Hello Football Fans!

Helllooo national media!!!

The Iowa Football program still has two more games to play this yeeeearrrrr!  IN FACT…we can still win the Big Ten Championship.  Alllsooo…we can still get to a BCS bowl even if we don’t.

Did you know that, Mr. Media?  You didn’t, did ya?  Of course not, because you’re an F’ing idiot that can’t think further than 1” in front of your face.  If it’s not pertaining to Florida, Alabama, Texas, or bashing the Big Ten…you’re not interested.

What a joke.  Not since Michael Dukakis 21 years ago has somebody been so prominent in the national media only to drop completely off the grid after a loss.  I mean….wow.  NOBODY is talking about us or giving us a chance this weekend.  I saw Kirk Herbstreit on Tuesday’s Sportcenter and he was asked about the Iowa Ohio State game; he only stated how Ohio State’s offense has finally come alive to support their already awesome defense.  They only showed clips of Ohio State, and he didn’t even mention us.

If Ohio State wins this game, they will go to the Rose Bowl with a (probable) 10-2 record.  If Iowa loses this game, they will (probably) finish the season with a 10-2 record and will (probably) go to a BCS Bowl.  And by the way, Iowa – not OSU – beat a Pac-10 team that’s currently in that conference’s race.  So what I’m saying is that even if we both finish with the same record, Iowa will have the better resume.

And the thing is, nobody outside Ohio actually wants Ohio State to win this game.  Although the Big Ten wants two teams in the BCS and the above scenario is the best way to make that happen, it IS a black eye on the Big Ten if Ohio State wins the conference title again.  And if OSU gets stomped in the Rose Bowl, it’s really, really bad.  (I will have to cheer for OSU in their bowl game no matter what…but it will be tough to do so.)

I’ve…like…really turned into an Ohio State hater.  In fact…

JTG’s College Football Teams ‘Bus of Hate’ :

Ohio State                    Driver

USC                            1^st seat

Florida                         2^nd seat

Notre Dame                 3^rd seat

Northwestern               Middle seats (temporary)

Meeechigan                  Middle seats

Nebraska                     Middle seats

Arizona State                Middle seats

Iowa State                    Back seat

———-

And by the way ESPN – good thinking on hitching your wagons to the S.E.C.  The S.E.C. is so greasy that you could lube up about ten thousand 8” QuickVic 177 Flexible couplings with just about any of your salaried referees or head football coaches.  How could that NOT have been ruled an interception by LSU against Alabama?  Because it wouldn’t favor the S.E.C.’s ultimate goal, THAT’S why.  And if they can over-turn that play, they can over-turn any play.

And don’t give me the Iowa-Indiana call.  That really could have gone both ways, and the Big Ten officials turned around and absolutely killed us against Indiana with a phantom holding call and a no facemask call on the ‘Stanzi got hurt’ play. 

And now 3 Tennessee players get arrested for ARMED ROBBERY?!?!?  This isn’t a P.A.U.L.A.  This is ARMED ROBBERY.  Lane Kiffin, Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, and Bobby Petrino are snake-oil salesmen and they disgust me.  Unless your last name is Manning, the entire S.E.C. disgusts me.

———-

#10 Iowa Hawkeyes @ #11 Ohio State Buckeyes

2:30 PM / ABC / Line: OSU by 17

Seriously?!?!?  17 points?!?!?  We’ve only given up more than 17 points three times this season, and our season average is 15.9!  And it’s not like Ohio State’s offense is breath-taking by any means.  They’re ranked 30^th right now at 30 ppg, with most of those points coming against bad teams (Toledo, New Mexico State, and Minnesota are the top 3).

Everybody knows Ohio State’s offense runs through their QB, #2 Terrelle Pryor.  Pryor neither scares me nor makes me feel cocky.  I’m still not convinced that he’s going to be anything special, yet I’m still not convinced that he’s NOT going through the exact same growing pains that Vince Young went through the years before his amazing last season. He definitely isn’t an accurate passer right now, as his 54% season completion total can attest to.  Ohio State is ranked 98^th in passing.

And although Ohio State isn’t exactly the 2008 Hawkeyes when it comes to running the ball, they have had some pretty good success running the ball this year.  But once again – a lot of that has come against bad teams.  I believe we have the chance to make them one-handed…and that one had belongs to Terrelle Pryor.

However, if I was wearing a scarlet and grey sweater-vest this week, I would concentrate on running the ball.  It’s your best chance to not only win the game, but win big.  And IF Ohio State can run the ball with ease…the Hawks are in Big Trouble in Little China.  (Just watched that movie the other night!  I will always love that campy P.O.S.!!!)

Additionally, the Hawks need to hold onto the football like Frodo hung onto the One Ring.  And almost as important, we need to force a Terrelle Pryor mistake or two.  Because unless we can come up with a huge special teams play – this will be the only way we can jump-start our team.  Obviously the usual culprits of Tyler Sash and Adrian Clayborn come into mind, but anybody would do.  Pat Angerer and all of our defensive leaders need to nut up this week.

The Big What If

What If James Vandenberg plays well?  That is, he not only doesn’t play horrible…he not only doesn’t play just OK…he actually plays well?  Nobody knows how this kid will respond…and that includes Ohio State.

—–

Game

I know I’m taking the easy way out here: If we allow a few huge plays or commit some back-breaking turnovers early in the game…Ohio State’s defense could keep us down and this could get ugly. 

However, if that doesn’t happen I like the match-up of our defense against OSU’s offense almost as much if I was an Ohio State fan looking at our young offense.  We get picked apart against accurate QB’s that are mobile.  Pryor is only mobile – and I still think he’s trying to be ‘Captain Passer’ whenever he gets under center.  And he is not.  He’s ‘Corporal Chucker’ at best.

Obviously I’m concerned how we’re going to move the ball; we are starting a Frosh QB and probably a True Frosh RB (there’s a chance that Redshirt Frosh Adam Robinson will make an appearance this weekend).  We’ll need Vandenberg to play outta his socks, or come up with gimmick play or two – both of which I’m a-ok with.

I just don’t see either happening.

Ohio State  17   –   Iowa  7

—–

Week 11 “Precarious Predictions”

YTD NCAA Record       43-47-2

Last Week                   5-6 (BS!!!) 

Iowa ATS                     4-4-0

SATURDAY

Big Ten

Indiana @ #18 Penn State

11:00 AM / BTN / Line: Penn State by 25 

Does Penn State play football games outside of Pennsylvania?  Yeeesh.

Anyways, I still don’t think Penn State is all that great, even though they may be pumped up on Senior day.

Hoosiers + the points.

Meeechigan @ #20 Wisconsin

11:00 AM / BTN / Line: Bucky by 8.5

It’s going to be really interesting to see how this whole RichRod thing pans out.  I don’t even think his QB likes him right now.  In fact, if Vegas made odds on whether “Tater Tot” finishes all 4 years in Ann Arbor, what do you think they’d set the line at?  2:1?  4:1?  Seriously…

Bucky covers.

SDSU @ Minnesota

The Gophers better take this game very, very seriously…

Northwestern @ Illinois

11:00 AM / ESPN Classic / Line: Illinois by 5

How did they arrive at this line?  Illinois by 5?  Really?  I have no clue.  I bet even Ron Zook looked at this and shook his big head.  Of course he always looks confused.

I dunno…whatever.  Northwestern will probably look like crap just because.

Illinois covers.

Michigan State @ Purdue

11:00 AM / ESPN / Line: MSU by 3

I think Michigan State is a more complete team.  If they’re even remotely focused – they should win by 10 or more points.

Sparty covers. 

Around the Country:

#1 Florida @ South Carolina

2:30 PM / CBS / Line: Florida by 17.5 

My first thought on this game: “I honestly think South Carolina can beat them.”

My second thought on this game: “The S.E.C. refs won’t let that happen.”

But 17.5 is too much.

Spurrier + the points.

Nebraska @ Kansas

2:30 PM / ? / Line: Nebraska by 5 

When this is your conference’s game of the week?…well…yeesh.

I think Nebraska’s complete lack of offense has to get them dinged at some point.  Plus…Kansas really hates Nebraska.

Kansas + the points.

Notre Dame @ #12 Pittsburgh

7:00 PM / ABC / Line: Pitt by 6 

What a great game for weird reasons.  I don’t give two shits about Pitt, but I still find them kind of interesting.  I obviously love to watch Notre Dame get beat, that’s why.

Irish + the points.

#17 Arizona @ Cal

7:00 PM / FSN / Line: Cal by 3 

We are out of the BCS race, but we are still Arizona fans.  Why?  Because it helps our BCS resume and I like Mike Stoops.  Did you know that Arizona leads the Pac-10 in both total offense AND total defense?  It’s true.

Arizona + the points.

FRIDAY NIGHT

#25 West Virginia @ #5 Cincinnati

7:00 PM / ESPN2 / Line: Cincy by 9.5 

I think Cincy is going to have a hangover.

West Va covers.

 Stanford @ #9 USC

2:30 PM / ? / Line: USC by 10.5 

Is anybody outside of Southern Cal rooting for USC in this game?  Nope.

USC covers.

National Game of the Week:

#16 Utah @ #4 TCU

6:30 PM / ? / Line: TCU by 20 

How in the hell is the national game of the week:

A)    Not on a major TV network?

B)     A 20 point spread?

C)    In a place call Amon Carter Stadium?

My buddy Rempfer says this is the lock of the century.  However, my buddy Rempfer knows nothing about gambling.  I’ll believe him anyways.

Utes + the points.

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

GO HAWKS!

-Jeffrey the Greek!

Hello football fans!!!

Here are a few things to concentrate on:

2010 is going to kick ass.

I am NOT giving up on 2009 – so don’t get me wrong.

However, other than Pat Angerer, Tony Moeaki, Trey Stross, (and maybe Adrian Clayborn and Amari Spievey)…we get a big chunk of these guys back.  Additionally, we get back Jewell Hampton and 25 other healthy Sophomore RBs back.  Rick Stanzi will be a seasoned veteran, and James Vandenberg will have gained valuable experience.

Everybody knows Stanzi got hurt.

What do I mean?  All the texts and/or emails that I received from my non-Iowa buddies were actually not mean-spirited at all, and instead basically all just said: “That sucks man.”  Call up a stranger and Norman, OK if you want somebody to cry with.

Also, I accurately predicted what many of the same buddies thought by the end of the day: “OH NO…wait…I do NOT want Ohio State back in the BCS!  Nooooo!!!”  Suddenly, everybody that was non Iowa last week will be gigantic Hawk fans this following Saturday afternoon.

The Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx is alive and well.

Not only a loss but we lose our QB too?  Now that’s an SI Cover Jinx…Iowa style.

Lots of crazy things happened on Saturday.

I’m going to say I was somewhat correct last week – this really was a chaotic Saturday.  Navy beating Notre Dame is not only hilarious; it also gives us a better shot at a BCS spot (even if Ohio State wins out).  Oregon getting blitzed was even bigger news than us losing.  Oklahoma and the Big 12 suck.  TCU has by the far the best chance to play for a BCS Championship than any other non-BCS team ever has.

We still control our own destiny to the Rose Bowl.

I know it seems like a 1,000:1 shot right now, but it’s the truth.

We can still go 12-1, or 11-2…and that’s pretty good.

This is clichéd, but if somebody would have handed you an envelope for us to be 9-1 going into Ohio State…most of us would have took it.  Also, we’ve done this with Freshman RBs, a banged up OL, and no Tony Moeaki for half the season.  And I won’t forget the Iowa State, Penn State, and Michigan State games anytime soon.

This is still a team to be proud of!

Stick with 2009!

—–

The Game

• After re-watching the game, Vandenberg didn’t look as bad as I thought he did on Saturday.  The kid obviously has a cannon.  That was a TOUGH spot for a 19-year-old kid to come into.  We’re a pressure-packed 9-0, all the momentum had just got sucked out of the stadium, and you have to turn and hand the ball off to somebody that’s even younger than you are.

• No, that was NOT a holding call on the Wegher run.  Funny how that’s not getting as much press as the reversed TD from the Indiana game.

• Maybe this takes the pressure off of us on Saturday?  That is, nobody will be expecting us to win and move the ball with our Frosh QB.  So why not come out firing and some pressure back on the Buckeyes?

———-

(Try to) HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

GO HAWKS!

-Jeffrey the Greek!

Hello Football Fans!

It’s Professor Chaos Time!  (safe for all viewers)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ocaztxj87E

We’re due.  Not just the Hawks, but the entire college football world is due for a crazy, crazy weekend full of upsets and just plain weird…shit.  Everything is going way too darn smoothly.  Alabama and Florida keep winning.  Texas is humming along like it’s playing in Conference USA (which most of the Big 12 resembles, actually).  TCU, Cincinnati, and Boise State hardly get challenged.  Heck IOWA is on the cover of Sports Illustrated!  (More on that later.)

Usually this crazy weekend happens sometime around mid-to-late October.  But much like this fall weather that we’re finally experiencing…sometimes things just take longer to hit.  The only thing that will stop this from being total CHAOS is that Texas is playing a Patsy – too bad that A&M game wasn’t this weekend.

———-

How die-hard are Hawk fans?  So die-hard that I heard about the Iowa/DJK-Sports Illustrated by Tuesday morning, and had no less than 5 emails sent to me with the picture by that evening.

And like my Hawk fans, my first reaction was: “Oh…crap.”  I’m sure that all of you know the extensive power of the Sports Illustrated cover curse.  Here are a few examples if you think it’s all a bunch of hooey:

• This September, both Oklahoma State AND Ole Miss lost after being featured on the cover.
• In 2004, the Kansas City Chiefs were 9-0, put on the cover, and then lost that Sunday to the Bengals.
• Howard Cosell is featured on the cover…then 3 days later utters his “that little monkey”statement and his career comes to and end.
• In 1993, Nike CEP Phil Knight is on the cover of SI, a few weeks later 800 people were laid off from Nike.

The scary thing is that I could go on and on…

But I will not.  Why?

Because this is pretty darn cool.

I was actually raking leaves this afternoon, when I saw my mailman come up the sidewalk and I almost pee’d in my pants a little bit.  I took my mail right outta his hands.  Even though I had already seen the exact picture in an email, I wasn’t going to believe that it was true until I had the issue with my name and address on it in physically in my hands.

Well I got it.  And it’s still pretty darn cool:

———-

Northwestern Wildcats @ #4 Iowa Hawkeyes

11:00 AM / ESPN / Line: Iowa by 16

Of course much as been made of the Iowa Hawkeyes being so “lucky”.  I actually liked the SI article, because they labeled us as both ‘lucky’ AND ‘good’…something that I happen to agree with.  The scary thing is that the Big Ten team that we’ve had the least amount of luck with over the past 6 or 7 years is…the Northwestern Wildcats.  You will find this a lot in sports.  Penn State has pesky Iowa.  LSU has troubles with Arkansas.  I will now move on as I’m too scared to think any further about this.

—–

Northwestern is not that great.  They are also not horrible.  They’re 0-2 against teams with winning records…and 5-2 against teams with losing records.  Their only blow-outs (either way) were a semi-blowout loss against Penn State last weekend, and a blow-out win against Townson in week 1.  Against that schedule, this is pretty much the definition of mediocre, folks.

However at this point in the year, teams like this are sitting in a spot where they have nothing to lose.  Northwestern sits at 5-4 with Illinois still on the schedule, so they have bowl-eligibility all but wrapped up.  (Although 7 wins is the real definite win total to lock down a bowl bid.)

So the point I’m trying to make?  We have a lot more to lose than they do.  Like…I LOT more.

—–

Northwestern runs their entire offense through their QB, #13 Mike Kafka – he’s their leader in both passing and rushing yards.  He came up limp last week during the game, but then he came back.  Not sure exactly how he’s feeling this week, but everything points to him playing.  And that means he will be a mobile thorn in our side.

—–

Game

OK here’s a newsflash: We are certainly a better team than Northwestern.  We’ve played a much tougher schedule, and have a much better record.  But this is a bad match-up for us – just like it always is – and it’s bad timing from us as well.  We’re coming off an emotional win, and we’re getting ready to go to Columbus.

Northwestern’s offense will score.  And almost as important, they will manufacture drives that will take a lot of time.  This will put a lot of pressure on our offense to be efficient and mistake-free…and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Rick Stanzi and this offense do that.  And right now, we don’t have the running game to pound away to take the pressure off the passing game.

We won’t be able to lean on our defense to make plays to fuel the offense.  The offense will have to fuel the defense and I don’t see it happening.

AND we’re on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Northwestern 19 – Iowa 17

(And Professor Chaos strikes.)

—–

Week 10 “Precarious Predictions”

YTD NCAA Record       41-46-2

Last Week                   3-5 

Iowa ATS                     3-5-0

SATURDAY

Big Ten

Did you know?  The Big Ten Conference has a rule that in November…no game is to be played after 2:30 pm?  (Weird but true…)

—–

#21 Wisconsin @ Indiana

11:00 AM / BTN / Line: Wiscy by 10.5 

Although I am a believer that Indiana has talent, I don’t think they can come back AGAIN after another heart-breaking loss.  Also, this is a bad match-up for them.

Wiscy covers.

Purdue @ Meeechigan

11:00 AM / BTN / Line: Wolverines by 6

This is a tough, TOUGH spot for RichRod and his Wolverines.  Make no mistake – this is not the team that we played just a few weeks ago.  They are in shambles.  And until I see them pull out of it, I’m taking points when I can get ‘em.

Purdue + the points.

Illinois @ Minnesota

11:00 AM / BTN / Line: Gophers by 6

I don’t care about last week, Illinois still sucks.

Gophers cover.

Big Ten Game of the Week:

#16 Ohio State @ #11 Penn State

2:30 PM / ABC / Line: Penn St by 5

Not that Ohio State has played a bunch of world beaters, but Penn State’s schedule has been especially bad.  Penn State has played one good team (Iowa) = Loss.  And one pretty good team (Northwestern) = sluggish.

I just don’t trust Darryl Clark in big games.

OSU + the points.

(Professor Chaos strikes again!) 

Around the Country:

#7 Boise State @ Louisiana Tech

7:00 PM / ESPN2 / Line: Boise St by 21

Too much PR.  Too much pressure.

La Tech + the points.

(FEAR Professor Chaos!)

Oklahoma State @ Iowa State

2:30 PM / Reg ABC / Line: OK St by 7.5 

Why is this game so freaking intriguing to me?  Is it because I believe ISU actually has a chance to win this game?  Yes…I think it is.

Iowa State + the points.

(I am Professor Chaos!)

#24 Oklahoma @ Nebraska

7:00 PM / ABC / Line: Texas by 4.5

How is Nebraska going to score?  I honestly think that if Oklahoma can score 17 or more points, they’ll cover with no real problem.

OK covers.

#8 Oregon @ Stanford

2:30 PM / ? / Line: Oregon by 7

I…was…SHOCKED when I saw that this line opened up at 5.  Up to 7 now, but that still seems to low.  I get that Oregon might have a hangover from last weekend.  And I get that Stanford runs an ‘anti-Oregon’ strong running attack. But they’ve only won 1 out of their last 3.

I still don’t think that 7 is enough.

Oregon covers.

UCONN @ #5 Cincinnati

7:00 PM / ? / Line: Cincy by 17

Cincy is due for a turd bomb.  They’re DUE I tell ya…they’re DUE!

UCONN covers.

National Game of the Week:

#9 LSU @ #3 Alabama

7:00 PM / CBS / Line: ‘Bama by 7.5

Other than the Florida-LSU game…this is the first S.E.C. game that’s really got me all that geeked up.

‘Bama has issues, and I think LSU is just PO’d enough to take advatage of them.  That is, they’re PO’d that nobody is taking them seriously in the BCS Championship talk, and they are going to try to take Mark Ingram’s head off.  And I think they will.

LSU + the points.

(Professor Chaos strikes again!)

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

GO HAWKS!

-Jeffrey the Greek!

Hello football fans!!! 

This is insane.  It really is.  I’ve never seen or heard of a QB throwing 4 INT’s…in one quarter alone (to bring his game total to five)…and win the game.  Heck, he might have been one of the players of the game.  And I’ve never seen a ball get knocked out of a QB’s hands…and then tipped…and then tipped again…and then tipped again by the same QB…only to fall right into the waiting hands of soon-to-be-streaking d-back for a TD.  I don’t know how that “lucky little Sash-hole” is always in the right place at the right time…but I love him for it.

I thought this hole was too deep.  I thought our luck had run out.  I thought our dream season had finally come to an end.  I thought wrong.  Obviously we can’t keep doing this, but I’m running out of reasons why we can’t.  The testicular fortitude of our QB and entire team simply cannot be challenged (as hard as Lou Holtz tries) and you simply cannot count them out until the game is over. 

And since when does Iowa GET CALLS from the refs?  When you’re the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten that has a chance to play for a BCS title, THAT’S when.

Enjoy this as much as you can, because you will never see anything quite like it ever again.

—–

The Game

Quite honestly, what we saw in the 4^th quarter is what I thought the entire game would look like.  Not that I thought we would rip off back-to-back 92 and 66 yard TD passes all game long…but I really thought we could throw quite a bit on these guys.  I think maybe we could have been more aggressive in the passing game a lot sooner.

And maybe we were, and just couldn’t execute?  Obviously the wind conditions played a huge role in this game as the script was flip-flopped as soon as Indiana had to throw into it. 

And our defense played great all game long.  Certainly they got some lucky plays – the over-turned TD (that actually was a TD) and the helmet-to-helmet hit (that was not a flag) – stick out the most.  But doesn’t it always seem like the best teams get all the breaks?  And doesn’t it seem like our defense always rises to the occasion?

—–

A few more thoughts:

• DJK = MVP right now (on offense).

• Are teams taking Tony Moeaki away?  I think so.

• You have to give Brandon Wegher unbelievable respect for stepping up the way he has this year – especially on Saturday.  I don’t care if you’re a ½ Star recruit or a Million Star Recruit – it’s tough for any true frosh to step into a starting role at RB on an undefeated team and play like this.  With that being said, I would really like to see Adam Robinson make a surprise return by the OSU game because I don’t want running game to fall on his shoulders for the rest of the season.

• After hearing the first 7 weeks that we live off of turnovers to win games, we have now won a game last week where neither team had a turnover, and this week where we drastically lost the turnover battle.

• The only person that made more errors than Stanzi was how many typos and bad cut-and-paste goofs that I had on Friday’s JTG.  Sorry folks – I was in a hurry that day!

———-

It was Halloween on Saturday.  And Hayden Fry was nice enough to stop by our tailgate:

Yiiippppeeee!!!!

Don't be scared of Coach Fry, Landree!

———-

I am so sick of the national press that I’m going crazy.  I had this exact same statement in last week’s Sunday re-cap and I’m leaving it in until we get some respect.  Lou Holtz is a moron.  Pet Fiutak can kiss my arse too.

But hey…we’re ranked #4 in the BCS and that’s all that really matters.  We’ve slipped from #1 to #2 in the computers, but that’s ok.  I good win against 5-4 Northwestern and any kind of win that we can get our hands on against OSU will take care of everything.  Well…that and a Texas loss.

———-

God that was awesome watching USC get its doors blown off.  NOBODY is above an ass-whoopin!

———-

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

GO HAWKS!

-Jeffrey the Greek!

Hello Football Fans!

Happy Halloween!

Another week of work (busy one for me – part of the reason for the delay – along with Comcast internet service sucking dog balls)…and another week listening to the talking heads around the country use the phrase “ugly win” with the Hawks.  I don’t even know what that really, REALLY means.  I feel like Bobby Knight when he was asked if his team had their “game face” on at a press conference (skip to 2:41):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Onfzet1xxs

But SOME guys have actually DONE THEIR JOB and dug a little deeper.  An expert:

Iowa has road victories at Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa State — all teams with winning records.

In fact, Iowa has played only one sub-.500 team — Arkansas State — and the Hawkeyes’ opponents have a .633 winning percentage (38-22) that is by far the best of any team in ranked in the AP top 10.

Florida’s opponents are 26-24 (.520), same as Texas’. Alabama’s opponents are 28-29 (.491).

As for road victories, Alabama has played only two road games (at Kentucky and at Mississippi). Florida scored a big road win at No. 9 LSU. The Gators’ other trips were to Kentucky and Mississippi State. Texas’ road games were at Wyoming and Missouri.

Maybe they should just call Iowa’s wins “quality” instead of “ugly”.

Do I want a blow-out this weekend?  Sure.  But I really just want a win.  Ya know…the thing that we already have eight of this year!?!?!

———-

In Line at the Bank

Completely random thing here:  I was in line at the bank on Wednesday morning.  There was a guy in front of me.  He was about 60 years old, white dude, gigantic bushy eyebrows, dressed like a semi-hobo, and his body would be best described as Charlie Weiss-esque.  His name was Carl (heard that when he was talking to a very nervous teller).

While still in line, Carl turned around and looked right into my eyes.  Actually he looked through my eyes and into my suddenly uncomfortable soul.  I was dressed in business casual as I was on my way to a meeting.  He slowly looked me down to my shoes, paused, then looked went right back up to my eyes.  By the time he got back to my eyes, I was giving serious consideration to do my banking later that day.

As he stared directly into my eyeballs…I was a deer caught in head-lights.  So I just gave him a smile – the type of nervous smile you would have when half of your vehicle is going to successfully balance over a cliff (like you see in the movies).  If I had a Romulan cloaking device, I would have used it.

Carl says all of the following with little pause in between, and with absolutely no acknowledgement from me:

“I’ve had a crazy day.”

“I have a heart murmur.”

“…(inaudible mumbling)…both socially and professionally you have to watch out for that.”

“…I believe my brother is trying to kill me.”

Must be Halloween week!

———-

Also

On the way back from my health club last night…did I slam on my brakes – sending notebooks and bags flying – because a black cat walked accross the street and I was afraid of jinxing myself and the Hawks before I drove down to Iowa today? – you’re damn skippy I did.

———-

Indiana Hoosiers @ #4 Iowa Hawkeyes

11:00 AM / ESPN / Line: Iowa by 17.5

All nervous thoughts in Hawkeye-land this week have been born from injuries.  At the top of the list is Adam Robinson, a loss that really hurts.  A-Rob had really come into his own, and had his best day against Michigan State.  So it would figure that’s the game that he would get hurt and be out the rest of the regular season.  We also lost Dace Richardson for the next four games, and Colin Sandeman is out for awhile to clear the cobwebs.  Amazingly, the guy that left in the stretcher – Brett Greenwood – is the guy who was back in the line-up before the Hawks even got back to Iowa City.

With Adam Robinson out, this obviously puts more pressure on/ups the work-load of true frosh Brandon Wegher.  Do we like Wegher?  Sure.  I just don’t like him carrying the mail all day long.  The help that he make get will possibly come from a dump-truck-like RB – Brad Rodgers.  The good news is that the coaches like him enough to bring him along to Michigan State – even telling him to be ready to be called on – even before Robinson went down.  We’ll see.

As long as we don’t have to predominately rely on Cliff Claven – aka Paki O’meara – I will hold out hope.

—–

Because I’m such a committed journalist (or am I a journalist that should be committed?) – I watched two whole Indiana games this week from the Big Ten Network.  Here is the scope:

They run about 3 different types of offenses: 1) Pro-style, 2) Wildcat, 3) Pistol.  All 3 add up to look like some kind of crappy offense that you’d see them run at ‘Addison-Hancock HS’ or any other small Iowa school in SW Iowa.  Yuck.  I hate it, and it makes me wonder if college football is dying faster than the morals in Los Angeles.

Where was I?

OK…so when they’re in the ‘Pro-style-throwing-offense’ their QB is #4 Ben Chappell.  He is…serviceable…I guess.

When they’re in the ‘Wildcat-Pistol-running-offense’ (I freely admit that I’m not even sure what the Pistol is) their QB is #5 Mitchell Evans.  Strangest thing about this guy?  He’s whiter than me.  Go figure.

They do have speed.  Indiana’s speed RB is #28 Darius Willis.  The dude IS fast, and I’d love to have him on our team right now.  However, I do not consider him a RB yet.  He’s just a straight-line guy.  If you make him move and break tackles…he’s just not there yet.

They also have speed with #2 Tandon Doss – a WR that also takes a lot of long hand-offs – and #17 Ray Fisher – a punt and kick returning specialist.  If you give either of these guys a crease, they are gone.

On the flip-side, the Indiana defense is…OK.  They have pretty good defensive line – led by DE #57 Jammie Kirlew – but it doesn’t get enough pressure to save Indiana’s abysmal d-backs.  Indiana is 101^st in pass defense.

—–

Game

I hate that we’re missing Adam Robinson.  We all do.  However…everything else that I see falls under one category: “Advantage Hawks”.  Although Indiana’s defense will come up with a sack and tackle for loss here and there that will make a few of our drives sputter out…I am not impressed with Indiana.  What will be interesting so to see if O’Keefe and Ferentz let Stanzi go to town?  I believe it’s time.  We have the WRs and TEs…and we DON’T have the RBs.  IF they do and IF Stanzi doesn’t throw the ball directly to an Indiana LB/DB…the offense will be fine.  Don’t forget, this is the same defense that gave up 28 straight points against Northwestern to lose the game.

Our defense will handle Indiana’s offense.  Why?  Because although Indiana DOES have big play capabilities, Norm Parker does NOT give up big plays.  Additionally, I don’t believe Indiana has the personnel to be patient and put together long drives.  Does the Wildcat/Pistol kinda scare me?  I guess a little, but it’s not like Freddy Krueger is chasing after me scared, either.

I say Indiana breaks off two big plays on offense and one on special teams – one resulting in a TD and 2 FGs.

Iowa 29  -  Michigan State 13

—–

Week 9 “Precarious Predictions”

YTD NCAA Record       38-41-2

Last Week                   6-4 (‘Ugly wins’ count here too) 

Iowa ATS                     3-4-0

SATURDAY

Big Ten

Purdue @ #19 Wisconsin

11:00 AM / ESPN2 / Line: Wiscy by 7 

I have much respect for Indiana, although I believe Wisconsin is better overall.  This game looks closer than a TD to me.

Purdue + the points.

Meeechigan @ Illinois

2:30 PM / ABC / Line: Wolverines by 7

Would it surprise me to see Meeechigan blow out Illinois by 28?  No.  And I hope that’s what happens.  However, at SOME point Illinois has to put something together, and it’s not like Meeechigan has looked like world beaters lately.

Zooker + the points.

Michigan St @ Minnesota

7:00 PM / BTN / Line: Sparty by 3.5

This looks so easy, I’m scared of it.  I KNOW that Sparty is better – but will they pull themselves off the turf on the road and get the win?  I say yes.  I don’t trust Minnesota without Adam Decker.

Sparty covers.

Big Ten Game of the Week (I guess):

#12 Penn State @ Northwestern

3:30 PM / ESPN / Line: Penn St by 17

I understand why this line is so high – Northwestern looked only 1 point less crappy that Indiana last week.  And I think I like it.  If we lose – this is by far the best team in the Big Ten right now.

However, big game last week (Meeechigan) + big game next week (OSU) + big home dog = trap cover.

Northwestern + the points. 

Around the Country:

Iowa State @ Texas A&M

11:30 AM / ? / Line: Nebraska by 17.5 

This game was supposed to be a no-brainer, then Nebraska went and took a poop, while ISU came out with a surprise good showing against Baylor.  Some say this is a match-up nightmare for ISU and that there’s just too much history on the ‘skers side.  I just think Nebraska’s offense is horrible.

Iowa State + the points.

Oklahoma @ #25 Kansas

2:30 PM / ? / Line: A&M by 6 

This is as big of an ISU fan as you will EVER find me.  However, I don’t like ISU going on the road after an emotional – and extremely lucky – big game.  I hope I’m wrong, but: 

A&M covers.

#3 Texas @ #14 Oklahoma St

7:00 PM / ABC (or) ESPN2 / Line: Texas by 9.5

I would like this at 17.  Texas will throttle them.  BET THIS GAME.

Texas covers.

National Game of the Week:

#5 USC @ #10 Oregon

7:00 PM / ABC (or) ESPN2 / Line: USC by 3

Not that Oregon shouldn’t expect to win at the ‘Zoo, but this is not as good of a match-up as it’s getting made out to be.  USC will score a lot of points, so it will be up to Oregon to match that.  That’s certainly possible, as USC’s defense has looked downright pedestrian the past two weeks.

However, USC is putting together right now as Matt Barkley is stepping up his game.  I hate it.  I hate USC.  I hate the possibility of these mother-FU%CKERS jumping over us…but I’m not betting against Pete Carroll in a big game.

HURUMPH…

USC covers.

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

GO HAWKS!

-Jeffrey the Greek!

Hello football fans!!! 

How much fun is this?!?

8-0 for the first time in Iowa football history, and we do it with one of – if not THE – biggest play in Iowa football history.  I’m still trying to let it sink in.  And I don’t believe I’m being too dramatic here, but please post and correct me if you think I’m wrong:

1)       The Houghtlin kick.

2)       Stanzi to McNutt

3)       Tate to Holloway

Don’t you have to put Saturday’s play in front of the Holloway catch?  I think you do when you factor in all the things that are still possible because of that play.  Sure, the Holloway catch was awesome, but we really only got one thing out of that: a bowl victory.  Stanzi’s pass gave us Iowa’ first 8-0 start, keeps us alive for a Big Ten championship as well as a BCS championship.  I keep the Houghtlin kick in the top slot because it was #1 vs #2 and really put Iowa football on the map.  However, if this magical season stays magical…and that play is what we all look back at when the season is over…then it may move to #1.  Stay tuned.

And how about Iowa State?!?!  Poor Iowa State, they come up with one of the biggest wins in their crappy football history…and they’re not even the biggest story in their own state for that day.  (Giggling under my breath right now.)  However, that takes nothing away from how much fun that was to watch them force EIGHT TURNOVERS and hand Nebraska one of the most embarrassing losses in their football history.

Oh…and my co-workers?  Michigan State, Nebraska, and Minnesota fans.  Let’s just say that this will be a great week for me even if I don’t sell a damn thing.  My Nebraska co-worker sent me no less than 3 articles after the Arkansas State game comparing how much worse Nebraska beat them than Iowa did.  “I guess that means Nebraska is better than Iowa, huh Jeff?”  Well Russ…WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY NOW?!?!  HAHAHAHAAA!

—–

The Game

OK back to the game.  Although only 28 total points were scored, I believe this was a good, clean game.  Both defenses came to PLAY.  There was a lot of hitting going on the entire game, and a quick look at the injury list (gulp) is even more proof of that.  I think my favorite part of the effort put forth by the Hawks on Saturday night was that we won the game without forcing a gazillion turnovers.  Also – we slowed down what has been a pretty good running game by Michigan State.

And there was nothing fluky about the last drive.  It was a thing of beauty, and we deserved to win the game.  Am I a little surprised that we were able to get two plays off with only 6 seconds left on the clock?  Yes.  But stranger things have happened.

—–

A few more thoughts:

• Obviously Stanzi and McNutt will get the press, but I’m not so sure that DJK isn’t our offensive MVP right now.  He seems to come up with huge catches in just about every game this month.  You could probably put Stanzi, Moeaki, DJK, and Adam Robinson’s names in a hat and pull one out…but DJK deserves a lot of credit.

• Stanzi’s career record as a starter now stands at 17-3 (I think).  You can show me a million different stats, I’ll take that one stat right there.

• Losing Dace Richardson hurts – he’s been our most consistent offensive lineman all year.  However, we have good back-ups with a lot of experience so we should be fine.  But losing the suddenly irreplaceable Bret Greenwood – if he really is injured – hurts a lot more.  And if Colin Sandeman can’t go?  We’re down to our 4^th punt returner this year.

———-

I was at The Loop again for the game last night.  And as usual, it was packed wall-to-wall with Iowa fans.  I sat with Sam Aiello and ran into about 20 other old Iowa friends, along with Patrick, Deb, Jason, Jeremy, Kris, etc.  I’d now like to say that for most of the week, I work hard at my job, workout almost daily, and I call my mom at least once a week.  However on Saturday night, I got absolutely blasted.  Just plain too drunk.  I was outta the bar and in a cab before midnight, mostly because I couldn’t talk.  To quote Frank the Tank from ’Old School’: “I had an AWESOME time last night!”

This morning was one of those times where you wake up and go into a panic attack until you find your wallet, phone, keys, and pride.  (I only found the first three.)  I remembered taking a cab, but I don’t believe I had any cash.  So how did I pay the cabbie?  I dunno.  Like many things last night, it remains a mystery.

Anyhoo, after downing Ibuprofen and taking a nap, I called Patrick to see if there was anybody in the greater Minneapolis area that I needed to apologize to.  After finding out that I was in the clear (whew) Patrick then talked about how astonishingly drunk I was.  This comment of his summed it up best:

“Dude…you were bombed.  You had that crazy 1,000 yard stare like you were a Vietnam vet.”

HAHAHAHAHAAAAA!

———-

I am so sick of the national press that I’m going crazy.  I seriously had to hold back and stop myself from throwing something at my TV today.  ESPN had their Top 10 plays of the day in college football…and the Stanzi pass to McNutt didn’t even make the Top 10!?!?  I understand that’s probably because it was on the Big Ten Network, but that is still very, very weak.

And even though we’re getting a little bit more respect, all the talk about Iowa is still how we win ugly.  Did any of these talking dipshits actually watch the Florida – Mississippi State game?  How about the Alabama Tennessee game?  Oh wait…that’s the mighty S.E.C. where close games are called “defensive battles”.  Ahh.  Got it.  Sure, we have our warts.  But so does Alabama – they can’t throw the ball to save their life.  And Florida’s passing game is not much better, as Urban Meyer is still trying to figure out life after losing his offensive coordinator.

And how about how bad USC’s defense has looked the past two weeks?

I just want wins, but we probably need to blow-out Indiana and Northwestern to take a big jump up.  I’m probably getting ahead of myself here…but this is the reality of the situation.

And if the Big Ten is bad…than the Big 12 North is GALACTICLY BAD.  Kansas State is a nice story and all, but the fact that they’re winning that division is absolutely horrible.

Does ANYbody want to win the ACC?

JTG Conference Rankings:

1)       S.E.C.              Florida, ‘Bama, LSU.  But then who?

2)       Pac 10              USC, Oregon, Arizona.  Big drop-off after that.

3)       Big Ten             Iowa, Penn State, Ohio State all look good.

4)       Big 12               Texas, Ok State, and 4-3 Oklahoma.  Then?

5)       Big East            Cincy & Pitt, and I guess W Va.  But that’s IT.

6)       ACC                 Georgia Tech, Va Tech, Miami  Then?

And if you needed any more proof that Bob Griese is a complete idiot, here it is: 

http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/bob-griese-apologizes-for-comment-about-nascars-juan-pablo-mont/#

———-

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

GO HAWKS!

-Jeffrey the Greek!

More later today (when my brain and liver recover)….

GO HAWKS!!!

Hello Football Fans!

“How long will this last???”

“Is it OK to talk about my Hawks and the BCS Championship???”

“Will I jinx them???” 

“Am I in a Tim Tebow-like concussed dream right now???”

All of us Hawk fans are in uncharted territory here.  And danged if it isn’t fun, huh?

I’m digging up old Iowa gear just to be sure that I have some to wear when I go workout at the health-club.  Kudos to my brother Doug – who lives in Milwaukee – who showed up at his health club last Monday after the Badger game, and told me that he and a few Iowa friends showed up with the gaudiest, loudest Iowa clothes they could find.  Awesome.

Have fun with it.  We don’t know how long it will last (gulp) and we don’t know how it will all end (double-gulp).  The best comparison I can give is that I dated a really, really hot girl in college – my cousin Barney met her and can prove it – that I knew was out of my league.  I’m sure she knew it too.  Anyway, that didn’t stop me from living it up and showing off every chance I got.  And after she un-loaded me like last week’s groceries?…I was a-ok with it soon after.  (With a little help from my buddies, alcohol, and a wild weekend in Wrigleyville.)

It’s better to have loved and lo…ahhh…forget it.  (And I certainly never loved her anyways…not like I love my Hawks!)

—–

Why My Mom is Awesome Reason #1,845

I was talking to my mom the other day – a football mom if there’s ever been one – about things that you talked to your mom about.  We then wound up talking about Iowa Football, mostly about the stuff I just wrote above.  Then my mom said this:

“It’s just been great to see how well our kicking game has been this year.  It’s really helped us out.”

HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!?  And she’s right on!  I was even meaning to put that into this week’s blog!!!

And….AND she’s letting my dad go to East Lansing this weekend without putting up a big stink…  What a great woman!

—–

#6 Iowa Hawkeyes @ Michigan State Wolverines

6:00 PM / Big Ten Network / Line: Pick ‘em

How in the “F” is this a pick ‘em?  I ask again: “HOW IN THE ‘F’ IS THIS A PICK ‘EM?!?”

Last time I looked, Michigan State is 4-3, we’re 7-0, and we’ve already won on the road at Penn State and Wisconsin.  Ohhh yea…that’s right…we’re IOWA.  We just don’t have the athletes to keep up with these other schools.  We’re just getting so lucky to have won this many games.

Poppycock!!!  (Just looked that word up, btw.  It’s a Dutch word for ‘nonsense’.  So there ya go.)

And since this is on the Big Ten Network and 2^nd tier to Meeechigan and Penn State – two teams that the Hawks have already beaten – it’s not getting much press.

But hey – this is all fine.  This is where Iowa is most dangerous.

Shhhhh…

—–

Michigan State has been as neurotic as a single 25-year-old Minnesotan girl.  For some reason, this has become the norm in East Lansing.  This year they started out with a blow-out win, then promptly lost 3 games by a total of 11 points – then won three games after that.

Arguably, they’re best player is a true freshman – #22 RB Larry Caper (#22).  The kid IS good, but he’s taking on much more of a work-load and responsibility that you’d want to see out of your RB.  After playing musical chairs at QB, they have settled on sophomore 8 Kirk Cousins, who is also playing pretty well.

All of this adds up to Michigan State being the 32^nd ranked Offense in the country, and #1 passing offense in the Big Ten.

However, both of these guys haven’t played quite as well when they’ve gone against better opponents.  Iowa IS a better opponent.  This is strength against strength, as Iowa is #16 Nationally in Total Defense, and #5 nationally / #1 in the conference in Pass Defense.

On the flipside, it’s kinda warts against warts.  Michigan State is 44^th in the Nation in Total Defense, and 5^th in the conference.  Iowa is 79^th in Total Offense, and 9^th in the conference.

And this part is what surprised me the most:  The record of Iowa’s 6 opponents is 27-16 (w/ 7 of those losses coming from Iowa, obviously) whilst the record of Michigan State’s opponents is 29-17…which is pretty much ‘Even Steven’.  I thought we’d have the edge there.

———-

Game

Everybody and their cousin has predicted this to be a low-scoring game.  And I see why.  These are two pretty good defenses, going against two somewhat inconsistent offenses.  Both cfn.com and Hawkeyenation’s Jon Miller predicted an Iowa victory of 17-13.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see that exact same score.

So I why do I think this is going to be a blow-out?  I don’t know.  I just do.  And I think there’s a chance that this blow-out could go either way – so either team could do the…uh…blowing.

But I like our chances against a young Sparty team in a tough position.

Iowa 31  -  Michigan State 17

—–

Week 8 “Precarious Predictions”

YTD NCAA Record       32-37-2

Last Week                   5-5-1 (Yowzer, these cats are good.)

Iowa ATS                     2-4-0

SATURDAY

Big Ten

Minnesota @ #19 Ohio State

11:00 AM / ESPN / Line: Bucks by 16.5

I keep waiting for a focused Prior and OSU to put up 40 points…but they keep laying an egg.  Minnesota’s offense, on the other hand, is out-worldly bad.  I hate this game.  Both teams gave me losses last week.  I think this could be a 24 – 13 game.

Minnesota + the points.

I just want to add the Purdue-Illinois game @ 11:00AM just might be the single most un-intriguing Big Ten vs. Big Ten game that I’ve ever seen in my entire life.  Both teams are horrible, neither team plays Iowa this year and there’s much better games on at that time slot.  Only Purdue’s upset last week of Ohio State makes this a 1 (on a scale of 1 to 100) instead of a 0 in watchability.

Indiana @ Northwestern

11:00 AM / BTN / Line: Wildcats by 5

I hope to catch a little of this game, as we’re playing both teams in the upcoming weeks.  I would normally like the home team here, but I don’t believe the Wildcats have a home field advantage to speak of, and Indian is playing better.

Hoosier daddy + the points.

The (other) Big Ten Game of the Week:

#13 Penn State @ Meeechigan

2:30 PM / ABC / Line: Penn State by 5

I’m still not sure that Penn State is all that good.  And this is only the 2^nd time that Penn State has left Happy Valley – and it just so happens that they’re going to their own personal house of horrors (well…that and Kinnick Stadium…heh, heh, heh) when they visit the Big House.

This is just something that I feel…

Meeechigan + the points.

Around the Country:

Iowa State @ Nebraska

11:30 AM / ? / Line: Nebraska by 17.5

This game was supposed to be a no-brainer, then Nebraska went and took a poop, while ISU came out with a surprise good showing against Baylor.  Some say this is a match-up nightmare for ISU and that there’s just too much history on the ‘skers side.  I just think Nebraska’s offense is horrible.

Iowa State + the points.

Oklahoma @ #25 Kansas

2:30 PM / Reg ABC / Line: OK by 7.5

So funny how these seasons works out, as KANSAS is the higher ranked team in this game.  I would understand if anybody went the opposite way, but I believe Kansas’s offense is going to have a rude awakening in this game.

Sooners cover.

UCLA @ #22 Arizona

5:30 PM / ? / Line: ‘Zona by 7.5

C’mon Wildcats!  Stay in that Pac-10 race!

UCLA + the points.

Auburn @ #9 LSU

6:30 PM / ESPN2 / Line: LSU by 7

Hmm…maybe they started sucking the Chizdick a little too soon.

LSU covers.

#3 Texas @ Missouri

7:00 PM / ABC / Line: Texas by 12

C’mon Mizzou!

Texas covers.

National Game of the Week (I guess)

#8 TCU @ #16 BYU

6:30 PM / ??? / Line: TCU by 2.5

The Horned Frogs and the Mormons.  Sounds like bad 70’s porn.

BYU + the points.

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

GO HAWKS!

-Jeffrey the Greek!

Hello football fans!!! 

I can’t do it.

I can’t come up with a single life analogy of what this football team reminds me of.  There is no panic in this team.  Like…EVER.  Go down 3-0 against your in-state rival on the road?  Pffft – win 35-3.  Get down 10-0 on the road against Penn State at night?  Pffft – win 21-10.  Get down 10-0 on the road against Wisconsin – where you’ve just watched them shove the ball down your throat?  Pffft – win 20-10.

There’s something going on here.  I am the type of fan that believes there are mystical “things” that happen in sports.  These are “things” that are not only out of control of the fans, but are also out of control of the coach and players.  It’s a chemistry thing.  I know that my HS football team had more talent my Senior year than my Junior year, but we finished with the same record.  Why?  Because we got ALL the bounces my Junior year…but we didn’t get ANY my Senior year.  I don’t know why.  These things just happen.

Not that anybody around the country believes this.  I want to punch Bob Griese in his greasy head.  That old codger never looked at a single note on this Iowa team, instead just heard what EVERY SINGLE TALKING HEAD says about Iowa (“They had to block two FG’s to beat UNI!”  -  “They barely beat Arkansas State.”  -  “They don’t have the upper-crust talent.”) and that’s it.  My favorite part was when he talked about how our D-Line has no depth and could really get exposed…and then Mike Daniels (back-up DT) promptly got a sack on Tolzien.  This was immediately pointed out by my boy Chris Spielman.

Ya know what?  Awesome.  Keep doubting us.  I love it.  I love all those people that swung the line last week from Iowa being favored by 1 to Wisconsin being favored by almost a FG.  Good.  I’m glad you lost money.  You keep bumpin’ your gums – we’ll keep destroying teams in the 2^nd half – and simply win football games.

I’ve checked, and our 5 remaining regular season games are all schedule for 4 quarters.

—–

I know we’ve been compared to the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes.  I see it.

However, there’s one team that we resemble a lot more.  I wanted to type after the Penn State game that we’re looking like 2003 Auburn – but held back to give this thing more time.  Well…it’s time.

We all now know how this is looking.  As of October 19^th, Iowa is 6^th in the BCS standings.

There’s a 95% chance that either Florida or Alabama will play for the BCS championship.  The SEC has owned everybody in this game.  It doesn’t matter if it’s Florida or Alabama that’s 13-0…that team is obviously in.

If Texas wins out – they’re in as well.  I hated doing it – but I had to cheer for Bob Stoops and Oklahoma on Saturday.  But…as what’s become the NORM in NORMAN – Stoops blew another big game.  Thanks Bob.  So now we’re reduced to Texas losing one of their next two games: @ Missouri and @ Oklahoma State.  If they don’t stumble there, they’ll most likely cruise into the Big 12 Championship to play the Big 12 North “champion”.  Yeesh.

Hawk fans…don’t worry about Boise St or Cincinnati.  If Iowa adds wins @ Michigan State and @ Ohio State to their resume, they will jump both of these teams.  The computers already love us.  And if you think that Boise State isn’t over-rated, take a look at this horrible, horrible schedule (sorry cousin Brian):

http://espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=68

And Cincinnati’s isn’t much better:

http://espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=2132

Still a little premature on this talk.  I know…that’s why I held off.  And I was going to keep holding off until this thought came to my head:

WHEN WILL BE THE NEXT TIME I’LL GET TO BLOG ABOUT THE HAWKS AND THE BCS CHAMPIONSHIP?!?!?!

—–

The Game

OK back to the game.  I haven’t been able to watch the whole thing, but there were a few obvious things that happened.  On Thursday’s JTG, I said the following:

(My first look at this game was simple: Whichever QB makes the fewer shitty plays will win the game.  And although I think that still has a lot of merit, after watching the Iowa/Meeechigan game and also the Wisconsin/OSU game there’s something that’s even more important: How well we’re able to slow up Wisconsin on 1^st downs.  If we can get them to 2^nd and 3^rd and long?  I feel confident.)

I was both right and wrong at the same time – it was a combo of both – because after we shut down their run…Tolzien made 3 shitty plays…and that’s why we won.

I am wise like buffalo.

—–

A few thoughts:

• Hi.  I’m Tony.

• Stanzi is a play-maker.  The TD catch AND 3^rd and long catches by Moeaki were both great.  But the throws by Stanzi were even more impressive.  On the TD throw, his ability to step up in the pocket, keep his eyes downfield, then throw an absolute perfect pass to Moeaki in the corner of the end zone off his back foot was excellent.  I honestly think it’s one of the best plays I’ve seen an Iowa QB make since a few by Drew Tate in 2004 or the Brad Banks draw against Purdue in 2002.  It was that huge.

• Our d-backs – and entire pass defense – is starting to get into a scary good category right now.  There is no weakness.  And if it’s Shaun Prater?  I’ll take that as a weakness.  And throwing late to the middle of the field on our LB’s isn’t a great idea either.  If you can’t run the ball on us, I’m not sure how you can score on us at all.

• If the rumors are true that Brandon Wegher hurt his wrist and his out…we are getting dangerously thin at RB.  If the words “Paki” and “Starting RB” are ever brought together again this year, they’ll be coupled in with another word “loss”.

———-

Did most of you read last Monday’s JTG?  In that email, I talked how my buddy Heath was not allowed into Kinnick Stadium because he was too full of ‘Hawkeye joy’ before the game.

I’m too lazy to get my scanner working, so here is the letter that I received at my house on Saturday – enjoy:

October 13, 2009

Jeff Buch

Minneapolis, MN

Dear Jeff:

In our continued effort to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for our fans at all athletic events, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has adopted a ticket revocation policy which details particular offenses that prompt revocation of season tickets.  As a season ticket holder, you received a notice of this policy when you purchased your tickets.

Our records indicate that on Saturday, October 10, 2009 Keith (Keith???) Wessling, an individual using your season ticket, was ejected from Kinnick Stadium, for public intoxication.  I would like to call your attention again to the ticket revocation policy; a copy of which is enclosed.  Another game day incident during the 2009 season could result in revocation of your season ticket.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Paula Jantz, Associate Director of Athletics, at (319) 335-XXX or my mail at the address above.

Thank you for your support of Iowa Atheletics.

Sincerely,

Gary Barta

Gary A. Barta

Director of Athletics

GAB/mjb

Enclosure

Atta boy Keith!!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

GO HAWKS!

-Jeffrey the Greek!

Hello football fans!!! 

So how has the week gone for ya folks???  I certainly enjoyed the Meeechigan victory more and more as the week grew.  A win really is a win.  And 6-0…really is six and OH!

I feel that I’m an accurate mood ring for Hawkeye fans.  Let me explain.  Last week – the mood was loose and confident.  I was actually talking to a Meeechigan fan on my way into the stadium and I told him that us Hawk fans were just a weee too confident.  This week?  You tell me if I’m wrong, but most Hawk fans have a bad feeling about…something.  Maybe “it” will happen this week…or maybe “it” will happen next week…but something is just…off.

I have that feeling too.  I actually felt fine about all things Iowa Football this week, right up until I heard that the H1N1 had finally found its way into the Hayden Fry Football Complex this past week, and that several Hawks were sick.  Which coincidentally made me wanna puke.

I sent my brother a text on this, saying that if it’s true: “Tony Moeaki has probably caught the worst strain of the H1N1 known to man and will be dead within the hour.”  OK…that’s probably not funny to joke around with but you get the idea.  As of 10:00PM on Thursday night, I still have no idea what the real story is.  Pray for ‘St Raphael’ to visit Iowa City on the double.  (He’s the patron saint of good health, btw.)

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Another thing to point is that six games into the season…both of these teams are still a complete mystery.  Is this the game where the real Herky/Bucky stands up?

Even weirder?  If Wisconsin wins this game…try to predict their next loss.

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#11 Iowa Hawkeyes @ Wisconsin Badgers

11:00 AM / ESPN / Line: Bucky by 3

“WELL…we’re WAITING.”

                     -         Judge Smails

When will the Iowa offense take off?  Did it show signs of exploding last week?  Yes.  Are we capable of great things on offense?  Yes.  So why isn’t it happening on a more consistent basis?  Kirk Ferentz says its because so many people have been in and out of the line-up since camp also during the season.  The offensive line has had more changes than my dating history.  And in both cases, I’d like for it to settle down.  (Yeeesh.)

And yet…I can tell we’re close.  I mean really close.  If Raphael Eubanks plays well and Rick Stanzi avoids his one turd-bomb during the game, we’re right there.  If we can do a good job blocking Wisconsin’s one-man wrecking crew – DE O’Brien Schofield – I think we’ll be ok on offense this week.

As for the Badgers?

It’s back to business as usual.  Run the ball.  Get into manageable downs.  Throw when needed.  Rinse and repeat.  So why isn’t anybody believing in the Badgers offense?  I’m not sure, other than they looked so bad last year.  However, I do believe that their QB Scott Tolzien is pretty good.  I also believe that John Clay has a lot of talent.  But in both cases…do either of these guys really scare you?  Nah…didn’t think so.  After going against mobile QB’s seemingly every week, we can now pin our ears back and go after this guy.  And as far as Clay – the guy that was thiiis close to being a Hawk – I’m not sure he’s a game-breaker.  The Badgers other RB – Zach Brown – is, but he looks to be out with a concussion.  And I know their TE Garrett Graham is a stud – but I like our back 7 keeping him in check.

Game:

First off – we know this will be a hard-hitting game.  It always is.

(Fast-forward to the 1:00 mark):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXCLA8tZJz4

My first look at this game was simple: Whichever QB makes the fewer shitty plays will win the game.  And although I think that still has a lot of merit, after watching the Iowa/Meeechigan game and also the Wisconsin/OSU game there’s something that’s even more important: How will we be able to slow up Wisconsin on 1^st down?  Because if we can get them to 2^nd and 3^rd and long?…well…I feel confident.

The problem?  I don’t think we’ll be able to stop them from running the ball.  Why?  Because Ohio State couldn’t do it, and we haven’t been able to stop a good running attack all year.  So this will be a game.  In fact – it’s the toughest game left on our schedule.

But until I see this 2009 Iowa team actually give one away, why would I doubt them?

Iowa 19    -   Wisconsin 17

(Unless we’re missing a bunch of guys to the flu – then all bets are off.)

Week 7 “Precarious Predictions”

YTD NCAA Record       27-32-1

Last Week                   7-8 (“Dang it!  I was on a roll.”) 

Iowa ATS                     1-4-0

THURSDAY

#21 So Florida @ #8 Cincinnati

8:00 PM / ESPN / Line: Nebraska by 3

I liked USF in this one (as I’m watching Cincy roll up the points) because of the D and home crowd.  It’s not looking good, but my buddy Artie DID bet on Cincy…so really anything can happen.

USF + the points.

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SATURDAY

Big Ten

#7 Ohio State @ Purdue

11:00 AM / BTN / Line: Bucks by 14

Terrelle Pryor and the Ohio State offense HAS to wake up sometime.  This looks like as good a time as any.

Buckeyes cover.

Northwestern @ Michigan State

11:00 AM / ESPN2 / Line: Sparty by 14

Yeeesh.  I know Northwestern has looked bad, but its not like Sparty has looked THAT good.

Wildcats + the points.

Minnesota @ #14 Penn State

2:30 AM / ABC / Line: Penn State by 18

“I just don’t think we’ll be able to score.” was the break-down by my lone Gopher Football buddy.  I understand that point-of-view, but I also think these two teams are closer than 18 points.  And if Minnesota can force a few turnovers, I think they can actually win.

Gophers + the points.

Around the Country:

EARLY GAMES

National Game of the Week: 

#3 Texas vs. #20 Oklahoma

11:00 AM / ABC / Line: Texas by 3

WHY IS THIS DAMN GAME AT 11 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING!?!?!  Hurumph.

I don’t know why I feel like this – but this has been my gut all week long.

Oklahoma + the points.

AFTERNOON GAMES            

Arkansas @ #1 Florida

2:30 PM / CBS / Line: Florida by 25

I just don’t think Florida is THAT good.  What does Arkansas have to lose?

Arkansas + the points.

Texas Tech @ #15 Nebraska

2:30 PM / Reg. ABC / Line: Corn by 11

WOW.  This line started at 6!!!  A FIVE POINT MOVE!?!?  I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever seen a move that big, and we still have the two action days yet to go.

AND I still don’t think it’s enough.

Nebraska covers.

#6 USC @ #25 Notre Dame

2:30 PM / NBC / Line: Trojans by 10

I think I’ve already said this, but Jimmy Claussen is the real deal.  I have this feeling that he’s going to step up, play well, and put too much pressure on Matt Barkley to put points on the board.

Irish + the points.

EVENING/NIGHT GAMES

#4 Va Tech @ #19 Georgia Tech

5:00 PM / ESPN2 / Line: Va Tech by 3

I’d like this at 9.5.

Va Tech covers.

#22 South Carolina @ #2 Alabama

6:45 PM / ESPN / Line: ‘Bama by 18

18 points?  Spurrier has these guys playing pretty dang good.

South Carolina + the points.

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

GO HAWKS!

-Jeffrey the Greek!