Thursday, January 05, 2012

Orange Bowl Memories, Road Warriors, Straw Flaw

Clemson wore all orange in the Orange Bowl Wednesday night. The Tigers honored the 30th year anniversary of the national championship team. I was in the Orange Bowl the night Clemson beat Nebraska in 1982. My grandmother took our whole family as a Christmas present. We had a great time. Sport's power to provide a backdrop for great family memories is one of its best assets. I also remember on that trip that I had just gotten my first Sony Walkman---remember those?---and I couldn't believe how good music sounded coming into my headphones while traveling in the car. Even Rick James...

How 'bout those Hawks? A month ago, two straight Big Ten road wins seemed as likely as Fran McCaffery staying seated, but Iowa suddenly seems to get it. Iowa kept Minnesota in the game with bad free throw shooting, but the Hawkeyes outhustled and outplayed the Gophers all night long. 2-1 in Big Ten play.Who'd of thunk it...

Iowa State starts Big 12 play with a home win at Hilton. Texas is young, but it's still Texas. The win should momentarily calm the concerns of Cyclone fans, not to mention head coach Fred Hoiberg. Hoiberg did not care for his team lackadaisical attitude against Mississippi Valley State. He's right, though who didn't have trouble getting up for Mississippi State?...

UNI's losing streak ends at three. The Panthers thumped Indiana State...

Paul Rhoads promotes Courtney Messingham to offensive coordinator. Seems like a safe, but smart choice. Messingham is an Iowa guy, and Rhoads needs people who aren't looking around for a better gig...

Kirk Ferentz confirms Mika'il McCall is done. It's still odd we have no idea why Ferentz suspended McCall, or why he's leaving...

If we've learned anything this bowl season, it's this: Make sure you have a good kicker. And don't try to steal an interview from Holly Rowe...

I realize the Iowa Straw Poll is essentially a fundraiser not Presidentmaker, but after Michele Bachmann won in August, then fared so poorly at the caucuses that she withdrew from the race, the Straw Poll's days seems numbered. Then again, I'm the sports guy. What do I know?...

4 comments:

Evil Adam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Evil Adam said...

I don't know if the straw poll's days are numbered, but hopefully the belief that the straw poll means anything has come to an end.

It's good to see ISU, Iowa and UNI pulling out a win at the same time, after the disappointing bowl season (and UNI's disappointing loss in Montana that probably should have been a win at the UNIdome) here's hoping January will have a lot more of the same.

Bobbi D said...

I hope we can vote for babies in the next straw poll. I believe only precious babies can get this country back on track.

http://bobbislittleangels.blogspot.com/

Shawn said...

While I am as excited as any Hawkeye fan at the bball teams recent winning ways - I am not ready to put them in the Tourney. I do think that they can finish .500 and go NIT, which would actually mean something this go around.

Any thoughts - and please none about babies. That is getting as old as "What's Buggin Andy".