate speech about the Iowa Hawkeye season. Guess what, Chris-- The Hawkeyes aren't going to be good every year, and if you think the team is that bad, then I would suggest you help them out next year by playing for the Hawkeyes and showing them how football is played, since you know how to play soooo much better!!
The Hawkeyes won a few games just by showing up and letting out a few farts (arguably the easiest schedule in the nation).
The Cyclones clawed their way to a few wins by working their asses off (arguably the most challenging schedule in the nation).
There should be no doubt who is the better team this year -- the Iowa State Cyclones. Facts don't lie.
Hate speech? I think Chris is just reporting what he sees and giving his opinion...that's his job. You don't have to read his blog or watch his reports if you disagree with him, which you're free to do.
With the last couple seasons in Iowa City, now the Hawks' fans are seeing their (in my opinion) way too high expectations come crashing back to Earth.
That playing comment is just dumb; Chris never said anything about being able to play better than anyone. Maybe you should work at a TV station and report on sports since you can do it soooo much better. Yeah see how dumb that sounds.
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