FOOTBALL: 2008 Week Ten - Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Preview

VS.
GAME INFO: Sat., Nov 1st, 2008 - 2:37 PM CST - Memorial Stadium - Champaign, IL
IOWA: 5-3 (2-2) NR / ILLINOIS 4-4 (2-3) NR

TV COVERAGE: ABC (HD) will televise the game to a regional audience. Fans not in the ABC regional footprint can watch the game on ESPN (HD). The game will also be available online at ESPN360.com. Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman and Rob Stone will call the action.
DEPTH CHART AND GAME NOTES: VIEW HERE
IOWA'S GAMEDAY CENTRAL : VIEW HERE
ABC COVERAGE MAP : VIEW HERE
KIRK'S PRESSER: VIEW HERE

LINE: Iowa is a 2.5 point underdog on the road.

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This is the second straight road game that Iowa is playing in Memorial Stadium, let's hope the result is the same as the last game in the stadium with the same name.

It's been rumored that Illinois leading rusher, Daniel Dufrene, will not play on Saturday due to personal issues he is trying to clear up. Likely to fill his void is the once (or was that twice?) committed to Iowa, Jason Ford. His stats look average, but if you break them down, they get worse. Currently he has 234 yards on 50 carries and 5 TDs. However, if you take away the Indiana game, he is left with 62 yards on 31 carries and 2 TDs (2 YPC and 8.9 yards per game). He has talent, there's no doubt about it, but I do think Iowa's vaunted D is going to be able to handle him easily. The scary part of the game is going to be focused on Juice. Williams is accountable for over 17 points per game for Illinois (far and away the highest number of anyone in the Big Ten). Iowa did well against Iowa last year against the option, but may have a hard time containing Juice this time out. The book says to force Juice to go down field, which is something that I think the Illini will be able to do at will on Saturday. Greenwood and Sash are going to be picked on quite a bit this game.

Shonn Green continues to plug away, and finally his hard work is getting national attention. Hawks knew his potential and his raw skill, so it's no surprise to see him excel - now the rest of the nation knows about him. This could be good or bad. Either that will force teams to respect Greene and load the box, thus allowing Iowa to open the playbook and pass wild. It also means Iowa is going to be forced to put a lot of trust in their first year, sophomore starting QB in Ricky Stanzi. It should be interesting how Ricky fares in a hostile environment on the road.

SIDENOTES:
I can't wait to hear Spielman's color commentary again. He's a STUD.
Iowa will not see Illinois again until 2011.
No word if Zook has a strategy to stop Nate Kaeding.

Offensive Player of the Game: Shonn Greene (Ninth consecutive week for obvious reasons)
Defensive Player of the Game: Mitch King (Iowa will need to get pressure with its front four and Mitch will be the key)

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PREDICTION:
Iowa - 24
Illinois - 23

FOOTBALL: Andy Brodell Takes It To The House vs. ISU

Just uploaded this one to YouTube today. It's the BTN's Promo that runs during some of the Hawk games. Stellar.



Direct YouTube Link

FOOTBALL: "I WILL" - The Iowa Hawkeye Version

Pretty cool.



YouTube DirectLink

FOOTBALL: Illinois Teams Up With Miller Lite

I don't know the validity of this billboard... but apparently there is a Miller Lite billboard around the Champaign area that changes on a weekly basis, depending on Illinois' upcoming weekend opponent.

Here's the alleged sign for the Iowa game:


However, through recent research I have discovered the first draft done up on the recommendation of good ol' Zooker. 

Here's the original billboard:


Now that's bulletin board material.

FOOTBALL: As expected, Iowa Takes Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week for Week 8

As predicted during the 4th quarter of the Wisconsin - Iowa game this weekend,  Shonn Greene and Pat Angerer are both Players of the Week in the Big Ten Conference.

Congrats to both.

Below is from Big Ten's Official Site:

Oct. 20, 2008


OFFENSE:
Shonn Greene, Iowa
JR, RB, Sicklerville, N.J./Milford Academy (Conn.)
Greene broke loose for a career-high 217 yards on 25 carries (8.7 avg.) and equaled a school record with four touchdowns to lead Iowa past Wisconsin and also become the first player in NCAA Division I history to top 100 rushing yards in each of the first eight games of a season. The junior running back’s 217-yard effort is tied for the sixth-best single-game effort in program annals and marks the first 200-yard outing by a Hawkeyes player since 2005, when Albert Young collected 202 yards at Northwestern. Greene led Iowa to a quick start with scoring runs of 12 and 34 yards to stake the hosts to a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. After the Badgers cut the deficit to 14-9, he sprinted 52 yards for another touchdown in the third period and added a 34-yard scoring gallop at the start of the fourth quarter to put the game away. He is the first Hawkeye to score four rushing touchdowns in a single game since Tavian Banks accomplished the feat against Iowa State in 1997. Greene also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season, becoming the second-fastest Iowa rusher to crack the mark behind Banks, who reached 1,000 yards in six games in 1997. Greene collects his first career player of the week accolade and the first for a Hawkeyes’ offensive player since the 2005 campaign.
LAST IOWA OFFENSIVE POW: WR Ed Hinkel on Nov. 21, 2005.
DEFENSE:
Pat Angerer, Iowa
JR, LB, Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf
Angerer established a career high with 16 tackles and added two interceptions to lead an Iowa defense that held Wisconsin without a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter.  The junior linebacker amassed 12 tackles in the first half alone, and his 16-tackle effort marks the most defensive stops in a single game by any Big Ten player this season. With the hosts holding a 28-9 lead heading into the fourth quarter, Angerer picked off passes to end back-to-back Badgers’ drives to put the game away. He returned his first interception 14 yards to give Iowa the ball at Wisconsin’s 48-yard line, which the offense turned into a touchdown four plays later for a 35-9 advantage. The Iowa native picked off his second pass on the ensuing possession and returned it five yards to the Badgers’ 37-yard line, setting up a field goal and a 38-9 lead. Angerer picks up the first weekly laurel of his career.
LAST IOWA DEFENSIVE POW: DE Karl Klug on Sept. 8, 2008.

FOOTBALL: Iowa Will Have Two Big Ten Players of the Week for Week 8

The game is not over yet, but go ahead and ink in the following for Players of the Week in the Big Ten...

SHONN GREENE - Offense
PAT ANGERER - Defense

These two just went out and put up career games against Wisconsin.
If Greene doesn't warrant Heisman talk now, I don't know if he'll ever get it.  200+ yards, 4 TDs, and looked impressive all game long.  Greene's 24 points ties the school record for Iowa.  Angerer had 15+ tackles and 2 INTs.  He was all over the field today.

Go ahead and send your congrats to these guys because it's going to happen.

FOOTBALL: 2008 Week Eight - Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers Preview

VS. 
GAME INFO: Sat., Oct. 18th, 2008 - 11:03 AM CST - Kinnick Stadium - Iowa City, IA
IOWA: 4-3 (1-2) NR / WISCONSIN: 3-3 (0-3) NR

TV COVERAGE: BTN (HD) will televise the game to a national cable audience. Mark Neely, Chris Martin, Glen Mason and Anthony Herron will call the action.
DEPTH CHART AND GAME NOTES: HERE
IOWA'S GAMEDAY CENTRAL : VIEW HERE

LINE: Iowa is a 4 point favorite at home.

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The battle for the Heartland Trophy has finally arrived.  Posts on message boards at the beginning of the season speculated the remote possibility of both these teams coming into the ballgame with perfect (or near perfect) records, which could then spawn College GameDay to come back to Iowa City... not the case, not even close.  Wisconsin has looked borderline awful the past few weeks.  While I think the Penn State blowout was an anamoly, this is not the same Badger team of the last decade.  Wisconsin hasn't scored more than 17 points in 3 of the last 4 games.  Don't look for that to change in today's game.  New QB for Wisconsin, as Beilema has benched Evridge.

So that puts the burdened squarely on Iowa's offense (and specifically Ricky Stanzi) to perform.  Shonn Greene is going to get his.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Greene get 30+ carries and get close to the 200 yard mark.  However, if Stanzi continues to make his trademark mistakes (fumbled snaps, INTs in the red zone, etc...) this game is going to remain close and Wisconsin can definitely leave Iowa City with the win.  I have faith in Ricky today, and in the offense in general (and even, gasp, Ken O'Keefe).

I see Iowa getting to .500 in conference after this game.  With an Iowa victory, the all-time series will tied once again, as well.  Iowa's defense will hold the Badgers down all day, and the offense will do enough to pull out the victory.

Offensive Player of the Game: Shonn Greene (Eigth consecutive week for obvious reasons)
Defensive Player of the Game: Amari Speivey (Just because he is the team leader in solo tackles and with Iowa's defensive scheme, they'll need their CBs to tackle today.  He'll get a pick, as well.)

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PREDICTION:
Iowa - 20
Wisconsin - 16

FOOTBALL: Pat Forde is One Silly Bastard

Photo on front of ESPN.com

Pat Forde is, again, ripping on Kirk Ferentz. Again, he is using inaccurate information.

Kirk Ferentz (16), Iowa. How bad is it: Bounce-back rout of Indiana renews hope that the 4-3 Hawkeyes can earn a bowl bid after staying home last season. The bigger issue might be making sure no more players wind up on the police blotter, after 19 have been arrested since April 2007 -- which is why the school hired a director of player development three weeks ago. Low point: Loss to Michigan State was the third straight this season, by a total of nine points, and was the fourth straight game in which Iowa failed to score more than 20 points. Chance of a turnaround: Ohio State is not on the schedule, which is a positive. Michigan is not on the schedule, which now looks like a negative. Ferentz has won at least six games seven years in a row and this should be eight -- but the most overpaid coach in the country has just a 23-21 record since 2005. Still, it's almost certain that Ferentz will be back for an 11th season unless other off-the-field issues arise.

No, Pat. There HAVEN'T been 19 players ARRESTED. Get your facts straight.

Most overpaid coach in the country? Blah. There are many others. Look at the revenue Iowa Football brings in and explain to me why Iowa should not have paid him what they did, when they did. 100 out 100 people would have done the EXACT SAME THING Bob Bowlsby did when he signed Kirk to that extension. He is not overpaid, he is getting paid what the market required.

And then Pat uses his last line in the piece to redact everything he previously said by stating that Ferentz will likely be back. Nice back-pedal, Pat.

The sooner people realize Ferentz isn't going anywhere, the better. If he leaves, it'll be for the NFL, but he has repeatedly turned those jobs down, as well. Then again, articles like this will get read because they are "soap opera"ish, and America loves drama.

FOOTBALL: 2008 Week Seven - Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Indiana Hoosiers Preview

VS.
GAME INFO: Sat., Oct. 11th, 2008 - 11:03 AM CST - Memorial Stadium - Bloomington, IN
IOWA: 3-3 (0-2) NR / INDIANA: 2-3 (0-2) NR

TV COVERAGE: BTN (HD) will televise the game to a national cable audience. Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin will call the action.
DEPTH CHART AND GAME NOTES: HERE
IOWA'S GAMEDAY CENTRAL : VIEW HERE

LINE: Iowa is a 6 point favorite on the road.

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Alright, enough is enough. This is not a bad Iowa team. It's a good, young Iowa team. Mistakes are being made all over the field, but you can't deny this team has talent.

Although I thought the MSU game would the turning point of the season for the Hawks, it has now moved to this game. Indiana's defense is borderline awful, and without James Hardy to run wild on Iowa, this game shouldn't be close. The Hoosiers still have Thigpen and Lewis, but those two aren't going to be nearly enough.

Shonn Greene could honestly break the school record today in Bloomington. It won't happen, as he won't get enough carries to do so, but this defense's rushing D is horrendous. Greene is going to run wild in this game. Stanzi will continue to make his mistakes, but all in the will be fine if he continues to show he can stretch the field.

Iowa could possibly be the best 3 win team in the nation (yes, it's sad to say, but it's true).

I like Iowa in this one, big.

Offensive Player of the Game: Shonn Greene (Seventh consecutive week for obvious reasons)
Defensive Player of the Game: A.J. Edds

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PREDICTION:
Iowa - 34
Indiana - 10

FOOTBALL: Halfway Through the Season - Looking Back at My Prognostications

Back in late August, I listed 8 Audacious Big Ten Prognostications for the upcoming football season. Seeing as we are about halfway through the season, I thought it'd be worth taking a look at how my predictions were coming along.

1. OHIO STATE WILL NOT MAKE IT TO THE BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

No doubt about it, Ohio State is stacked this year. They are, hands down, the best team in the Big Ten. The Pryor show will be entertaining. The defense is solid. Yet I don't see them getting past USC in the third week of the season inside the Coliseum. A one loss Ohio State team can absolutely make it to the BCS Championship game, but I think they end up with two losses on their resume. I see them slipping up either in Madison or East Lansing.

RESULT: LIKELY. The USC loss happened, but the loss at Madison didn't. However, Ohio St. does not look as good through the first half as I thought they would. I am still confident this one will come true. And with Penn St. playing good ball, if they win out, they will be going the NCG.

2. MICHIGAN STATE WILL NOT WIN 8 GAMES

So I just told you Michigan State could beat Ohio State, which I think is true... but their season will not be as glorious as that potential upset. The rest of the world thinks it will be, though. Good Lord. Everyone loves Dantonio (Mark, the HC of the Spartans, not Mike, the bassist for Killswitch Engage). The Spartans are the Dark Horse for the Big Ten crown. Dantonio for Big Ten Coach of the Year. Enough already. Now don't take this as an anti-MSU rant, but I see them losing to CAL and ND in the out of conference schedule... and if that happens I just can't picture MSU getting 6 wins in conference when they have to face Ohio State, Penn State, and Wisconsin (arguably the Top 3 teams in the Big Ten) and not getting the gimmie vs. Minnesota. 7-5 is the best I see from MSU. I keep hearing "watch out for Michigan State", but enough of that palaver because Sparty isn't going be "that team". Michigan State hasn't had back to back winning seasons since I was in grade school. They might break that streak this year, but not to the tune of 8 wins. Besides, it's not like MSU is known for rising to the occasion over the past few decades.

RESULT: TOSS-UP. MSU is sitting at 5-1 right now. By my count that means they need to get 3 more to bust my prediction. Should be easy enough, right? Take a look at MSU schedule, it's gets tougher as the year goes on and I honestly think Jevon Ringer is going to run out of steam soon.

3. THE BIG TEN COACH MOST LIKELY TO BE FIRED AT THE END OF THE SEASON IS NOT KIRK FERENTZ.
Kirk Ferentz has to be the most likely, right? He's overrated, overpaid, overmatched, etc... WRONG. SHUT UP. Ferentz isn't going anywhere unless he leaves for the NFL, which he has turned down multiple times during his tenure at the University of Iowa. His paycheck was based on the market's demand at the time, and I don't have a problem with what Iowa pays him. He's a hell of coach, and an even better person. He's not going anywhere. However, Tim Brewster might be. Oh, what a silly, silly comment to make about a man in his second year at a school. No way he is going to be fired. Think again. Timmy can't seem to keep any of his recruits eligible - the incoming freshman class recorded the lowest test scores of any school in the Big Ten. Rumor is their stud recruit, MarQueis Gray had someone re-take his qualifying test score. Whoops. Plus, Timmy wanted to bolster his defense, so he hired an assistant coach away from the football powerhouse named Duke. Let me repeat that. Tim Brewster, head coach of Minnesota, wanted to improve his team, so he hired someone from DUKE. DUKE! Well done, sir. Of all the Big Ten coaches, I would pick Brewster over anyone else to get the axe.

RESULT: FAIL... SORT OF. Adam Weber is single-handely keeping Brewster's job intact, while three straight losses isn't helping Kirk Ferentz's job security (albeit he really isn't going anywhere regardless). So while Brewster likely isn't going anywhere, neither is Kirk.

4. CURTIS PAINTER IS NOT A HEISMAN TROPHY CANDIDATE
Contrary to the Purdue Sports Department's opinion, there's no way Curtis Painter is or will be a candidate for the Heisman Trophy. First off, Curtis Painter really isn't that good. Check out his Big Ten only stats and get back to me as to why he would be a candidate for the Heisman. He's not even the best QB in the Big Ten. Additionally, he plays for Purdue. By all means, you need to be in at least a January Bowl to be seriously considered for the Heisman. As much as Tiller can pray for it, Purdue isn't going to be bowling in the early part of '09. And finally, having a site like CurtisPainter12.com will do nothing to help the case... it's worse than having a huge banner on a building in Times Square.

RESULT: FACT. 110-for-191, 1,225 yds, 5 TD, 5 INT, 0 rush TD, QB Rating: 114.9 and almost getting benched isn't going to get you to NYC anytime soon.

5. MICHIGAN WILL NOT FINISH BETTER THAN 5TH IN THE BIG TEN
Sure, the Wolverines have some of the best young talent in the nation; R-Rod brought a TON of athletes with him to Ann Arbor. The problem, though, is the system Rich brought with him to Ann Arbor. The offensive scheme used at West Virginia isn't the simplest one to pick up at the drop of a hat. Add in the fact that the players remaining from Carr's reign will have to completely change their approach to the game, and things aren't going to turn out well. You are going to see a lot of talented players, who don't know how to play together, trying to learn a system as the year progresses. Oh right... the starting QB for Michigan has never taken a snap at the collegiate level either. Still, there are experts around the nation putting them in their Top 25 for whatever reason. Michigan MIGHT get to 7 wins, but they will struggle to finish in the upper half of the Big Ten.

RESULT: LIKELY. This team is getting better every week, but they do not have what it takes to break the Top 4 in the Big Ten.

6. BIG TEN NETWORK'S "FRIDAY NIGHT TAILGATE" WILL STILL SUCK
Listen, I adore the BTN. I really do. I love it more than eating Breyer's All-Natural Rocky Road ice cream (and I am man who loves him some ice cream). Here's their latest promo - JORDAN AND MIKE - "GET READY FOR THE TAILGATE". I'm not sure this is what Mike Hall had in mind after winning ESPN's Dream Job, but at least he's on TV and making money. But what's with the "FNT" logo? Are they trying to promote Wrestlemania or something? The fact remains that although you get to see some cool on-campus shots and a look at some of the co-eds, "Friday Night Tailgate" still makes me want to take the BTN off my DirecTV Favorites List... but at least they got rid of the fat guy. Clarissa Thompson could be its only saving grace, but it might require too much from her.

RESULT: FACT. Holy hell, yes. The worst show on BTN, if not the entire broadcasting world. Great premise, AWFUL show.

7. WISCONSIN WILL LOSE A GAME AT HOME THIS YEAR
The Badgers have yet to lose a home game under former Hawkeye (and current recruit poacher), Bret Bielema. That will change this year. Penn State, Ohio State, and Illinois all make their way to Madison at some point during the season. Yes, Camp Randall is one of the most rocking stadium in not only the Big Ten, but also the entire nation. Yet the contingency of 76,000+ drunkards attending the games will not be enough to help out the Badgers in their quest to remain undefeated at home... no matter how much jumping around they do. QB woes will do in Bucky at home this year.

RESULT: FACT. It already happened, and will likely happen again this year.

8. THE IOWA HAWKEYES WILL WIN AT LEAST NINE GAMES THIS YEAR
I can hear it already, "YOU FRICKIN' HOMER!!" Settle down and read on. The safe bet would be to say 7-5 or 8-4, but this is supposed to be audacious... so there you go. Iowa will finish this season with a minimum record of 9-3. They could make it through the non-conference schedule unscathed, but I think they drop one over at Heinz Field. That leaves them with a 6-2 record in conference, which is very doable considering the schedule they have in front of them (I completely disagree that it's the easiest in the nation, however, by a long shot). Their toughest opponents (Wisconsin and Penn State) are at home, not to mention their bye week is after Wisconsin and before traveling to Illinois. If Iowa can stay healthy (and get healthy, as well - Moeaki, Stross, Bernstine, etc...), there is no reason they can't put at least the number "9" in the Win column. This year's front four on defense is one of, if not, the best in the Big Ten. The offense will struggle at times this year again, but with the return of Shonn Greene, as well as Moeaki, Brodell, and Stross, Iowa has some actual weapons out on the field. Don't overlook what Erik Campbell, one of the nation's best assistant coaches, will do for Iowa's receivers. Solid D + Contributing Offense = At least 9 wins.

RESULT: UNLIKELY. Iowa would need to go 5-1 the rest of the way, and also win the bowl game that would come along with an 8-4 finish. Or, obviously, Iowa would need to run the table, and the Bowl Game wouldn't factor - that's not happening, in my opinion. The good thing about this 3-3 team so far this year is that they are in all the games and actually look like a quality football team on the field. It's not completely out the question to see Iowa get to the 8 win mark, not at all.