No 'Miracle', USA is Better

Hassel here...

Canada may think its hockey team is the best in the world, but it's not...for now, at least. Team USA out-played the Canadians IN Canada. I saw a fan with a sign that read "Hockey is CANADA's Sport" ... That may be true, but American's play it too, and they're darn good. Ryan Miller gave up 3 goals, but that guy was, by FAR, the MVP. The US, and Russia, are the best two teams I've seen so far.

I thought the Cyclones were finally going to pull one out when they stormed back to cut the Texas A&M lead to 1 in the final minutes. I should have known better.

The Hawkeye men's basketball team didn't lose this weekend. In a related story, the Hawkeye men's basketball team didn't play.

Is there any way we can just skip the Big Ten and Big 12 wrestling championships? We know that Iowa and ISU will win, going away. This year's national championships will be held at the Qwest Center in Omaha. That's the only event that matters.

ISU fans will be calling it a "Cyclone State" for the next year. Iowa State clinched the 'Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series' championship, Sunday afternoon, with a win in gymnastics. This this info with a grain of salt.

Shawn Johnson goes from training, to recuperating. The Olympic gold-medalist tore her ACL while skiiing on vacation in Colorado. She had surgery on Tuesday, and will be in a boot for 6-weeks. Doug Johnson, Shawn's dad, tells our Shawn Terrell that she won't be able to train for 6-months. Johnson has yet to decide if she will try to qualify for the 2012 olympics. I'd be shocked if we see her in a major gymnastics event, again...and I don't think this injury will have anthing to do with her decision.

3 'if's" :
If the ISU men don't beat Nebraska on Wednesday, they'll be in last place.
If George Washington wasn't dead, he'd turn 278 on Monday.
If you don't want 'Man vs. Wild' on the Discovery Channel, start.

Remember, SoundOFF returns a week from Tonight.

No mention of Tiger Woods

• They were turning people away at the Ames High gym Friday night. Everyone wanted to see if the Metro's best basketball team, Hoover, could push the #1 ranked Little Cyclones. Hoover did, taking a fourth quarter lead, but Ames pulled away at crunch time.
• Harrison Barnes can take over a game anytime he wants. Credit Barnes for playing within the team concept. He'll be better for it. So will North Carolina.
• UNI is in the NCAA Tourney right now. Nice win over Old Dominion on national TV.
• Plushenko needs to shut his hole. He lost.
• The downhill skiing is nerve-wracking to watch. When someone falls, they don't stop quickly. It's a reminder how fast they're going. Riveting.
• Did you see Stephen Colbert climb into NBC's fake fireplace? Funny.
• What the crap, Ed. More snow? A lot more snow?! Will this winter ever end.
• Shawn Johnson bobblehead night Saturday night at Bucs Arena. (No more "actual size" jokes.)
• Did you see Andy Fales' story on the guys in West Des Moines who made an outdoor Mancave of snow? Funny. And cool. Literally.
• My wife and I rented Poltergeist to show to the older kids. I wonder if it will still be scary in 2010 or if it will seem lame now.
• I can't wait to see Shutter Island.
• To quote the Black Eyed Peas, Imma be, Imma be, Imma be enjoying this weekend. Hope you be too.

Balboa vs. Drago

• The Winter Olympics most popular sport with television viewers, by far, is figure skating. What do you think is second? (pause for thought bubble)... Snowboarding. 
• I completely appreciate the skill and talent of these male figure skaters, but I just can't get into it. Anytime an athlete wears something Lady Gaga thinks is garish, it makes me uncomfortable.
• Never mind. Right after I typed that, American Evan Lysacek clinched the gold over Russian Evgeni Plushenko. It was like Rocky Balboa over Ivan Drago, without the steroids.
• About the time one of my kids asked during dinner break, "Dad, how do those skiers go so close to the poles without running into them", Lindsey Vonn hooked her ski on a gate and crashed. She was disappointed, but not devastated. Once you have a gold medal, it's all cake. Nice to see Julia Mancuso so proud and excited for silver. It shouldn't be gold or bust. Compete hard, have fun.
• Women's halfpipe gold medalist (2002) Kelly Clark is from West Dover, Vermont. We both grew up going to Mt. Snow, only she went on to the Olympics, and I moved to Florida with 0 wins. (I still can't think of the name of that kid who beat me down the mountain every time. Help me Mom!)
• Bet you didn't know... The United States hockey team is 2-0 for the first time in history.
• Props to the Golf Writers Association of America for boycotting Tiger Woods farce of a news conference. Tiger controls everything because he can. Or can he. What exactly has he learned the past two months?
• NBC will carry Tiger's statement live Friday at 10 a.m.
• PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said Thursday night Tiger is returning to therapy after the "news conference" concludes, which shouldn't take long since he's not taking any questions.
• It is important to remember Tiger Woods didn't cheat his sport, a la McGwire, he cheated his wife. Tiger didn't break the law, a la Vick, he broke his vows. 
• Tiger's not who we thought he was, and he let a lot of people down, but most of this is personal.
• I doubt I'll ever look at Tiger Woods quite the same way, but I never knew him anyway. I loved to watch him play golf. I likely will again.
• It's 11:28 p.m. and our news is finally starting. Thank you NBC for not interviewing Dick Button.

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

• Not to get all Lee Greenwood on you, but Wednesday night brought out a lot of American pride. Yes, the Olympics are too corporate, the athletes are no longer amateurs, and NBC's tape delays can be frustrating, but when we see magic moments, it still brings the chills. At least it does for me. 6 medals for the USA in one day; that's our best showing ever. The United States leads the medal count with 14.
• Among the 6 medals Wednesday, 3 golds. Lindsey Vonn rested her shin and lived up to the hype with a daring downhill dash. Her tearful interview after the win would melt anyone. And yes, she's good looking.
• Shaun White, the Flying Tomato, defies gravity on his board. This sport blows my mind. I can't believe how high White was (insert snowboarding joke here). And how 'bout the dude on the ipod. Just rockin' out during competition at the Olympics.
• Critics keep calling for more live coverage. They may pump the brakes after overhearing profanity following White's win.
• Shani Davis is a loner. He goes his own way, but man can he skate fast. Davis becomes the first man to win back-to-back gold in the 1000 meters.
• Stephen Colbert caused Bob Costas a laugh-lock when Colbert climbed inside the NBC studio's fireplace to warm up during late night coverage. Apparently the fire isn't real. Who knew?
• The Olympics are dominating TV ratings, but did finally lose a two hour time slot. I'll bet you know it was to American Idol. That show just dominates. My wife won't watch until the 24 finalists start singing live. I think that's next week.
• Iowa football star Adrian Clayborn agrees to plead guilty to something next month regarding the allegation he assaulted an Iowa City cab driver. Coach Kirk Ferentz didnt suspend Clayborn last year, said he'd wait and see what happened. Almost that time.
• Great to see Bobby Elliott coming back to our state. The former Hawkeye will coach at Iowa State for a third time. It's a home run hire by Paul Rhoads.
• The Iowa Barnstormers will play four times on the NFL Network, three live from Wells Fargo Arena. One big problem for most of us: Mediacom still doesn't carry the NFL Network.
• Tiger Woods will finally come forward and hold a news conference (Friday 10 a.m.), but it will be carefully controlled and orchestrated. Will that be enough? Much depends on whether he looks sincere.
• Shawn Terrell worked his butt off at state wrestling Wednesday. He even lost 7 pounds and made weight in time for the late news.
• It's easy for some to poke fun at the small town people coming to the "big city", but it's actually kind of cool.
• Iowa State needed that win over Oklahoma State in the worst way. It's hard to believe the Cyclones are now a .500 team.
• What a scrappy effort out of the Cyclone women. Alison Lacey can't play after suffering a concussion in practice Tuesday, Iowa State still comes within ten points of the #3 team in the nation at Nebraska.

Iowa would like those 10 seconds back

• Ouch. It didn't shake up the standings, but Iowa blew a chance for a nice home win. The Hawks made all the wrong moves in the final 10 seconds and gave Michigan a chance to tie, which the Wolverines did. OT seemed like a bad idea for Iowa, and it was.
• When did Aaron Fuller turn into a full grown MAN. 30 points, 13 rebounds? Can't say no one's developing.
• UNI didn't miss Jordan Eglseder inside. Didn't need anyone inside. Not when the Panthers knock down 13 threes.
• Why do so many people enjoy watching Creighton struggle?
• No team is more unpredictable than Drake. It was the good kind Tuesday night.
• No one is going to beat Ames in boys basketball, but at least Johnston kept it to single digits. And that was after falling behind 18-0. Shawn Terrell says if the Dragons hadn't come out so puckered, it might have been a different game.
• Lindsey Jacobellis waited four years to atone for her hotdogging mistake in Torino. Showing off cost her the gold. This time Jacobellis catches a tough break and is run out of bounds. That was heartbreaking.
• Men's figure skaters can do moves the women can't, but it's one "sport" I still much prefer watching the women. Maybe it's the costumes. They're starting to look a lot like Chaz Michael Michaels'.
• How good did the sun feel. I thought it was 50 degrees, and it was actually 20.
• Former Iowa Chop Bobby Ryan scored a goal for Team USA at the Olympics. Won't be long before we have to explain what an "Iowa Chop" was --- unless we're eating.
• It will be a short night of sleep for me. I have 2 hours of American Idol to catch up on (DVR), then I'll watch the Olympic prime time re-broadcast in HD beginning at 1 a.m.  I was watching three basketball games at once tonight and didn't get my Olympic fix.
• State wrestling begins Wednesday. You know what that means... speed traps all over the metro. Be careful. And oh yeah, it also means the best tourney in the nation is underway.

Rasslin' and Wrestling...

• During commercial breaks of the Olympics, I'm flipping over to USA for WWE Raw starring Jerry Springer. It's live from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. My IQ drops a little with each visit, but I know a lot of people who grew up on this stuff. It's like a soap opera for the testosterone-driven. Andy Fales did a story, but the WWE wouldn't let him anywhere inside the Well with a camera. That's unusual because the folks at the Iowa Events Center will usually find a way to provide the media access. This might have been a good thing though. Chances are good Andy would have been hit over the head with a real chair.
• In news of real wrestling. The world's greatest high school tournament starts Wednesday. Can't believe it's here already. If you've never been, put it on your bucket list. You have to see it to believe it. Watching the parents can, at times, provide more entertainment than the wrestlers.
• When the American flag goes up, the Star Spangled Banner begins, and the United States athlete tears up, I'm there too. Gets me every time.
• Good to see Bode Miller act like he cares. He lost the gold by about a foot.
• Snowboard Cross is a made for the new generation Olympic sport, but my boys love it, and it is exciting. You know what you're in for when the athletes are wearing snow pants made to look like blue jeans. The Westcott gold medal dash was awesome.
• NBC hasn't done a lot right lately, but the network is doing right by the Olympics, and blockbuster ratings reflect that. (That and the high medal count for the U-S, not to meantion snowstorms everywhere but Vancouver.)
• Did the Daytona 500 really stop for more than 2 hours because of a gigantic pot hole?! I expect that on Ingersoll as I'm driving home, not on NASCAR's most famous track.
• The new rules did work. The race was exciting---when they were actually racing.
• I watched the NBA All-Star game to learn about defense. I also wanted to see if 100,000 people would really show. They did. The All-Star game does know how to reach a younger generation. The festivities did not feature The Who.
• The Iowa State women are now ranked #13 in what was supposed to be a down year. Fennelly.
• Speaking of Fennelly, he's already applauding the news KXNO is carrying Cardinals baseball. Andy now works at KXNO. Coincidence?
• I watched "Temple Grandin" this weekend. It's the HBO original movie of a woman with Autism who becomes a pioneer in the study of animals. That makes it sound dull. It's not. Great movie. Get the Emmy ready for Claire Danes now.

Sunday - February 14, 2010 (V-Day)

It's Chris. Happy Valentine's Day to all...especially those that consider this the greatest day of the year (my wife).

It wasn't a lovely day for the UNI men's basketball team. Star center, Jordan Eglseder, was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), on Sunday morning. Panther head coach Ben Jacobson suspended the 7'1 senior for 3 games. UNI may be ranked 19th, right now, but they could fall out of the top-25 when the new poll comes out on Monday. At 22-3, they are by no means a lock for the NCAA tournament. With 4 regular season games remaining, the Panthers can't afford to lose more than 1. If they want to be dancing in March, they better plan on winning the Valley tournament.

On a side note, the Panthers almost clinched an outright regular season Valley title, on Sunday. However, Wichita State held off Missouri State by 2. The Panthers can wrap it up on Tuesday, at home, against Creighton.

Iowa and Iowa State notched blowout wins, today. You're right to assume that I'm talking about wrestling. I thought that poor Minnesota wrestler that lost, big, to Brent Metcalf was going to walk off the mat after the 2nd period.

Register sports-writer, Andrew Logue, had an interesting 'tweet', this evening. He says that the Iowa and ISU men's bball teams have combined to lose 37 straight games against ranked opponents. That's shocking. I thought it would be much higher.

If you're surprised at how well the ISU women's team is playing, this year...you're not alone. ISU was planning on celebrating Bill Fennelly's 500th win, next winter. Well, the 'Silver Fox' is now just 8 wins away from that milestone. The Cyclone's are guarenteed at least 8 more games this year. If I had to guess, I'd say they'll play at least 10 more.

Canada is off to a great start in Women's hockey. They beat Slovakia, 18-0, this weekend. The good news, for the losing team...their goalie made 49 saves.

I'm not a NASCAR fan, but I tried to watch some of the Daytona 500, today. I, honestly, don't know what makes better television; Racing, or pot-hole analysis. At least superstar Jamie McMurray was able to get back into the winner's circle, and hold off that no-name who finished 2nd.

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

It's Shawn...

All four Big Four men's basketball teams lost on Saturday, but UNI's loss at Bradley is the biggest head-scratcher.  The Panthers entered with the second-best scoring defense in the country at 55 points per game, yet the Braves scored 45 points in the second half alone.  UNI fans shouldn't get too worked up though... sometimes a loss before the stretch run can be a good thing.  Besides, the Panthers will still clinch their first outright MVC regular season title in school history with their next win, or Wichita St.'s next loss.

LaRon Dendy missed his second-straight game Saturday, and that's disconcerting.  Dendy reportedly returned to his native South Carolina on Monday following the death of his great-grandmother.  The funeral was Thursday, and based on similar circumstances with other college athletes, it's unusual that Dendy wasn't back with the team for Saturday's loss at top-ranked Kansas.  To be fair, everyone handles grief differently.  Greg McDermott was pretty much forced to use a six-player rotation.  Not surprisingly, the Jayhawks eventually wore down the Cyclones.

Talk about a stark contrast... the difference between the Boilermakers and Hawkeyes was startling. Purdue is long, athletic, and incredibly physical.  Iowa was no match for the sixth-ranked Boilers.  Purdue won by 23, which is pretty mis-leading, and not in a good way.  Rumors about player transfers are already beginning to swirl.  Todd Lickliter can't afford another mass exodus.

One week after becoming Drake's all-time leading scorer, Josh Young becomes Drake's all-time leading three-point shooter. But the Bulldogs have still lost five of their last six games.  A week ago, I felt strongly the Dogs could make some noise in St. Louis.  I no longer feel the same way.

How about something positive to end on?  Bill Fennelly is lauded often for his coaching acumen, but Fennelly may be in the midst of his best coaching job yet. The Cyclones accumulated wins early and often thanks to a soft non-conference schedule, but I was certain they'd get chewed up in the Big 12.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  I'd nominate Fennelly for a lifetime contract at Iowa State, but he already has one.

Peace and Pearl Jam,

Shawn

While watching the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony...

• I'm at home, watching in glorious HD. I'll soon head back to work where I'm pretending I work in the weather office because Ed has a BIG OL' HDTV.
• Speaking of weather, mind-blowing factoid of the day. 49 of 50 states recorded measurable snow today. Only Hawaii refused to join Snowmageddon.
• There is absolutely no possible way the Vancouver opening ceremonies can equal Beijing's. Try not to even compare because it will just make you appreciate the hard work of our friends to the north less.
• First Opening Ceremony indoors. Did you know that? I learned that today. It's better outdoors. It's the Winter Olympics for goodness sakes.
• NBC reporter Mary Carillo had one of her usual terrific reports, this one on the Olympic Torch Run. I had the privilege of running with the torch in 2002. I can't put into words how exhilarating and emotional it was. The time just flew by. I've never run so effortlessly, not even in my younger days. I'll never forget it, and I still can't quite explain the magic.
• It's good to have Cris Collinsworth, Dan Patrick, Bob Costas, and Al Michaels working the Olympics. It makes me feel like an NFL football game might break out, and I'm already missing it.
• Speaking of football, I'm disappointed to learn Peyton Manning rushed off the Super Bowl field without shaking hands. That's just bad sportsmanship, I don't care how you spin it. Come on, Peyton. You're better than that.
• Back to the Opening Ceremony... Lindsey Vonn revealed she plans to ski. Try to act surprised. She's going Dwight Freeney on the other countries.
• The new, not  improved We Are The World video just played. It's a benefit for Haiti, so I can't be too critical. It's a good effort. I realize I'm 45 now and not into music as much as I was back in 1986. Back then, I knew all the singers. This time, 75% at most, and only that high because my boys play the videos of some of those singers. Even adjusted for generations, the star power didn't approach the original, even with old video of Michael Jackson inserted. And the singing---where were the one-liners that popped?! Nice effort, but I'll stick with the original. Age or ear?
• I just saw a nice HD promo for channel 13 news. Why am I the only one goofing? I was just having fun at the skating rink downtown. I want to look credible like John Bachman. That guy is made for television. It comes naturally.
• I'm going to see "Runt of the Litter" this weekend. Can't wait.
• If you're a fan of "Sandlot" like me, you always wonder what happened to the one and only  Wendy Peffercorn. Well, the former lifeguard is 35 now, and all grown up. (Squints, we're proud of you.)

What's the name of the kid who used beat me down the hill?

• When I was a little boy in Vermont I used to ski race on the slopes of Mt. Snow. I loved it. My sister, Barbara, always won a gold medal, but I never won gold. There was this one kid, no matter how fast I skied, he would ski a little faster. I thought I'd never forget his name, but as I sit here tonight, I can't remember. I'll just call him "winner"...or  "dream smasher".
• I digress. Can't wait for the Winter Olympics. There are many reasons, but at the top of the list: HD. It's all going to be in HD! I remember four years ago going back to master control at the TV station where there was one small high def television. We would watch the hockey and be amazed how much it looked like watching a game live through a window. We have more HD sets now, and more on the way, but none in the sports office yet. I'll find a way, or hang out in the weather office for two weeks.
• I'll be stunned if golden girl Lindsey Vonn doesn't ski.
• Is there any way the opening ceremonies in Vancouver can live up to Beijing? In a word, no.
• Des Moines Christian's Branden Stubbs passed the 2,000 point mark Thursday night. That's a serious milestone.
• The Big Ten wants Texas? Who wouldn't want Texas. Can't see it happening though.
• Bo Eason came by KXNO and WHO-TV today. The former Houston Oiler performs a one-man play he wrote that has blown away Leonardo Dicaprio, Frank Darabont, Rosie O'Donnell and others (how's that for an eclectic group). It's called "Runt of the Litter" and it's at the Civic Center's Temple Theater. I'm going to try and see it this weekend.
• My wife and I ate at Jesse's Embers tonight. Man, that's good steak. I brought the leftovers back for Andy and he didn't even warm it up. He woofed it down faster than a stray dog. It was kind of gross to watch.
• Shawn Johnson hasn't competed in 18 months, but she remains one of America's most marketable athletes. The latest... she's in the famous "got milk?" campaign.

• Nice win, Iowa. The Hawks get a little payback for football. Northwestern has never been to the NCAA tournament, and the Wildcats won't make it now.
• Hard to believe, but Iowa's win over Northwestern was the first over a top 100 team by the Hawks or Cyclones this season. Andrew Logue of the Des Moines Register came on the Murph & Andy show Wednesday and said Iowa and ISU were oh for the season vs the RPI 100. That's all it took!
• Iowa State is Groundhog Day. Cyclones hang, fade, lose. Rinse. Repeat.
• Drake did everything it could to upset UNI, but it's just a mismatch. The Panthers are too experienced, physical, and good. UNI is 22-2. That's a season.
• The USA's golden girl for the upcoming Olympics says she might not ski. Lindsey Vonn has a bruised shin. NBC is willing to send ice, ibuprofen, and whatever else is needed.
• American Idol barely holds my interest during Hollywood Week. Too many people we don't know, therefore don't care. It is an improvement over the auditions, though I am always fascinated by people who can't sing but think they can. You ever been to Karaoke? You know what I mean. I try not to sing in the shower so I don't offend the tile.
• Here's what I learned from Tana on the radio today: Even if your wife/girlfriend says, "Please don't get me anything for Valentine's Day. I mean it. I really don't want anything." She doesn't mean it. Get her something. 

• Here's what can stop Ames High's #1 ranked basketball team: bad weather. The Little Cyclones 45th straight win will have to wait until Thursday. (Barring the upset of the new century by Indianola.)
• Shawn Terrell put the jinx on himself tonight. He bragged how the Energy are so good, he can always shoot video of a bunch of highlights in a short time frame. That's all it took for the Energy to go cold, and Shawn to make a nice long stop at the Well.
• Can't wait for #19 UNI at Drake. The young Dogs don't match up well with the physical Panthers, but a sold out, rocking Knapp Center will help Drake keep it a lot closer than last month's blowout.
• Shawn Johnson stopped by today. She's on her way to Vancouver Wednesday. She'll spend a week cheering her friends, including Apolo Ohno, and playing "Mom" to some lucky young McDonald's contest winners. Shawn says we can also look for a new surprise from her at the NBA All-Star game. As for training, she's still working her way back into shape. Shawn tells me growing taller and older presents all new challenges for a gymnast, and even 18 can feel a little old. She still hasn't made up her mind about 2012, but I think she's enjoying life away from the gym too much to start spending 6 to 8 hours in one.

Hawkeye No Longer Top Draw

• ...Hawkeye Pierce, that is. Super Bowl XLIV (I think that's 44) becomes the most watched television show in history. It topples the great M*A*S*H finale, "Goodbye, Farewell & Amen". It was a different era in 1983. Three networks still dominated. There were far fewer televisions, and far fewer Americans. M*A*S*H remains the only non-Super Bowl in the all-time top ten, but it's now #2. The Saints-Colts drew more than 106 million viewers---highest rated Super Bowl in 23 years (Giants-Broncos). I watched that M*A*S*H finale in my college dorm TV room. Do dorms even have those now, or does everyone just have a TV?
• Another great game. Still can't believe Peyton made that pass, though Porter made a great play. Does it keep Peyton off the Mt. Rushmore of quarterbacks for now? I've got Unitas, Montana, Marino, Elway ... but Brady and Manning still can play their way on there. Maybe even Favre.
• I thought The Who was okay. The stage upstaged the show. (Can a stage upstage?) The NFL needs to think about going a little younger. Who's next... The Oak Ridge Boys? How 'bout Green Day or Coldplay or the Black Eyed Peas or Jay-Z or the Isiserettes. Who am I missing?
• My favorite commercial was for Doritos. The little boy sees his mother's date checking out his mom as she walks away. Kid slaps the man into attention: "Two rules. 1) Don't touch my momma. 2) Don't eat my Doritos". I also liked Favre as 2020 MVP, Betty White playing football, and the sentimental Google ad. Really disappointed in the Super Bowl Shuffle reunion. Lame. Go Daddy ads need to go away.
• Speaking of Go Daddy, Danica says she'll race Saturday at Daytona in the Nationwide Series. I don't know who's going to win, but I can predict at least on driver who's track record suggests she won't.
• Drake couldn't have a better guy holding its all time scoring record than Josh Young. Way to go, Josh.
• Drake hosts #19 UNI Wednesday. 19 --- highest ranking in UNI history.
• Took the whole family to the Ames High/Iowa Energy triple-header Saturday. We had a great time. The Energy really deserves more fans. It's the best basketball in the state, and the whole operation is first class and entertaining. We'll be back soon.

2 a.m. and every time I think I'm done answering emails, another one comes in. I've been at it for more than two hours.

In the 14 years of SoundOFF, we've never had more letters of support and praise in one night. I can't begin to explain how much that means. It's been humbling. We also continue receiving criticism, but the tone has changed---in most cases---to constructive. Thank you.

I've tried to answer each email and much of the feedback on this blog individually, but unless you're writing about something other than the polarizing Lickliter spoof, I don't  think there's anything else I can add. I've written two lengthy columns here, and we devoted much of SoundOFF to the controversy. You'll find "I Think", "What's Bugging Andy", my interview with Chris, and "Ask Gary Dolpin" on the whotv.com video player.

Thank you for stopping by.
Keith

The Hate and Vitriol Aimed At Hassel Is Worse Than Anything He Did

I considered posting some of the vitriol that continues coming in to the TV station, but it makes me sad and ashamed. It is, at best, the definition of overreaction, and at worst, displaced anger.

Though I thought Chris Hassel's movie preview lampoon on SoundOFF was directed too much at one player, I did chuckle before cringing. Had I watched it first, I would have asked for changes. There is a difference between standing up for the what someone said, and standing up for someone's right to say it. I understand some fans forgetting this, but anyone in the media shouldn't need the reminder.

Some of the personal attacks on Chris Hassel, here and elsewhere, are as bad, if not worse, than anything he did. It's sad that the hypocrisy goes unnoticed by those who dish it.

We now have many people, including some from the U of I, commenting at length on a satirical video they haven't even seen. Criticism usually requires familiarity and context. It's not too much to ask. The past 48 hours, curiosity has gotten people. Many who read the newspaper stories and message boards felt compelled to finally watch the video. A frequent reaction: "That's it? That's what all this fuss is about?" Others want Chris fired, homeless, and miserable. I'm not exaggerating. I've had people wish humiliation for my kids. Not one of my children has reached the adult age of 20.

It's sad to see an excuse for a frustrated feeding frenzy. We're better than this. Or we should be.

Though WHO-TV President Dale Woods appreciated Gary Barta's request for an apology on behalf of the station, Dale respectfully declined. However, as Dale and I have both pointed out, if Chris chooses to apologize to John Lickliter, Todd Lickliter, or anyone else, Chris has our full support. If he does apologize to John or Todd, I hope he does it privately. An apology should come from one's conscience, not his desire for good PR. We've already had enough grandstanding on this. The last thing the world needs is an insincere public apology.

(By the way, I respect Barta's apology request, though it did give a dying story new life, and turned more attention than ever to the failing Iowa basketball program. I also appreciated Todd's general reaction as a proctective father and coach, though he was going on hearsay.)

I do know Chris did not set out to embarrass John Lickliter. Chris realizes some took it that way and feels bad about it. He also knows some people did understand and appreciate his basic premise for the movie satire: What if Rudy had to play more than half the game, and there was no happy ending? Chris' actual target was Todd Lickliter's program, not John Lickliter's shortcomings. As our GM pointed out, no Hawkeye fans complained when Chris did a spoof of Ricky Stanzi throwing interceptions for touchdowns because the football team was winning, and Stanzi doesn't look out of place. (Ask yourself, would people be this upset if the player in the video was Jarryd Cole?)

For those of you with honest, thoughtful, constructive criticism, like that which I tried to give Chris, I sincerely thank you. For the rest, I hope you'll consider that you are now doing exactly what you're accusing Chris of doing.
 
We have also had unprecedented calls and emails of support. I'll confess that I spend less time chewing on these than the anonymous hate, and that's just wrong. I've learned a lot this week, and not all of it makes me feel good.
 
Thank you for your time.
Keith

The Lickliter Spoof Fallout

University of Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta asked WHO-TV to apologize for Chris Hassel's controversial John Lickliter spoof Sunday Night on SoundOFF. I respect Mr. Barta's decision to stand up for one of his, just as we stand by one of ours. Hawkeye fans should think more of Barta for doing this, not less.

I've received passionate e-mails and phone calls all week, including a few tonight. Most of the negative letters ask for my  take on Chris' segment. Here is one of my recent responses:

I appreciate you taking the time to write and ask for my opinion on Chris Hassel's spoof Sunday night. I take your constructive criticism seriously.


I will tell you that the Lickliter piece also made me uncomfortable. Had I seen it before it aired, I would have asked for changes. (Chris likes his taped pieces to air as we see them for the first time, so that our on-air reaction is honest. In retrospect, this is flawed idea, and we will no longer do this.) Like you, I thought the Lickliter spoof crossed the line. I chuckled early and cringed late.

However, the segment should not be confused with journalism, or a report in one of our Emmy award-winning newscasts. It's SoundOFF, a sports and entertainment show featuring strong opinions, passionate viewer feedback, and hopefully, a few laughs. It's closer in tone to the Daily Show or SNL than it is to NBC Nightly News.

Again, let me be clear, I did not care for the target of the spoof, but I'm glad we have such a popular forum for dissenting views and opinions. I have been stunned how many people loved it the video. I'm also aware of the many people who did not care for it. Satire is highly subjective. What's over the line for someone often depends on their biases and views going in. Humor, as you no doubt know, also often takes on a slight tone of mean-spiritedness. The line to not cross mostly depends whom you ask.

When Chris told me the general idea of his latest spoof, my advice was to "make sure it's not mean toward John. He's doing his best, and just wants to play for his dad." Chris honestly didn't think it was mean. I know he feels bad that he offended (some) people. He was trying to show what the movie Rudy would be like if Rudy had to play a lot more, and there was no happy ending. It was intended as a commentary on the state of the Iowa basketball program, not John Lickliter.

I don't agree with the content of "What's Bugging Andy?" each week, and I don't agree with everything Chris Hassel does or says, but I stand by their right to say it. (We're fortunate we have bosses who feel the same way, which is nothing to take for granted these days.)

If Chris wants to sincerely apologize, either publicly or privately, we certainly support that. We will not force him to do it, for that would accomplish little.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate your feedback.

• You can start engraving "Northern Iowa" on the MVC championship trophy. With the win over Wichita State tonight, it's over. I love watching the Panthers.
• Hard to believe how fast Iowa State became irrelevent this season. I thought the Cyclones were NCAA tourney bound, but that seems like ages ago. Greg McDermott is a perfect fit in many ways, but if he doesn't win, fans won't care about the rest.
• Everyone realizes the players at Iowa are trying hard. That's just not a Big Ten caliber team.
• I can't get too excited about National Signing Day. I care when they start wearing the uniforms. 
• Another classic Ferentz class. Nowhere near the top ten, but guys who fit the system, and several will end up in the NFL.
• Paul Rhoads brought in Iowa State's best class in nearly a decade. That video from the Nebraska visitor's locker room didn't hurt.
• Of the 10 Oscar nominees for best picture, I've only seen Avatar, The Blind Side, District 9, The Hurt Locker, and Inglourious Basterds. 50%! That's a new low for me. Of the movies I've seen, I liked The Blind Side the most, and think Inglourious Basterds was the best picture, Hurt Locker second.
  
  

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Hey it's Shawn...

I'm tempted to start this off with a Ned Ryerson joke... you know Ned Ryerson? Got the shingles real bad senior year... almost didn't graduate?  Nevermind.

Two years ago, Drake won on memorable buzzer-beater at Bradley.  Tuesday night, the Braves returned the favor.  The Bulldogs not only lost the game, they lost a tooth.  Josh Young caught an elbow in the paint, which left Young one tooth shy of a full set.  Both Erin Kiernan and Lynn Melling had the same reaction... gasp!  Erin and Lynn have often remarked how much they love Young's infectious smile.  I don't know much about dentistry, but I hope Josh's smile makes a full recovery.

It was great to catch up with members of Drake's 2008 NCAA Tournament team during the alumni game over the weekend.  Not surprisingly, a number of players from that magical team are already making meaningful contributions to society.  Klayton Korver tells us he's living in Salt Lake City with his brother Kyle, who plays for the Utah Jazz.  Together, they run a non-profit organization.  Two things the Korver's have always been good at... playing basketball and helping others.

In High School hoops, the marquee matchup of the regular season took place at Des Moines East.  The Scarlets (17-0) and Ankeny Hawks (17-0) played before a raucous crowd.  East pulled away late for the win.  I have a feeling there will be a rematch... next month at Wells Fargo Arena.

Chris Hassel and I had a blast filling in on "Murph and Andy" Tuesday.  My favorite part was an interview with Colin Cloherty, a rookie tight end for the Indianapolis Colts. Colin played at Brown, which is why Peyton Manning calls him "Ivy." By the way, Colin is my first cousin. Guess which team I'll be rooting for on Sunday?

Wednesday will be one of the busiest days of the year in our sports office.  It's college football signing day, and there's a full slate of college basketball.  In the afternoon, I'll be in Ames to find out what Paul Rhoads thinks of his new pledges. Then tomorrow night, I'll be in Cedar Falls as the Panthers host Wichita St. at the McLeod Center.  With a win, UNI will pretty much lock up its second-straight regular season MVC title.

Talk to you soon.

Shawn

Monday - February 1, 2010

Chris here...

It's too bad Butler and Northern Iowa were both promised home games for this years BracketBuster weekend. It would have been fun to see another Top 25 showdown at Hinkle, or even McLeod (Drake beat Butler in the spotlight BracketBuster game in 2008). Instead, UNI hosts 17-6 Old Dominion on Friday, February 19th. Drake travels to the Matadome in Northridge California. They'll take on a bad Cal-State Northridge team.

Greg McDermott told us that guard Scott Christopherson has been playing with Mono for the last month. That's a pretty tough kid. It also shows that the transfer from Marquette cares about his team. They can't afford to lose anyone else.

Hawkeyesports.com, the official website of the Iowa Hawkeyes, has a countdown banner in the upper right hand corner of every page. Only 214 days, 7 hours, 2 minutes, and 14 seconds, until the Hawks kick off the 2010 season. That says a lot about the state of the men's basketball program.

Todd Lickliter said, on Monday, that he may play his son, John, more. 'Little Lick' saw 24 minutes in Saturday's loss at Michigan. The coach is getting a lot of heat for playing his kid, who many believe should not be on the floor. It's a tough situation for everyone. I feel bad for John because he's an easy target. I zeroed in on the guy on SoundOFF Sunday night, as some of you may have seen. It's not his fault that he isn't as talented as the other players around him, and he definitely tries to make up for it by playing with heart. For the record, I like Todd Lickliter, and I enjoy watching John play. I'm not going to say he doesn't belong on the floor because, on this team, he actually does. The bigger issue is the lack of talented players throughout the roster. Rest assured, if Kelly, Peterson, Davis, and Palmer, were still in Iowa City, John wouldn't be needed on the court. Is it coach Lickliter's fault? I'm not sure, but I really enjoyed watching them play against Michigan State, Indiana, and Ohio State. Let's hope they get back on the right track against Illinois.

Casey Blake made it official today. The Indianola school district is now $1 million dollars richer.

What should the new Big Ten logo look like, if they expand to 12 teams?
http://www.sportspickle.com/article:538/proposed-logos-for-the-12-team-big-ten
My vote is for 'BIGTENish"

Sunday - January 31st, 2010

Hey, it's Hassel, and it's finally my turn to update our new sports blog. Football is over as far as I'm concerned. I didn't watch one lick of the Pro Bowl, and the Super Bowl is the most over-hyped sporting event in the world. I don't mind the 7-hour pregame show, or the 4-minute commercial breaks. The thing I absolutely cannot stand, is the halftime show. It's 35 minutes of pure garbage. That being said, I'll watch the game start-to-finish. Although the Colts have Iowa ties, I'm rooting for the Saints.

I was at the Drake-Creighton game, on Saturday night. It reminded me of the 2008 season. The only difference was, Emmenecker and Korver were wearing headsets and not jerseys. They were guest commentators on the TV broadcast. It was easily the best atmosphere at the Knapp Center in the Mark Phelps era. I think the Dogs can beat anyone at Arch Madness, if they keep shooting the ball like they have been.

Northern Iowa will jump back into the AP Top 25 on Monday afternoon. At 19-2, I think 6 or 7 more wins will be good enough to secure an at-large NCAA tournament bid. Of course, the point will be moot if they win the Valley tournament.

Both Drake and UNI have 8 conference games left. They'll also play respective 'BracketBuster' games later this month. The pairings will be announced on Monday afternoon.

Indianola native, Casey Blake, will present the Indianola school district with a $1 million dollar check, Monday evening. Blake plays for the Dodgers, in Hollywood, but he hasn't forgotten his Iowa roots.

Here's what to watch for, this week:
- UNI can virtually wrap up the Valley with a home win against Wichita on Wednesday. A victory would give them a 3-game lead.
- Drake has road games at Bradley, and at Illinois State.
- Iowa State needs to find a way to win @Baylor and/or home vs. #13 Kansas State. If they lose both, you can say goodbye to post-season tournaments, including the NIT.
- Iowa has a winnable game at home against Illinois on Wednesday.
- National signing day is Wednesday. We'll hear from both Kirk Ferentz, and Paul Rhoads.
- The ISU wrestling program should win its 1000th dual, next sunday, at Arizona St.

I'll be back with more on Monday night.

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

It's Shawn again...

The Panthers continue to find ways to win.  UNI went on the road Saturday and beat a much-improved Missouri State team.  I just hope the Panthers aren't peaking too early.

It was great to see a number of players from Drake's 2008 NCAA tournament team back for the alumni game.  The Bulldogs' magical run is the best story I've covered during my nine-plus years working in television. Adam Emmenecker and Klayton Korver later joined Larry Morgan to call the Drake-Creighton game on Mediacom.  Both were outstanding as color commentators as well.  My seat just got a little warmer.

The Cyclones escape with a one-point home win over Colorado?  It's too easy to pile on, so I'm not even going to touch that one.

To borrow a line from the great lyricist Paula Abdul, the Hawkeyes take two steps forward, then take two steps back. Iowa got flat-out punked by a mediocre Michigan team.  The Hawks didn't hit their first field goal until the game was nearly 10 minutes old.  Todd Lickliter told The Des Moines Register, "If they can't get focused for Illinois (on Wednesday), then they shouldn't have taken the scholarships. We signed up for the Big Ten." That's as blunt as I've ever heard Lickliter.

Does anyone want to play in the Pro Bowl?  The Vikings Bryant McKinnie went AWOL in Miami and was kicked off the team.  How do you get kicked off an all-star team?

Until next time...

Shawn

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Shawn Terrell here...TGIF

Kurt Warner's retirement news conference left me with goose bumps.  I was struck by how at peace he seems with the decision to walk away. Warner didn't win a Super Bowl ring in his final season, but he still goes out on top in my opinion.  I agree with Warner's assessment that he played as well in his final two seasons as he did when he first entered the league back in 1999.  Warner hinted that he may pursue a career as a television analyst down the road, and he'd be a good one.  NBC already has 17 hosts for "Football Night in America."  What's one more?

Cael Sanderson's return to Iowa was mostly uneventful.  The Hawkeyes wiped the mat with the Nittany Lions, winning 29-6.  I can't understand why some try to turn Sanderson into a villian.  It just doesn't fit.  Maybe that's because I got the chance to know Cael on a personal level.  Back in the summer of 2008, I did a story with Sanderson.  He invited me into his Ames home like I was an old friend.  I don't remember much about the story.  What I do remember is how after the interview, Cael and I sat around playing video games and bs-ing for a good two hours.  I was sorry to see him leave Iowa State, but will always wish him the best.

So apparently it's "doppelganger" week on Facebook?  I'm not sure where the term originates, but the idea is to get people to change their profile picture to a celebrity they are often accused of looking like.  Sort of like SoundOFF look-a-like.  Mine is Kevin Bacon, circa "Footloose."  I had a professor in college that was so convinced I looked like Kevin Bacon that she actually had me stand up in front of the class and yell "Everybody let's dance!"  Needless to say, I got an "A."

Until tomorrow...

Shawn

• Danica Patrick won't race in the NASCAR Nationwide series race at Iowa Speedway. Oh well. That's one fewer loss for her. Something tells me she's not famous for her driving.
• Joe Gibbs Racing signs Johnston Junior Brett Moffitt... another sign what a rising star Moffitt is.
• If you tried to take the real Kurt Warner story to a Hollywood producer, they'd tell you to , "Get out of here with that fairy tale. No one will buy that." It all really happened.
• Say what you will about Todd Lickliter's strategy on the court, the care and caution he's shown Anthony Tucker is admirable.
• Mark Phelps says UNI plays Washington Redskins style basketball. He does know the Redskins play football, right?
• I still can't believe Cael Sanderson is the wrestling coach at Penn State. He'll lead the Nittany Lions at Iowa Friday night. Good luck, Cael. You'll need it.
• J.D. Salinger is dead at age 91. It will be hard to notice he's gone. The recluse was the inspiration for James Earl Jones' character Terrence Mann in Field of Dreams. Please enjoy my favorite movie speech:  http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechfieldofdreams.html (scroll down, hit play.)

• It's a Panther state. At least it is in men's basketball. I thought red hot Drake would keep it close, but the Cats threw a bucket of water on the bulldogs and left no doubt about Iowa's best team. UNI is 18 and 2. Impressive... an easy team to like too.
• The Hawkeyes have figured something out. Suddenly they're in every game, and winning a couple. Iowa didn't have the depth to keep #20 Ohio State on the canvas, but the Hawks had them on the ropes all night long.
• Oklahoma played without two key starters, which seemed like a perfect recipe for a much needed Cyclone upset. If ISU had shown up for the first half, the Clones would have won. Nice rally, but too late. Chris Colvin had his coming out party in State's loss.
• Props to the Cyclone women. Another win over a top 20 team for Bill Fennelly and co. ISU should build a statue of this guy.
• It appears Kurt Warner will retire Friday. I'd like to see him keep playing, but he's one NFL player who has a fulfilling life beyond football. He's also had too many concussions. Might be time. When he's go into the Hall of Fame, I hope we see some Barnstormer jerseys in the crowd.
• ESPN fired former Cyclone Paul Shirley for his cold-hearted comments about Haiti. http://www.flipcollective.com/2010/01/26/if-you-rebuild-it-they-will-come-by-paul-shirley/  Ryan in Clive sent in the best of the many emails to soundoff@whotv.com and murphandandy@kxno.com :

Shirley's attempting to apply logic where it doesn't exist. In the initial hours and days after a disaster such as the Haiti earthquake, the only priorities are to save lives, treat the injured, feed the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless and restore order where there is chaos. Period.


Then, and only then, should discussions about rebuilding begin. That's when conventional wisdom should be challenged. There is a time and place for that debate. And it's not now.

The first of our nightly sports updates...

The boss wants this updated nightly by whoever's anchoring. I like this job, so I'm going to do it. Eventually, we'll have to re-brand it because I'm not sure Chris and Shawn want to write under the heading, "Murphy's Law", though as an Irishman, I think they should be proud.

Instead of writing such a long column, we're going to try and pass on a few thoughts from the day prior to the 10 p.m. newscast, though there's no doubt some nights, it will be while Conan's on. Or Jay. Or Jimmy. Or Carson (Is he still on?). Or SNL. Or Andy and me.

Let's get started.

• USA Today ranks Ames #4 in the nation. Think about that. There's no real way to know if Ames is that good, but the Little Cyclones have sure looked it. Any team with Harrison Barnes is going to be good, but he's surrounded by talented players. It's a real team.
• Iowa basketball players are feeling good. They should feel good. They beat the snot out of Indiana in Bloomington. Wednesday the Hawks host Ohio State and Iowa has about 47 promotions going to try and get you to the game. Are any working? My hunch is football players signing Orange Bowl posters will do the trick.
• Ranking the men's college basketball teams in our state right now, if you go be heat, it's 1) Drake 2) UNI 3) Iowa 4) Iowa State. I expect UNI will cool Drake off Wednesday night. Shawn Terrell will be there.
• It was great to see Seneca Wallace over at Des Moines East today, even if he was sponsored by Visa. Wallace had a good message: save your money. Seneca told Chris Hassel the high school students made him feel old because they don't remember him as a Cyclone, they know him as a Seahawk. Has it really been that long?
• Finally, I linked this column by former Cyclone Paul Shirley on Twitter (keithmurphy13). Paul says he doesn't think he'll give a dollar to Haiti and explains why. The column has upset a lot of people. Though I don't agree with Paul, I know some people do, and I give him credit for being honest. Check it out and let me know what you think.  http://tinyurl.com/y9q42ym

I'll be back tomorrow night.

• Mark McGwire had five years to craft an admission/apology and that's what he came up with? Who's advising him---Bruce Van De Velde? That was terrible crisis management.
• Giving McGwire the benefit of the doubt, I still don't see how he could convince himself that steroids didn't help him hit more home runs. All evidence to the contrary, including his own numbers.
• If you're playing, when you should still be injured, you're cheating.
• McGwire had many regrettable comments, but none more stupid than "I wish I hadn't played in the steroids era". Mark, you were the steroids era. No one forced you to put that crap in your system.
• I realize the cheating was widespread, even understandable, but how can McGwire now teach baseball? He, and hundreds of others, made millions off cheating, and they haven't had to refund a dollar. Meantime, many fringe players who didn't cheat, never made it to the Majors, or had their numbers suffer in comparison to these cheaters.
• Yeah, I'm not over it. I feel retroactively foolish for all that cheering I did in '98. How could we have been so stupid. When you see those highlights now, McGwire and Sosa look like video game cartoons --- nothing natural about it.
• If McGwire thinks he would have hit all those home runs without taking steroids, why did he apologize to the Maris family? Because he knows somewhere deep that 61 is still the real record.
• Don't even get me started on Bonds---worst offender of all. And he can't do a confession or apology, he'll perjur himself and go straight to prison.
• Enough. I'm annoying myself.
• I have been fascinated by the Late Night Talk Show Wars. What a mess. Here's a summary:

NBC execs mismanaged the Leno/Conan landscape from the start (shocking, I know), Leno didn't want to leave #1 show, Conan took over anyway, Leno moved to prime time where most every affiliate in America---we're a notable exception---suffered in late local news; meantime, Conan mostly stopped being funny and refused tips/advice as his numbers plummeted from where Leno's were, Letterman then had sex with most of his staff, got in front of the scandal, awkwardly confessed/apologized on air for being a "creep", and saw his ratings go up. NBC pulled plug on Leno experiment, tried to move Leno to 10:35 for a half hour, Conan wrote a smart, heartfelt, funny letter explaining why he would not move. Leno then looked like the heavy, anger energized Conan into his funniest shows in years, Jimmy Kimmel went on Leno's own show and skewered Leno as Kimmel was noticed for the first time since the video "F---ing Matt Damon" and Letterman relished opportunity to hammer NBC for passing on him for Leno back in the day, and somehow Jay looked worse than Dave, all things considered. Now, Leno gets what he wanted all along, The Tonight Show, Conan gets a vault of cash, potential future show at Fox, and a huge outpouring of support and sympathy, Letterman worries about losing his #1 status now that Jay's back, but Dave knows he helped make Leno look like bully (which, in a way, he is), Kimmel wishes this fight could continue forever, Jimmy Fallon stays silent and hopes The Roots never leave, and Carson Daly remains irrelevent. Now you're caught up.

• You know Iowa's basketball program is having tough times when we're breathlessly reporting about the possible return of Jake Kelly. The part I found most interesting was Kelly considering a return to the University he left a year ago. It was kind of like one of those head-scratchers where a couple meet, fall in love, get married, then divorced, and then re-married... to each other. Shawn Terrell talked to Jake and learned Kelly isn't transferring, though it was clear from the conversation the thought had crossed him mind.
• Congrats to Todd Lickliter and Iowa for knocking off Penn State. That's one more Big Ten win than many predicted.
• As the Register's Randy Peterson noted, when Iowa State needs to end a long, ugly streak, the Cyclones call in their slumpbuster: Nebraska. (If you don't know the original use of the word slumpbuster, proceed with caution to a "slumpbuster" google search.)
• Lane Kiffin makes Gene Chizik look loyal.
• Love this quote from http://www.sportspickle.com/

"Apologies to Kurt Warner and Ray Lewis on being eliminated from the playoffs. My attention has been elsewhere with the whole Haiti thing."
-God

• I love watching Warner when he's in rythym, like he was against Green Bay, but he was beaten up so badly by the Saints, I wonder if it's time to retire. He's had a number of concussions, and played a lot more football than most.
• "Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground". Can't get that stupid earworm out of my head. The real problem is I keep singing it, and I don't even like it. My wife is ready to hit me in the face with a frying pan.
• I'm still trying to get the 85 minutes of my life back I wasted on Paranormal Activity.
• Let the hype begin. Iowa is #5 in Sports Illustrated first college football poll for 2010. Hawks earned it too.

Scattershot Thoughts for December 20th

• A guy in the middle of a passionate bar argument just texted SoundOFF. He and his buddy are arguing whether the Iowa Hawkeyes, without Anthony Tucker, could beat Ames High School. They were serious. That's how bad perception is for Hawkeye basketball right now...
• By the way, I wouldn't mind seeing that game, though I'd still pick Iowa to win. However, the Hawks have no one who could slow Harrison Barnes at all. He could pick his point total.
• This is silly. I'm being sucked in.
• Todd Lickliter is a nice man, but he must feel he can't catch a break. He comes back from serious surgery, coaches Iowa to a win over Drake, and gets woken up in the middle of the night with news his second leading scorer has been arrested (again).
• I want this to work out for Lickliter. We need good guys to succeed whenever possible, but it's getting harder to imagine this turning the corner to Big Ten title contenders anytime soon.
• Meantime, Steve Alford is 12-0 at New Mexico. Alford does well at mid-majors.
• Back to Ames. That Little Cyclone team is really good. No one around here will beat Ames. Harrison Barnes is so dedicated and focused, he won't allow his team to take a night off. That's unusual for a 17 year old. Most of us were checking out the cheerleaders between plays at that age.
• I'm one of those guys who doesn't go to the doctor unless I have a bone showing, but I should have gone sooner with my recent sickness. By the time I got to Mercy, I felt like I was dying. That's just stubborn and stupid.
• The Colts are 14-0, but scare no one. As long as Peyton Manning's the quarterback, they should.
• Andy and I completed the nacho pub crawl with our wives and friends this weekend. We hit a lot of places. Our top 5: 1) The Library 2) Victor's Sports Club 3) Hessen Haus (sausage nachos) 4) Limey's 5) Trophy's
• I don't think I'll be able to eat a nacho for at least a month.
• The Saints and Cowboys were playing during part of the pub crawl. We may be nowhere near Dallas, but we ran into a bar full of Cowboy fans at several stops. No wonder NBC is sticking with Cowboys-Redskins Sunday night.
• Vikings fans, are you concerned? There is no doubt Brett Favre's late season fade continues. He's still good, but he's cooled WAY off.
• Finally saw "Funny People". Like Hancock, it's a movie that starts with promise, and then jumps the tracks to Suckville about halfway through. Funny People has its moments, but it's WAY too long, and strikingly uneven. Disappointment.
• I love year-end lists, and this year is even better because we get decade-end lists too. I buy all those magazines, and a lot of other crap I don't need that they put near check-out because they know I'll grab some of it while waiting in line with my last minute Christmas shopping.
• I went shopping at Target Saturday afternoon. Why? Why would I do that? It was BONKERS.
• Someone just asked me my favorite Christmas movie, and though I want to say something like, "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Christmas Story", I think I enjoy Christmas Vacation more than anything. I know it's stupid, but Clark and Cousin Eddie crack me up. I've also moved the silly but charming, Elf, in to the yearly rotation.
• I love Christmas. How can you not love Christmas?!
• Will the bowl games ever get here? Andy and I are headed to the Orange Bowl, Chris Hassel and Dave Olson are going to the Insight Bowl.

Things I'm Thankful for...

In no particular order, and off the top of my head, a few of the things I'm thankful for:

• Tasty Tacos
• My DVR
• HD
• Having my dad show me all the old haunts in the hometown where he grew up
• Seeing that not much has changed in the Vermont town I grew up
• The Patriots throwback uniforms http://www.projo.com/a/2009/09/16/watson_0916.jpg
• Sheriff Buford T. Justice
• Guys movie night (for guys who like really silly movies)
• "Band of Brothers"
• Guinness at Cooney's Pub
• Wrigley Field, Fenway Park
• The new and improved Kauffman Stadium
• Guys weekend in Milwaukee (or Denver)
• Iowa starting 9-0
• Paul Rhoads replacing The Chiz
• Andy Fales' unique perspective
• Goody's Powder when I have a really bad headache
• My bosses at WHO TV encouraging and supporting a radio show
• The bosses at KXnO asking me to host a radio show (with Andy)
• The passion people in Iowa have for local sports
• Taking kids to a movie that grownups can enjoy too (e.g. "Up")
• Lolo Jones personality (and yes, the looks to match)
• "Ask Gary Dolphin"
• My parents health, and never ending support
• Special Olympics Iowa
• ipod, Blackberry, laptop. What did I do without these?
• Coldplay & Bruce Springsteen live at The Well
• Shawn Terrell's story on the Haluska brothers
• Thanksgiving football, dinner, nap, movie
• Twitter & Facebook. I think.
• An unexpected email or call from an old friend
• The steak sandwich at Noah's Ark
• Nachos at Library
• Sweet potato fries at Jethro's
• J. Benjamins restaurant
• Weekends at Clear Lake. Unless it's -20
• Liking everybody on the anchor desk
• Making sure you and all your friends have Gladiator nicknames (I'm "Old School", my wife is "Smash")
• Vacation in Mexico
• Trip to Florida ("trips" have kids)
• Tailgating with friends at Jack Trice Stadium
• The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown
• The Dan Patrick Show
• Reading the Des Moines Register and USA Today in the morning
• PTI
• The nice guy at Whylies who exchanged my glasses when I picked out welding goggles
• http://www.endless.com/ for great Adidas kicks, shipped overnight for free
• Raccoon Valley Little League
• Sunflower seeds
• Making a new friend, and knowing you'll remain friends for life
• Lip balm
• Pets who are potty trained
• Diet Pepsi, diet Sunkist lemonade, and sugar free energy drinks
• Grace Club for kids at Grace Methodist church
• The Des Moines Playhouse
• The Varsity Theater
• Deck parties with friends
• Tailgating at Iowa Speedway
• Good friends I love and enjoy
• BCS bowls
• Matinee movies
• Reading Entertainment Weekly and Sports Illustrated
• A trip to the book store with time to kill
• Our pleasantly worn Beaverdale home
• The Drake Relays
• Freedom of speech
• People who serve our country
• The proud look on the face of a soldier when you surprise him or her with a simple, "thank you"
• Laughter at work
• The Iowa Cubs at Principal Park, especially on a summer night
• Buc Beer Night at Buccaneer Arena
• The look on my sister's face when she got to hang out with the Dancing with the Stars cast
• People who enjoy their job, or start looking for another job
• Watching kids watch fireworks
• Sitting down for dinner with the family, no matter how busy we all are
• Tabasco sauce on popcorn
• Half Diet Pepsi/half 1% milk
• Saturday Night Live, The Mentalist, 30 Rock, The Office, The Middle, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, 30 for 30, Real Sports, Community, Rescue Me, Sunday Night Football, Friday Night Lights, Glee (I know, I can't believe it either.), and 24
• Val Kilmer in Tombstone
• The album "Van Morrison at the Movies"
• http://www.rottentomatoes.com/
• M&M's mixed with peanuts
• Salsa that's hot, but not tongue damaging hot
• Waiting until after Iowa's final drive at Michigan State to start the Gold Medal Gala
• Having a forum to indulge stream of conciousness
• My wife Jenny's art at Squiggles & Tandem Brick
• When B-Ross hits the DUHHHHHHH sound effect
• Bill Murray comedies
• Cousin Eddie in Christmas Vacation
• The Shawshank Redemption
• Roger Rosenblatt's book, "Rules for Aging"
• Viewers & listeners who make me re-think by using constructive criticism
• The Iowa Barnstormers III
• Hoosiers, The Natural, all the Rockys but V.
• The fact I got that boom boom pow
• And above all else, my wife and kids. Without them, nothing above matters. Except the Tabasco sauce on popcorn. That's good no matter what.

Scattershot Thoughts for November 12th

• My friend, Todd Roland, a former sportscaster and current good guy, was the officer shot in the hand Wednesday night. Get well soon, Todd. We're thinking of you.
• I love Christmas, but I'm not ready in early November. Christmas Carol will have to wait.
• Speaking of Christmas and waiting, not to mention my own hypocrisy from the above sentence, I took the kids to Bass Pro Shops Sunday to see Santa. The wait was four hours! No, we didn't wait. I can't shop for the outdoors that long.
• It's long been believed teenagers can't keep secrets. Meet Harrison Barnes. Mr. Barnes can keep a secret.
• I really like James Vandenberg. He looks like the high school kid who comes by and offers to mow the yard for $20, and his voice breaks like he's too young to be in his second year of college, but he's genuinely engaging without trying too hard. I think he'll play better Saturday than many people expect. Don't underestimate what a game plan designed with his inexperience in mind can do.
• The aforementioned game plan should include Tony Moeaki.
• Our Lincoln (high school) insider, B-Ross, says Adam Robinson is going to do everything he can to take the field in Columbus.
• How does a heavy underdog team with less talent and a back-up quarterback making his first start find a way to win on the road? Watch the Iowa State at Nebraska game.
• The Iowa State football seniors have played for three different head coaches. They deserve a nice send-off Saturday. Bowl eligible would be nice too.
• Best line on the Cyclones this season goes to Ryan in Clive: " Iowa State is a 6-6 team with 2-10 talent."
• I was listening to Jon Miller and Jim Zabel host WHO's radio Sound-Off (and they're a good team), and this one caller said, "and that's all I have to say". She then talked another 10 minutes before another, "and that's all I have to say". Five more minutes. Rinse and repeat.
• It's hard for me to see Bobby Bowden go out this way. He deserves better.
• I hate instant replay. I know once in a great while, video helps get a call right that impacts a game, but I can't stand what it does to the natural rhythms of a game. Now when a player catches a TD pass in the end zone, you don't fully celebrate, you wait for the inevitable replay, the painstaking delay, and the endless speculation about which way the call will go.
• Never trust a receiver who says he caught the ball. How many times does a receiver (or d-back) talk a coach into a challenge when he clearly trapped the ball?
• Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin hosting the Oscars?! I'm in.
• I'm not ready for basketball. Trying, but not ready.
• Killers Live at Royal Albert Hall is a great concert CD (and DVD).
• Did anyone rehabilitate his image more in recent months than A-Rod? Amazing what a little clutch hitting will. Penny Lane didn't hurt either.
• When did Sammy Sosa turn into Powder?
• Can't wait for Colts-Patriots.
• Power to the people! Nice job by Des Moines' Dan Cataldi. He and two friends started an online petition for the Chiefs to cut Larry Johnson before LJ became the Chiefs career rushing leader. 35,000 signatures later, it worked (or at least it didn't hurt).
• Demi Moore is 47? Favorite Demi movies: A Few Good Men, About Last Night, One Crazy Summer, St. Elmo's Fire.
• If Tom Brands is talking, I'm listening.
• My new favorite SoundOFF segment, "Ask Gary Dolphin". Funny.
• James Vandenberg says he's anti-Facebook. Interesting.
• You know what does suck about Facebook... when you request to be someone's friend, and you know that person, and you're not accepted. That sucks! Or at least that's what Andy told me.

Scattershot Thoughts for October 30th

• I wish every Saturday could be like October 24th. I've never seen our state in a better mood. No one should doubt the power of football for positive community spirit.
• Hawkeye fans shouldn't waste time being angry at this TV talking head or that sports talk radio host. Just enjoy the ride. The BCS, flawed as it, almost always sorts itself out.
• Paul Rhoads emotional, raw, real locker room speech to his team generated more positive publicity for Iowa State in one week than the entire two year Gene Chizik era.
• Loved hearing stories from Cyclone and Hawkeye fans about how nervous they were in the final minute last week, and how they celebrated when the clock hit zeroes.
• Lot of debate who deserves national coach of the year more (if the vote took place now): Rhoads or Kirk Ferentz? The right answer is Ferentz. If Iowa State had won at Arrowhead and at Kansas, you could make the case for Rhoads, but since the Cyclones didn't, you can't logically go against a coach who overcame numerous key injuries and led his team to wins at Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State (not to mention, Iowa State).
• I apologize to all the State Fair goers who cast their kernel for Iowa as the state team to win the most games. I thought the answer would be UNI. Right now, I thought wrong.
• How can the Big 12 have a TV contract this bad?! Iowa State has already had three games not televised. It's not 1985.
• Tim McClelland is MLB's best umpire, and a first class guy. Yes, he missed a call or two, the other 99.99% he got right. We just don't see those on an endless loop. Human error is unavoidable in baseball.
• I like the Yankees in 7.
• I haven't seen the Des Moines Bucs this year, though I'm looking forward to it. Are they looking any better?
• My son was home from school with the flu and wanted to watch the latest Indiana Jones movie again. Boy, it sucks even more on a second viewing. The first hour is so promising, fueled in part by nostalgia, but once it turns to aliens and spaceships and too many special effects, it loses its way, and can't even recover with a nice ending.
• Upset of the movie year: the rave reviews for Michael Jackson's, "This Is It".
• My wife wants to see Paranormal Activity. One of our photojournalists, Travis Jungling, tells me it scared the living crap out of him. He's no Hassel either. He's a man's man.
• I'm reading "Blind Side" because Jenny wants to see the movie with Sandra Bullock. When you're wife wants to see a sports movie, you celebrate. The book, so far, is terrific.
• New TV shows I've added to the DVR: The Middle, Community, Parks & Recreation (greatly improved, and needed to be), The Good Wife, NCIS LA, Glee (sue me) and Trauma (but not for much longer). What am I missing?
• Let me know if you hear anything about Brett Favre this weekend.
• Andy and I enter the weekend without a costume decision for Halloween SoundOFF. Once you've been Basedow, it's all downhill.
• New SoundOFF feature starts this week: "Ask Gary Dolphin". Mail your questions on any subject to soundoff@whotv.com Dolph will answer them weekly. Well, I think it's Dolph. Maybe not.

Scattershot Thoughts for October 19th

• The Denver Broncos should never, ever wear those poop brown throwback uniforms again. It's not just that they recall the Padres at their Taco Bell worst, no one remembers the Broncos in these. If you're going back in time, pick out some of the sweet Orange Crush era uniforms. (Props to Southeast Polk's Kyle Orton on leading Denver to an unfathomable 6-0 start.)
• Powder blue shouldn't work, but gosh it sure does on the Chargers.
• The Patriots in the throwbacks, hanging 59 in the snow on the Titans, is a postcard. You just can't beat that Patriot snapping a football on the helmet. As for the Titans, it's too confusing and painful when they wear Oiler uniforms. It's also painful and confusing when the Titans quit trying in the second quarter.
• A good friend of mine called me from Metallica Thursday night, and the Wiggles Saturday night. Only parents understand.
• I just can't get into this baseball post-season. I'm trying, but I just don't have a rooting interest. I do like Kate Hudson though, and she's on TV more than anyone.
• Is there a sadder commentary on the relentless pursuit of fame than "Balloon Boy"? Is there any way to blame this on Jon & Kate?
• I work at an NBC station, and I like Faith Hill's "Waitin' all day for Sunday night", though surprisingly, I prefer Pink's year one version. I digress. No one jump starts a sporting event like Mr. Hank Williams Jr. For decades now, I try to be in front of the TV when Hank shouts, "ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!" It's not new, but that song works. I concede Faith is quite a bit better looking than Hank.
• I still don't think Iowa goes 12-0, but I see nothing worse than 10-2, and 11-1 most likely of all. 10, 11, 12... whatever... it ends in a January bowl.
• Hawk fans should enjoy every second. This happens once ever 25 years or so. Don't worry about the loss, enjoy the wins. Ignore the buzzkills. This should be the best of times.
• The Hawkeyes have guts, chemistry, and swagger. There are far more talented teams. Many of those teams have already lost. Can't do better than 7-0.
• Iowa State got a mulligan when Gene Chizik bolted for Auburn. Iowa State is much improved under Paul Rhoads, and for the first time since Dan McCarney left, the players are all in. The Cyclones are a few plays from 6-1, and in future seasons, they'll learn how to win those close games (like Iowa did this year).
• I was wrong. UNI can lose to another division 1AA team. I'm shocked. And the Panthers lost at home in front of a record crowd.
• Nebraska is one of the greatest places on earth to watch a football game. You have to respect the proud history in Lincoln. But my goodness, some of those Husker fans take themselves, and football, WAY too seriously. We've been having some fun with that on SoundOFF. The fans still don't realize we're joking.
• Shawn Johnson's agent has done a masterful job. The celebrity shelf life of an Olympic athlete is typically so short, it borders on cruel. The fact Forbes.com says Shawn is the most liked sports figure in America is a testament to Shawn's appeal (and smart planning). http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/15/shawn-johnson-warner-business-sports-nadal_slide_2.html
• Are any of you forced to watch The Real Housewives of Atlanta? I've made mistakes. This must be payback.
• Jeff Pearlman's latest book, "The Rocket that Fell to Earth", is the mostly fair, almost always fascinating story of Roger Clemens and his blood thirst for immortality. It leaves no doubt Clemens is a serial cheater and liar, though also thoughtful at times.
• I want to see, and don't want to see, Paranormal Activity.
• Jon Miller's www.hawkeyenation.com site is all new, and for the first time all free.

Scattershot Thoughts for October 5th

• As I write this, the ESPN announcers are going over the top on the Legend of Brett Favre, but he's somehow lived up to the hype---if that's even possible. Probably not. Like many of you, I grew sick and tired of Favre's annual diva act, I had Favretigue, but there's no doubt he's good for the NFL, and good for the Vikings. I keep watching.
• Look for the Packers-Vikings game to be the highest rated program in the 30 year history of ESPN.
• I like these old school Vikings uniforms better. They are not quite as Arena-league looking. The Packers are classic (as always). When the helmet matches the pants, you're off to a good start.
• The Favre commercial where he can't make up his mind about buying a TV is funny and smart.
• I'm excited about Michigan at Iowa, but not like I expected last week. I thought Iowa would drill Arkansas State, and Michigan would win at Michigan State, and we'd have the makings of a classic. Instead, it's just a good match-up, not a great one.
• I picked Iowa to go 9-3 and Iowa State 5-7. I think Iowa will exceed my expectations, though if Ricky Stanzi doesn't stop making ugly plays, Iowa will lose three games. Don't forget, that road schedule is brutal. 12-0 is not going to happen.
• No one in Iowa City was excited about playing Arkansas State. Not fans. Not coaches. Obviously not players. However, the Red Wolves found a hole in that Iowa defense other teams will try.
• Bottom line: 5-0. First time under Ferentz. 90% of the teams in the country wish they were 5-0.
• Iowa State fans deserve better. They are so loyal despite years of gut punches, and then they suffer another one Saturday, this one more cruel than most. We all take the PAT for granted, which is what made the high-to-low crash so much harder for Clones fans.
• I said all last week the K-State game was a pivotal one for Iowa State, and I'm not changing views now. I think a win made a bowl possible. Don't see it happening now.
• It's hard to get too excited about UNI games until the playoffs begin. Obviously the Panthers will be there, and they're so good, it's national championship or bust.
• Can anybody beat Dowling Catholic this season?
• It was great to see the old Seinfeld cast on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Not a great show, but had its moments.
• Shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office love to make us squirm, but nothing was more uncomfortable than watching David Letterman confess how sex with staffers led to an extortion attempt. The unsuspecting audience kept laughing because they were waiting for a punch line. Smart of Letterman to get in front of the scandal, but still hard to watch, even harder to turn off.
• This is exactly what I need: The 100 Greatest Hits of YouTube in 4 minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BudhFVnN2o0
• Andy and I love talking sports movies on SoundOFF and our KXnO radio show weekdays from 2 to 4.

Keith's Top Ten

1 Hoosiers

2 The Natural

3 Rocky

4 Fields of Deams

5 Brian's Song

6 Bull Durham

7 Jerry Maguire

8 Miracle

9 Longest Yard (original)

10 Major League

Andy's Top Ten

1 Hoosiers

2 The Natural

3 Bad News Bears (original)

4 Rocky

5 Big Lebowski(?)

6 Hoop Dreams

7 Bull Durham

8 Major League

9 Dale Earnhardt Story

10 Slap Shot

Scattershot Thoughts for September 28th

• That's why the Vikings signed Brett Favre.
• I'm all for democracy, but Fox 17 is going to have to take voting rights away from the people if they're going to pick a dog like Packers-Rams over 49ers-Vikings. It seemed bad from the start, and got worse when the Vikings home opener ended with one of the most exciting plays in franchise history. Come on fans, live up to KDSM's trust!
• When the Sunday Night Football game ends, can NBC please just wrap it up quickly?! Do we need more analysis after five hours of it?
• I really like this Iowa Hawkeye football team. That was no fluke at Penn State. The Hawks gave up a touchdown on the first play, and then DOMINATED. Norm Parker's defense is the best in the Big Ten.
• Make it 7 of the past 8 for Kirk Ferentz against Joe Paterno. Iowa looked so smart and well coached at Penn State, the broadcasters couldn't stop talking about it.
• I think this was the biggest win of the Ferentz era. Unlike the others, there is no previous loss, so it's all still out there for Iowa. (Vote your choice on our whotv.com Web poll.)
• Hawk fans are going to go bonkers, and they should. This is the fun part.
• Big Ten quarterbacks will see Adrian Clayborn in their nightmares.
• Here's how credible the coaches top 25 poll is: Penn State is ranked four spots higher than Iowa.
• Don't look now but Iowa State is 3-1. Check that, go ahead and look. Iowa State is slowly improving---something it didn't do last year---and a win against beatable K-State Saturday would leave ISU two wins from bowl eligibility.
• Great job by Iowa State honoring Army Saturday night. Several goose-bump moments.
• Why isn't there a Steak-N-Shake in Central Iowa?
• I hope the Iowa Barnstormers move up without losing their fans. Affordability, fun, and football are the three main draws at Stormer games.
• I think I was the only person in Iowa not at the Dave Matthews Band concert.
• I was at Bruce. That was a great show. Best I've seen from Springsteen. And he turned 60 two days later.
• Smart move by Harrison Barnes. Announce your college choice before the season, concentrate on Ames winning another state championship.

Scattershot Thoughts for September 15th

• I don't think Iowa State's as bad as the Cyclones looked Saturday, and Iowa's not quite that good. But make no mistake, Iowa ended all discussion about who's better. That was an old fashioned butt-whupping. I picked Iowa, but not by 32.
• Worst part about Iowa State being thumped? Not getting to watch a frustrated Andy Fales press the Jack Trice Stadium "play" button for Sweet Caroline. (I've noticed Iowa State only plays the American classic when the Cyclones are winning, tied, or on a roll. It hasn't been played much the past few years.)
• Austen Arnaud is a good guy who had a terrible game. If he doesn't greatly improve his accuracy and reads in the Spread, Iowa State won't win more than two games.
• As Ricky Stanzi goes, so goes Iowa. He and Arnaud had a "who can suck less" competition going in the first quarter, but Stanzi won in a landslide. Against good BCS teams, he can't start as slowly as he did against UNI and Iowa State. If he does, Iowa will lose.
• Kirk Ferentz won't be able to keep true Freshman Brandon Wegher out of the line-up for long. Electric.
• Paul Rhoads does not want to talk about the road losing streak. Okay. But everyone else will talk about it until it ends.
• This just in: The road losing streak will end Saturday at Kent State.
• The best quarterback in Iowa this season is UNI's Pat Grace. He's our Tim Tebow.
• I ate my first Smashburger this week. Mmm. Good. We still need a Steak-N-Shake around here, but Smashburger will do for now.
• The first Jay Leno Show was better than I expected. Jay looked relaxed and the show hit the ground running. That's not easy. The temptation when you start a new program is to try and jam too much entertainment into one show, and come off like you're trying way too hard. Jay is not edgy, but he's familiar and comfortable. I think that will appeal to a lot of people looking to laugh and relax before bed. One thing's for sure, NBC can't do any worse from 9 to 10 than it's done the past five years. We know. Our newscasts have had to pick the ratings up off the floor, and climb way up the ladder.
• Kanye West will never live down that idiotic interruption. People forgive most law-breaking before they do self-centered rudeness. Props to Beyonce for showing how to be a big star and still have class. I will give credit to Kanye for what appears to be a sincere apology to Taylor Swift and the rest of the offended world.
• I'm surprised Kanye doesn't play tennis. What in the world was Serena Williams thinking?! Even mild-mannered Roger Federer acted like a complete bully this week. As USA Today asked, "What Happened to Civility?"
• The Patriots should never go back to their old uniforms. The AFL throwbacks were sweeeeet. Bills, Chargers, even the Raiders--- they all looked better Monday night, or am I just being nostalgic?
• Thanks to all who made RVTV fun---especially the people of Grinnell, Ft. Dodge, Carroll, Ames, Iowa State University, Wilson Auto, Bob & Jo's RV in Guthrie Center, our photojournalists, sales associates, and whoever sent several cases of NOS sugar free energy drink. It kept us going on little sleep.
• The passing of Patrick Swayze saddens me. What other classically trained ballet dancer could pull off being a tough guy bouncer (or "cooler")? Road House is my all time favorite guilty pleasure movie. Of course, it's nonsense, but it's never boring. RIP Patrick. Long live Dalton.

All Updates Running Through RVTV blog.

Pray for us.

Scattershots for September 2.

• Jewel Hampton being out for the season is NOT devastating to Iowa. However, it does hurt.
• Jewel, the folk singer, could rush for 3 yards a carry behind Iowa's offensive line.
• Increasingly, college football teams must carefully consider their first game opponent because the opener has become a dumping ground for suspensions. OWIs, PAULAs, whatever. Got to sit those guys down for one game. The running total going into Suspension Saturday: UNI 5, Iowa 3, Drake 3. Subject to change.
• UNI is a 1AA elite power. With all due respect, Iowa should still roll the Panthers by 20.
• I think the Iowa State - North Dakota State game will be over before halftime. The Cyclones will show off their new offense by scoring at will.
• Don't forget Grand View at Drake Saturday night. First time the Dogs have played a Des Moines opponent since 1918. Remarkably, the Cubs were already 10 years into their title drought.
• This year's RVTV road trip to the Big Game starts in Grinnell Monday, goes to Ft. Dodge Tuesday, Carroll Wednesday, and lands in Ames at Jack Trice Stadium Thursday until Saturday night. We'll also do the "Murph and Andy" radio show on the road. Come see us, if you get the chance. And if you have a story idea, soundoff@whotv.com
• Things I'm really looking forward to on RVTV: camaraderie, meeting viewers/listeners, staying in town squares, local restaurants and bars, watching stupid movies only guys love, laughing a lot, working outdoors, waking up a few feet from the big game.
• Things I'm not looking forward to RVTV week: the smell, the lack of sleep, trying to wake Chris up, the possibility I'll accidentally drink from a spit cup, using kybos, gaining five pounds, drinking so much sugar free Red Bull I can't fall asleep, the feeling of claustrophobia while showering, missing my family.
• Why in the world would the Vikings split Favre out wide so he could throw a (cheap) block?
• Michigan, and likely every other college football team, spends way more than 20 hours a week on football. The key is all players know there's nothing voluntary about voluntary workouts.
• What a start to Football Friday with the Ankeny-Waukee double overtime classic. Don't know how Valley-Dowling can top that. Can't wait to see them try.
• Love how Dowling Catholic, which plays its home games at Valley Stadium, moves this game to Drake Stadium to try and take the Tigers out of their comfort zone. Smart.
• Inglourious Basterds is a must see, if you can take the bursts of graphic violence. Original, suspenseful, and thrilling---with a dash of Tarantino weirdness.
• One of my pet peeves: the kids knowingly put the lemonade jug back in the fridge with just a couple ounces left in it---not enough to have a glass---but enough for them to convince themselves they don't need to take a minute and make a new batch of Crystal Lite.
• My son, Cade, tried out for a play at the Des Moines Playhouse last week. He was so nervous, but he dug deep and gave it his best shot. He didn't get the part, but he did learn he's capable of anything. That's an awesome lesson.