Mens BB: Iowa vs. Northern Colorado - Prediction

VS.

UNC lost 16 out of their last 18 games last year, last year's Purdue team smoked them. I am not trying to come out overconfident (and neither will the Iowa team), but we are talking about a team that won only 4 games last year (2 in conf) and ended up last in the Big Sky. They aren't supposed to be that much better than last year.

2007-08 Big Sky Preseason Men's Basketball Polls

Coaches’ Poll
School (First-place votes)Points
1. Weber State (4)60
2. Montana (4)57
3. Portland State (1)52
4. Northern Arizona44
5. Idaho State37
6. Montana State33
7. Northern Colorado19
8. Eastern Washington15
9. Sacramento State12


Media Poll
School (First-place votes)Points
1. Montana (14)218
2. Weber State (8)200
3. Portland State (2)183
4. Northern Arizona (2)155
5. Montana State114
6. Idaho State111
7. Sacramento State74
8. Northern Colorado56
9. Eastern Washington55

If Iowa (a Big Ten team) cannot beat a team predicted to finish in the lower 2/3rds of the Big Sky conference AT HOME... we are in worse shape than I thought this year. We might not win many others if we lose this one. Personally, I think Idaho St is better than UNC.

Iowa 71, Northern Colorado 55

Albert Young Eclipses 3,000 Career Rushing Yards

Albert Young became the third running back in Iowa Football history to rush for over 3,000 yards in a career. Iowa beat Minnesota to reclaim Floyd and become bowl eligible.

Congrats to Albert!

OT: Godsmack - Good Times Bad Times (Zeppelin Cover)

It's off their 10 Years of Godsmack album.

LISTEN TO IT HERE

I'm not a fan of greatest hits albums, but this one is tight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Times,_Bad_Times...._10_Years_of_Godsmack

Pick it up, it's a stellar album.

Big Ten Predictions From Various Media Sources

Predictions for Iowa From Various Media Sources

---

Basketball Prospectus: 8th in the Big Ten

Mich Daily: 9th in the Big Ten

The Realists: 10th in the Big Ten

Big Ten Chronicles: 10th in the Big Ten

Rivals: 10th in the Big Ten

FanIQ: 8th in the Big Ten

JSOnline: 11th in the Big Ten

Media Day Predictions: 10th in the Big Ten


My predictions to come shortly....

Double Header This Weekend: Season Opener for Mens Basketball and the Battle for Floyd

I'll be making the trip back down to Iowa for a fun little double header.

Friday night, Iowa fans will usher in a new era of basketball as Todd Lickliter mans the bench for his first official game as the head coach of the men's squad. While this season isn't projected to be one of the ages in regards to wins, there is a certain buzz back around Carver Hawkeye Arena. Ticket sales are already ahead of where they were last year. There was good article in The Sporting News on Coach Lick, entitled "Lickliter trying to change culture at Iowa." So Tony Freeman is out for 4-6 weeks with a broken bone in his 5th metatarsal, which means the Hawks will be without arguably their best player. Worse yet is that it puts the roster size down to a paltry 10 players. Make no mistake, all ten players will have a role on this team. Jeff Peterson is the obvious candidate to step up and fill Tony's shoes. I, for one, am a huge fan of his. The kid is mature beyond his years; I am very excited to see him on the court Friday. Other than that, I would expect a low scoring game (somewhere in the high 50s to mid 60s). I don't think Iowa will blow out the Bengals, but I do see a double-digit win for the Hawks.

I'll get some shuteye and then wake up bright and early to do some tailgating at the Myrtle lot and get ready to see Iowa become bowl eligible. Who would have thought that was possible four weeks ago? Minnesota comes in with one of the worst defenses in the entire nation, and one win on the season (over a MAC team in OT because of a missed FG). Minnesota is hobbling into Kinnick. All three defensive captains - Mike Sherels (linebacker), John Shevlin (linebacker) and Willie Van De Steeg (defensive end) - won't start this week because of injuries. Well, they won't start at least... they are on the depth charts, but they are still nursing injuries. Also, Thomas is doubtful, Bennett is hurting and it looks like Pinnix might not play. Brinkhaus is still loopy from a concussion and is questionable. And if Brinkhaus doesn't play (he is day to day), then MN's line (one of the best in the nation) is going to have a huge hole in it. Iowa should be able to put pressure on Weber, who is closing in on a lot of passing records.. he needs just over 450 passing yards, 3 TDs, 87 total yards, and a few attempts to break them. However, Minny gave up 4 sacks last week to Illinois. Their defense is awful, though... just reeling right now. Very inexperienced and is going to set a record for most yards given up. I know I've been begging Ken O'Keefe to give it to Albert Young, but this week we need to air it out. Minny's defensive backfield is so green, you think it was spring time. I do not want to get overconfident about this game, but I really don't see Iowa losing to the Gophers. On a side note, Albert Young is closing in on 3,000 career rushing yards; here's hoping he hits that plateau this Saturday.


On Iowa! Let's take back Floyd!

OT: The Top 10 Worst Christmas Songs of All-Time

THE TOP TEN WORST CHRISTMAS SONGS OF ALL-TIME

Working in the retail business for all of my college career and a few years thereafter, I had the unfortunate pleasure of being inundated with a playlist of Christmas songs during the holiday season that could drive even the most sane person crazy. By "holiday season", I mean from the beginning of November through the middle of January. Yes, almost three months of the same 20 Christmas songs on repeat. Two weeks into the "holiday season" any full-time employee knew the playlist by heart and could sing every song word for word. Not good. With that in mind, I thought I would offer up my list of Worst Christmas Songs of All-Time. It needs to be done. I like to think of it as a method of therapy for me... I am slowly healed 3 years later. I still get flashbacks whenever I set foot back in any retail store during the "holiday season". I pity those around me when this happens. Without further ado, here's my list.

THE WORST CHRISTMAS SONGS OF ALL-TIME


Carnie & Wendy Wilson - "Hey Santa"



I don't know what is worse, the song or the video.



Paul McCartney - "Wonderful Christmas Time"



I thought I knew how annoying synthesizers were... I was wrong. This song almost single-handedly proves that Paul is Dead.


Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas"



Bono, Boy George, Phil Collins, Paul Young, George Michael, Sting, Duran Duran, Bananarama, among others collaborate to create one of the single worst songs of all-time. Oh yeah, Paul McCartney was in this too... go figure. The chorus is absolutely awful. I would say the lyrics are bad, but I could never understand what they were singing because the damn synthesizers were mixed too loud. Ugh. Awful. One more thing, I forgot Bono used to look like Bobcat Goldthwait back then.


Wham! - "Last Christmas"



I'm not sure which is more ackward, the misplaced jingle bells throughout the song or George Michael with a girl.


Barbara Streisand - "Jingle Bells"



I don't know why I dislike this song so much. It's probably because I don't like Streisand. Oh, and the fact that she butchers this song.


Mariah Carey - "All I Want for Christmas is You"



But it's such a great song... blah blah blah. Mariah Carey sucks and so does this song. However, she was pretty smoking in the Black and White version of the video. My how things have changed. I actually like Olivia Olson's version of the song, though.


NewSong - "Christmas Shoes"



First off, Rob Lowe - nice career move. Wow. Secondly, we've all been affected by someone terminally ill. It can be one of the most gut wrenching experiences you'll ever have to endure in your lifetime. I went through that sort of thing with my grandma. That said, this song was written to prey on the emotions that surround the holidays. It's a crappy song and I don't for once believe it should ever be observed as "Christmas Song", however I had to include it on this list. Crappy ass song. Just crappy.


Celine Dion - Happy Christmas (War is Over)



Leave it up a Canadian to ruin a pretty decent little Christmas song. Lennon is spinning in his grave. Thanks a lot, Celine. You suck. You REALLY suck. Then again, this is the same woman who wanted to take a kayak into New Orleans.


Britney Spears - My Only Wish This Year



Ok, I'll admit it. I liked Britney when she first came onto the scene. She was hot, could dance, and was... uh.. hot. This song, however, is junk. Another teenie bop, popcorn and cotton candy fluff song. It's utter crap.


The Barking Dogs - "Jingle Bells"



It was the cutest thing ever... the first time you heard it.

Well, that's my list. A list full of those songs you hear during the "holiday season" that make you wish it was summer. And seeing as Christmas is a time for joy and giving, I'll offer you a few of the songs that I thoroughly enjoy listening to during that special time of the year. I have to prove I am not a Scrooge.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS SONGS OF ALL-TIME

NAT KING COLE - "THE CHRISTMAS SONG"
Yes, Mel Torme wrote it, but Nat does it best.

BING CROSBY - "MELE KALIKIMAKA"
If you don't like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, you need to be punched in the face.

ELVIS PRESLEY - "BLUE CHRISTMAS"
Personally, I am not a fan of Elvis, but this is a classic.

DAVE MATTHEWS - "CHRISTMAS SONG"
Dave absolutely kills performing this song. It's great.

BING CROSBY - "WHITE CHRISTMAS"
Probably my favorite Christmas song. Crosby is stellar.

BOBBY HELMS - "JINGLE BELL ROCK"
Classic.

BURL IVES - "HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS"
One of kind voice. Terrific tune.

JOHN LENNON - "HAPPY CHRISTMAS (WAR IS OVER)"
This is the only version that is allowed.

PERRY COMO - "HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS"

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER - "GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN"
Love their work, they have some of the best Christmas music.

THE LITTLE STINKERS - "I FARTED ON SANTA'S LAP"
Christmas is about being happy and spreading joy, these kids do just that.

MR. HANKEY'S CHRISTMAS CLASSICS - "MR HANKEY THE CHRISTMAS POO"
He's seen the love inside of you 'cause he's a piece of poo.

JOHN DENVER AND THE MUPPETS - "WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS"
R.I.P. John Denver and Jim Hensen, but at least they made one thing that was great.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS - "THE CHRISTMAS SONG"
Every kid's favorite Christmas song. Yeaaa Christmas!!

There Could Be SEVEN 7-5 Big Ten Teams at the End of the Year

Hypothetically, there could be SEVEN different Big Ten football programs with a 7-5 record when it is all said and done. Talk about weird.

Here's the scenario (upsets must occur):

This weekend (winners in CAPS, new record following team name) -

Indiana [6-5 (2-5)] vs. NORTHWESTERN [6-5, (3-4)]
MICHIGAN [9-2, (7-0)] vs. Wisconsin [7-4, (3-4)]
MICHIGAN ST [6-5, 2-5)] vs. Purdue [7-4, (3-4)]
Minnesota [1-10, (0-7)] vs. IOWA [6-5, (4-4)]
Illinois [7-4, (4-3)] vs. OHIO STATE [11-0, (7-0)]
PENN STATE [8-3, (4-3)] vs. Temple

Final weekend (winners in CAPS, new record following team name) -

Ohio State [11-1, (7-1)] vs. MICHIGAN [10-2, (8-0)]
Penn State [7-5, (4-4)] vs. MICHIGAN STATE [7-5, (3-5)]
Purdue [7-5, (4-4)] vs. INDIANA [7-5, (3-5)]
NORTHWESTERN [7-5, (4-4)] vs. Illinois [7-5, (4-4)]
Wisconsin [7-5, (3-5)] vs. MINNESOTA [2-10, (1-7)]
W. Michigan vs. IOWA [7-5, (4-4)]

I realize that some big upsets would have to occur for this to happen, but can you imagine seven teams at 7-5? Crazy. That would be one muddy Bowl picture.

Standings would look like this:

1.)  Michigan     8-0   10-2
2.)  Ohio State   7-1   11-1
3.)  Penn State   4-4   8-4
4.)  Purdue       4-4   7-5
5.)  Iowa         4-4   7-5
6.)  Illinois     4-4   7-5
7.)  Northwestern 4-4   7-5
8.)  Wisconsin    3-5   7-5
9.)  Indiana      3-5   7-5
10.) Mich State   3-5   7-5
11.) Minnesota    1-7   2-10

Not that it's going to happen, but it would be interesting... If Temple somehow beat Penn State, there would be 8 teams with a 7-5 record.

A refresher for the current Bowl selection order:
* ROSE BOWL
* BCS
* CAPITAL ONE
* OUTBACK
* ALAMO
* CHAMPS SPORTS
* INSIGHT
* MOTOR CITY

Albert Young - 3rd on Iowa's All-Time Rushing List

During the victory today vs. Northwestern, Albert Young passed Tavian Banks on Iowa's All-Time Rusher list. He sits behind Sedrick Shaw and Ladell Betts in Iowa's record book.

He is now 14 Yards away from hitting the 3,000 yard plateau

Congrats, AY!

With the win, Iowa moves to 1 win from being bowl eligible. Two games at home to get to 7-5 and a possible berth in the Champs or Insight Bowl... quite an accomplishment all things considered.

HigbyforHeisman.com is Gone

Sorry to those who frequented that site... unfortunately the domain name expired and I forgot to renew, so HigbyforHeisman.com is parked by another company. I didn't released it was only a 1 year deal on it, my bad. Sorry.

Why Iowa is Losing Ballgames: COMPLETELY STAT BASED

FIRST DOWNS G Rush Pass Pen Total
-----------------------------------------------
1. Purdue.............. 8 67 117 17 201
2. Northwestern........ 8 54 116 20 190
3. Michigan............ 8 83 88 15 186
4. Minnesota........... 8 87 89 8 184
5. Penn State.......... 8 87 85 6 178
6. Wisconsin........... 8 78 86 9 173
7. Ohio State.......... 8 81 77 14 172
8. Indiana............. 8 65 84 22 171
9. Michigan State...... 8 86 74 5 165
10.Illinois............ 8 91 57 10 158
11.Iowa................ 8 61 68 7 136

RED ZONE OFFENSE G RedZone Percent TDs R/P FG-AT Fumb/Int/Downs/Other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Purdue.............. 8 34-37 91.9 26 10/16 8-8 2/ 0/ 1/ 0
2. Ohio State.......... 8 27-30 90.0 20 10/10 7-9 1/ 0/ 0/ 0
3. Penn State.......... 8 37-42 88.1 24 16/8 13-14 1/ 2/ 1/ 0
4. Michigan State...... 8 30-36 83.3 24 16/8 6-9 1/ 1/ 1/ 0
5. Wisconsin........... 8 29-35 82.9 21 14/7 8-9 2/ 0/ 0/ 3
Indiana............. 8 29-35 82.9 19 10/9 10-11 1/ 3/ 1/ 0
7. Illinois............ 8 18-22 81.8 15 12/3 3-3 1/ 2/ 0/ 1
8. Minnesota........... 8 25-31 80.6 22 11/11 3-3 2/ 1/ 3/ 0
9. Northwestern........ 8 29-37 78.4 22 12/10 7-10 1/ 0/ 4/ 0
10.Michigan............ 8 29-38 76.3 22 12/10 7-12 0/ 1/ 1/ 2
11.Iowa................ 8 16-23 69.6 10 3/7 6-10 1/ 1/ 0/ 1

3RD-DN CONVERSIONS G Conv Att Pct
-------------------------------------------
1. Wisconsin........... 8 58 118 49.2
2. Minnesota........... 8 59 126 46.8
3. Michigan............ 8 60 129 46.5
4. Ohio State.......... 8 50 109 45.9
5. Penn State.......... 8 55 121 45.5
6. Northwestern........ 8 59 132 44.7
7. Indiana............. 8 50 116 43.1
8. Michigan State...... 8 49 116 42.2
9. Purdue.............. 8 51 126 40.5
10.Illinois............ 8 44 111 39.6
11.Iowa................ 8 41 129 31.8

OPP 3RD-DN CONVERT G Conv Att Pct
-------------------------------------------
1. Ohio State.......... 8 36 128 28.1
2. Purdue.............. 8 39 129 30.2
3. Penn State.......... 8 41 129 31.8
4. Wisconsin........... 8 41 113 36.3
5. Illinois............ 8 48 131 36.6
6. Indiana............. 8 49 129 38.0
7. Michigan State...... 8 46 120 38.3
8. Michigan............ 8 46 119 38.7
9. Iowa................ 8 52 128 40.6
10.Northwestern........ 8 46 108 42.6
11.Minnesota........... 8 56 129 43.4

SACKS AGAINST G Sacks Yards
---------------------------------------
1. Minnesota........... 8 6 45
2. Illinois............ 8 9 70
Ohio State.......... 8 9 69
4. Purdue.............. 8 11 88
5. Michigan............ 8 14 102
6. Penn State.......... 8 16 109
7. Wisconsin........... 8 17 117
8. Northwestern........ 8 19 126
9. Michigan State...... 8 21 126
10.Indiana............. 8 22 171
11.Iowa................ 8 32 186

PENALTIES G No Yds Avg/G
------------------------------------------
1. Penn State.......... 8 33 273 34.1
2. Minnesota........... 8 42 315 39.4
3. Purdue.............. 8 43 320 40.0
4. Ohio State.......... 8 49 330 41.2
5. Michigan............ 8 41 341 42.6
6. Wisconsin........... 8 47 353 44.1
7. Michigan State...... 8 40 373 46.6
8. Northwestern........ 8 41 392 49.0
9. Iowa................ 8 47 401 50.1
10.Indiana............. 8 41 411 51.4
11.Illinois............ 8 44 425 53.1


ALL RESULT IN THIS:

SCORING OFFENSE G TD XP 2XP DXP FG Saf Pts Avg
--------------------------------------------------------------
1. Purdue.............. 8 37 37 0 0 9 0 286 35.8
2. Indiana............. 8 34 34 0 0 15 0 283 35.4
3. Michigan State...... 8 36 35 0 0 8 0 275 34.4
4. Ohio State.......... 8 34 31 0 0 13 0 274 34.2
5. Penn State.......... 8 32 31 0 0 14 0 265 33.1
6. Minnesota........... 8 33 29 1 0 3 0 238 29.8
Wisconsin........... 8 29 26 1 0 12 0 238 29.8
8. Michigan............ 8 29 26 0 0 9 0 227 28.4
9. Northwestern........ 8 28 26 0 0 9 1 223 27.9
10.Illinois............ 8 25 24 0 0 10 0 204 25.5
11.Iowa................ 8 14 12 0 0 8 0 120 15.0

Additionally, Iowa almost has as many punts as Ohio State and Wisconsin... COMBINED.
Almost every team in the Big Ten has more Red Zone ATTEMPTS than Iowa has CONVERSIONS!
Iowa has taken more sacks than Minnesota (passing team), Purdue (passing team), and Ohio State... COMBINED!

Iowa's QB play hasn't help out much either:

PASSING AVG/GAME Team Cl G Att Cmp Int Pct. Yds TD Avg/G
------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Bacher, C.J......... NU JR 8 346 216 8 62.4 2598 14 324.8
2. Painter,Curtis...... PUR SR 8 339 213 6 62.8 2238 22 279.8
3. Weber, Adam......... MINN FR 8 310 181 15 58.4 2046 19 255.8
4. Lewis, Kellen....... IND SO 8 265 163 6 61.5 1952 19 244.0
5. Morelli, Anthony.... PSU SR 8 247 147 7 59.5 1739 13 217.4
6. Donovan,Tyler....... WIS SR 8 219 130 8 59.4 1711 12 213.9
7. Henne, Chad......... MICH SR 6 167 105 5 62.9 1258 10 209.7
8. Hoyer, Brian........ MSU JR 8 211 127 4 60.2 1602 11 200.2
9. Boeckman, Todd...... OSU JR 8 182 119 7 65.4 1539 18 192.4
10.Christensen, Jake... IOWA SO 8 257 138 3 53.7 1511 11 188.9

TOTAL OFFENSE Team Cl G Rush Pass Plays Total Yds/G
--------------------------------------------------------------
1. Bacher, C.J......... NU JR 8 57 2598 405 2655 331.9
2. Weber, Adam......... MINN FR 8 401 2046 408 2447 305.9
3. Lewis, Kellen....... IND SO 8 476 1952 354 2428 303.5
4. Painter,Curtis...... PUR SR 8 -44 2238 363 2194 274.2
5. Donovan,Tyler....... WIS SR 8 142 1711 284 1853 231.6
6. Morelli, Anthony.... PSU SR 8 -64 1739 276 1675 209.4
7. Henne, Chad......... MICH SR 6 -68 1258 181 1190 198.3
8. Hoyer, Brian........ MSU JR 8 -79 1602 240 1523 190.4
9. Boeckman, Todd...... OSU JR 8 -22 1539 202 1517 189.6
10.Christensen, Jake... IOWA SO 8 -23 1511 322 1488 186.0

PASS EFFICIENCY Team Cl G Att Cmp Int Pct. Yds TD Eff.
------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Boeckman, Todd...... OSU JR 8 182 119 7 65.4 1539 18 161.4
2. Lewis, Kellen....... IND SO 8 265 163 6 61.5 1952 19 142.5
3. Henne, Chad......... MICH SR 6 167 105 5 62.9 1258 10 139.9
4. Hoyer, Brian........ MSU JR 8 211 127 4 60.2 1602 11 137.4
5. Painter,Curtis...... PUR SR 8 339 213 6 62.8 2238 22 136.2
6. Donovan,Tyler....... WIS SR 8 219 130 8 59.4 1711 12 135.8
7. Bacher, C.J......... NU JR 8 346 216 8 62.4 2598 14 134.2
8. Morelli, Anthony.... PSU SR 8 247 147 7 59.5 1739 13 130.4
9. Weber, Adam......... MINN FR 8 310 181 15 58.4 2046 19 124.4
10.Christensen, Jake... IOWA SO 8 257 138 3 53.7 1511 11 114.9