Penn State: #3 visits Kinnick

Hello football fans!!!

NON-FOOZEBALL #1 (Politics, actually):

For those of you that read Heath and Gotschall’s weekly rants, you know that they tend to get much more political than I do. Although I DO follow politics and current issues as much as the next citizen, I’ve never thought it was a good idea to bring up politics in a weekly blog about football. Also, I believe most of you would care what I have to say about politics about as much as your typical Hollywood actor/actress would have to say whenever they flap their stupid gums. Although I’m not that stupid (but I do have gums). After all, there’s enough bad news out there to go around and I like to think in a small way JTG provides a diversion, if only for a few silly minutes a week.

So with that said, here is on quick paragraph on this past Tuesday’s events, and then I’m done for another 4 years. Feel free to skip over this if you want to.

My “guy” didn’t win, as I voted for John McCain. I don’t have a problem saying this, as I believe John McCain is a very honorable man that would have served his country well had he been elected President. I’d also like to point out that I wasn’t completely behind either candidate…nor did I dislike either candidate; McCain was just a little closer to what I believe at the 31^st year of my life. I found that even though Barrack Obama is a much more engaging speaker, John McCain had a little more meat behind what he was saying.

None of that really matters now, as Obama gave McCain a BCS conference vs. MAC type of whoopin’ on Tuesday. No big surprise. Before Tuesday, only the disillusioned actually thought it was actually going to be a race. To put it in gambling terms (as you know I love to do) any individual betting on Obama in the Presidential race had to wager $2,000 to win $100. And MAN did Obama cover!

4 years ago, I was a Bush supporter. Partly because I still liked Bush, but mostly because I could not even HEAR John Kerry’s voice without wanting to run out of the house screaming. After Bush won, I had to listen to just about every liberal up here in Minnesota talking about how much they hated Bush, and how he was going to run the country into the ground. I know what you may be thinking: “BUT HE DID!” Maybe he did? And maybe John Kerry’s USA would look the exact same or even worse. We’ll never know and there’s no point debating that.

If I have a point – here it is: I told people in 2004 that they were being unpatriotic when they were basically hoping that our President would fail. So I’m sticking to my guns, and I’m taking my own 2004 advice: I’m rooting for the President. I don’t think this is a huge statement of any kind, as just about every American is feeling the pinch of the current economic status and is scared about the future. The environment doesn’t look to peachy either.

His acceptance speech was phenomenal. Yes I know…”it’s just a speech”. But JFK knew how to deliver a speech, as did my favorite President of all time – Teddy Roosevelt. So maybe being an engaging speaker is not so bad. Although many of the people in that Chicago audience were bleeding-heart liberals that have as much sense as my 5-year-old nephew, I firmly believe that many more just wanted to listen to somebody that they could get behind and believe in. The “Yes We Can” speech was good and kept me listening. (Although I really, REALLY could have done without the Oprah and Jesse Jackson camera shots. I’d like to believe Obama would say the same thing)

When was the last time you saw so many people so interested in what a politician had to say? I have to think it’s been since before JFK. Although I consider Ronald Reagan the best President of my time, most people (around my age) don’t agree with that and have wanted one in our time. Perhaps Barrack Obama is one of those leaders? And perhaps he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing that will hurt our future even more. I don’t know. And guess what? Nobody does. But I hope it’s the former, and you should too.

And shoot…if Obama wants an 8-team NCAA Football Playoff…how bad can the guy be?!?!

NON-FOOZEBALL #2

Last week I spent the entire week in Chicago for work. During my week, I figured out that there is no shortage of four things in Chicago:

1) Mustaches

2) Personalized license plates

3) Traffic

4) Hot-ASS brunettes wearing “screw me” boots

Although the first three things sucked (especially the traffic) the 4^th thing might make up for the other three. Although I wasn’t even remotely close to closing the deal with any version of #4, it was still good to look – although not while you’re stuck in #3.

ANYhoo, after I took my buddy Dan Peddicord out to lunch on Friday, I was off to Milwaukee to go to my buddy Scott Hayden’s Halloween costume party. Hayden is a die-hard Badger/Packer that I used to work with when he lived in Minneapolis. Lots of fun people, lots of great costumes and lots of alcohol consume by all. I mean a LOT of alcohol consumed by all.

The next morning, Hayden, his girl Trina, his brother Tommy, Tommy’s wife Starr, and I were all sitting around wondering what the hell happened the night before. Scott’s head was pounding. Trina couldn’t look at food without running outta the room. And me? My lower back was hurting so bad I thought I had picked up both Mark Mangino and Charlie Weiss without bending at the knees. I was in some serious pain. However, nobody could remember any details so we went to breakfast and came back to watch the Wisconsin/Michigan State game.

At halftime, Hayden’s buddy Chuck came over to pick up his camera that he left. As he was grabbing his camera:

Chuck: “Hey Buch…howz your back feelin’?”

Me: “Like holy hell. What are you talking about?”

Chuck: “(giggle, giggle) You don’t remember?”

Me: (astonished) “No. What happened?”

Chuck: “You and Jimmy were wrestling around. Dude…it was hilarious Jimmy called you on a personal foul (Jimmy was dressed as a ref) for impersonating a super hero (I was dressed like Mr. Incredible). So you had to prove your incredible strength and you pick him up. Except you lost your balance and flipped over the couch and completely whipped out the coffee table. How can you not remember that?!?”

The funny thing was…NOBODY remembered. Not even Jimmy when he came over later in the day! As we were all laughing about it, we noticed a considerable dent right in the middle of Hayden an Trina’s metal coffee table (which Jimmy and I fixed that day). And for you lucky few, I will be more than happy tshow you my considerable scratches and bruises that have popped up all over my body as the week has gone on.

WEEK 11:

I talked earlier in the week about the Illinois game (go back and look under “Illini Re-Cap” to read). We sit at 5-4 and our bowl scenarios are anywhere from a New Year’s Day bowl (yes, it’s still possible) to Detroit…or home. This game is already chalked up as a loss for the Hawks…or is it?

First of, the experts aren’t exactly calling this a blow-out, as Penn State is only favored by a touchdown! I usually jerk my own chain when talking about how I nail theses lines week to week, so let me just say that I was WAY off on this one. I said 11, and I honestly expected it to be closer to 13. But 7?!?!? Is there still a little respect for the Kinnick mystique across this great country of ours?

I felt like last week we were hurt by the Bye Week; we went into that week hot and came out cold – both offensively and defensively – the first half of the game at Illinois. So the natural question to ask is simple: How will Penn State come out of the Bye Week? It’s an interesting question that cannot be answered by anybody that’s even on the Penn State coaching staff, especially since their head coach remembers Kinnick Stadium getting getting built.

#3 Penn State Nittany Lions @ Iowa Hawkeyes

2:30 PM / ABC / Line: Penn St by 7.5

I think Penn State has a defense that’s been flying under the radar all season long as they’re offense was putting up huge numbers. That fact is their defense is everything ours is plus a little bit more:

Total Defense

Iowa 24^th (301 ypg) Penn St 6^th (265 ypg)

Scoring Defense

Iowa 7^th (13 ppg) Penn St 4^th (11 ppg)

Rushing Defense

Iowa 12^th (100 ypg) Penn St 11^th (99 ypg)
Passing Defense

Iowa 56^th (210 ypg) Penn St 12^th (167 ypg)

Ummm…WOW. I think I like the under (it’s sitting at 43 right now).

And I’m not going to rip out all the offensive stats as well, but other than rushing, trust me when I say that Penn State has quite the advantage over us.

It’s seems obvious to me that Penn State will be all about stopping Shonn Greene and making Ricky Stanzi beat them. I have no idea why they would do anything different. I think I kinda called that last week, and I think that’s what happened against Illinois. Even though Shonn Greene still got his 100 yards (for the NINTH game in a row!) it took him until the end of the game.

Rick Stanzi hurt us most of the game last week – and that was against Illinois. Granted, we’re on the road and that makes a difference, but it’s not going to get any easier this week.

Game:

I’m not as confused about this game – I don’t believe this is a hard game to predict a win. (Although the spread on this game is deceptively tough.) I don’t think this is a great match-up for us, as Penn State has the ability to shut down our running game, match-up on our receivers, and get some pressure on Stanzi as well. Yikes.

It will take an AMAZING game defensively for the Hawks to pull this out, as well as some turnovers. I think we’ll get a good defensive effort, but not enough to pull out the win on what will be a good game to watch for 3 quarters.

Penn State Nittany Lions 24 - Iowa Hawkeyes 15

Week 11 “Precarious Predictions”

YTD NCAA Record 30-28-6

Last Week                             3-3

Iowa ATS 3-4

Games of note – 10 games predicted (including Iowa):

Thursday

#12 TCU @ #8 Utah – 7 PM / No TV / Line: TCU by 2

I think TCU’s defense is amazing, as their only loss against is against Oklahoma. Usually I want to take the home team on these Thursday night match-ups…but the lack of TV exposure and coverage will take something outta the crowd for the Utes.

Additionally, I’m reading a book on how crazy Mormons are, and those weirdos are all over Utah.

Sorry Rempfer.

TCU covers.

Saturday

Big Ten (almost every game has Iowa bowl implications)

Wisconsin @ Indiana – 11 AM / BTN / Line: Wiscy by 9.5

I’m not surprised to see this game move towards Indiana, as that’s a LOT of points for a not really that great team to cover. However, Wisconsin is still playing for SOMEthing, while Indiana is bad and getting worse.

Badgers cover. (Bowl: Hawks want Indiana to win.)

Purdue @ #18 Michigan St – 11 AM / BTN / Line: Mich St by 9.5

Unfortunately for the Hawks, Purdue has been getting a little punch the past coupla weeks. The best we could hope for is a demoralizing, crushing beat-down by Michigan State. However, Purdue will make this a game.

Purdue + points. (Bowl: Probably doesn’t matter.)

Meeechigan @ Minnesota – 11 AM / ESPN / Line: Gophers by 8

HUGE game for Minnesota, as a win gets them right back on track, but a loss has the potential to make them shit the bed for the rest of November. I just have this gut feeling that even though Minnesota is the better team, Michigan will look more like Meeechigan this week. Something goofy always happens in this game up in the dome.

Wolverines + points. (Bowl: Hawks want Meeechigan to win.)

Big Ten Game of the Week

#11 Ohio State @ #24 Northwestern – 11 AM / ESPN2 / Line: OSU by 10.5

Just who are the Wildcats? Can anybody figure this team out? I know I can’t. You know what you’re getting with OSU – an OK offense (just make them throw) with a really, really good defense.

I think OUS will come out of their off week pissed off and fighting for a BCS bowl.

OSU covers. (Bowl: Hawks want OSU to win.)

A.C.C.

#20 Georgia Tech @ #19 North Carolina – 11 AM / No TV / Line: NC by 3.5

THIS IS THE ACC GAME OF THE YEAR!!! WOOOO-HOOOO!!!!

Georgia Tech and the points.

Pac-10

#21 Cal @ #7 USC – 7 PM / ABC / Line: USC by 22.5

I mean…are you KIDDING me? Cal is the 2^nd best team in the Pac-10 and they’re STILL getting 22.5?!??? That’s embarrassing. I don’t think USC’s offense is all that great, and I see this being a low-scoring game that USC wins, but does not cover.

Cal + points.

S.E.C.

#1 Alabama @ #16 LSU – 2:30 PM / CBS / Line: ‘Bama by 3.5

It actually kinda seems like (to me) that ‘ Bama hasn’t been getting all that much respect from the talking heads around the country. I think most people know that ‘Bama is young, and they’re waiting for them to have that game where they just don’t show up…for whatever reason. Is this the game?

On the other hand, LSU really isn’t all that great. They haven’t had a good offense all year as they’re really young, and they’re defense has fallen asleep behind the wheel a few times this season, giving up over 50 points twice in conference – horrible whatever conference you play in.

I like getting points in Death Valley. Of all the top three teams that could get upset this week, I like this one the most.

LSU + points.

Big 12 (National Game of the Week):

#9 Oklahoma St @ #2 Texas Tech – 7 PM / ABC / Line: Tech by 3.5

Last week, the more I looked at that Florida game (vs. Georgia) the more I just kept saying to myself: “Florida is just BETTER.” I feel the same way with Tech. I think they’re the best team in the country, even though people think they’re still Texas Tech that, and that they’ll give up 40+ points and lose a game. But they have a good defense – they really do. And their offense is absolutely off the charts good.

I think the only reason Texas even got back in that game last Saturday was because Texas Tech fell asleep behind the wheel and let them back in. Then Tech woke up, and went right down the field and won the game. That’s how good they are.

And the more I hear people say: “There’s now way a team is getting out of the S.E.C. and the Big 12 without losing a game…the more I think that either Tech or ‘Bama will do just that. In my mind, the bad defenses in the Big 12 will make it easier for Tech than it will for ‘Bama. I like Tech to get to the BCS championship (although I’m not yet convinced that they’ll play Penn State and I hope the Hawks have something to say about that).

Texas Tech covers.

N ational F ootball L eague

• Are the Giants seriously this good? I know the Titans are better, but I’m honestly still a little skeptical, and even a little stunned that the Giants are looking this good. I mean…even ELI is getting props from people around the country. And I remember when Justin Tuck came in as a guy that wasn’t even guaranteed a roster spot…and now he’s the best DE in the world? Wow.

By the way…I’m really enjoying this.

• Any Packer fan who still thinks that they should have held onto Favre over Aaron Rodgers is just silly. And I’m so sick of all the DRAMA that surrounds Favre. Has anybody every really sat down and thought that maybe…just maybe…Bret Favre is kind of a dumbass? I mean seriously – the shit that guy says and gets himself in the middle of are things that an 8^th grader could have thought their way through.

• It sure is fun watching the Cowboys and T.O. eating ca-ca-poo-poo just about every Sunday. I mean…not as much fun as watching the Giants win…but close. Very close.

• I can’t figure out who I’m a bigger pseudo fan of: the Dolphins or the Falcons.

• Too bad Orton had to get hurt – I was really rooting for that stupid bastard.

• Ssssshhhh…Tampa Bay and Caroline are actually good. Because of the schedules, they’ll both get in instead of three teams from the NFC East.

• What has a better chance of happening? Detroit not winning a game, or Tennessee going undefeated? That’s a harder question to answer than you think!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO HAWKS!