Who's #1?

Zach Johnson's inspiring Masters win sparked debate on SoundOFF and elsewhere. Is it the greatest single sports feat by a native Iowan? (note: Cael Sanderson's is definitely one of us now, but his 159-0 record at Iowa State doesn't qualify for this discussion because Cael's originally from Utah.)

My buddy Ryan sent his list. Let me (and Ryan) know what you think on the feedback tab, and don't forget to vote for your #1 on the whotv.com Web poll.

Ryan's list (in bold italics)

1. Dan Gable wins gold and doesn’t give up a point in the 1972 Olympics
2. Jack Fleck beats Ben Hogan in 18 hole playoff to win 1955 U.S. Open
3. Zach Johnson wins 2007 Masters
4. Kurt Warner wins 1999 Super Bowl MVP
5. Nile Kinnick wins 1939 Heisman Trophy
6. Bob Feller throws a no-hitter against the Yankees in New York in 1946

Here’s why:

Gable – no one else has ever done it. Ever. The 1972 Olympics is remembered for terrorism, and so many Iowans and people with Iowa connections have achieved greatness in wrestling so accomplishments in the sport sometimes get grouped together. But no one did this before and no one has done it since.

Fleck – he went head-to-head with the best golfer of that era in an 18 hole playoff and won. At the time, Hogan had won three of the last five U.S. Opens. In 1953, just two years earlier, he won the Masters, U.S. Open and the British Open.

Johnson – it’s the Masters and it’s an individual sport which gives him the nod over Warner, Kinnick and Feller.

Warner – Super Bowl MVP and championship culminate NFL MVP season.

Kinnick – once again, what keeps Iowa football from greatness (and what keeps Kinnick from being higher on the list) is a loss to Michigan.

Feller – he had the greatest career of anyone on this list, other than Gable, but there have been numerous other no-hitters. Feller himself threw three of them.

I agree with what's on Ryan's list, though I would change some of the order. I also think Feller's no-hitter on opening day in 1940 is even more impressive than the one at Yankee Stadium. Why? Because it was OPENING DAY!

Here's my list:

1. Gable wins gold in '72. He didn't give up a point! There's nothing to compare it to. It's unthinkable and unbelievable.

2. Zach Johnson wins 2007 Masters. I give him the edge over Fleck because golf has now gone international. In '55 it was still primarily a game for white men from the U.S. Plus, great as Hogan was, no golfer has ever intimidated like the sports star of our generation, Tiger Woods.

3. Jack Fleck stares down the legend, Ben Hogan, and beats him in a U.S. Open playoff. Fleck couldn't just concentrate on his scorecard the way Zach did, he had to watch Hogan too.

4. Bob Feller throws a no-hitter on opening day. It's a team sport, but this is about as individual as it gets. Think what kind of coverage this would receive in today's world. In fairness to my previous mention of golf being a white man's game in '55, the same can be said of Major League Baseball in '40. (note: if you haven't visited the Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter, it's a must for any sports fan. Visit bobfellermuseum.org for more info.)

5. Kurt Warner wins Super Bowl MVP. It's the biggest stage in sports now, but again, it's a team game.

6. Nile Kinnick wins the Heisman Trophy. Individual award, but takes a team to win, and it's not really a single sports feat; it's a collection of games. Extra points for one of the greatest speeches a sportsman ever gave.

Who's on your list?

Scattershots: Lickliter, Wild Thing, The Natural...

Not sure if you've heard, Iowa hired Todd Lickliter as its new basketball coach. It was interesting to watch Hawkeye fans go through the 5 stages:

Denial .: "I've never even heard of him!"
Anger .: "How can Iowa hire someone from the freaking Horizon League?"
Bargaining .: "At least tell me Barta tried to land Majerus."
Depression .: "I thought we'd hire a big name."
Acceptance .: "Lickliter is a great hire and a perfect fit! The pride is back for Hawkeye hoops!"

I didn't know much about Todd Lickliter, but before he even showed up on the Iowa campus, I had done enough research to think Gary Barta made a good choice. I was even more convinced after watching Lickliter at his welcoming party. He's paid his dues; He's humble; He's good with fans; He's thrilled to be at Iowa; He realizes a strong football program is good for basketball; and he's the kind of coach who can take a team to the Sweet 16 without blue chip recruits. Lickliter teams play great defense, don't turn the ball over, and shoot threes. Expect solid fundamentals from the jump. He'll have to step up his recruiting efforts, but if you can win four NCAA tournament games at Butler, Iowa should be no problem.

I think Barta got the right guy, but we won't know for sure until 2010. I'm the guy who said hiring Steve Alford was a great move. Remember all those fans who were despondent over the hiring of Kirk Ferentz instead of Bob Stoops? Worked out pretty well.

Alford was a bad fit at Iowa for many reasons, but don't think for a moment fans wouldn't have found a way to embrace his arrogance, entitlement, and aloofness if he took Iowa to a Final Four. If a guy wins enough, all is forgiven. Sad commentary, but true.

Alford wasn't a great coach, but he was no idiot either. Everyone is piling on now---especially as Alford burned bridges on his way out---but let's stop blaming him for global warming, Norbit, and Izzie on Grey's Anatomy...

How 'bout Dana Altman doing a reversal on Arkansas. He made the right decision. Did you see the video we showed of Altman at the "welcome rally"? First of all, he received about as much applause as Rosie O'Donnell at a Republican rally. Then, they forced Altman to do that ooooh pig sooooiiieee chant, and he looked about as comfortable as Nicole Richie at Krispy Kream. He'll retire at Creighton now. Maybe he'll finally realize he's got a great thing going, and stop listening to inquiries (and believe me, he's done a lot of listening)...

Am I the only one watching the "Black Donnelly's"? Based on the ratings, I'd say yes. Not a lot of redeeming characters on that show. Works better for the Sopranos... (editor: NBC just cancelled The Black Donnelly's. Sorry, Keith. You must have been the only one.)

Saw "Blades of Glory" on opening night. It's ridiculous, juvenile, and stupid... I loved it. I loved it for one reason: Will Ferrell. When he's saying something, the movie is hilarious. The rest of the time, it's mostly laugh free. Jon Heder looks more and more like he careered out in Napoleon Dynamite. He's just not funny here, and no match for Ferrell. The grade is B, if you check your brain at the door. C,if you're like Andy Fales, and you think movies like this are "stupid"(e.g. Talladega Nights, Dodge Ball, Zoolander, Kicking and Screaming, etc)....

Some of Iowa's most entertaining sports writing happens at http://www.wesleyvaclav.blogspot.com/
Former Des Moines Register reporter Ron Maly doesn't have to answer to an editor. In this case, that's a good thing...

Went to another Iowa Stars game. Kudos to the franchise for improving the atmosphere immensely. Big crowd too. I was impressed by the entertainment on and off the ice. My friend, Scott Kasber, does a great job hosting...

I hate the DirecTV ads with Charlie Sheen cut and pasted on his Ricky Vaughn character. "Major League" is no cinema classic, but I hate seeing Wild Thing turned into a prostitute. It's kind of creepy too...

I just ordered "The Natural" director's cut. I can't wait to see this. Early buzz is that the additional 10 minutes improves many scenes and fleshes out several character details. They also tweaked the music and editing to improve what is a classic. "God I love baseball"... (editor: to vote for the best baseball movie among Keith's favorites, go back to the sports page at whotv.com)

Keith Richards did a lot of drugs, but that's not the only thing to go up his nose. He claims he snorted part of his father's ashes?! That's one of the most disturbing things I've ever read. Hopefully, he was kidding...

Can't wait for the I-Cubs home opener April 13th. Principal Park/Sec Taylor Field just keeps getting better. They add fountains this season...

Did "Happy Feet" really win the Oscar for best animated picture? Didn't the Academy members watch "Cars"? It's no contest...

A viewer just e-mailed me this link: http://www.firelickliter.com/ It takes you to some Cyclone Web site. Clever...

I'm going to two Cubs games in Milwaukee with my buddies this weekend. It's going to be so cold I may not mind if they close the Miller Park roof, which makes me a hypocrite. I hate indoor baseball, unless I'm uncomfortable...

I picked a bad week for vacation. Actually, the school system picked the week by making it Spring Break, but anytime you're a Sports Director, and you're out of town for what's potentially the biggest story of the year, it's not what you'd call ideal timing.

I was at Jellystone Park with the kids, six hours away, when Steve Alford did the University of Iowa a big favor, and bolted for New Mexico. I was also sick with next to no voice, but as it turns out, Shawn Terrell had my back, not to mention our viewers'. He did a fantastic job, and even indulged all my text messages and phone calls. It's tough being in the woods.

I knew Alford was generally disliked by Iowa fans, but I had no idea how much. I've never seen anything like it. I'm surprised people didn't celebrate in the streets. Maybe they did; I was gone.
Contrary to Alford's thinly veiled cheap shots, Iowa used to be a basketball school, in the same way that Ohio State and Florida are basketball schools (football first, but basketball still followed with passion). Alford's overall lack of meaningful success and inability to make any kind of connection with the fan base slowly made Hawkeye fans apathetic. Apathy is about the worst thing that can happen to a program in these days of runaway cash needs. As we've seen since Alford left for New Mexico, the passion is still there, it had just been lying dormant.

Alford is not a bad basketball coach. He's been above average since Craig Neal arrived at Iowa. The problem is twofold: Alford said he'd take the program to another level, and then did, it just wasn't the direction anyone expected; and Alford turned off too many fans, reporters, and recruits.

Anytime I've interviewed Steve, he's been courteous and professional, if not quite warm. He's never done anything to me, and I personally know people who have worked with him and played for him who think he's a great guy. However, over the years, Alford rubbed a lot of other people the wrong way. Many think he's a "phony". I can't support that claim with evidence, but I have other observations.

He had a way of taking credit for wins, but blaming losses on his players. He loved talking about his career at Indiana, even when the question was actually about one of his players at Iowa. He never seemed to truly want to be here, probably because he didn't truly want to be here. He wanted to coach Indiana, which is understandable, and did everything he could to try and make that happen (two different times), but he didn't want to admit it. In fact, he got angry when we asked about it. After all, why would we? We're from "FREAKING IOWA".

Alford tried to turn Big Ten Tournament titles into Big Ten championships. He won one NCAA tournament game in 8 seasons (one less than Tom Davis won after he was forced out), and lost more Big Ten games than he won. Worst of all, the Pierre Pierce debacle. We all understood a coach standing by his player, what we couldn't take was Alford intimating the victim was lying. There was just no reason for that. Support your guy, but don't play judge and jury. Especially if you're wrong.

Alford had some success too. Those Big Ten Tournaments were exciting. That first win over #1 ranked UConn raised expectations to an all time high, and the Hawks almost never lost at home, even if smaller crowds watched each year. Winning forgives most sins and shortcomings, and the Hawks simply didn't win enough when it mattered.

Steve Alford is being hit hard, some would say piled on, and most of it has to do with his personality, not his record. Our own "What's Bugging Andy" is being passed from fan-to-fan all over the country (you can watch it on our video player). Most viewers on our whotv.com online poll say Andy "nailed it", but one in 15 think he was "dead wrong and way out of line". Yes, Alford has his supporters. I know because I've heard from them. Some want Andy fired, others will settle for an apology. Neither will happen. The show is called "SoundOFF". It's an opinions show, including those of the hosts. We want Andy to give his unfiltered takes. There's plenty of solid fence-sitting, just the facts television out there if that's what you're after. One viewer who demanded Andy's dismissal said opinions have no place in journalism. I asked him if he's ever heard of Edward R. Murrow or Walter Cronkite. Those guys shaped public opinion and shook American policy. I could name many others, some responsible with that power, others who misuse it.

Not to go all patriotic, but I'm sincerely thankful we live in a country where both you as a viewer, and I as a journalist, can give our opinions without dire consequences. Sure, Andy and I receive the occasional piece of hate mail, but that's a small price to pay for freedom of speech. Don't you agree?

Let's end by giving Alford credit. He did what was best for him and best for Iowa; He left. Sometimes divorce benefits all.

Oprah has done entire hours on "The Secret". It's a self-help book that changes lives. I'm going to save you 20 bucks. Here's the secret: think positive thoughts. You're welcome...

Some people are just born with the positive outlook. My friend, Jeff, just wakes up happy every day. We shared an apartment in the 80's, and I couldn't believe how he was always upbeat. Dog pooped on the stairs because we both worked a long day??? No problem. 8 hours of unpaid overtime??? Glad to do it. Friend who plays nothing but Springsteen and U2??? "Hey, that's great! Turn it up." Jeff was also one of those dead sleepers. You know, like Bill Murray in the classic, "What About Bob?" Remember when Richard Dreyfuss is jumping up and down like a WWF wrestler yelling "WAKE UP BOB!", and Bob just keeps sleeping; that is until the alarm goes off and then he pleasantly wakes up with a smile? That's Jeff...

"Andy Barker, P.I." is actually charming and funny. It stars Andy Richter---Conan's former sidekick---but I doubt you've seen it. NBC debuted it against Grey's Anatomy and the NCAA Tournament. Should have called it, "Andy Barker, Witness Protection Program"...

Rewatched "The Untouchables" last night. That's just a good guys movie. It's in the same guys class as "Tombstone". Well, maybe not Tombstone. Val Kilmer takes that movie to another level. Anyway, back to The Untouchables. Sean Connery steals the movie. "You wanna know how you do it? Here's how, they pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That's the Chicago way, and that's how you get Capone! Now do you want to do that? Are you ready to do that?" If you haven't watched this lately, enjoy! And yes, ladies like it too. Ladies with great taste in movies anyway...

Saw "Music and Lyrics" at the movie theater... yeah, I'm the one. The only one. Everyone else was in "300". Wait to rent this, and then make sure you do just to see the music video parody. It's a Wham! homage with Hugh Grant in the Andrew Ridgely roll. If you're over 35, don't even act like you don't know the words to "Careless Whisper"...

Steve Alford is featured in the Christian Broadcast Network's "700 Club" this month. It's a positive story about the influence of Christ in Alford's life, but it also contains the following quote from writer Will Dawson, "Steve's career reached the next level when he accepted the coaching position here at the University of Iowa. Eight years later, he's the most successful coach in the program's history." Huh? Are you kidding me?! There is no one alive with any knowledge of college basketball who would call Alford "the most successful coach in the program's history". That's absurd. I realize the "700 Club" isn't ESPN, but who fed the reporter that misinformation?...

Barring the greatest upset in the history of college basketball, Drake will lose and lose BIG Sunday vs. Tennessee, but the Bulldogs are still in the tournament. No one can take that away. And while Drake's star players are hurt and sick, other Dogs have stepped up their games. That's going to make Drake a much better team next year; top 25 maybe...

Is there anything more annoying this time of year than the person at work who comes up and tells you game-by-game how his bracket looks? No one cares but YOU. No one. Trust me on this one. If someone seems interested, they're nice, but dishonest...

I'm off to Jellystone park with the kids on spring break. These vacations remind me how much I love being a father, because believe me, if you don't enjoy it, a week at Jellystone Park will bring you to your knees...

Scattershots: ISU women, Alford, Wild Hogs, Birthday with the Bucs, First iPod.

Good gosh, what took me so long?

How can you not love sports. So much can change so fast. It's like the ultimate reality show. With 10 ticks to go in Oklahoma City, and the Cyclones down one, Lyndsey Medders lets a pass go right through her hands. Robert Duvall as Max Mercy would draw the goat horns, but just seconds later, after two Nebraska free throws, Medders hits the dramatic, game-tying-3. ISU goes on to win in overtime, thanks in no small part to Medders' 27 points. Good stuff. ISU follows that with an upset over #1 seed Texas A&M. The Cyclones knocked down 8 consecutive threes in that game. Last time I saw an outside shooting streak like that Larry Bird was in the 3-point shooting contest asking the others players "who's going to finish second?". If you're reading this after March 10, I suspect Oklahoma has ended ISU's run, but the Cyclones are NCAA tournament bound. Bill Fennelly can flat out coach...

So can Amy Stephens. Drake played this season without its best player, Jill Martin, and then the UnderDogs lose their next to best player, Brandy Dahir, right before the tourney starts. As I punch the keys, Drake has won its first two games, including a big upset over top seed, Southern Illinois. This also points out why the Valley is moving the conference tournament to a neutral site next year. It's a big edge to host...

Is Steve Alford on the way out at Iowa? ESPN the magazine says that's the rumor. I don't buy it. I think Alford gets at least one more season, but he better deliver an NCAA tournament win. One in eight seasons doesn't cut it when Dr. Tom won two in his final season alone. The worst thing happening with Hawkeye basketball is apathy. A lot of fans just don't care much anymore. I personally think Alford is improving as a coach, but I can't defend his NCAA tourney record...

Where I went to high school, nobody cared about girls basketball. The state tournament here is, and should be, a tremendous source of pride. They do it right...

The new movie "Believe in Me" is a must for anyone who plays, played, or supports girls basketball. It's like a girls "Hoosiers". The title is forgettable, and you'll see what's coming from a country mile, but it's an old fashioned good time. It's a movie for people who say, "they don't make them like that anymore." You'll think you're back in the early 60's. B+ I would have given it an A- but I could see the three point lines. (They hid them better in Hoosiers, though not completely)...

"Wild Hogs" is not a good movie. I saw it with a group of people, including kids, who really liked it, and that laughter was infectious. However, to repeat, this is not a good movie. In fact, the best thing I can say is no animals were killed while making it. Oprah wants us to see this? It's enough to make me wonder about her endorsement of Barack Obama. C for Wild Hogs. I didn't hate it like Ken Fuson of the Des Moines Register, but maybe if I did, I could write a column as funny as he did Friday...

Your expectations for a movie sure play into how much you enjoy it. I had heard so many bad things about "You, Me and Dupree" that I was pleasantly surprised. I laughed out loud several times. Owen Wilson is funny. He's got that crazy nose he refuses to fix, and I like that. B for Dupree because he throws seven kids of smoke...

I also watched "Elizabethtown". This one is actually as big a mess as critics said. How can Cameron Crowe make "Jerry Maguire", "Say Anything", "Almost Famous" and this. It just doesn't come together. It's like the Yankees lately. Has all the right parts, but not the end product. Well, actually it doesn't have all the right parts. Orlando Bloom is terrible. He's okay in a pirate outfit, but awful in Elizabethtown. Kirsten Dunst is better, although she tries too hard. C for the movie. A- for the music.

The most improved show on television is "30 Rock". This is really coming into its own. If it weren't up against Grey's Anatomy and one of the seven CSI's, it would already be a big hit. Alec Baldwin improves anything he's in, even Elizabethtown, while oddball Tracy Morgan gets big laughs. The recent episode on racial stereotypes was spot on. Live every week like it's Shark Week...

"Lost" lost me. Didn't think that was possible during season one...

Looking for a great dining experience in Des Moines? Cafe Di Scala. Beautiful atmosphere and delicious food. Highly recommended. Bring your wallet...

Held a birthday party for my son, Colin, at a Des Moines Bucs game. His first sentence was---not making this up--- "Let's Go Bucs". The Bucs made it a blast for all, kids and adults...



Finally got an iPod at that party, thanks to Todd Bailey. It was my birthday too. I had joked that Colin wanted an iPod for his birthday. Todd took the bait. So far I'm just filling my new toy with U2, Springsteen, and Van Morrison. I need to try new things...

Scattershots: Learning wrestling, Letters from Iwo Jima, and fascination with Anna Nicole.

I played four sports in high school, but wrestling was not one of them. Our school didn't offer it, and each year at this time, I feel like I missed out. State wrestling in Iowa is amazing, and a much deserved source of pride. Unlike baseball, basketball, football and track (my sports), wrestling is constant tension and relentless action. Even the best can lose with one mistake. I've also really come to appreciate the cerebral strategy that makes it like a physical chess match...

In an effort to learn more about wrestling, I'm reading the critically acclaimed "Four Days to Glory". It follows two Iowa wrestlers in 2005 as they try to join the giants of the sport as four-time champions. It is a great book. Highly recommended whether you know a lot about the sport, or you're like me, trying to broaden your knowledge. Author Mark Kreidler writes that Iowa is known internationally for just two things: corn and wrestling...

Does anyone really wonder if Roger Clemens is coming back? Come on. This has about as much suspense as Brett Favre's annual dance. Of course Clemens is coming back. He'll skip spring training, the first half of the season, and then make about $15 million dollars to pitch in 20 or so games, and he's probably worth it. I just wish Clemens were more sincere. The guy retired several times and kept the expensive gifts when he returned. He's still great, and he can't walk away. Just be forthright...

Saw "Letters from Iwo Jima". Brilliant but depressing. Not easy to watch. I enjoyed Clint Eastwood's companion film, "Flags of our Fathers", more, but I'm not sure it was better. It's just not fun, nor should it be, watching people "honorably" blow themselves up for two hours. A- for quality, B- for the experience.

"Friday Night Lights" is showing signs of life. Ratings are building, thanks to many of you who are starting to watch. On good nights, this show is stunning. On off nights, it's still better than 95% of anything on TV. I try not to let the 25 year old "teenagers" bother me too much. It's a great improvement over John Travolta and Olivia Newton John in "Grease", but why can't shows at least find "kids" who are 19, 20, 21? At least Julie is 18...

What's going on with Izzie on "Grey's Anatomy". Could they make her any more of a thoughtless, inconsiderate dingbat? At least she's not standing in front of the hospital for 12 hours anymore...

Did you watch the NBA All-Star game? I tried, but it's gotten ridiculous. No need for the slam dunk contest as long as this is on. Has it always been this bad? Or am I getting like my father; looking back at the good old days? I remember enjoying the NBA's show...

NBC broadcasts the Match Play Championship and what happens? Tiger and Phil lose. Now that's just bad luck...

No more Britney Spears jokes from us. This woman obviously needs some help...

I still can't believe the around-the-clock fascination with Anna Nicole Smith's death. I understand that many people relate to all of her trials and tribulations (yo-yo dieting, bad marriages, trouble with children, the desire for more money, addictions, cosmetic surgery, etc), but it's still a little scary when the death of a person famous primarily for being famous receives more cable network coverage than all the fallen American soldiers combined...

Former Governor Vilsack dropped out of the Presidential race faster than expected. Makes me a little sad. It was probably our only chance to have a former SoundOFF co-host in the White House. Then again, Ronald Reagan did Iowa games with Jim Zabel...

Keep the feedback coming. I enjoy your thoughts.
Keith

Scattershots: ISU tickets, NASCAR cheating, and the perfect Valentine's present.

Have you ever heard Keno Davis on the radio? He sounds so much like his father, Doctor Tom, that it freaks me out. I listened to him for 10 minutes on KXNO's Cotlar & Company this morning before I realized it was son, not dad. I'm not overselling this; you have to hear it...

Iowa State announces it's more than halfway past last year's record total for football season tickets. That's definitely positive, especially with 1,200 new customers. Another way to look at it, ISU still has nearly 30,000 empty seats for the Iowa - Iowa State game. More work ahead...

What an embarrassing week for NASCAR. If you're not cheating, you're not trying. As Harry Hogge said to Cole Trickle in "Days of Thunder", "There's nothing stock about a stock car, Cole." Amen. If NASCAR officials really want to stop the cheating, they need to suspend the drivers, not just the crew chiefs. For goodness sakes, Jimmy Johnson won the Daytona 500 without his chief last year...

Shawn Terrell reported an excellent piece on "No Pass, No Play" this week. It showed all sides of the argument and sparked much discussion around the station. The thing I noticed is---and it's not surprising---people come at this from their own backgrounds. Those who grew up in homes where education was stressed and good grades were a must, cannot understand how it's too much to ask that high school athletes pass all classes. Those who didn't, better understand how an "F" happens. In an ideal world, you'd go case-by-case, but there's no way to make that work, not that I can see. The most negative system quirk to me is that many kids are like I was, so into sports, they'll avoid challenging classes so there's little chance to fail...

Andy Fales' story on the Iowa Stars showed the AHL franchise is succeeding in Des Moines more than you might think from seeing video of all the empty seats. As the Stars point out, you can take their average crowd at Wells Fargo Arena and easily fill 95KGGO Arena where the Bucs play. However, it also shows how crowds create atmosphere. The Bucs play in a lovable old dump of a building, but it's electric on game night, while the Stars play in a beautiful state-of-the-art building that's too vast for actual crowds of two to five thousand. It's like the difference watching a funny movie on DVD vs. catching it in a sold out theater. Both are enjoyable, but the energy of the crowd makes for a more memorable experience. Having said that, I've always enjoyed Stars games, and the hockey is top notch. The organization appears to be learning about the market as it goes, just as you'd expect and hope. When in doubt, look to the I-Cubs. That's the way to do it...

Illinois is retiring Chief Illiniwek. It's time...

I thought Tom Vilsack did fine on the Tonight Show. May have tried a little too hard to be funny, tough to pull off when you're following Jim Carrey. On the plus side, Vilsack raised his national profile considerably, and made a positive impression, but did he come off as Presidential?...

Raise your hand if you thought Iowa would have the best chance of making the NCAA tournament? My hand is on the keyboard...

"Friday Night Lights" just keeps getting better. If you're not on board yet, please join. The recent two-parter on subtle racism was fantastic. The coach, his wife, and daughter are the most realistic family on television...

I got a fantastic Valentine's present: "The Departed". Sure it's brutal, bloody and full of more F-bombs than a Chris Rock concert, but I love it! Thanks Jenny...

Scattershots: Super Bowl, K-Fed. Laugh Attack.

To these eyes, the MVP of Super Bowl XLI was Bob Sanders. The former Hawkeye induced a fumble, interception, and snot bubble. He sets the aggressive, reckless tone for the entire Colts defense. Sanders did the same thing at Iowa. I'll never forget watching Penn State players walk to the halftime locker-room looking like they'd prefer to just get on the bus. Sanders and company had hit the Nittany Lions so hard, so often, they wanted to quit. That's what's been missing at Iowa the past two seasons...

I like the way Rex Grossman handled himself off the field all season. He seems like a stand-up guy, but he was awful in the big game. Rex has his moments, but the Bears and Grossman may need a divorce. I'm not sure anyone can handle the heat headed his way now...

My Super Bowl theory worked again. The team with the best quarterback usually wins. Think about it; look it up. There are exceptions, but not many. Even Dan Marino's Dolphins lost to the better quarterback...

I'm happy for Peyton. I know he polarizes people, but I like the guy. His commercials are surprisingly funny. CUT THAT MEAT...

I'm happy for Dallas Clark. I've known Dallas for nearly ten years and he's the kind of guy who makes you proud to call Iowa home. No wonder he's the pride of Livermore...

When my dad heard Prince was performing at halftime, he said, "that little guy gives me the creeps." Maybe, but that little guy can flat out rock. Prince was good in Miami, even with that head scarf borrowed from Beyonce. "Purple Rain" is one of the all-time classics...

Commercials were okay, but the best moment was Letterman's bit with Oprah. Solid gold...

GoDaddy.com it's time to just go...

K-Fed, your 15 minutes were up 14 minutes ago...

I am proud of Erin Kiernan, and it has nothing to do with her special reports last week, though I was proud of that too. This is more personal, but it has to come from her. It's all good...

If you want to see a grown man lose control of his ability to stop laughing, check out this week's "I think" on the whotv.com sports video page. I was like a kid in church who knows he desperately needs to stop laughing, but that just makes it worse. Giggles gone wild. Andy Fales started it off camera, while I was on camera, and I couldn't put it out of my head. I really felt terrible when I left work because I just couldn't get it together. However, among the e-mails and calls I received from people who couldn't stop laughing because I couldn't stop laughing was one from Aggie. Here's what she wrote:

Keith.....My husband was tragically killed recently and until last night's show I don't think I have REALLY laughed since he was killed. My husband and I always watched Sound Off on Sunday nights together and I am still watching........ alone....... after his death. Just can't kick the habit! Thanks for providing the laughs last night...........It felt so good!!!!!!!
Aggie

That's one of the most humbling things I've ever read. It's heartbreaking and happy at the same time. I'm thrilled we could bring a smile to Aggie's face. It makes my embarrassment worth it. Thanks for writing, Aggie. You made my day...

Thanks for reading.
Keith

Scattershots: Dallas Clark, More Pollard, Inside Scoop on Channel 13 personalities.

Can you name the most watched television broadcast in the past 11 months? Patriots vs. Colts. American Idol is, by far, the #1 show in the nation, and the Big Game stomped it. You could feel the TV sets turning as the night progressed. What a classic...

Dallas Clark easily leads our whotv.com survey of "player you're most pulling for in the Super Bowl". Not only is Clark a former Hawkeye from Central Iowa who's leading the Colts post-season in receptions and yards, he's just a good guy. That's an unbeatable combination. Check out the interview with his dad at whotv.com Doug Clark gives you a good idea what it's like to have a son in the Super Bowl. The towns of Livermore and Bode couldn't be prouder...

I think the Colts win, but the Bears are better than they get credit. Rex Grossman frays nerves, but with that defense, anything's possible. I just believe the Colts no-huddle will eventually wear them down, just like it did the Patriots and Ravens...

Speaking of the Patriots. Andy had some fun with the beautiful and talented Kerry Kavanaugh in "What's Bugging Andy". Kerry is a diehard Boston sports fan, and she's not shy about it. However, Andy also poked fun at himself because he's the most obnoxious Cardinals fan this side of Dave Price and Bill Fennelly. No, Andy's worse...

I think Drake's Amy Stephens is a very good coach. John Wooden couldn't overcome the loss of star player Jill Martin and starter Jordan Plummer...

It had been a few days, so I was wondering what Jamie Pollard would do next to make headlines, and BAM!, there it is in this morning's Register. He's pulling the plug on games at Wells Fargo Arena. Pollard is bold, but he's also predictable. Just follow the money...

Hawkeye fans who think Pollard should give thought to their needs are being ridiculous. That would be like NBC asking Fox if it's okay to put Heroes in the same time slot as 24. Pollard's only obligation is to do what he thinks is best for Iowa State...

I can't believe I've learned to live without an entire network, but I have. I used to watch, on Fox, at minimum, House, the Simpsons, and 24, but now, unless it's a game, the rabbit ears aren't used and life goes on...

I'm finally watching HBO's World War II series Band of Brothers on DVD. Wow. It's fantastic, which shouldn't come as a surprise since Steven Spielberg is behind it. Highly recommended...

Friday Night Lights just keeps getting better. Kyle Chandler is the coach we all wish we had, but we may not have him much longer. Ratings are tiny, and the show is now up against American Idol. (Fox must not have called NBC to see if that's okay)...

The opening of the new smokeless Funny Bone is delayed until February. Can't wait. I've missed the laughs. Won't miss the smoke...

Most surprising but deserved Oscar nomination: Mark Wahlberg. Come on, feel it, feel it. The former leader of the Funky Bunch is mesmerizing in The Departed...

Some Channel 13 scattershots:

I am VERY proud of Erin Kiernan. The reason will have to come from her...

Congratulations to Courtney Greene! The Governor's gain, our loss. Go get 'em Court!...

Shawn Terrell loves the Bears so much his girlfriend has to go to a different room during the game. He's that fan...

Sonya Heitshusen even wears stilleto heels during snow storms. She's also training for a triathlon. If she swims in the pumps it wouldn't surprise me. The woman loves shoes. Do all women love shoes?

Dan Winters does spot-on impressions, including several people you see on local television (and not just when you're watching channel 13)...

Trisha Shepherd loves Elvis. Perhaps more than Priscilla did...

Jeriann Ritter is just as energetic off camera. She's a human sparkplug. Andy Fales calls her a Mexican jumping bean, though she's not Mexican. He means it as a compliment...

Ed Wilson belts out Sinatra tunes randomly all day and night. He's pretty good too...

John Bachman knows more about golf that anyone I've ever met. It's like having a golfing research staff at the station...

If laughter is the best medicine, my boss, Rod Peterson, is the healthiest man in America. He laughs all the time. I'm talking good, hard, doubled over belly laughs. It's like having a laugh track in the newsroom. And it's good for my ego. I go into his office, I'm like Johnny Carson pulling up a chair to Ed McMahon...

In the summer, Pat Dix carries a sweat rag with him everywhere he goes. I think he's just being considerate. He's like Albert Brooks in broadcast news, only Pat is cool on air and flop-sweaty everywhere else...

I see Lynn Melling jogging all over Des Moines. Even when it's 5 below. She wears her iPod, puts her head down, and just does it. Her husband is a dead-ringer for Rex Grossman, only he fumbles less...

Jon Cahill sends me one e-mail a month. It's always an invitation to a party. We love Jon Cahill...

Andy Fales lost a lot of weight. Oh, you knew that? Here's one. He's actually very nice and considerate. Unless you're in the line of fire for one of his epic pranks...

I better stop here.

Have fun,
Keith

Scattershots: The Pollard Plan

Jamie Pollard knows what he's doing. Rest assured, Pollard has looked at this plan from every angle. He's trying to force a BIG spike in football season tickets, something he finds necessary if ISU wants to compete in the Big 12. Otherwise, Pollard thinks Iowa State should drop out of division one and start scheduling Coe, Simpson, and Grinnell. Well, he may not mean it, but it makes for a great sound bite. Be sure to watch Shawn Terrell's raw interview on the whotv.com sports page.

It's another bold move from a man who's made more than his share. Pollard challenges all those fans who wanted him to change the football and basketball coaches to step up and help pay the bill. ISU owes a lot of money to coaches who aren't coaching. Pollard also wants $130 million for facility upgrades. All of this means more pressure on football to produce big dollars. Pollard's trying to force it by selling only season tickets to anyone who wants to see the Iowa - Iowa State football game. All others better hope they're part of Iowa's 4,000 ticket allotment, which ISU will charge Iowa $90 a seat.

Keep in mind, no one has walked up to the ISU box office and purchased a single game ticket for the Cy-Hawk showdown for years. Pollard is, in part, stopping Cyclone season ticket holders and boosters from buying extra tickets to the big game and selling them to friends, family and unknowns --- many of whom are Hawkeye fans. This is cheered by many in Cyclone country, but certainly not all, and definitely not by those Hawk fans who used to fill up about a third of Jack Trice Stadium.

Pollard's also freezing out ISU donors who don't want, or can't use, season tickets. For example, I heard from one such Cyclone backer who lives out of state. He is bitter and disappointed that he can't travel to the game he wants to see the most. Yes, he can go to other Cyclone games, but not the one he wants, and he thinks he's earned the right to choose. I see his point.

I also see Pollard's. It's time to find out if Cyclone fans are willing to spend the kind of money it takes to compete in this day and age. Here's the great unknown: I'm not sure there are enough Cyclone fans willing or able to spend the kind of money Pollard says he needs. Cyclone fans love and support Iowa State. They're loyal, but outnumbered in a state with a low population. Here in Central Iowa, Clones fans are in the neighborhood of 50/50 with Hawk fans, but everywhere else in Iowa, it's not even close. The big question remains, are there enough Cyclone fans willing to pay for Pollard's vision? I don't think he even knows. ISU doesn't have a medical or law school, sources of many wealthy contributors at Iowa.

Bottom line, Cyclone fans said for decades they were tired of living in Iowa's shadow and playing second fiddle to the Hawkeyes. Now they have a guy who's trying to change that culture, and even if at times, it seems too much about him, at least he's not rolling over and playing dead. If it fails long term, it won't be because Cyclone fans aren't good enough, it will be simply be because there aren't enough of them with the kind of disposable income it takes in the current college sports arms race.

Pollard's plan has people talking Cyclone football in January, that's good. He also runs the risk of something Iowa State cannot afford under any circumstances: angry donors.

A prediction in closing: Loophole or no loophole, there will not be an empty seat at the Iowa - Iowa State football game. I don't think ISU will sell enough season tickets to fill Jack Trice Stadium---I expect around 35,000, the most ever by 4,000---but there's no way we'll see empty sections for our state's biggest sporting event. Maybe those much talked about "tent parties" will require really big tents.

Scattershot quick hitters:

No way to spin it, the Big Ten conference was vastly overrated this football season. For the most part, the only time the Big Ten looked good is when conference teams were playing each other. USC dominated Michigan, and Florida flat out embarrassed and exposed Ohio State. The nearly two month layoff is way too much, and Ted Ginn did get hurt celebrating a touchdown, but Urban Meyer made Jim Tressell look like Jim Walden, and the game was over before halftime. I know because I have to do my son's chores for a week. I picked the Buckeyes.

Speaking of Walden, he looks smarter than at any time since the Nebraska game in 1992. (Where have you gone, Marv Seiler? Cyclone Nation turns its lonely eyes to you.) Walden was the only person in America to vote Florida #1 in the pre-bowl Harris Poll. I believe Walden when he says he thought Florida had played a much harder schedule---it had---but how can you not vote undefeated Ohio State #1 when it had beaten a #2 team twice? Turns out Texas and Michigan weren't worthy of being #2, but we didn't know that then. Maybe Walden did. Either way, he looks a lot smarter than he did when he tried to run the triple option at Iowa State? (Where have you gone, Bob Utter? Cyclone Nation turns its lonely eyes to you.) Jim is always a good interview, in good times and bad.

I voted Troy Smith for Heisman, and he went out and laid a ginormous egg. He had help, but Smith was awful. There are a few Heisman votes I'd like to have back, but he's not one of them. Until this week, he was at his best in big games.

Remember football season in this state? High expectations caused crushing disappointments. Men's basketball season is the opposite. No one expects much, so it's been a pleasant surprise so far. UNI is the state's best, Iowa plays hard and is fun to watch, ISU is well-coached and learning quickly, Drake had its moments in December.

I'm going to the I-Cubs Fanfest with my father this weekend. Nothing like heart surgery to remind me to make the most of every moment. My father never did the kind of things that make headlines, but he's a great man in all the ways that really matter.

I'm hooked on Friday Night Lights. I can't believe more people don't watch this show. It's more social drama than football show, but it's terrific.

So the Daily News reports Barry Bonds tested positive for amphetamines and promptly blamed a teammate. I'm shocked. SHOCKED! What will it take for this guy to just go away and leave Henry Aaron's hallowed record alone. Please. For once, Barry, do the right thing.

The Steelers opening couldn't come at a better time for Hawkeye fans. Pittsburgh appears ready to hire from in-house, and Ferentz looks determined to return Iowa to better days. I also think he's paid close attention to all the miserable NFL coaches who can't get back to the college game fast enough. Paging Nick Saban.

Grey's Anatomy returns tonight. I wonder if Izzie still has the $9 million dollar check pinned to her fridge, or if she actually might have deposited it where it would be earning thousands in interest. I love that show, but what a stupid storyline.

Rosie vs. Trump... who do you have? It's a tough call, but I'm going with Trump. Rosie spent years pretending she was the "queen of nice". Trump never disguised his exaggerated egocentric windbag act. He is what he is.

Just watched Invincible on DVD again. Love it. They shouldn't work so hard to disguise the fact Vince Papale played in the USFL, but it's a real Rocky story.

Erin's an addict, Ed clogs arteries, and Rocky Balboa is back!

Random thoughts from in and out of the sports world---mostly out.

Did you see Boise State win the Fiesta Bowl? Most exciting finish to a football game I've ever had the pleasure to witness. The offensive gameplane used by Chris Petersen and the Broncos is exactly what Iowa State needs. I know I've probably made this same point too many times, but at ISU, I believe you have to have a way to neutralize teams with better talent. Boise State did just that. Oklahoma had better players up and down the line, but the Broncos left Bob Stoops looking more confused than Courtney Love at a PTA meeting. Statue of Liberty to win? Brilliant! Cyclone fans should hope Gene Chizik and staff bring some of Boise State's daring and imagination. I don't care how great a recruiter and coach Chizik is---and his credentials look promising---ISU will never have the talent of Texas, not even close. Doesn't mean you can't pull an upset every now and then.

I have Erin Kiernan hooked on 24. She's learning to watch it the only way you should: on DVD hour-after-hour. Day-after-day. If she looks tired this week, blame Jack Bauer. And Erin's only on season one, so she won't get eight hours of sleep for at least a month. She has four more seasons after this one.

My buddy Ryan finally watched Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. He failed to see why I love it so much---on first viewing. Now that he's on 37, he gets it. "Well look, I like the Christmas Jesus best, and I'm sayin grace. When you say grace, you can say it to grown up Jesus, or teenage Jesus, or bearded Jesus, or whatever you want."

Erin, John and I all went to Ed's for a Christmas party, and we brought our loves with us. John's wife, Barb, taught us how to play pool---on the ceiling. Erin's husband, Michael, made Vince Vaughn seem like a mute. Ed's wife, Angela, taught Rachel Ray and Martha Stewart everything they know. Jenny and I just laughed and ate and drank. It was perfect. So we went back to Ed's on Christmas, and this time we brought my parents. True story. The Wilsons are amazing people.

Speaking of dinner at the Wilsons, my Dad just had emergency heart surgery at Mercy. He's doing great now and never lost his sense of humor. As soon as they told him he had an artery 95% blocked, he blamed all the rich food and tantalizing desserts at Ed's. My father also wanted me to put in a plug for the doctors and nurses at Mercy. He's truly thankful he got sick here instead of in his home state of Florida. He can't imagine there being a better place for first class care. A big "thank you" from me too.

I saw a few movies over the holidays. Oddly, I get more feedback through e-mail on movies than anything I write about sports. Hmm. Better not reflect on that too much. Snapshot reviews:

Blood Diamond: Very hard to watch. Absolutely brutal in parts. It's important this story of the diamond trade was told, but it's not light. Heartbreaking at times, inspiring at others.

Leonardo Dicaprio again proves he's the finest actor of his generation. He's so convincing in this role that you forget he's speaking with an accent. He can't compete against himself at the Academy Awards, so I don't know if he should push this or the Departed. He's great in both. Djimon Hounsou is also amazing in Blood Diamond. The actors get an A, the movie a B.

Pursuit of Happyness: Or as Jenny called it, The Pursuit of Depression. Incredible story of one man's perseverance against all odds, but this guy goes through so many downers, you half expect someone to come up and kick him in the stones just to drive the point home. Ultimately uplifting, and my mother loved it, but it could have used a few more minutes of happiness at the end. Will Smith is very good, his son Jade even better. B

Rocky Balboa: Returns the series to glory, or comes close enough. The original Rocky was a character study, and though Rocky III was a blast, that Rocky didn't resemble the man from the first one. "Rocky Balboa" is a perfect bookend to the original. You really don't need to see the middle four to have it make perfect sense. It's not endless action like Rocky IV ("I will break you"). It's the story of a lonely guy facing his own mortality. I got chills, and almost tears, when the famous theme music finally played. Talk about nostalgia. And though I couldn't see a way 60 year old Stallone could plausibly climb into the ring, he pulled it off. Bonus: the women I've talked to liked it as much as the men. I bumped this from a B+ to an A- because we no longer have to think of the crapfest known as Rocky V ending this great series. At least I hope this is the end.

We Are Marshall: A story so inspiring, it's surprising it took this long to tell it. I'm sure you know about the plane crash that killed the Marshall football team, coaching staff and several supporters... I won't rehash that. You'll find a lot of sports movie cliches in the two hours, but I don't care. I was moved, and enjoyed every minute. I was also thankful that Matthew McConaughey left his shirt on for a change. If you love college football, don't miss this one. If you're not a Bobby Bowden fan, you will be when We Are Marshall ends. You'll see what I mean. A-

Dreamgirls: The not so thinly veiled story of Diana Ross and the Supremes, though from what I've read about Ms. Ross she should be pleased with how Beyonce makes her look in this movie. In real life, Ross apparently couldn't elbow her way to the fame fast enough.

Eddie Murphy acts on a level we've never seen, and booted American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson steals the show. I watched this at the Wynnsong in Johnston, and when Hudson sings her show-stopping number, "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going", people broke into spontaneous applause and cheers. When's the last time you've seen that happen? It is a spellbinding five minutes. She's incredible. Get Oscar ready and go see this if you don't mind people breaking into song in the middle of a conversation. Jenny can't take that; I don't mind much. B- even if you don't like musicals. B if you're neutral like me. A- if you have "Chicago" on DVD.

Holiday: What can I say... I have a weakness for chick flicks... and anything with Jack Black in it. Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslett aren't bad either. 15 minutes too long, but goes over like hot chocolate and a comforter on a cold night. See it with someone you love. Or want to. B+

Few other quick hitters. Did you see the first Friday Night Lights of 2007? The show keeps getting better. It's not for small kids though.

Loved seeing Polar Express Imax at the Science Center of Iowa. My son, Colin, loves trains so we already had the DVD, but this was a whole different thing. I'm not sure how big that screen is, but I did learn you don't want to sit in any of the first dozen or so rows.

Can you remember going into the Big Ten season with less buzz about Hawkeye basketball? And then they go out and beat Michigan State. Nice start.

The Drake bandwagon unloaded in a hurry. Don't give up. Lot of season left.

Bill Fennelly should have a lifetime contract.

Enough about Drew Tate.

I hope 2007 is your best year ever.
Keith

Now that's "Hawkeye football".

I only have a few minutes before the newscast, but wanted to express how impressed I was with Iowa's effort in the Alamo Bowl. Where's that team been since September?

I shouldn't be surprised, although I am, because Kirk Ferentz told me two weeks ago that he was re-energized and refocused on returning Iowa to "Hawkeye football"; that's the kind of play we've come to expect from Ferentz-coached-teams. More hustle, harder hits, fewer penalties, etc. Somehow it all went missing for most of this disappointing season and Kirk didn't pass the blame. He took responsibility and said he needed to make sure the Hawks did all the little things. Today in San Antonio, they did.

Well, almost. The game first turned on the ineligible receiver call. At first blush, I thought it was a horrible call, but upon further review of both the play and the rule book, I think they got it right. Chandler was in motion, so to be eligible he needed to either be on the end, which he wasn't, or in the backfield, which he really wasn't either. He was slightly behind the line, but not enough. 21-3 turned into 14-10, and the penalty had nothing to do with whether the play worked. The second biggest impact play was the ill-advised trick play with the game on the line late in the fourth quarter. It's true, if it worked, we'd all praise the daring call, but Iowa needed three points. This is one time conservative would have made more sense.

Other than that, a good all around effort from the coaches and players, especially Andy Brodell, who left the Longhorns stunned that a white guy from Iowa could run that fast, and Drew Tate, who once again proved he has enough heart to nearly make up for his temper. Nearly.

Great game. Glad I got to see it. I also think we witnessed that Kirk Ferentz will not let the "little things" slide again. I also hope everyone in Hawkeye country, including the coaches and players, realizes Iowa should have won this game. Big improvement, but not all the way back yet.

Happy New Year.

Tate interview feedback.

Drew Tate sure polarises the Hawkeye fan base. His comments on living in Iowa sparked wide-ranging feedback. Some fans want to run Tate out of town on a rail while others praise the Iowa quarterback for candidly speaking the truth. (If you're scratching your head right now, and you don't have dandruff, please go back to the sports page and watch the Tate interview.)

Like most people, my take is somewhere between the two extremes. I do think too much has been made of this, and no, I don't think we're responsible. Tate's comments were interesting and did belong in our newscast. Furthermore, I love that the 13Raw feature at whotv.com provides us the opportunity to show you an entire interview so you can see the complete context, including the line of questioning on both sides of the sound byte. The story had legs because people couldn't stop talking about it, and that includes a lot of non-sports fans.

I don't think Tate meant any great offense, nor do I think he was joking. I think he honestly feels like he's faced so much criticism because many Hawkeye fans have nothing to do but obsess about Iowa football. There is some truth in the obsession, but not the lack of entertainment and cultural options. Tate lives in Iowa City, a place you'll find even Cyclone fans admit has a lot to offer, though not the NFL (especially this season). As for corn stock, it does matter to a lot of us, and even makes its way into newscasts, but we shouldn't be defensive; it beats the heck out of stories on crime rates. More than anything, I think Tate's verbal darts show he's aware of his critics, they hurt him, and this is how he explains them.

It was not a smart thing to say. He sounds ungrateful and condescending. We all say things that were taken more harshly than we intended, especially those of us who have been married. You have to think before you open your mouth, even if you're just 22 years old.

I've been both a supporter and a critic of Tate. I applaud him for often playing hurt and giving everything he's got on game day. Maybe too much. There are times I think he was too banged up to help the team and he played anyway, but there's no questioning Tate's heart. I do have a problem with his on-field leadership. It's true, when Iowa was winning, we praised Tate for his fiery leadership, but now that the Hawks are losing, he's put down for similar behavior. I think there's a fine line between fiery and temperamental, and Tate crossed the line way too many times this season. Why do you think Kirk Ferentz put him in timeout during the Minnesota game... because he was acting like a child. Screaming works better when you're winning because it keeps players grounded. When you're losing, it can shake already fragile confidence. A good leader knows the difference.

Bottom line, I don't think what Tate said was a huge deal. It gave some people the opportunity to pile on a guy they've already made their minds up about, and gave others a reason to smile at the same old standby stereotypical put-downs of Iowa. Each time I watch the interview, I'm less offended. My initial reaction was similar to the way you feel when someone makes a derogatory comment about family. After a deep breath, it's not as bad as it initially seemed.

Tate didn't choose his words wisely, but he shouldn't be persecuted for them either.

Thank you for all your thoughtful feedback.

Keith

Drew Tate interview

Did Drew Tate take a shot at the state of Iowa and the Hawkeye fans who live here? Or was he just joking?

You can see the interview here on the www.whotv.com sports page or under "AS SEEN ON 13", look for "13Raw".

Please watch, vote on our web poll, and then discuss on the Murphy's Law feedback. I'll give you my thoughts next time.

I hope you had a great holiday.

Keith

p.s. Thank you to WOIA, the NBC in San Antonio, for shooting the interview with Tate for us.

Back from vacation with a head full of thoughts...

Update: Way to go Round Guy! He's back from the Biggest Loser, 51 pounds lighter. Read and see for youself at

http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser/36_at_home/ia_steve/bio/week_12.shtml

but please read the rest of my original post first.

... In random order:

Airline Travel: Thanks a lot terrorists; you've made air travel at best, inconvenient, and at worst, unbearable. Nothing like having your two year old son have to remove his Thomas the Train sneakers to check for a shoe bomb. The latest wrinkle is no liquids. I watched a mother in Orlando have to pour out her baby's formula before going through the security.

Terrorists suck.

Casino Royale: Apparently the Bond people watched the Bourne Identity and took notes. They've reinvigorated the series with a jolt of gritty realism. Bond movies had turned downright silly. Once you've had Denise Richards play a nuclear physicist, who pronounces nuclear like President Bush ("nucular"), you've jumped the shark. Enter Daniel Craig.

Craig is fantastic as Bond. The series makes a brilliant decision to go back to the beginning and show how Bond became Bond. Best line, when asked if he wants his martini shaken or stirred, Bond says, "Do I look like I give a damn?" Craig never winks at the audience, and you will believe this guy has a license to kill, and uses it. Plus, the men who watch this will feel like they need to do pushups after the movie. Craig works out more than Andy Fales. Casino Royale gets an A. A tad long, but the best Bond movie ever.

Drake Dollar Days: Props to the Drake athletic department for doing anything it can to convert Central Iowans into Bulldog fans. This is a good start. Dollar tickets, dollar popcorn, and dollar hot dogs. That's unheard of in this age of runaway spending on college athletics.

Dollar days would be a good deal if the Dogs were playings like, well, dogs, but Dr. Tom Davis has Drake playing its best basketball since he surprised us all by taking the job. Drake stunned Iowa State at Hilton, came from 18 down to snuff out the Anteaters of Cal-Irvine, and rides a five game winning streak into Saturday's showdown with Iowa. Is the year the Bulldogs finally take down the Hawks?

Borat: Still haven't seen it. John Bachman found it a little on the mean-spirited side, while Andy Fales thought it was flat out hilarious. This probably tells you as much about John and Andy as it does Borat. High five.


















Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Another crowd pleaser from the always reliable Des Moines Playhouse. My 5 year old, Cade, said it was his favorite play ever.

Ricky Bobby: Speaking of baby Jesus, "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" is out on DVD. I bought two copies today, just so I have back-up. This ridiculous movie made me laugh like no other this year, although Little Miss Sunshine had the single biggest gut-buster. Ricky Bobby isn't for everyone---Andy thought it was just "okay"---but I loved it. (Warning: It's disturbing how much Will Ferrell looks like Jon Miller in this movie.)




















Troy Smith Wins Heisman: I voted for Troy. Everybody voted for Troy. ESPN still had to fill an hour, and with zero suspense, it was nearly unwatchable. Smith deserved the trophy, but I hate the way the Heisman has turned into an offensive MVP award from the best team. Gino Torretta? Jason White? Come on.

By the way, Smith tried to fly back to Ohio with his Heisman, like fellow Buckeye Eddie George did years ago, but Smith couldn't get the trophy through airport security. He had to ship it instead. Did I mention the terrorists suck?

Iowa State - Iowa basketball game: Hawkeyes dominated. Cyclones looked awful. All those turnovers must keep Greg McDermott up at night.

The game had less buzz than any I can remember. I think people cared more about the Iowa-Iowa State wrestling match. Brands and Sanderson jolted that series like Daniel Craig did for 007.

UNI Panthers: Best basketball team in Iowa, and still only ranked as the 4th best in the Missouri Valley. The Valley is a beast. Drake could be much better and still not have the wins to prove it.

Return of the Jedi: My son Cade watches this about three times a week. I remember loving it, but why didn't I notice how silly some of the musical scenes are near the begining when Jabba shows up? Is it just my childhood memory or did George Lucas make these scenes even cheesier when he "updated" the original movie? And don't get me started on the Ewoks. The Empire Strikes Back remains the best of the six, with Stars Wars right behind. I'd rank Revenge of the Sith third, but the series never recovers from losing Hans Solo.

I sound like a dork.




Jill Martin Out for the Season: That's a shame. Drake will lose a lot of games it would have won with Martin in the line-up. Let's hope she gets a medical redshirt.

Heroes: Great show, and a much needed hit for NBC, but Heroes is not for small kids, as I found out the hard way. Cade's nightmares should end in a few months.

Body Hair: I remember watching City Slickers 15 years ago, and wondering what Billy Crystal was talking about when he was turning 39 and warning children about the perils of growing old. Now that I've hit my forties, I am experiencing the absolute horror of the occasional stray hair poking out of previously unchartered patches of skin, like the ears! It's awful. I realize this is a sharing violation, but if you're a man under 40, consider yourself warned. If you're a man over 40, I feel your pain. If you're a woman, I have newfound respect for all that grooming you do.

Best Parenting Advice of the month: I get asked to play golf all the time, and although I'm not good, I love it. However, I agree with Cris Collinsworth: Put the golf clubs up until your last kid leaves for college. You'll have plenty of time after that. The exception, if your kids take a natural interest in golf, it is a great opportunity to talk and bond. John Bachman makes this work with his now grown kids, and his wife, Barb. The guy makes it all work.

Thank you for your patience, and your feedback.

Chizikapalooza. The day after.

Pollard thinks BIG, and scores: One of the reasons no one saw the Gene Chizik hire coming is we all figured an up and coming, in demand, star coach like him would not be interested in Iowa State. Fortunately for Cyclone fans, Jamie Pollard does not think that way. You don't know if you don't ask.

Will Chizik lead ISU to Championships? We really don't know. I think he shows as much potential as you could possibly hire, and he has the backing that he'll need from the University, but it won't be easy. Yes, Chizik is a great recruiter when he's recruiting Texas kids to the University of Texas or Alabama kids to Auburn, but now he'll need to ask them to leave home and head to a place many couldn't find on a map: Ames, Iowa.

Does that make it impossible? No. But it won't make ISU the University of Texas either. What Cyclone fans should expect is for Chizik to improve the level of leftovers ISU takes from Texas, Florida and other fertile recruiting grounds. Occasionally, maybe Chizik and his staff actually steal someone who the big guys wanted.

Staff is also key, and $1.5 million will help a LOT. Chizik is a defensive guru. Expect Iowa State to improve right away. He's also smart enough to hire an offensive coordinator who can do more with less. ISU will not have Oklahoma talent anytime soon, so you have to work harder, be more creative, and out-think the Sooners (and half the other teams in the Big 12).

Hiring in Secrecy: I was fairly certain ISU had hired Brian Kelly. Partly because we spent several days eliminating virtually everyone else we thought it might be (see paragraph one); partly because ISU officially asked for permission to interview Kelly Saturday and announced a hiring the next day; and partly because Kelly wouldn't deny he was the coach! Conversely, there were several things that bothered me about the Kelly assumption, including the fact he'd be introduced to Iowa State fans just three days before his Central Michigan team played for a conference championship. Do you want a coach who would agree to that? We also had conflicting information. Some sources said "it's not Kelly", more said, "it is Kelly". Fortunately, I followed my gut and never went to air with a confirmed news story that it was Kelly. Some sources previously in the know at ISU no longer are.

Many of you have asked me how so many media outlets got it wrong. First of all, I think it's important to acknowledge that the local media did not get it wrong in a way that required a retraction. WHO-TV, KCCI, WOI and the Des Moines Register all reported that many signs pointed to Kelly, but some signs did not. All we can do is responsibly report everything we're hearing. We did the same thing on SoundOFF. It's an opinion show, and I said repeatedly that I think it's Kelly, but Shawn Terrell and I also pointed out some reasons to doubt that, such as Central Michigan players telling us shortly before the show that Kelly had not said anything to them about leaving. There was also the urban legend that Pollard was telling people the media had yet to identify the right guy. Maybe it wasn't legend after all.

I hate being wrong---even when giving a prediction---but Pollard is under no obligation to let the media in on his search. He has every right to try and keep it a secret, just as we have every right to try and figure it out. I think it will ultimately lead to more objectivity. If Pollard's not stroking anyone, you won't have to worry about compromised coverage, just as you shouldn't. That's good for everyone.

I do think the fact we were all off in our forecasting is a cautionary tale to slow down and take a breath. There's no reason anyone had to know before the day of the hiring. Afterall, many Cyclone fans were complaining about being left out of the loop, but you don't hear any backlash now. The most important thing is to get it right, and when you don't know for sure, say so. We did that.

I didn't learn from a reliable source that it was Chizik until 9:30 a.m. Monday morning. By then, my friend, John Walters, Voice of the Cyclones and WOI Sports Director, had already broken the news. Once it's out there, it's much easier to confirm. It's good for Iowa State that it got out there or you would have had a lot of people at the rally going, "Who is that?". Hardcore college football fans knew Chizik, but casual fans did not. The 9 hour heads-up gave everyone a chance to figure out that ISU had hired a guy fans should be excited to welcome. And they did.

If you'd like to learn more about what Chizik's like as a coach and person, I recommend the 5 minute 13Raw interview on the whotv.com sports page with Texas Longhorns sideline reporter Roger Wallace. You'll also find my live interview with Pollard and the 13Raw feed of the Chizik news conference and pep rally.

And that is most certainly enough Chizik for now, don't you think?

It's Chizik! And this time we're sure.

We were there this morning in Ames as Chizik and his family exited the Aikman Enterprises private jet. There to greet Gene Chizik with a hug, ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard (the video is on news at your desk elsewhere on whotv.com).

I was wrong. I thought the new coach would be Central Michigan's Brian Kelly, though I was never able to confirm it, and now we know why. I got a call early this morning from a source who has never been wrong, and he told me Kelly was out, Chizik was in.

Chizik's hire has energized the Cyclone fan base like no one else could, except DITKA! Chizik's thought by some to be the best assistant coach in America.

I talked with KXAN's Roger Wallace about Chizek. Roger meets with Chizek every week and works the sidelines for Texas football. He desribes Chizek as positive, intense and energetic. He says he's not a screamer, but definitely gets his point across. Chizek took the job at Texas with one thing in mind: becoming a head coach. He's a highly respected defensive coordinator who helped the Longhorns win a national championship last season. This year Texas has three losses and Chizik's defense took some criticism after being worked by K-State and Texas A&M.

I think it's another inspired hire by Jamie Pollard. And it's not Brian Kelly.

ISU's next coach; What Mac really thinks of Pollard; Hawks fans earn bowl bid.

Tonight I'm thinking about...

ISU Coaching Search: The only thing I know for sure, is that I'm not sure of anything. I've talked to every source I know, but the only one who really matters---Jamie Pollard---isn't talking. I've heard the same things you've read elsewhere, Jim Harbaugh was the early favorite, but Jay Norvell had a good interview. Norvell is also lobbying for the job in a BIG WAY. Keep in mind, he's an assistant, so he can let it leak how interested he is, while current head coaches have to be careful because most will have to go back to the jobs they're in now and pretend they're right where they want to be. It's how the game is played.

Norvell shows much promise as a head coach, but his hire would not cause a run on season tickets at ISU. He's the offensive coordinator at Nebraska, but Bill Callahan runs the show. The always entertaining Marty Tirrell, of KXNO's Marty & Miller, really put Norvell's name out there after Marty had a conversation with his dentist (Not making that up). Marty makes compelling points why it will be Norvell (e.g. Ties to Wisconsin, Alvarez, and key recruiting. Norvell lived in Ames and coached at ISU. He understands the job. He's worked for some of the best minds in coaching, etc.), but he lacks the WOW factor most fans hope for. I still think Pollard's privately talking to someone off our radar. We'll know for sure in the next ten days. I think you'll see an announcement on one of the next two Mondays, and you can expect a pep rally welcome like McDermott received---hopefully, with more fans.

The McCarney Hangover: No, this has nothing to do with Mac being "half in the bag" for his ESPN interview after the 2002 Nebraska game. The hangover is the funk still reverberating through the ISU athletic department. I think Pollard had to do what he did, but I also think he underestimated how beloved McCarney is in many Cyclone circles. You hear so much from the often critical vocal minority, that it's easy to overlook the more reasonable majority. I know this because I fight the same thing with all the SoundOFF feedback we receive.

There are key people at ISU who are having a hard time going forward after Mac was forced out. I've talked to three people who are downright despondent. They can talk for hours about all the things McCarney did for ISU both on and off the field, and they just don't understand how he could lose his job.

Pollard's next hire determines how he'll be remembered, and he knows it. I applaud him for being bold. Keeping Mac would have been the safe way out, but ISU won zero conference games in 2003, and just 1 this year (with help from a holding a call the Big 12 says it blew). No matter how much Dan did for ISU, and he did do more than any coach in history, there's no way season tickets at a higher price were going to sell at the volume Pollard needs. It's all about money these days. All.

McCarney's Feelings for Pollard: Mac took the high road and stayed on it. He showed so much class that it made more than a few fans question their thoughts that he should be fired. But don't think for a minute McCarney really has all those warm and fuzzy thoughts about Pollard. Mac did not want to resign, does not think it's best for ISU, and does not believe Pollard made the right decision. In his shoes, wouldn't we all feel the same?

Seniors Back Mac: Two different players told me the Seniors voted unanimously to not invite Pollard or President Geoffroy to the football banquet. As far as I know, or one of my sources could see, neither showed. I wouldn't read too much into the Seniors gesture either. Those close to Mac are intensely loyal. What would you expect?

Pollard Hired McDermott: And he's off to a great start. How nice was it to see the Cyclones playing team basketball at Minnesota. They're actually playing defense, rebounding and passing the ball through designed plays. They're also 5-0, which against the competition is no big deal, but it's impressive when you consider all the new players, no Hubalek, and a new system.

ISU will have some rough nights this season, but I'll stick with my prediction that the Clones will somehow have a winning record and make a run at the NIT. I think McDermott is that good. Remember, I think Pollard went into the interview process thinking Rob Jeter, but had the good sense to hire the more qualified candidate, one who wasn't even in the picture to start. That earns Pollard a little trust in the football process.

Hawkeyes Head to the Alamo Bowl: Iowa should buy the fans free tickets. The fans are the reason the Hawks get the nod over a team that just beat them (Minnesota). Few "teams" travel like Iowa. The Hawk fans show up in large numbers, and spend much cash. Bowl games are, first and foremost, a business. They'd love good teams and a great game, but not as much as they'd love a full house and millions pumped into the economy. Iowa usually provides both.

Kirk Ferentz gave much love to the fans at the news conference announcing Iowa's good fortune. Ferentz says he's not apologizing for going to a bowl game, and he shouldn't. There are, obviously, far too many bowls, and it's not his fault the Big Ten has an agreement with the Alamo, while Michigan and Ohio State moved into the BCS, so everyone in the conference moves up. But let's not kid ourselves. Iowa did not earn a bowl bid. Not after losing its final five conference games. Has a major conference school ever headed to a bowl on a worse skid??? I doubt it.

Ferentz Spin: I was disappointed to hear Kirk talk of the tremendous accomplishment of going to "six bowls in six years". This sounds a lot like the "5 bowls in 6 years" for which Hawk fans gave Dan McCarney a hard time, and rightly so.

With the new 12 game schedule, schools like Iowa and Iowa State play at least 3 games at home they expect to win easily---including 1AA opponents like Montana. That means, you need 3 more wins in 9 games to become bowl eligible. It's the exact formula Iowa used despite going 2-6 in the Big Ten. Truth is, reaching a bowl is no big deal anymore. Iowa fans should expect it every season.

Ferentz Salary: I'm sure the USA Today story showing Ferentz will make more than $4.7 million dollars in 13 months is causing the coach stress. The timing couldn't be worse. However, Ferentz deserves a pass from all Iowa fans. He's won two Big Ten titles in the past five years. He led Iowa to January bowl games in four consecutive seasons. Yes, he's an easy target for the label "overpaid", but he's a big reason Iowa sells out a newly renovated Kinnick Stadium every Saturday afternoon. The guess here is Ferentz will figure out what went wrong this season and fix it. He's earned that faith.

p.s. As one of you noted, Ferentz and his wife deserve props for donating $400,000 to University of Iowa hospitals. That's a huge chunk of change and will do a lot of good.

Let me know what you think...

Mac's Class, Southeast Polk's Run, and Will Ferrell's Drama.

Some random thoughts:

Iowa State fans may have been divided about the direction of the Cyclone football program, but they are united in their appreciation for what Dan McCarney meant to Iowa State, and the way he handled his forced exit with class.

Jamie Pollard did a good job with a delicate and difficult situation. He's right, it's time for a change. Fans need someone new to re-energize Cyclone Nation. Even though it's hard to say after McCarney's moving farewell, there's no reason this year's football team should be that bad.

I urge all people who consider themselves Cyclone fans, to go to Saturday's final home game, even if it's cold, and show Mac the appreciation he deserves. Bring signs, leave the paper bags at home, and give McCarney a long standing ovation; Make it two. He won't want the attention, he'll want the spotlight on the Seniors, but this day should belong to the man who did more for Iowa State football than anyone in school history.

Nothing against the Valley Tigers---it's an amazing football program---but it's really cool to see Southeast Polk advance to the championship game. I wondered if the Rams would be intimidated by their first appearance in the Dome, against a team that's there every year, but Polk left no doubt, 27-14. It's not quite a "Hoosiers" story, but it's easy to see why the phone rang all night Friday with people calling, who have no ties to Southeast Polk. They just wanted to see David beat Goliath. Doesn't hurt that Southeast Polk won two games over Ankeny on the final play of the game with a kicker who's a dead-ringer for Anthony Michael Hall in Sixteen Candles. I hope the Rams win it all. (Note to college recruiters: Nate Snead can play. Someone find room for this guy. I don't care what his combine stats are, he can flat out play football.)

Saw "Stranger Than Fiction" with my mother today. I loved it. If you like books, especially works of fiction, you will LOVE this movie. Don't be deceived because Will Ferrell's in it. It's not Old School or Anchorman. It has humor, but it's subtle and sophisticated. Like Tom Hanks before him, Ferrell shows he can act in a drama. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson are great, Maggie Gyllenhaal amazing. A-

My older boys love "Heroes", and I'm starting to get into it too. About time NBC had a hit.
Save the cheerleader, save the world.

I'll be back soon...

No sports, just movies.

It's Entertainment Day here at Murphy's Law. (I need a new name. Murphy's Law? Too obvious. I'm close to going Katie Couric on you and asking for suggestions.) Let's catch up on movies.

The Departed: Best movie I've seen this year. Absolutely brilliant. The dialogue is incredible, the acting top notch, and the story gripping. If Martin Scorsese is passed over for an Academy Award again, they should stop giving out directing Oscars. All the actors are at the top of their games. Matt Damon has never been better, but I'm singling out Leonardo Dicaprio. I've seen Dicaprio proves he's the read deal a few times (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Aviator, Gangs of New York), but I had no idea he could be this good. The Departed also reminds us when Mark Wahlberg is good, he's very good (Boogie Nights), and when he's bad, he's very bad (Planet of the Apes). Here's he's electric.

The movie earns its R rating, so don't go if rough language and brutal violence turn you off. Otherwise, do not miss. The Departed gets an A.

Flicka: Went to this one with my mother. She loved it. The Wyoming scenery (if that really is Wyoming) is awe-inspiring, as is Tim McGraw's toupee. It's the often told story of a girl who wants to be like dad (a rancher), but dad wants her to be more girl-like. Any father and teenage daughter who go to this will need a box of tissues. It's good, although the fact I know Alison Lohman is 27 and was playing McGraw's young teenage daughter did bother me. It's not quite 34 year old Stockard Channing playing a high school Senior in Grease, but it's close. B- for Flicka. (Flicka is the horse).


Flyboys: Saw this at the Nova. $5 for a movie, popcorn and a pop. Can't beat that. Second-run theaters are having a hard time though. They're often showing movies just a few weeks before they're released on DVD, and that makes it a tough sell to many. Not me. There's nothing like a a theater. The shared experience, the undivided attention, the big screen... plus, in this one, I got to hold my girlfriend's hand. Well, at least until my hand fell asleep.

Flyboys is a good, old fashioned World War II picture. Action, romance, heroism... had it all. I'll give this one a B. If they're ever looking for someone to play James Dean, James Franco is a shoo-in. Never mind, I just remembered he already played Dean.

Flags of our Fathers: Incredible story. Clint Eastwood takes the most iconic war photograph in American history and shows how it was used to further fund the U-S war effort. Eastwood makes all of the flag-raisers human, and therefore real. None considered themselves heroes, and all but one would never get past their guilt for being singled out when they felt the real heroes had died at Iwo Jima. I highly recommend anyone 14 or older go see this. It's not quite the masterpiece I hoped for---the story never quite casts the spell it should---but it's still very good. A-




The Prestige: I had no idea what to expect from this movie about rival magicians. I'm still not 100% sure what happened at the end, but I think I got it. Should have known the director of Memento would keep me guessing. Props to lead actors Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. Scarlett Johansson's cleavage has a supporting role. B+




















Jackass Number 2: Can't believe what these guys will do for a laugh. Crude, rude and undeniably funny. Some of it is so gross, I nearly puked (the horse scene, the dollhouse), but when it's funny, it's REALLY funny. B-

Open Season: Saw this with my son, Colin. He's 2 1/2. He kind of liked it, but I think even he recognized he'd seen this story before. Same old, same old with some nice voice work by Iowan Ashton Kutcher and Martin Lawrence. Not sure where he's from. B

The Guardian: Speaking of Kutcher, he bought his former Iowa High School brand new football equipment. All he asked in return was that they go see The Guardian. It's basically Officer and a Gentleman meets Top Gun, but it's good. A little long, but done well. I learned a lot about the Coast Guard. I'm always amazed and humbled by people who put their lives on the line every day to save strangers. Kevin Costner is also good in this movie. He's wearing his age well. Another B.

Jet Li's Fearless: My dad loves movies, just as I do. Or rather, I love them, just as he does. Dad doesn't hear so well these days, so he can only watch movies on DVD with closed-captioning. He likes action movies, so when I saw Jet Li's latest was in a foreign language with subtitles, I took my father back to the movies. This was a surprisingly touching story about the life of a man who learns some tough lessons and becomes a hero to an entire nation. B for Fearless. A+ for getting to see it with my Dad. It's his birthday as I write this. Please indulge me. He reads this blog.

Happy Birthday Dad. I love you. Thanks for always being so good to me. We miss you here in Iowa.