Hawkeyes Present & Future, CyHawk Bowl, Get Help

(Zach)

Courtesy AP

I never liked roller coasters as a kid, so maybe that’s why this Iowa football season has a sickening feel to it.  There are moments of brilliance (Michigan, Pitt comeback, even the time where they began rallying against Michigan State).  And then they are canceled out by equally inept moments.  This is the definition of a mediocre 6-6 football team, which is probably what Iowa will be.  The Hawkeyes couldn’t win on the road when they were in title contention, why should we believe they will now, especially after the way last year’s team quit in the end at Minnesota when title hopes were gone?

A few weeks ago we got emails, including one from an SEC fan, which claimed Marvin McNutt simply put up great numbers against bad teams.  After the last two weeks against Michigan and Michigan State things have been quiet on that front.  Wonder why.

Last night Chris lamented at next year not being any better.  I’ll go out on a limb and say it will be, at least in the win column.  Why?  Because it’s possible next year’s schedule is EASIER than this years!  I realize things and teams change, but get a load of Iowa’s first five games: Northern Illinois at Chicago, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Central Michigan, and Minnesota for homecoming.  That’s at worst a 4-1 start if Iowa State beats them.  Hell, a team of 80 year olds could probably go 3-2 with that schedule. 

The rest of their home slate includes games with Penn State (who probably will have a steep decline after the sick mess they have right now which I think is only going to get worse) and Purdue before the Nebraska game, with only four real road games at Michigan, MSU, Northwestern and Indiana.  And let’s face it, anyone see the Big Ten getting much better as a whole next year?

Though the schedule is even more favorable, the question will be whether or not Iowa’s recruiting can pull in enough talent to turn the corner from a 6-7 win type of season to an 8-11 win campaign. 

Perhaps if Iowa State gets to six wins we’ll get a CyHawk rematch in a bowl game.  I’m guessing the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas or the Ticket City Bowl don’t draw well that often, and since Iowa and ISU will likely land in the middle to bottom of their conference packs (right where those bowls pick from), I’m guessing one of them tries to invite both knowing that Hawkeye and Cyclone fans would probably flock to Antarctica if they were playing down there.

All of which begs the very reasonable question of how in the hell Iowa State will win one of their last three.  I think Kansas State is still the best bet.  The Wildcats play no defense and the Cyclones showed they can roll up the points on defenseless teams provided they don’t commit turnovers (Iowa and Texas Tech).

Congrats to Drake football on winning the Pioneer League.  They weren’t that far from finishing a perfect season.

I’m setting the over-under on points for Royce White against Drake at 30 Tuesday night.  The Bulldogs best big men are hurt, and I just don’t see who they can put out to stop him.  Be ready for some more highlight reel dunks.  

The Hawkeye hoopsters will be 2-0 by this time tomorrow after playing something called North Carolina A&T.  The nicest thing I can say about the last team they played, Chicago State, is that their uniforms were secondhand store quality (hence their play?), but the story of that game for me was the fact 12,000 people came out to see it.  There were quite a few empty seats and they had some kind of dance mob promotion too, but I’d still say the actual attendance was around 10,000.  That’s pretty good on a Friday night against a garbage team.  Clearly fans are dying for a winner.  Iowa will be 3-0 (Northern Illinois follows on Thursday) when they come to Des Moines to play Creighton next Sunday.  We’ll learn then against a good Blue Jay team whether there is real cause for optimism in Iowa City. 

Those who know me think this is long overdue, but I think I need psychiatric help NOW.  I watched the entire Chiefs-Broncos game.  If you wasted your time watching one of the worst offensive football games since people wore leather helmets, I highly suggest you join me.

Anytime somebody tries to tell you how much smarter about football head coaches are, just ask why so many of them keep kicking to Devin Hester.

Hawkeyes Humbled, Bowl Blues, Royce Rolls

(Chris)

The Hawkeyes were in the Big Ten title race, but today we found out that Iowa is no championship football team. The Hawkeyes are too inconsistent in just about every aspect of the game. James Vandenberg played poorly. Marcus Coker couldn't get into a flow because the Hawks were down double-digits the entire game. Special teams play has been horrific lately. And the defense continues to give up, uncharacteristically, big plays.

I've heard some Hawkeye fans say that the loss is probably a good thing, so they don't have false hope going into the final two games of the season. What's the fun in that? As a fan, I'd always take a heartbreak over apathy. Next week's game, at Purdue, is almost meaningless. And with Indiana, and Northwestern left on Michigan State's schedule, it doesn't look like Nebraska will get a chance to play for a division title on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

It's not that the Hawks have nothing to play for --- they just don't have as much to play for. You can rule out the Capital One Bowl, and the Outback Bowl. With one more loss, you can probably rule out the Insight Bowl, and the Gator Bowl, as well. Hawkeye fans should probably start to get familiar with the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, and the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, in Detroit. Bring your mace.

Can you see a light at the end of the tunnel? I can't. Next year, the Hawks will return Vandenberg, and Coker, but they will lose all of their defensive lineman, and most of their secondary. Given that, and the fact that the schedule may never again be this easy, Hawkeye fans could be in for a rough couple of years. 

I think the broadcast team of Beth Mowins Mike Bellotti is the worst I've ever heard. Not only are they both insanely boring, they call the game like they aren't even watching. And why is it that networks only hire play-by-play women with manly voices? I'd much rather hear a woman that sounds like a woman.

I'm looking forward to Iowa State's Friday night game against #2 Oklahoma State --- but I probably shouldn't be. The Cowboys are the most explosive team in the nation. The early weather forecast is calling for a game time temp around 50, and no rain. I'm rooting for a weather disaster. That may be the only way the Cyclones keep OSU under 50. 

I liked everything I saw from the Penn State-Nebraska game. Most fans seemed to understand the moment. There were no apparent outbreaks of violence, or disrespectful actions. It was a powerful thing to watch. Unfortunately, that was as close to normal PSU players and fans have felt in a week. And I'm afraid the coming weeks won't be much easier. 

Royce White is scary. The man-beast opened up with 25 points, and 11 boards, in ISU's 86-77 win over Lehigh. 

Northern Iowa notched a really nice win, on the road, at ODU --- and it wasn't even close. The Panthers whipped Old Dominion, 63-46.

Drake beat Upper Iowa. The Bulldogs are now 1-1 against Division II teams over the last week.

This is my least favorite part of football season, because it's also basketball season. I'm not a fan of the overlapping. Heck, the Big 4 battles start this Tuesday when Iowa State plays Drake.

Here is the viewer email of the day, courtesy of 'Howieboy' - 'How 'bout a story on WHO13's Saturday 6pm Sportsnews anchor(whatever his name is) having to find a new position in a far-off land due to his insensitive comments on the Hawkeyes loss to Michigan State.  I'm sure glad I dont let my wife do the channel surfing too often.  GO KCCI!'

And with that, I bid you adieu.

End of Hell Week, Stache Hassle, Coolest Sports Picture of Year

Glad to be done with this mentally exhausting week. Though I realize, compared to many, I had it easy...

I wonder how many more people will watch the Nebraska-Penn State game than Michigan State-Iowa? The two football games start at the same time, 11 a.m., the game in (not so) Happy Valley on ESPN, the kick at Kinnick on ESPN 2. I'll predict that following the ugliest scandal in college sports history, the Penn State game has four times the rating (television audience). I know my wife wants to look-in, and she previously had zero interest in the game...

Great to hear kidnapped Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos is alive and well. The story got lost this week, and it's nice to learn of the happy ending...

I continue to receive voice mails, emails, and tweets from people who want to be honest and tell me I should shave the mustache. Most are nice, some are mean, none realize I'm raising money for the American Cancer Society with No Shave November Stache for Cash. I'm aware it's not a good look in 2011, but I have to follow through...


The Carrier Classic basketball game on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in honor of Veterans Day is the best idea for staging a sporting event since outdoor hockey in the Winter Classic. #1 North Carolina beat Michigan State, thanks in part to 17 points from Ames' Harrison Barnes. The game also produced the coolest sports pic I've seen this year (courtesy: Associated Press):

McQueary Out, Cover Boy Barnes, Battle of Weathermen

Penn State says embattled assistant Mike McQueary won't coach Saturday night. Never thought for a minute he would. That cannot happen...

Ankeny-Valley Friday night. I'll take Valley, but the Hawks proved me wrong last week...

How cool to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Ames' Harrison Barnes made the cover this week, though SI shipped a Kentucky cover to my house. Kentucky... 

Barnes and #1 North Carolina play Michigan State on an aircraft carrier Friday night at 6 p.m. in honor of Veterans Day. That's even cooler than the cover...

Big thanks to all who have served...

The folks at Raygun know how to make cool t-shirts, and they know how to drum up free publicity.
They've done both with Battle of the Weathermen...
Battle of the Weathermen at Raygun

It's 11-11-11. That means you can buy reserved Cyclone seats for the Oklahoma State game next week for 11 bucks. But you only have 11 hours. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on 11-11-11...

Adam Sandler used to make some funny, charming movies. Jack & Jill looks like neither...

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

Penn State did the once unthinkable---it fired Joe Paterno. Paterno left the board no choice. He had a chance to resign gracefully, do what's best for his beloved university, but he didn't. Paterno announced he'd retire at the end of the season. As I've been saying since Monday morning, there was no way Paterno could coach another game at Penn State. Period. The man is a legend, but he's also human. And Paterno allowed an alleged child predator continued access to more potential victims. He could have done the right thing. He didn't. Paterno put the program first. It will forever tarnish his legacy. And should. I'm not without some sympathy for how much it obviously hurts this proud man that he won't get to go out on his own terms, but if you want to be a great man, you have to put morality ahead of The Program.

President Graham Spanier, ISU alum, is also out. He says he didn't know what was going on. Doesn't matter when the people under you fail to this magnitude. Especially if you back your athletic director and vice president as their being arrested for perjury.

What happens to Mike McQueary, the assistant coach who reportedly saw Sandusky raping a young boy in the shower? McQueary reported the incident to Paterno, but never called police either. McQueary also made no known attempt to identify or check on the welfare of the victim. McQueary later saw Sandusky many times at the football facilities, but continued looking the other way. How can McQueary coach another game at Penn State? He needs to go too. He was put in an unfortunate, unthinkable predicament, but he failed. Most of all, he failed the victim, as did all in the know at Penn State. This is what happens when power corrupts and values are compromised.

Jerry Sandusky will live his hell in court, then likely prison, followed potentially by hell itself.

I hate this story. It's infuriating, depressing, and tragic. It will forever be a cautionary tale of putting the interests of self ahead of what's right and decent.

Paterno did end this long, sad day the right way. He said we should all pray for the victims.

Tuesday started with Penn State's president cancelling Joe Paterno's news conference, and ended with hundreds of Paterno supporters in front of his house chanting "Let Joe Stay", and "We Are... Penn State". Paterno joined the latter, and even yelled "Beat Nebraska". It all seemed too cheerful given the gravity of the scandal, but it's perhaps unfair to peek in at a moment in time and judge.

Paterno also spoke to students through his front door and talked of saying a prayer for the victims. There wouldn't be as many victims if Penn State authorities, Paterno and others, had not enabled an alleged serial child predator.

There's one simple fact I can't get past. If Penn State banned Jerry Sandusky from bringing children on campus, then those in charge knew something. You don't ban a guy from kids because of numerous allegations and incidents, and then give him run of the place.

I can't imagine Paterno coaching Penn State Saturday. At this point, it's hard even picturing the game. Once you're read the grand jury presentment, it's difficult to shake. Here are both videos, and then at the bottom is the report. (*Warning: The presentment is graphic and disturbing.) 

http://enews.attorneygeneral.gov/uploads/Sandusky-Grand-Jury-Presentment-11-4-2011.pdf

Penn State Makes Tattoos For Merchandise Seem Like Good Old Days

I spent a good part of the day reflecting on the Penn State scandal that has rocked the proud university to its core, and shaken college football fans and non-fans alike. Former longtime PSU defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been indicted for sexually preying on young boys. The grand jury report will turn your stomach. No sane person can understand why a man would (allegedly) do such awful, sick things. It's also unfathomable that intelligent people charged with educating and nurturing young college students didn't act with more common sense and compassion when made aware of accusations and eyewitness accounts of Sandusky's actions.

There is due process that needs to take place, but we already know enough indisputable facts to realize that more than a few people at Penn State put the interests of the football program over the welfare of alleged victims and potential future victims. It's why two people have already resigned including the athletic director.

When I asked an expert in crisis management what Penn State officials should have done, my friend gave advice that everyone should already know: If you see or hear of a young boy being molested, you call the police. It really is that simple.

Sandusky and Paterno in happier times. (Courtesy SI)

The unconscionable embarrassment for Penn State is mostly about people who know better and who are not named Paterno. However, the focus of this debacle always turns back to college football's foremost living legend. What Paterno has already admitted to knowing is enough for him to resign. It won't take away his many good deeds or staggering accomplishments, but come on, it's time.

Here's the attorney general's release:

”The assistant [McQueary] telephoned Paterno and then went to Paterno’s home to explain what he had seen. Paterno testified that he then called Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley and met with Curley the following day, explaining that a graduate assistant had reported seeing Sandusky involved in a sexual activity with a young boy in the showers at the Lasch Building."

How could Paterno not contact police, or make sure someone else did? (to say nothing of McQueary)

The release continues:

"... there is no indication that anyone from the university ever attempted to learn the identity of the child who was sexually assaulted on their campus or made any follow-up effort to obtain more information from the person who witnessed the attack firsthand.”

No one at Penn State even tried to identify the boy? Or check on how he was doing? Or make sure the alleged predator didn't find more victims? It's just depressing the level of turning a blind eye going on from top to bottom. And we all know why: football rules.

Paterno will hold his weekly news conference Tuesday. I often watch because I'm in awe of Paterno's career. This time I'll watch to see if Paterno acknowledges the elephant in the room. PSU says Paterno will only answer questions about the Nebraska game.  If true, it exhibits the same lack of awareness that led to a culture of pass-the-buck in the first place.  I realize Penn State is now circling the legal wagons, and with good reason, but there's still plenty that can be said, and Paterno should go first. He's legally in the clear---no one has suggested he broke any laws---but Paterno could show true leadership and set an example the rest of the university should follow. A transparent search for truth, complete cooperation with authorities, and an immediate internal investigation can't come soon enough. All should have happened a decade ago.

At this point, no one should give a crap how Penn State plans to stop Taylor Martinez.

All We Do Is Win, Cyclone Hoops, Penn State Problems, Peace Out Mizzou

(Zach)

Since we haven't had many weekends like the one we just had, with all four D1 schools winning (and in thrilling fashion too) let us all celebrate this college football weekend in the state of Iowa, where all we do is win.

Read some emails with some people saying Michigan got hosed yesterday by the refs.  Really?  Personal opinion here, but I thought the second down call on the goal line stand was correct, even if it was the wrong reason.  Allegedly the refs said the receiver was out of bounds.  To me it looks like he doesn't have control of the ball, as you can see the nose starting to wiggle out as he hits the ground.  As for the fourth down play, it's certainly bang bang, but most refs don't want to make that kind of call unless it's 100 percent blatant, and the kid defending, B.J. Lowery, had a cast on on hand.

Besides which, if there are any Michigan fans thinking they got screwed, how do you explain the previous 59 minutes and 44 seconds of that game?  Facing what many thought to be the Big Ten's worst defense this side of Indiana the Wolverines did nothing for three plus quarters.  And what was up with the fourth down call?  Denard Robinson, one of the best running quarterbacks in college football, doing what he's LEAST suited to do, passing the football for a FOURTH straight time?  Watch the Minnesota game film and Marqueis Gray on 4th down late in that game.  Why didn't Brady Hoke draw up something on the run for Robinson on the final play with just two seconds left after three passes had already failed?  At the end of the day, Iowa made more plays on the field and better decisions from the coaches box, and deserved to win that game.

Did I mention that all we do in this state is win?

The much anticipated Iowa State men's basketball team made their exhibition debut Sunday, beating something called Grand Valley State 77-62.  Full confession-I arrived at halftime of the game and shot the second half.  The final attendance was listed at over 13,000.  I'm not quite sure it was that big (maybe a bunch of people left at half?), but it was as good a crowd as I've seen for an exhibition.  Hopefully this team wins.  If they do Hilton will be insane.

The game itself is everything you expect out of an exhibition.  Royce White had flashes but looked like a guy playing his first game at the college level.  There will be growing pains this year with him.  Iowa State's biggest problem is that they don't seem to have a point guard, instead using a rotation with even White running the point at times.  Too bad Korie Lucious has to wait another year.

Reading the full text and grand jury testimony in the child molestation scandal involving Penn State and former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky left me just short of being physically sick.  If these allegations prove true, going to hell isn't nearly enough punishment for that guy.  As for the school, the AD and administrator charged with perjury stepped down late Sunday night.  What possible reason could they have thought justified lying and trying to cover up such a sickening allegation?

Joe Paterno is not a suspect in any perjury as he did report the incident (as told to him by an assistant) involving Sandusky and one of the alleged sexual assaults in the Penn State locker room in 2002.  Paterno released a statement on the situation as well: http://nytimes.stats.com/cfb/story.asp?i=20111106172926687906608&ref=hea&tm=&src

Still, there are a lot of questions that will be asked of Paterno (and others).  We don't really know any of these high profile coaches, but you'd like to think Paterno is one of the examples of what is right about college football.  In a time where the sport is already full of too much greed and deceit, Paterno's image and legacy going down would be a death blow.

About Time

After doing such a great job of keeping it secret, Missouri and the SEC finally shocked us all by making their union official. 

I still think this long buildup and move is more a reaction to the slight they got from the Big Ten.  Best line in all of this?  An anti-Mizzou twitter site with this gem:  "The SEC has 191 national championships in men's and women's team sports. With addition of Mizzou they have 191."

How good is Aaron Rodgers again?

And how bad is the AFC West?  All three teams tied for the division lead lost at home.  It's so bad that a terrible Denver team that has resorted to Tim Tebow running his old college option is now just one game back of first.

Fantastic Finishes, Michigan (Was) Overrated, Nebraska & Bama/LSU FAIL

(Zach)

Best week of the college football season for fans in the state of Iowa hands down.  All four of the Division One teams in the state (Iowa and Iowa State in FBS, UNI and Drake in FCS) won their games in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.  Chances are if you bought a ticket to any of these games, you got your money's worth.

Start with the big one in Iowa City.  Who would have thought that the game would come down to the Hawkeye DEFENSE making a stop?  After Michigan drove to the Iowa three the Hawks stopped the Wolverines on four straight plays.  To be fair, Iowa got a bit lucky in the situation in that Denard Robinson didn't want to risk running and getting stopped with no timeouts.  But Iowa's defense played it's classic bend-but-don't-break style effectively all day, and made more plays when it mattered most.

Just realized Brady Hoke isn't Bo Schembechler

In this blog last night I said I thought the Wolverines were overrated.  Much like Iowa they showed that they again are a soft road team.  Defensively Michigan made some big stops late, but Iowa's offensive line dominated, opening big holes for Marcus Coker and giving James Vandenberg all day to pass.

The other key was making Robinson throw the football.  If this guy were half the passer that he is a runner Michigan would never lose.  Then again, if Michigan didn't wait till the fourth quarter to start playing their games, the Wolverines might never lose.

Iowa plays about seven home games a year.  They should petition the Big Ten to play ALL of them at Kinnick.  I just don't understand how this team can be so different home and away, even in the play calling.  Kirk Ferentz and Ken O'Keefe, the guys who half the Hawkeye fan base wanted run out of town after Minnesota, did a terrific job mixing it up on offense.  From fourth down gambles to first down passing, it looked like a different team and staff than the one we saw in Minneapolis.

So suddenly Ferentz can coach again and all is well with the world.  And thanks to Nebraska (more on that later) the Hawks once again control their own destiny in the Big 10 legends division.

If Iowa State is the favorite in a game, BET AGAINST THE SPREAD.  The last time ISU was favored entering a game they needed two late comebacks to hold off UNI by a point.  Today Kansas gave them everything they could handle.  Of all things it was a game winning field goal by Zach Guyer that lifted ISU to a 13-10 win.

Once again, ISU struggled to follow up a signature road win, but for the second straight year against KU, it doesn't matter.  All that matters is the W.  In the postgame presser Paul Rhoads seemed a bit testy.  ISU certainly did revert to some of their old mistakes, committing dumb personal fouls and turning the ball over.  But at the same time, you had to know Kansas wasn't going to play as poorly as they did last week.  No knock on the Clones, but KU is certainly more comparable in talent to ISU, and the Jayhawks played like this would be their last, best chance to get a win.

Jared Barnett looked like a freshman today, but he sure picked the right team to have a shaky game against.  Still, Barnett passed for 175 and RAN for 125.  Both he and Jantz can run, but Barnett has the decisiveness to know when to take off that Jantz never did.

The Clones have a bye week before their Friday night showdown with Oklahoma State at Jack Trice.  Gonna be a big game for coach Rhoads and staff.  Last time they had a bye week they played a terrible and undisciplined game against Texas.  Not exactly breaking news here, but OSU is much better than UT.

Nice bounce back win for Northern Iowa, 21-17, over Youngstown State.  Tirrell Rennie dressed but didn't play.  Gotta get him healthy if UNI is going to avoid what seems like their annual playoff slump.

And lets give some love to Drake.  The Bulldogs scored 14 points in the final five minutes to stun Jacksonville 31-24.  They now have the inside track to the Pioneer League title.  Gotta wonder if Chris Creighton will start getting some interest from bigger FCS programs.  His predeccessor, Rob Ash, certainly has done well for himself.  Five years after leaving Drake his Montana State Bobcats are ranked 2nd in FCS.

Lost in the football frenzy-the Drake men's basketball team lost their exhibition against D2 Quincy 84-74.  Mark Phelps seat ain't getting any cooler.

Nebraska fans revel in the Huskers dominating the Big 10

As if the day wasn't already great for Hawkeye fans, Nebraska laid a big egg at home against.....Northwestern?  The same Northwestern with a terrible defense?  Guessing that the folks in Lincoln aren't liking the fact that one of college football's historically great programs (or in their minds probably the best ever) lost to one of college football's historically worst programs.

What it all means is that, with a win over Michigan State next Saturday, Iowa will be tied for first in the Legends division with the inside track to winning the division.  Of course for that to happen they'll also have to figure out a way to win on the road, which is now a 1,000 pound gorilla on this program's back.

After two weeks of endless hype from (primarily) ESPN, the "Game of the Century" between Alabama and LSU.....was won 9-6?  If that's the game of the century the next 89 years are going to be pretty lame.

Football Friday, Michigan Overrated, Bama/LSU Hype

(Zach)

With all the buildup over the rematches in the Class 4A quarterfinals, perhaps it was inevitable that we get a bit of a letdown.  After sneaking past Dowling 28-21 during Week 0 in August, Valley destroyed the defending state champs 45-20 this time.  It was 38-7 at half.  Trey Lewis gets most of the headlines running the ball, but Tyus Mason has emerged over the last few weeks with Lewis battling injuries.  They look nearly alike, but Mason is a sophomore.  He'll be a load the next two years.

Trey Lewis ran for a TD on the first play from scrimmage

Amara Darboh had all three touchdowns for Dowling, including an 80-yarder when the game was still in doubt.  Let the speculation about where he'll play his college downs begin.

Ankeny beat Southeast Polk 12-7 two months ago in a game that was overshadowed by Cy-Hawk week.  Offense not a problem this time, but the result mostly the same, with the Hawks winning 27-17.  Like Mason, another young sophomore emerging is Ankeny's Marshall Clark.  Down 10-7 late in the second, Clark made a one handed catch on a Joel Lanning bomb and raced 71 yards for the go-ahead score.  It was the pivotal play of the game as the Hawks also got a pick six and field goal in the closing moments of the half that put them ahead 24-10.

Ankeny kicker Cole Netten is headed for Iowa State next year, but he might already be better than either of the Cyclone kickers now.  Netten drilled field goals of 42 and 36 yards.  Into the wind. 

So we'll get Ankeny and Valley next Friday at the UNI Dome.  The Hawks have a strong defense, but the offensive line at Valley is massive.  Ankeny might have a little extra motivation though.  Longtime coach Jerry Pezzetti was very emotional after the win, and some have wondered if he'll continue coaching once the new Ankeny Centennial High School opens in 2013, thus splitting the school and potentially forcing him to coach against kids he once coached.  If the Hawks go all the way, perhaps he rides off into the sunset like Tony LaRussa with a title.

Elsewhere, Madrid is Madrid again.  They were buried early in the season playing a couple of bigger schools, but the Tigers are headed back to the UNI Dome after shutting out Bedford 22-0.  In 8-man, tough end to a fine season for Adair-Casey who lost 70-54 to Murray.

Hopefully Michigan leaves those ugly road unis in Ann Arbor

I think Michigan is overrated because, well, they're Michigan.  Anytime the Wolverines look like they're good people get visions of Bo Schembechler and anoint Michigan great again.  Looking at their resume, this team looks a lot like Iowa.  Their best win?  A miracle over an average Notre Dame.  They've only played two road games all year, and their home slate was almost as soft as Iowa at Kinnick.

Unlike Iowa, to their credit, the Wolverines do have a road win at a terrible team, beating Northwestern 42-24.  But that came after digging themselves a ten point hole at half.  All due respect to the Wildcats, the closest thing to a hostile environment like the one they'll see in Kinnick tomorrow was the game at Michigan State, and that turned into a 28-14 Sparty party.  Defensively Michigan gives up an average of 12 points per game at home and 26 on the road.  The Iowa defense will surely give up their share of points too, but Denard Robinson isn't perfect.  Get ahead of them, stuff the running game a bit, and force Robinson to throw more than he'd like, and he can be had (Example, three picks in the first half vs Northwestern).

It won't shock me if Iowa loses tomorrow either, but for some reason, this team plays like they're bullet proof at Kinnick, and tomorrow is a season defining game.  I think Iowa wins another shootout game with each team probably scoring in the 30s'.  Not exactly our father's Michigan-Iowa type of game eh?

Wasn't that easy last time.....

Iowa State has, in the past, struggled to follow up with solid games after their big signature road upsets.  In 2009 they were drilled at Texas A&M after the Nebraska win.  Last year following the Texas win the Clones were down at half to, ironically, Kansas before pulling away.  Looks like a sure thing for ISU but remember, before the Texas Tech game, KU probably looked at this game as their last, best chance to get a win.  I imagine they still do.

This also might be the Cyclones last chance for a win too.  Get it and they are 5-4 with three left to play.  Sound familiar?  It should, its the same scenario ISU had last year after beating Kansas.  ISU went on to lose a heartbreaker in OT to Nebraska, lay their biggest egg at Colorado, and get shutout at home by Mizzou.  This year the schedule's a lot tougher.  Oklahoma State after a bye at home, then at Oklahoma and Kansas State.

Are Alabama and LSU playing this weekend?  Sure seems like there has been a shortage of media coverage.  I mean, at least in the few seconds when I turn over to ESPN and Erin Andrews isn't chilling in the players lounge at LSU.  I'm sure it will be a good game, but two weeks of build up and hype from the Worldwide Leader for a game that isn't even on their family of networks seemed a bit much.

Football Friday, Everybody's All-American, Unguarded Interview

• Friday night should provide two great high school football games, both sequels. Valley-Dowling 2, and Southeast Polk-Ankeny 2 will decide who goes to the Dome, and we couldn't have better quarterfinals. Both games feature top ten teams who don't like each other, or if you prefer, bitter rivals. I'll take Valley to beat Dowling for the second time, but Southeast Polk to have its revenge for the Rams only loss.
• Harrison Barnes told me this summer the likely NBA lockout was a factor in Barnes' decision to return for his sophomore season. Good choice. The NBA is a mess, and Barnes' North Carolina Tar Heels are ranked #1, while he's a pre-season All-American, and this week's ESPN The Magazine cover boy.

Good thing this isn't HasselHorse

 

• I've mentioned a couple of times here how blown away I was by the ESPN film Unguarded, the story of Basketball Junkie Chris Herren. ESPN2 will show the movie one more time Saturday at 6 a.m. If you haven't seen it, I urge you to put your DVR on alert. Thursday, I had the opportunity, along with Andy, to interview Chris Herren. Our candid talk begins at 4:45 on this link. http://www.kxno.com/pages/murphandandy.html?article=9348906&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=KXNO.com
• If you love, or hate, the Packers, this video will likely affirm your position. http://www.foxsportswisconsin.com/11/02/11/Rodgers-lookalike-makes-parody-video-a-h/landing_packers.html?blockID=594888&feedID=5059
• Thank you to The Ridgemont in Windsor Heights, the latest to Stand Up 2 Cancer in No Shave November. The Ridgemont has pledged a dollar per 40 ounce beer sold in November (the 40 is a house specialy, and comes with a paper bag). Thank you, Ridgemont. To pledge in the Stache for Cash: http://teamacs.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=42808&pg=entry

Quade Out, Unguarded Again, Murphy Returns

• Nice guys don't always finish last. Mike Quade was next to last (behind the Astros). It's no surprise Quade's fired in Chicago. Theo Epstein wants to get his own guy in the Cubs dugout, and that guy won't be Ryne Sandberg.
• If the Cardinals hire Ryno, Chris Hassel will need therapy. Well, more therapy.
• Ed Wilson just got the new iphone---not sure which number Apple's on---but Ed is just throwing out random facts that turn up on some app. Today's example, "Hey Murph, did you know Georgia Tech once beat Cumberland College in football 222-0?". Surprisingly, I did know that. I was obsessed with sports trivia as a kid. I know less as an adult, and I follow sports for a living. Remember those carefree days?  
• My parents went back to Florida. I miss them already. Oh, and if you're reading this dad, Happy Birthday!
• I watched the ESPN film Unguarded again. It's that's good. The Chris Herren story is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. We're having Chris on our radio show Thursday. I can't wait to talk to him, though I know going in our conversation can't live up to the talks he gives in the film. If you've missed the first two passes of Unguarded, I urge you to watch Saturday morning at 6 a.m. on ESPN2. Or DVR it. That's kind of early.
• I made the mistake of watching Up All Night after I watched Modern Family. Any current sitcom will suffer by comparison. However, Maya Rudolph was so funny at the end of Up All Night, I'll watch it again.
• It's going to be a long three weeks. Not liking the mustache. It does make people smile, er, laugh.
• Looking forward to Tower Heist. It appears Eddie Murphy might be funny again. Remember the roll he was on in the 80s? SNL, Beverly Hills Cop, 48 Hours, Trading Places, Raw, Delirious, Coming to America... wow.

No one calls him Murph.

• Adam Sandler made some funny movies too, but Jack & Jill looks as bad as Bucky Larson.
• The Cardinals win the World Series, but the Packers make the cover of Sports Illustrated. Any doubt about America's new pastime?

Ferentz Under Fire, ISU In Full, Halloween Hangover

• Nothing has changed in my thinking since Saturday. Iowa's loss to Minnesota for a second year in a row remains inexplicable. The Gophers are who we thought they were. Doesn't mean they weren't trying to win. But you can't take a 21-10 4th quarter lead against a bad football team, and help that team pull off the upset with head-scratching moves, and non-moves.
• Not prepared for an onside kick with 8 minutes to go against a team with a porous defense and nothing to lose? More than two minutes of clock, needing only a field goal, and your running back with 252 yards rushing isn't even on the field as a decoy? A near unguardable 6-4 play-making receiver never sees the football come his way at crunch time? This is how to lose when you shouldn't.
• It's a bad loss. It doesn't mean Kirk Ferentz and his staff forgot how to coach. They had a bad day. I've had many.
• Fans have every right to be frustrated, and to express that frustration. However, Ferentz has earned some goodwill. For the top ten finishes, for the Big Ten co-championships, for the three straight bowl wins, for the staying at Iowa. That's not to say Iowa couldn't use an infusion of fresh ideas and new energy. We all get in ruts at our jobs, and sometimes need to shake things up. Ferentz is not above criticism or reproach, but fans should remember, if Iowa beats Michigan Saturday, most everything feels better.
• Another sign of the economic strain: emails critical of Ferentz sent to SoundOFF often point out how much money Ferentz makes. There is no doubt in my mind the ridiculous salaries we now pay elite coaches make fans more demanding. Those fans need to remember Ferentz isn't paid on wins and losses alone. Iowa football has become a cash cow for the U of I, and Ferentz benefits from that, above all else. He doesn't win like the other top 5 coache$, but the reality is it's harder to win at Iowa than Alabama or Oklahoma. Fans don't want to hear that. Doesn't make it any less true.
• Enough about that. I can't get away from it. Emails and calls to SoundOFF and the Murph & Andy Show just won't stop.
• I think Iowa State played better at Texas Tech, start to finish, than any Cyclone team I've ever seen, given the setting, the level of opponent, and expectations.
• How did ISU play that well at Texas Tech, and that badly at Missouri?
• When was the last time ISU was a 14 point favorite in a Big 12 game?



30 minutes worth of goodness.

• Underrated Halloween candy: Milk Duds, Charleston Chew, Good & Plenty. Overrated: Almond Joy, Mounds, Bit O'Honey.



Anna helps out.

• I don't follow the show Biggest Loser, but every time I watch it, I get all emotional. It's hard not to cheer people who are trying to make their lives better.
• ESPN film "Unguarded" shows grip, desperation, and heartbreak of addiction. Chris Herren's rise, fall, and rise ultimately uplifting. A must see. Catch a repeat of this moving documentary Saturday at 6 a.m. on ESPN2. Bring tissues.

Chris Herren

• I know the mustache is looking ridiculous. But it's a stache for cash. If you can help fight cancer, please do. Here's how: http://teamacs.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=42808&pg=entry