Yahoo College Football Pick’em

I normally miss the first couple weeks of Yahoo’s College Football Pick’em. I managed to get signed up in time this year. I’m TalkHawkeyes. Feel free to track me throughout the year and make fun of how poorly I do.

If you are planning on participating, please feel free to join the group I created. The group is TalkHawkeyes. I set it up to throw out the lowest four scores for each person so that anybody that signs up late will still be able to compete. Tell your friends, tell you mothers. The cap is 50 people.

I’ll give the winner of the league a free baseball style hat of the college team of your choice. Unless I win. Then nobody gets anything except made fun of.

Good luck.

Update: I probably should have put a link to the sign up page which is here

Another Update:  Rather than fight through their sign up procedure, send me an email using the contact me in the header of the blog or leave a comment with your email address and I will send you an invite.

Blackout Saturday

Iowa is planning another Blackout Saturday this year on October 28th.  Everybody is encouraged to wear as much black as possible.  It creates a really weird effect on your eyes.

I was not a big fan of the first one.  Black blends in too much and makes the crowd seem smaller than it really is.  Wearing white or gold would pop out more but would not provide as many t-shirt sales.

Maybe my feelings are just tainted by the 11 penalties and overtime loss against Michigan during last year’s first Blackout Saturday.  I will particiate in the event.  It is kind of eerie when that many people all wear black.  It feels a little like a funeral.  But I am hoping that it fades out very soon.

Technorati Tags: iowa hawkeye football, blackout saturday

Why Iowa will not win the national championship

I think Iowa is going to have a very good team this year.  They will probably finish 2nd or 3rd in the Big Ten.  I would pick them higher except they play Ohio State on September 30th.

I am worried that the team will not be quite ready by that point of the season.

I am not worried about the new linebackers.  I think they will be fine.  I am not worried about the new cornerbacks.  They have the potential to be much better then the old guys and I think they will be fine by the fifth game of the season.

I am worried about the wide receivers.  I think they are going to be very solid Big Ten receivers and make a lot of really nice plays.  Maybe even enough to have a chance in the Ohio State game.  Where I think the problem might arise is their down field blocking.

Iowa uses their receivers to spring the running backs and other wide receivers turning a 8 yard gain into a touch down.  They have to be tough.  But most importantly, they have to know how to find their guy and hit him.  There will be a couple true freshman getting a lot of playing time at the receiver position.  In addition to learning the routes and adjusting to the speed of college, they are going to be asked to set blocks that enable the big plays.

I am not sure if they will be ready by the Ohio State game.  We will not play anybody before then that can come close to the speed and athleticism of the Ohio State defense.  This will be the game where the new receivers see what college football is really like.

Technorati Tags: iowa hawkeyes, college football

Iowa Hawkeye Traditions

5 more wakeups until the season opener at Kinnick Stadium.  The beginning of the Iowa Hawkeye football season is always a special time for me.

I travel about 3 1/2 hours each way to watch the games, so I better be enjoying each and every game.  And, that better include the trip along the way.  I almost always ride with my dad and sister.  Most of the time my uncle comes with, too.

There’s a McDonald’s that we normally stop at about 45 minutes west of Sycamore, IL just off of I-88.  You can’t travel on an empty stomach and this is normally where the eating begins for me.  One number 3 with a medium coke.  This year I’ll be switching to water since I’ve all but given up on pop.

There’s a little gas station about 15 minutes on the Illinois side of the river.  We always stop there for snacks and bathrooms.  I don’t know the town or the chain, but I normally end up with some good junk food there.  I don’t like their pizza, but my dad met the owner at a bowl game a couple years ago and was staggered by the amount of pizza the place sells.  Something about a captive market for the locals and the road warriors.  There are very few other options nearby.

We stop at the gas station just off of the highway in Iowa City.  More pop and junk food for us.  My dad normally picks up a six pack of beer, but I think he has given up on beer this year.

Just before we park, we always laugh at the Kum ‘N Go gas station.  Seriously, who thought up that name.

We either risk parking illegally on a little street just at the bottom of the hill before crossing the river or we park by the court house.  Then begins my favorite pre-game tradition.  The walk up the hill.  I love hearing my family complain about the walk for some reason.  Maybe I’m just a little slap happy from being so close to kick off time.

My sister and I enter the stadium immediately.  She likes to watch the stretching.  I like avoiding the last second crowd.  My dad and uncle walk in at the last second.  Normally right as the ball is being kicked off.  I have no idea how they magically time it so well.

After the game, we listen to the talk shows until we lose the signal.  We always stop in Bettendorf for dinner on the way home.  I grew up there, so we know the area very well.  Sometimes Carlos O’Kelly.  Sometimes a local pizza chain.  Sometimes Arby’s.  But we always stop at Whitey’s for ice cream before we get back on the highway.

People start drifting off to sleep at this point as we listen to other games or watch DVDs until we get home.

Sometimes I think the road trip is almost as entertaining as the game.  All the stories we tell and complaining about the refs normally make the trip go by quickly.

Technorati Tags: traditions, college football, iowa hawkeyes

I hate Missouri

I guess I don’t really hate them.  But, I am pretty upset with the University of Missouri right now.

In 8 days, Iowa will open the season in the newly renovated stadium with a sold out crowd desperate to watch some football.  The team will run onto the field.  Elect to receive and end up scoring a touch down.

Against Montana.

Nothing against Montana, but the only reason we’ll be playing them is because Missouri backed out of the two games they had scheduled last year and this year once they realized that Iowa was not going to be the pushover they expected when they scheduled us before the Ferentz era turned the corner.  They did it too late to find a divsion 1A opponent.  I’m happy for Montana.  They will get a lot of money for the school.  The players will get to play what should be a pretty good Iowa team and be on TV somewhere.

So, what powerhouse did Missouri pick up instead.  Murray State.  I hope the Racers blow them out.

How the terrorists changed college football

September 11, 2001 was a terrible day. I, along with most other people, was very shaken. Everybody talks about the big things that happened as a result of 9/11; rescue efforts in New York, changes in the way we are screened before boarding an airplane, war in Afghanistan just to name a few.

There was another change that occured as a result of the attacks. A minor change that is hugely insignificant in the grand scheme of things. After 9/11, the University of Iowa banned leaving the stadium and returning during the game.

Prior to then, at halftime we would rush out to the tailgate area, eat some brats and watch some other games on TV. It was a nice way to pass the time, strecth our legs and avoid watching the halftime show. We’d taunt the opposing fans if we were winning and try to comeback from their taunts when we were loosing which still happened at home back then.

The ban still has not been lifted and probably never will be for a few reasons.

1) Safety - With the increased security after 9/11, the University would have to pay to keep the tight security for the second half instead of the skeleton crew they used to keep around.

2) Money - If people aren’t going to the tailgate parties to get food and drinks at halftime, they are going to buy it in the stadium. During the first couple games after 9/11, the drinks and a lot of the food sold out shortly after halftime.

3) Drinking - The NCAA is getting stricter about trying to keep alcohol away from the stadiums. College kids and adults getting a little free time in a college town do a lot of drinking. The NCAA has been able to ban alcohol sales inside the stadiums, but cannot enforce the policy outside. By trapping everybody inside the stadium, you have nearly 5 hours of no drinking by most of the fans. People will start drinking again once they leave the stadium, but it gives most people a chance to get out of town safely before the drunk drivers hit the road.

The terrorists created a uncomfortable situation that colleges tried to handle by not letting people leave the stadium. 5 years later, the ban still stands because of the money schools can make and the ability to control drinking inside the stadium. It is sad to see such an important tradition taken away especially when all that is left to replace it is a marching band’ rousing renditions The Beatles’ “Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

Drew Tate’s First Post Game Interview

I was thinking about how much I want the college football season to start the other day and just remembering fun moments from the early part of past seasons. The memory that stands out the most is the post game interview after Drew Tate’s first game as a starter two seasons ago.

He had to leave the game with cramps from dehydration. Apparently, at half time he tried to rehdyrate by drinking a bunch of gatorade. Just before they were set to return to the field he got sick and sat the rest of the game.

During the post game interview, they were asking him about his inability to return for the second half. He hadn’t had enough time to develop his interview polish yet. He blurted out something like, “I drank to much Gatorade at half time and started throwing up blue and green and yellow….”

Classic stuff. With the boring interviews that the good players give these days, it was fun to hear an interview from a kid just having fun with what he was doing and not trying to avoid embarassment that could hurt his potential pro career.

I will admit to being scared when he cramped up in his second game, too.  Thank goodness he got over that phase and decided it would be better to be able to play all four quarters.

Iowa Basketball Recruiting Woes

The good news is that Steve Alford is starting to get some pretty good players to come to Iowa to play basketball. The bad news is that they seem to be having trouble getting the credits taken care of to be eligible.

Jamie Vanderbeken, the 6′ 10″ center from Canada failed to get all of the core credits the NCAA requires. Coming from a different country often presents credit challenges. Vanderbeken will play two years at Tyler Junior College in Texas and then try to transfer to Iowa. Hopefully, the problem really is just the different requirements between the different countries. I guess we’ll find out two years from now.

It looks like there might be trouble with another recruits academics, too. Malik Perry, from Philadelphia, is still waiting for an eligibility ruling. Anytime you are still waiting 17 days before the semester begins to find out a players eligibility, it’s probably not a good sign.

Trouble seems to refuse to leave Alford alone during his stay at Iowa so far. Keep your fingers crossed that he meets the requirements and the paperwork can be completed in time. Alford could really use a season with as few distractions as possible.

Oklahoma loses starting QB and lineman

Rhett Bomar and J.D. Quinn will not play this season for Oklahoma. It is reported that Bomar filed his taxes claiming he had made up to $18,000 for 40-hour work weeks but had only been working 5 hours a week. Assuming he was there every week, that would amount to just over $69/hour.

According to ESPN, the NCAA has a rule against players working at a private business and earning “payment over an extended period of time in excess of time actually worked.”

The car dealership involved is part of the Sooner Schooner Car Program which loans cars to coaches and athletic department officials. That doesn’t sound like an NCAA violation waiting to happen.

I remember when Oklahoma hired Bob Stoops being very frustrated that Iowa could not find a way to bring him on board. He seemed like the Golden Child. When he won the national championship, and Ferentz was having trouble winning any games, the frustration increased. I respected the work ethic and the plan the Ferentz had, but Stoops walked into a perfect opportunity and ran with it.

In the end, I’m thrilled with Iowa’s decision. I like Ferentz’s casual, humble personality a lot more the Stoops’ cocky bravado. I love what Ferentz has been able to do with players that other coaches pass on. I’m excited that he’s starting to win the recruiting battle for some of those big name players. I also think there is a very good chance that Ferentz can win a national championship before Stoops wins another. Especially with the next couple years in a row after this one where Michigan and Ohio State are both off of Iowa’s schedule. Who thought that schedule up?

Because of Stoops’ past connections to Iowa, I really hope that this is an isolated event that he didn’t know anything about, but if not, than he needs to face the consequences. This will be an interesting story to keep track of this year. Especially since Oklahoma doesn’t appear to have anybody ready to play quarterback and have to replace three offensive lineman (two to the pros, and Quinn).

Brunner and Horner to Play In Belgium

Both Brunner and Horner have signed to play on two different teams in Belgium.

Brunner must have decided he wasn’t going to get much playing time with Minnesota Timberwolves and I’m not sure if Horner had any kind of offers.

While not as exciting as playing in the NBA, playing in Europe is going to be a great experience for both Iowa players. I spent a measly six weeks in Germany several years ago and still remember almost every second of it. Getting to live overseas right after college is an extremely educational experience. Both Brunner and Horner grew up in Iowa. I’m not sure how many vacations they’ve taken out of the country, but I’m sure there will be some culture shock moving away for so long. At least they’ll be able to hang out together while they get used to everything.

Hopefully, both will be able to make a return to the U.S. to play in the NBA, but if not, they will get paid well, get to play competitive basketball, and get an experience unlike anything that most people in America get.