Penn State story keeps getting worse

(By Chris Hassel)

The story in State College just keeps getting worse. First we find out that Joe Paterno is on his death bed. Then CBS reports that he had died. Then we find out the report was false. In my opinion, there's nothing a media outlet can do that is worse than falsely reporting the death of a human being. As for Paterno, (as of 8:44pm CT) his family says he is in serious condition and continuing to fight. The prognosis isn't good, and that's just too bad. Paterno made some major mistakes in the Sandusky scandal, but it's too bad he made them so close to the end of his life. Most people get a chance to make up for their mistakes. It looks like Paterno won't get that chance. (Editor's note: Joe Paterno later died Sunday morning, confirmed by the Paterno family. He was 85.)

I'm one of the people that believe the good that he did far outweighed the bad. That's not saying that he couldn't have saved several kids from a lifetime of problems, but he had a positive impact on more lives than I think anyone can imagine. No one deserves to go out like this.

CBS' premature reporting on Joe Paterno's death reminded me of this classic SNL skit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkhwiuRbOEE

Iowa State is looking like the team Cyclone fans were hoping to see, earlier in the season. There are games you want to win, and games you need to win. Today's game was both.The Cyclones needed to blast a bad Tech team on the road, and they did. It was exactly the showing they needed. They're 14-5 overall, and 4-2 in the Big 12. I must say, they've exceeded my expectations to this point, and baring some kind of injury or implosion, this team will make the NCAA tourney.

Now things are getting really interesting. If ISU can win at Texas, Tuesday, they'll be in 2nd or 3rd-place in the conference when 1st-place Kansas comes to town in a week. I'd love to see Hilton if everything falls into place. The Cyclones proved they can play with KU on the road. There's no reason they can't beat the Jayhawks in Ames.

What was Pittsburgh thinking when constructing its basketball arena? Courtside suites opposite the TV camera? No one wants to watch a game and see a handful of old fogies sitting on cocktails behind the bench. Flip the camera around to the other side and let us see the crazy students. Give me a break. 

Back from Mexico, Old-school Hawks

Every time you come back from vacation, you're supposed to be 'refreshed'. What?! Why!? Shouldn't you be 'depressed'? I just spent the past 7 days in Mexico being waited on hand-and-foot. Why should I be 'refreshed' coming back to 5-degree weather and having to actually pay for food and drinks? The only thing I have to show for my trip is a tan --- which will completely vanish in 3-6 days.

I'm not sure how I did it, but I didn't surf the Internet on my phone for the entire week. The couple we were traveling with had a global plan and every time I saw them checking Twitter I wanted to pull mine out and spend the $5-a-minute on roaming charges to do the same. But I didn't. Hopefully my wife remembers that next time she wants to yell at me for looking at my phone while we're out to dinner. 

Is there anything more ironic than Keith Murphy giving me crap for going on vacation?

One thing I can feel good about is the fact that basketball is finally entertaining again, in our state. Neither Iowa, nor Iowa State, has had a pulse in my five years of covering them, until this year. Iowa is beating top-15 teams, and ISU is in the mix for the NCAA Tournament (although it's way too early to get too excited). Then there's Drake, a team that won 4 games in 8 days and is all of the sudden looking.....good. Maybe winter in Iowa isn't going to suck as much, this season.

I love the throwback uniforms Iowa is going to wear February 4th, against Penn State. The Hawks are paying tribute to the 1986-87 team that narrowly missed the Final Four. I wish they would go back to this simple style uniform and give up on the 'new era' look.

Iowa's old-school uniforms

'Old' school uniforms courtesy of blackheartgoldpants.com

 

Who would you like to see in the Super Bowl? I can tell you which team NBC doesn't want --- the Ravens. Not only are the Ravens not a big draw, they're extremely boring to watch. I'd say NBC brass is hoping for a Patriots-Giants rematch of Super Bowl XLII, with Patriots-49ers close behind.

Remembering The Night We Lost Chris Street

Chris Street would have been 40 years old in less than two weeks. That's hard to believe. The number 40 is not forgotten in Iowa. Thursday, 19 years after Street's death, Hawkeye fans remembered where they were when the got the shocking news Street was dead. Many people shared that they broke down and cried. Others were young and remember seeing their mom or dad in tears. More than a few said their parents woke them up to give the sad news. It just didn't seem possible that someone as big and strong and full of life as Chris Street could be gone. And right in the middle of the season.

For me, time stood still. I think I just froze. I snapped out of it, and led the newscast with news no one wanted. This was before twitter, facebook, and texts, so I knew the gravity of the moment, and through the studio doors, I heard every phone in the newsroom begin ringing immediately. They wouldn't stop all night.

Iowa's game the next night with Northwestern would be postponed. No one would ever forget Iowa's emotional comeback win at Michigan State. Or the home win versus a good Michigan team. Street's mom and dad were courtside, and when they were handed the game ball, you couldn't find a dry eye in the place.

Street's death resonated well beyond Hawkeye fans. It's difficult to understand if you had never seen him play, or never watched him interact with kids, but it was not surprising when Iowa State announced a Cyclone from Iowa would wear the #40. The first to do it: Fred Hoiberg. A Cyclone hasn't worn 40 for a few years, but it would be nice for Coach Hoiberg to restart the honor.

Chris Street

Street lives on in other ways. Through basketball tournaments, gymnasiums, and awards that carry his name. It's the stories about the kind of player he was, more importantly the kind of person he was, that really keep his legacy alive.

For an article that shows the mood in 1993 far better than I have, click here:
http://articles.latimes.com/1993-03-17/sports/sp-11877_1_chris-street#.TxheSKu351E.twitter
(Thank you to Justin VanLaere for the link.)

Christopherson Buzzer-Beater, Eli's Army, Who's In DJK's Five?

Season-saver for Iowa State. You can't lose to Oklahoma State at home and keep your NCAA tourney bubble hopes alive. Scott Christopherson's 25-foot banked-in-buzzer-beater brought back a roar not heard in Hilton Coliseum in years. Yes, a touch of Hilton Magic, even if the opponent is not a good basketball team.

Christopherson said it's the first buzzer-beating game-winner of his career. At any stage. He also admitted he wasn't trying to bank the shot. Points for honesty.

Last week, Christopherson beat the halftime buzzer with a 3 from beyond half court. Fred Hoiberg later called the brief lead the shot gave ISU over Missouri, "fools gold". No downside for Iowa State this time. Here's video of The Shot from The IceBorg: https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100323051030133&saved

Hoiberg dedicated the win to little Eli Horn, a young Cyclone fan who bravely fought cancer until the end Wednesday morning. Eli inspired an army or "prayer warriors", and made many friends in Cyclone Nation, and beyond. Eli spent time with us during one of our RVTV tours, wearing a BEAT CANCER shirt in cardinal and gold, but making black and gold available for Hawkeye fans. Eli and his family provided us with blue shirts so we didn't have to pick a side. Great kid. He'll be missed by so many...

Eli.

Oklahoma State can't get out of Ames fast enough, and the Cowboys aren't in a hurry to return. It was exactly two months ago, the Cyclone football team beat OSU in overtime. You may have heard that kept Oklahoma State out of the national championship game. Alabama didn't mind...

What the heck happened to UNI? From #3 in the RPI to five losses in the Missouri Valley?...

Don't look now, but Drake is hot. That's four straight. Drake plays at UNI Sunday. The Bulldogs feel better about their chances than a month ago...

Ricky Stenhouse Jr will race Nationwide full time this year. If he can have every race moved to Iowa Speedway, he'll soon be driving Sprint Cup...

Rob Lowe says Peyton Manning is done playing football. No word yet from Judd Nelson...

I always enjoy my conversations with Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. I asked DJK what five people he'd like to have a beer with. DJK said, "Robert Downey Jr, Colin Farrell, Tim Tebow, Marvin McNutt, and Eva Mendez". Mendez because she's so hot, Tebow so he could see if he'd be drunk after one beer.

I think the Barnstormers will be good for DJK and DJK good for the Barnstormers. I don't see a Jason Berryman ending to this one.

Johnson-Koulianos said he still loves the Iowa Hawkeyes, but doesn't think he'll ever be welcomed back as long as Kirk Ferentz is there. I think he's right. Ferentz had enough of DJK for a lifetime...

The Winter Classic is going to The Big House. Good choice, though good luck seeing the puck from the top row...

Maybe bring back the glowing puck? Nah.

Valley/Dowling, Magic/Bird, Ali/Cosell

4 degrees on my drive home. Get better, not bitter...

The Iowa High School Athletic Association's new divisions for class 4A are bound to please some and disappoint others. There's no way to make 24 fan bases happy. I think the IHSAA did a good job with a complex problem. There's more travel, but it's now evenly distributed. Competitive balance is better with one or two perennial football powers in each division.

Each school will be allowed to prioritize its pre-division rivalry games, so the Valley-Dowlings of the state will continue.  Only the five division games will count toward which teams make the playoffs, and four of six teams in each division will make the post-season. That's too many for me. It won't be too many for the kids who get to say they made the playoffs...

The play Magic/Bird will open on Broadway in April. I'm not sure how they'll stage this, but I'd love to see it...

The movie is good too.

Brent Blum comes up with this hard to believe nugget: Iowa State is the only men's basketball program in a BCS conference to not play in a post-season event since '05. No NCAA, NIT, CBI, etc. Nothing...

It looked like Iowa had another conference road win Tuesday, but the Hawks couldn't hang on. It sure is nice to have Iowa and Iowa State relevant in conference play again. No threat to win a title, but at least interesting, and a threat to win on most any night...

Muhammad Ali is 70. I remember watching the replays of his fights on Wide World of Sports when I was a kid. I'm currently reading the biography, "Howard Cosell", which has several chapters devoted solely to the unique relationship between Ali and Cosell. Each made the other more famous. Cosell seems mostly forgotten now, but there was a time in the 70s when he rivaled Johnny Carson as the biggest star on television...

The Greatest. Cosell was good too.

Most Sports Illustrated covers? Not Ali with 38. Michael Jordan with 49...

I miss Mike.

Chair Slam 2012, Departure Derby, Noah's Heart

Chair Slam 2012 just doesn't end. Big Ten commish Jim Delany talked to Fran McCaffery's boss, Gary Barta. Delany didn't suspend, reprimand, or ask for an apology. Delany says he focused on the future. As in a future with no chair abuse. Barta praised McCaffery's passion but says he wants to make sure McCaffery's passion doesn't cross the line.

Jon Miller wrote an interesting column where he says Barta should not have called McCaffery out publicly (you can read the story for free at www.hawkeyenation.com). I'll admit, I was surprised at Barta's comments to the Register because Barta never criticizes his coaches, even when they deserve it. If Barta's going to consistently appear in charge, I'd support what he said. However, if this is a kowtow to Delany, Miller is right...

A.J. Derby is the latest Hawkeye to leave the football program. Derby leaves next to no statistical void. Here's the big question: Why was Iowa unable to find a productive role for a four star high school All-American, and keep happy a guy whose father and brother played for Iowa?...

I don't know what kind of manager Dave Bialas will be for the I-Cubs, or how many people will even care, but I am glad Bialas is a good storyteller. (Bialas is pronounced like Cialis with a B, though I doubt you'll find that in the I-Cubs pronunciation guide)...

Joel Hanrahan will make $4.1 millon next season---more than Kirk Ferentz, as one of you pointed out. Imagine if Norwalk school teachers could promise all their alums they'll go on to make millions playing games...

John Elway says Tim Tebow has "earned the right to be the starting QB going into training camp next year". This statement was treated like big news Monday. What else is Elway going to say? And take a closer look. It means nothing. Elway did not say, "Tebow is our starting quarterback next season". This story has several chapters to go, and Elway will age several years before it's over...

Will we still see the Discount Double Check every few minutes during the playoffs now? I really don't mind much. The ads are good...

I'm not sure what Subway did to get Ndamukong Suh on the CBS NFL Today set, but I'll buy more five dollar foot longs if they'll keep Suh away next weekend...

As I write this, I'm finally watching the A-Team. This might be the noisiest movie of all time...

Noah on the news set.

I can't say enough about the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Who can? Sunday night, 13 year old Noah Wright of Earlham and his parents came to see SoundOFF and to take a studio tour. Noah was so cool. We all liked him right away, and we'll keep him in our thoughts as he moves toward a kidney transplant...

Al from Make-A-Wish, Andy, Noah, me, Noah's mom & dad.

One more shout-out. Kelly Brinkman, former channel 13 sports intern, qualified for the United States Olympic Trials marathon this past weekend. Kelly didn't win, but just making the field is a lifetime memory for her, and a proud thrill for us...

Kelly, in red, at the Olympic Trials. She's a former Cyclone, so she enjoys wearing red.

Panthers Choke, Packers Packing, What Vacation?

By Zach Borg

Panther men's basketball choked at Bradley today.  I know that's about as harsh as it gets, but there is no other way I can really think of to explain UNI's 78-67 loss.  Bradley is the worst team in the Valley, entering at 0-6.  UNI led by 12 at halftime and as many as 15 in the second half.  They were outscored 50-23 over the final 16 minutes.  Yes it's tough to play on the road, but in context of this game, that's ridiculous.

BRADLEY?!?!!??!!??!!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

After a strong non-conference run that left them with a high RPI, I remember thinking that the only way the Panthers wouldn't get an at-large bid to the Big Dance is if they did a faceplant in conference play.  Check.  Since losing their last non-conference game to Ohio this team has lost it's mojo, going just 3-4 in league play.  Unless they win every game they have left or (the more likely option) make an Arch Madness run, they're tourney hopes were shot dead today.  Maybe they can make a Valley run, after all, nobody saw their current struggles coming.

The reality is starting to set in that Iowa may not get ANY men's or women's teams into the Big Dance.  Kind of strange because I think, at least on the men's side, it's been a more exciting year with Iowa and Iowa State playing better basketball.  Right now our only hopes are probably the ISU men figuring out how to shoot a free throw and closing games out or the UNI women.

Break up the Drake Bulldogs.  Mark Phelps and Co. picked up their third straight win, by 17, over Illinois State.

The Sequel Was Not As Good As The Original

Last week some of the Packers who played on the 2008 team that lost in the NFC Championship game to the Giants at Lambeau talked and tweeted about how anxious they were to play the Giants again with revenge in mind.  Whoops.  At least in 08 it was a game.

You do have to feel for Joe Philbin who coached the game despite the tragic death of his son earlier in the week.  I'm sure it has (or will be) brought up that this might have distracted them.  Who knows.  It did seem to have an effect on the players too when you heard them talk during the week.  But I also think the Giants really are this good right now.

Pass happy offenses dominated the league this season.  But when it came playoff time two of the most prolific in the league, Green Bay and New Orleans, were done in by great defensive teams.  Defense STILL wins championships.

So we have Ravens-Patriots and Giants-49ers in the title games next week.  I'd like to pick Baltimore with that defense, but I just don't trust Joe Flacco.  The Giants are the hottest team right now in the playoffs.  I think we're getting a Super Bowl 42 rematch-Giants vs. Patriots.

The Bromance In Full Bloom

Hassel is on vacation in Mexico with Dave Zawilinski and their wives (I commend Mrs. H and Mrs. Z for being able to handle the sheer bromance as well).  Despite being in a place where the weather is warm and there are plenty of beaches, they're inside watching TV and tweeting about the Giants-Packers game.  Does that seem a little weird?  Then again, weird and Hassel go together like peanut butter and jelly.


In all fairness-Dave is a big Giants fan (and probably had money on the game), while Chris is a Bears fan who hates everything Packer.  Memo to Hassel-yes the Pack lost, but your Bears still have as many Super Bowl titles as my Chiefs.  The ring count in Chicago ain't changing anytime soon.

Hawkeye Upset, Cyclones (Are) Upset, God Loves Brady

By Zach Borg

The Hawkeye men lose in non-conference by 16 to something called Campbell.  Then they win their first two road games in the Big 10 at Wisconsin & Minnesota, only to lose by a combined 63 in their next two games to Michigan State and Ohio State.  So of course logic says they would dominate #13 Michigan by 16 right?

Courtesy AP

Wisconsin is probably still the Hawkeyes most impressive win being as it was at the Kohl Center.  But this might have been their most COMPLETE win.  Iowa controlled a good Wolverine team virtually wire-to-wire.

Today's win is Iowa's eleventh, matching their entire total from last year (they were 11-19).  Their third Big Ten win is just one off of last year's pace (they went 4-12).  We've seen they aren't in the elite class of the league, but the Hawkeyes have CLEARLY made progress.  A lot of Big Ten teams on the bubble can't be looking past, or looking forward, to playing Iowa anymore.  The NIT is a reasonable goal and would be a nice step forward.

Courtesy AP.  It's okay to look that goofy when  you win

Iowa State was in control at #10 Kansas.....for about 35 minutes.  Down the stretch, though, they once again couldn't get out of their own way.  Though they were much better on the glass (out-rebounded KU 46-38) their 16 turnovers led to a big KU run that ultimately led to their demise, 82-73. 

This is a good Iowa State team.  They should at least be in the middle of the Big 12 pack (their next opponent, Oklahoma State, lost by 41 at Baylor today), and for most fans, that's good enough after the last couple of years.

But the players and coaches CLEARLY aren't happy with moral victories.  They do believe they can contend for the Big 12 or an NCAA Tourney at-large bid.  I believe they can too, but they just don't seem ready for primetime.  They make too many mistakes and just can't close out.  It shows against the elite teams like Mizzou and Kansas.



Just realized he shouldn't have cut that sweet Mohawk?

 The frustration showed a bit on the bench today.  After KU had gone on its big run Fred Hoiberg and Royce White got in a bit of a dust up.  White ignored Hoiberg as he tried to talk to him going into the timeout huddle, and then was visably upset when he learned he was being benched after the timeout.  Hoiberg said afterward he just wanted to give White a breather when it appeared he was dragging.  White had his usual line with a usual haircut (he shaved off the Mohawk)-18 points and 17 rebounds.  Whether it's McCaffery's chair slamming at Iowa, or White's emotion at Iowa State, I like it.  These programs just now are being competitive, but they want more and they aren't settling for the improvements they've made.

We might not get a team in the NCAA Tournament in men's or women's ball.  Bill Fennelly's Cyclones are 0-4 in the Big 12 after a 59-33 home loss to Texas A&M.  Bluder's bunch in Iowa City isn't bad but they don't have an impressive resume.  UNI is probably the best women's hope (as they possibly are in men's ball too), but even they seem to be having a tougher time in the Valley this year.

Mi'Kail McCall is taking a road often traveled by Hawkeye running backs.  McCall told the Des Moines Register's Randy Peterson that he's transferring to Southern Illinois.  Makes sense because he is an Illinois native and has a sister going to that school.  Jewel Hampton also transferred there and had over 1100 yards last year.  He declared for the draft this week, and this is the same school that also produced Brandon Jacobs.

The McCall news first broke, surprise surprise, on his Facebook page.  That's the same place he broke the news that he was leaving Iowa prior to the Insight Bowl.  Knowing SIU coach Dale Lennonfrom his days at North Dakota, I think Mi'Kail might want to tone down his social media profile.  Lennon hates that kind of stuff as much Kirk Ferentz did.

Maybe God has a crush on Giselle?  Courtesy AP

A poll earlier said 43 percent of people believe Tim Tebow has had divine intervention in his wins this year.  The Patriots crushed the Broncos 45-10 in the second round of the playoffs.  I think New England is just a really good team.  But if God in fact does give a crap about a football game between millionaire athletes, it's clear he loves Tom Brady more than Tebow.

What is it about the 49ers and unbelievable playoff catches?  What a charmed franchise history, and what a game against the Saints.

Rough at Roosevelt, Tebow Fatigue, NFL Picks

The Des Moines Roosevelt vs Des Moines Hoover rivalry heated up Friday night. Hard fouls, smack talk, and fans coming out of the stands like they're ready to throw down made for a tense atmosphere. Hoover enjoyed the night more, leaving with a two point win...

The CIML realignment for football is going to make it much harder on the Des Moines Metro schools, easier for others. Look for the new divisions announced Tuesday...

99% of the high school wrestlers in Iowa are good kids doing good things...

I like Tim Tebow. But ESPN is wearing me out...

When was the last time Tom Brady was the under-hyped quarterback going into a big game? Look for Brady and the Patriots to quiet Tebowmania. Patriots by 17...

Tebowmania.

I don't buy the Saints being a "dome team". Sure, better inside, but Drew Brees will be nearly as accurate at San Francisco. I'll take New Orleans on the road by 10...

I haven't cared less about a playoff game in a long time than Texans at Ravens.  Maybe it's not having a memory of either team from childhood. Maybe it's the lack of a dynamic quarterback. Or maybe it's just because all the other games are so much more interesting. Ravens by 7. Yawn...

The Giants are hot. They're now the sexy upset pick. It won't happen. The Packers will win. I'll say by 4, but it could be more...

The Hawkeyes won't upset Fran McCaffery much Saturday. I expect Iowa to play with the kind of intensity missing the past two games, both embarrassing setbacks. Michigan still wins, but Iowa will keep fans interested...

Iowa State is in for a long day at Kansas. It won't be the first time, or the last...

Chair Slam 2012, Divine Intervention, Awkward Family Photos

Fran McCaffery said Thursday he has no regrets, no apologies for the chair slam at Michigan State. I think he should. I love Mac's fiery emotion, especially after the near comatose Todd Lickliter, but when you smash a chair into the floor, that's too much. Keep the fire, lose the chair...

Condolences to Des Moines Register sportswriter Rick Brown on the loss of his father, Bob Brown. Bob Brown passed his considerable writing talent to Rick...

An ESPN The Magazine poll shows 43% of Americans believe divine intervention plays a role in Tim Tebow's success. 43%! Is that possible? I believe Tebow's faith plays a large part in his success, but I don't think divine intervention helped Tebow throw those touchdowns in the win over Pittsburgh, any more than it did when Tebow turned the ball over four times in the loss at Buffalo...

Divine Intervention?

It's Andy's birthday Friday. I went to Target over the dinner break to buy him Moneyball on blu ray, and came away with the new book Awkward Family Photos instead. We've been laughing all night.


Swiss Family Robinson?

Andy brought me the movie The Help. It's his favorite film of the year. It's also my mother's favorite movie of 2011. I don't type that sentence to embarrass Andy, but if it does, fine. Is The Help really that good?...

The Packers had to turn fans away who wanted to help shovel snow off Lambeau Field. Why doesn't my driveway have this kind of appeal?...

Cyclones Miss, McCaffery Mad, Paisley Tie

Iowa State had a chance to really fire up the fan base with a win against Missouri, and the Cyclones had their chances, but they just made too many mistakes, and aged Fred Hoiberg several years in one night by shooting 13 of 25 from the free throw line. Royce White is fun to watch, but if he doesn't find confidence at the line soon, the Big 12's version of hack-a-Shaq will play out all over Big 12 country...

Bill Fennelly's Cyclones had a gut punch night in Lawrence, Kansas. The Clones, looking to avoid going zero and three in the Big 12, let late leads slip away twice, and lost in double overtime. ISU has much work ahead to make it back to the NCAA tournament...

I love Fran McCaffery's passion. I'll take a coach who shows emotion over one who looks like he's going to fall asleep on the bench (Lickliter) any day. However, McCaffery needs to not slam chairs or throw objects. Watch where that chair lands in East Lansing---at a player's feet...

The Marcus Coker mystery at Iowa is doing no one any favors...

Hello, winter. Welcome back, though I didn't miss you...

Two emails on my tie tonight. That seems crazy. One viewer loved the paisley look. Another person asked if I lost a bet...

More questions than answers as Coker leaves Hawks

(By Chris Hassel)

For the 5th time in a little over a year, a Hawkeye running back has left the program --- and this is the biggest blow of all. Marcus Coker, the second-leading rusher in the Big Ten, has asked for, and been granted his release. I had a feeling it was going to end this way when Coker was suspended for unspecified reasons, last month. Today, thanks to some digging by the Iowa City Press-Citizen, we're beginning to learn more about what may have led to Coker's demise as a Hawkeye.

According to this article http://hawkcentral.com/2012/01/10/assault-investigation-predates-cokers-suspension/ Coker was the subject of an incident on October 28th. A report from the Iowa City Police Department, obtained by an open-records request, marks Coker as the subject of an sexual assault investigation. Coker was questioned, and but was not prosecuted. Earlier tonight, Coker posted this on his Facebook page:

"It was a good 2 years iowa. I really wish I could tell u guys wats goin on cuz its really ridiculous to b
punished for somethin I didn`t do. Id like to (thank) the coaches and athletic staff for everything. Hawk for life."

This post makes it seem like Kirk Ferentz was forced to make Coker leave the football team. But why? He wasn't prosecuted. Something is obviously amiss. For now, all we know is Coker is no longer a Hawkeye, and that's a monstrous blow to a program that's been decimated by running back departures over the last two seasons. Coker joins Adam Robinson, Brandon Wegher, Jewel Hampton, and Mika'il McCall, as Hawkeye running backs to either be kicked off the team, or leave the team in a little over a year. All 5 backs were either Freshman or Sophomores. 


So if you're keeping track at home. Iowa loses its best two players from this years mediocre team. Marvin McNutt to the NFL. Marcus Coker to another school. The immediate future of Hawkeye football is not looking good. 

BSC Bust, Chiz Whiz, Tebow Time

If ever there were a tipping point with BCS and bowl season dissatisfaction, it's right now. If this year doesn't bring much needed change to college football, nothing will. It will happen as soon as college athletic directors and presidents realize how much money they're leaving on the table---and it's a staggering amount---by not organizing a playoff that will make the post-season matter again...

The BCS title game was a snoozefest. Worst one of all time. No one wants to see that many field goal attempts, not even a field goal kicker. LSU, the only team with an indisputable path to #1, never even scored. Alabama rolls 21-0 (five field goals, one late TD, missed extra point). The Crimson Tide are national champs, even though they didn't even win their conference! Wait, what? The system is such a sham, LSU claimed after losing the title game that it still deserved the #1 ranking, and it actually makes some sense (but not much)...

Even the halftime entertainment was missed field goal attempts...

Nick Saban can flat out coach. He's now won three of the past seven BCS titles, and still found time for a cameo in The Blind Side. Saban even smiled once Monday night...

In the upset of the night, Gene Chizik did a pretty good job as an analyst for ESPN. Chizik in Ames often showed all the personality of a bottle cap liner, but he can apparently turn it on when he wants...

The final USA Today coaches poll: 1 Alabama 2 LSU 3 Oklahoma State 4 Oregon 5 Arkansas...

The college football season is now 237 days away. I'm fighting back tears...

Barry Larkin is elected to the Hall of Fame. My Hall would have far fewer players. I generally think of Hall of Famers as the guys who get in on the first ballot, which would not, and should not, include Larkin. However, he seems like a good guy, and he was a heck of a player. Definitely deserving relative to many others voted in...

The Tebow-Steelers game, er Broncos-Steelers game was the highest rated wildcard game in 24 years. A staggering 25.9 (that's a huge number)...

Tebow Time Resurrected, LucasFilm Dying, Vermin Supreme

By Zach Borg

After three straight terrible weeks it looked like Tim Tebow literally did need a miracle to beat the Steelers.  Not sure if heavenly intervention was involved (Tebow passed for 316 yards, John 3:16, coincidence?), but Tebow Time is back. 

Courtesy Denver Post

Was there a bit of a perfect storm here?  Yes.  The Steelers lost their top running back and some offensive lineman to injuries.  Big Ben was hobbled too.  And a starting safety couldn't play because of a freak heart condition that hampers him at high altitude.

But Denver thumped the Steelers in the second quarter and built a lead.  The Steelers fought back but Denver's defense did just enough to get it to OT, and Tebow made a play.  His 80 yard touchdown pass on the first play of OT is the fastest end to a regular season or playoff overtime game in NFL history.  So much for the new rules.

Tebow gets a key to the city if he beats McDaniels

Tebow and the Broncos will be at New England next week where, in a HUGE twist of fate, former Bronco coach Josh McDaniels, the man who drafted Tebow, will be on the sidelines for the Patriots coaching his first game back with New England.  Tebowmania 2011 will likely end next week, but today's game ensured that there will be Tebowmania 2012.  No way they can yank him now, for better or worse.

Glad we had one good finish, because the other three games were pretty much duds.  Saints-Lions was good for a while but beyond that the Falcons and Bengals laid giant eggs.

ISU and Mizzou Wednesday in one of the biggest games for Cyclone hoops in years.  Sounded an awful lot like the setup in Iowa City yesterday.  My guess is this one won't be a 29 point game though.

Remember when LucasFilm gave us the first three Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies?  Seems like a long time ago when I see the promos for "Red Tails".  It's a shame because the story of the Tuskegee Airmen is a truly great one (HBO did a good movie on it a while back).  But after hearing great lines from Nick Cannon wannabes (which is setting the bar low to begin with) like "How do you like that Mr. Hitler?" and "Prepare to feel the wrath of the Ray Gun!" in the promos, it looks like another LucasFail.

Caucuses ended last week.  Why didn't this guy campaign in Iowa???????

Cyclone Beatdown, Hawkeye Meltdown, Criteria!?!?!?!?!?

By Zach Borg

Life without college football for eight months began this week and, for the first time in a couple years, there's legitimate reason to believe we'll actually have something to hold our interest this winter season.

Remember last week when we were all concerned about Iowa State men's basketball slipping past something called Mississippi Valley State by two points?  Me neither.

Photo Courtesy Houston Chronicle

As @mebreton reminded me on Twitter, Texas A&M was picked in the coaches preseason poll as co-favorite to win the Big 12 along with Kansas.  Iowa State was picked 8th out of nine teams.  In addition to today's beatdown, A&M also lost in non-conference to the same Rice team ISU had beaten by nearly 30.  Copies of that preseason poll are being used as toilet paper in the locker room facilities at College Station.

Royce White had the Big 12's first triple double since 2006 (ISU's Curtis Stinson).  10 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists.  The guy can dominate a game even if he's not scoring a ton.

We all wondered how this team would react to conference play.  So far they've played two of their most complete games of the season.  Up next?  A chance to make a national splash with a home game against #7 Missouri (that ranking will change after they got worked at K-State though) followed by a roadie at #14 Kansas.



Seemed like Iowa missed 15,400 shots

 Beatdown on one side, meltdown on the other.  I was in Iowa City along with 15,400 Hawkeye fans dying to see a basketball resurgence and the #6 Ohio State Buckeyes.  Unfortunately Iowa didn't really show up.

There's no shame in losing to OSU.  They are the elite team right now in the Big Ten and it's not even close.  Jared Sullinger is worth the price of admission alone.  Iowa could have played a perfect game and probably still lost, but.......

....what stings is how badly they did play.  Iowa had their chances in the first half when three OSU starters had to ride the pine, and yet they were down nine at the break, and the game was over quickly in the second half.  When OSU started to press the Hawkeyes reverted to what got them killed earlier this season-they stopped running offense and started jacking up bad shots.

What's most frustrating is seeing a team that was so poised in road wins at Wisconsin and Minnesota completely lose it so quickly when things got tough against Ohio State. 

Drake and UNI kind of got lost in the shuffle, but the Panthers picked up a nice win in Des Moines.   For being a fairly young team they really have handled the in-state rivalry games well.  The pattern in all of them seems the same-the game is tight most of the way, and then the Panthers put the peddle down and out-execute (and outwork) the Cyclones, Hawkeyes and, now, Bulldogs. 

The door is open for UNI and ISU to get at large bids to the tournament IF they play well in conference.  ISU's early loss to Drake is a wart, but they'll erase that with a solid Big 12 season.  UNI's two Valley losses are worse, but if they beat Wichita State and Creighton all is forgiven.

The ISU women hung with Brittany Griner and #1 Baylor for most of the night before the Bears pulled away 57-45.  Watching Griner is like watching the sequel to Juwanna Mann.



Griner & Mann at least have to be related



Iowa wrestling lost it's first dual in three years to Oklahoma State on Saturday night in front of 15,400 at Carver Hawkeye.  Or did they?  The two teams were actually tied at 16, but OSU won on "criteria".  Gymnastics and figure skating think that's a stupid way to break ties.

Didn't watch much of the NFL Playoffs today.  Did I have to?  The Bengals are the Bengals.  And Drew Brees is really good.  Ho hum. 



Spotlight on Carver, Lolo Wrapped in Ribbon, Band vs. Cheerleaders

(By Chris Hassel)

There will be close to 30-thousand fans at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Saturday. The basketball team is expected to sell out its game against #6 Ohio State. Then the #1-ranked Iowa wrestlers take center-stage as the Hawks host #2 Oklahoma State. The U of I expects over 15-thousand for the bball game, and close to that for the wrestling match. 1 vs. 2 is always great, but tomorrow is all about basketball.

I don't think there's any way to argue that the game against Ohio State isn't the biggest game the Hawkeyes have had since the 2006-07 season. That's the last year the Hawks were halfway relevant in the Big Ten. Iowa has a golden opportunity to prove to its fans that men's basketball is once again a sport at the U of I. With a win, the Hawks would have two victories over top-11 teams in the last 8 days, and they'd be 3-1 in conference play. A win over OSU is highly unlikely, but so were wins against Wisconsin and Minnesota. Hawkeye basketball fans have been waiting for years to have something to cheer about, and they'll get it on Saturday afternoon. Carver will be rocking. The question is, will the Hawks be able to keep their fans in it, by staying in the game.

Iowa State also has a big game with Texas A&M. ISU's conference opening win over Texas was somewhat overshadowed by Iowa's victory over Minnesota, but now the 'Clones have a chance to make some noise. Is this going to be the same ol' Cyclone team that can't win away from Hilton? Or will ISU show that it's ready to compete in the Big 12.


I guess the folks at 'Outside Magazine' ran out of dental floss during their recent cover shoot with Lolo Jones. Is that red ribbon? A finish-line perhaps?

Keith keeps tweeting pictures of the monster truck event at Wells Fargo Arena. I can't help but think he's miserable. It looks so boring it's actually starting to ruin my night.

Fox's coverage of college football is the worst of any network in America. And what's the deal with the huge fetish for showing the band? Band shots to cheerleader shots are like 10-to-1. That's just not right.

What a weekend of bowl games! Saturday we get SMU vs. PITT in the BBVA Compass Bowl. Sunday we get Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Congratulations to all four of those teams on making a January bowl game.

Mother Doesn't Know Best, Spring Fever

Did you catch the All American Game train wreck on ESPN where 5-star football recruit Landon Collins picked Alabama for college, but his mom didn't support the choice, and said on live TV that her son was making a mistake? That's healthy, mom. Think about what you want, not what your son wants. Even if the mother thinks she knows best, don't humiliate your boy on national TV. It can wait for a private talk. Just another example of why so many star athletes act entitled. They're put under the pressure of chasing not only their dreams, but the dreams of family too...

Sorry, Landon.

Penn State hires Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien to succeed the fired Joe Paterno. Not many qualified coaches wanted near the Penn State mess, and O'Brien has no head coaching experience, but if he can bring Tom Brady with him to Penn State, he should do just fine...

Remember how good Marcus Fizer was at Iowa State? Fizer flamed out in the NBA, and now he's been cut for a "bad attitude"in Taiwan.  http://www.jumpshot.sg/2011/12/26/taiwan-mobile-releases-marcus-fizer/

We hit 65 degrees in Des Moines Thursday. It's January. I laid out, played golf, had a deck party, washed the car, rode my Harley, ate ice cream, and drove to work with the top down...

Des Moines.

Orange Bowl Memories, Road Warriors, Straw Flaw

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Love College Football, Stephen Bloom Hates Iowa

Monday showcased college football at its most exciting. Can you imagine how much better it would be if the winners advanced to the next round?...

Stanford lost the Fiesta Bowl, in part, when a Freshman field goal kicker missed a chip shot at the end of regulation. Then in overtime, Stanford started with two running plays despite having Andrew Luck in can't miss mode. Predictably, the poor young kicker missed again. Oklahoma State took advantage, and the Cowboys will stake a reasonable claim to #1 if Alabama upsets LSU...

OSU coach Mike Gundy dedicated the win to the four people who died in a plane crash the day before Oklahoma State lost at Iowa State...

The Rose Bowl was also a video game. Wisconsin's Russell Wilson put the Badgers in position to tie Oregon late, but Wilson forgot the clock starts before the ball is snapped. Two seconds wasn't enough. Game over. Oregon's first Rose bowl win in 95 years. Wisconsin loses its second straight Rose. Still, the Badgers made it to Pasadena again...

Georgia missed a kick in OT to beat Michigan State. Good thing for the Big Ten. It saved the conference from going 0-5 in one day...

Penn State fell hard to Houston in something called the Ticket City Bowl. Penn State lost its mojo for something the players had no part in. It's hard to imagine  Happy Valley being happy again anytime soon...

Did Ohio State and Florida really meet with neither team ranked? Yep. Did Ohio State really end the season with a losing record? Yep. Don't look for that again anytime soon...

Nebraska had a better season than Iowa, but it still wasn't what Cornhusker fans expected. The Cap One loss to South Carolina showed another national championship appearance for Nebraska looks as likely as Bo Pelini teaching anger management class...

Rock Center with Brian Williams had an exclusive interview with University of Iowa professor Stephen Bloom. Bloom shows no regret for his complete trashing of the Hawkeye state and the people who call it home. He also makes a week defense of "satire":

http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/02/9900130-controversy-over-stephen-blooms-observations-from-20-years-of-iowa-life

And here's the original article:

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/12/observations-from-20-years-of-iowa-life/249401/?single_page=true.

Bloom wrote some harsh truths about Iowa in his Atlantic article, but he did it in such an elitist, condescending manner, it comes across mean-spirited and hurtful. Bloom also fails to even make a half-hearted attempt at balance. I know Iowa and the people of Iowa are far from perfect, but the good far outweighs the bad. I've lived here for 22 years and I have no idea where Bloom came up with some of these examples. I'm still waiting for someone to ask me if I hunt my dog.

I will vigorously defend Bloom's right to say and print whatever he wants. I just don't know why he'd want to live in Iowa when he holds such contempt for the people and places...

I watched "The Company Men" with Ben Affleck and Tommy Lee Jones. The movie centers on a year in the life of three men trying to survive a round of corporate downsizing, and how that affects them and their families. It's chilling, but also has a strong message of what really matters. Recommended...

Thumbs Up.

Fran's Happy Face, Ferentz & Rhoads, Orton's Revenge

By Zach Borg

The University of Iowa's gotten into the act that Iowa State has perfectly crafted-going inside the postgame locker room.  Here's the scene after Iowa's 72-65 win at Wisconsin courtesy Iowa's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=349053605109194

Love seeing Fran McCaffery join in.  I don't expect him to ever pull a Paul Rhoads, but he sure does seem invested in this program.  But I can't help but thinking one thing when I watch-for all of the angry faces we've seen from Fran, how ironic is it that when he finally has something to be happy about his back is turned to the camera?

We're getting an interesting split on Kirk Ferentz after the first SoundOFF of 2012.  Half of them are critical of us for saying he needs to be better with the media.  The other half thinks we're too soft on Ferentz.  I'd say that's a pretty accurate reflection of where Hawkeye fans are on Ferentz.  I'd love to see his attitude toward media get better (contrary to some thought we aren't out to "get" high profile coaches).

As I was in Tempe with Trent Reicks covering Iowa I will admit I was envious of watching Chris Hassel and Brandon McCauley's Pinstripe coverage for one thing-the inside access before the game.  ISU and Paul Rhoads let media follow them everywhere on their tour of the Big Apple.  I do wish Iowa would open themselves more because the Hawkeyes do have great guys whom they could showcase to media too.  But......

....I think it's fair to wonder if the Cyclones were a little too distracted with all the sight seeing.  I understand the human side of Rhoads that wants his players to enjoy the experience of being in a bowl and in New York.  It's not like this is the national championship game, so there should be some opportunities for the players to enjoy themselves.  But this was not a team that looked sharp and prepared for Rutgers.  I wonder if Rhoads will be more restrictive of his team after losing one of these bowl games.

Kyle Orton got his revenge on Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos.  The Chiefs went into Denver and won 7-3.  Orton didn't play great, but he was far better than Tebow (6-22, 60 yards, fumble and interception).  He admitted afterward what we all knew-it meant more than any other game.  You have to feel good for the Southeast Polk alum.  He went into a place where he was blamed for everything but the down economy, with Denver's playoff life on the line, and walked out with a win.  Wasn't pretty, but according to the Tebow fans during his win streak, all that matters is he wins.

Guessing Kyle Orton Gets This Photo Blown Up Into A Giant Glossy Poster

Then a funny thing happened-Oakland blew an AFC West title by losing to San Diego at home.  Denver wins the AFC West anyway.  Pittsburgh will play at Denver next week with Tebow Time looking to be dead.  Hey, if the guy really is the savior of the Bronco franchise, what better time for a resurrection of  Tebow Time?  It's going to take a miracle for them to beat Pittsburgh anyway......