en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/630713 Comments by iowamike21 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/14/hlas-column-hawkeyes-have-just-one-real-concern-this-week-namely-the-arizona-wildcats#IDComment98944062 You have a worthy theory, Mike, and I'm confident the evidence will be ample by late Saturday night that will transform it from theory to fact. Almost every team faces adversity over the course of a long football season, but already the Hawks have had the Brandon Wegher distraction and, now, the truly unfortunate health problems of the great D-coordinator, Norm Parker. I believe the Hawks will once again use adversity as catalyst on Saturday night. And neither the Hawkeyes nor the coaching staff will ever have to relive that ASU nightmare again. The tables turn in Tucson. Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:29:22 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/14/hlas-column-hawkeyes-have-just-one-real-concern-this-week-namely-the-arizona-wildcats#IDComment98944062 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/14/tuesday-talk-arizona#IDComment98941787 It does seem a little odd that Coach Stoops couldn't remember his running mate with the Hawkeyes. I vividly remember Mitchell stopping an Indiana receiver at the 1 yard line in Bloomington with a tremendous tackle on the last play of the game. It saved a Hawkeye victory. It does seem like it would be difficult to forget a guy like that, but all will be forgiven after Iowa teaches Mr. Stoops and his Arizona boys a few lessons on Saturday night. Iowa-41, AZ-9 But the main reason for this post is to congratulate you, Marc, on your new blog photo. Bulaga and you. I like it. Great job. Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:21:18 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/14/tuesday-talk-arizona#IDComment98941787 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/12/the-time-has-come-this-week-hawkeyes-must-face-the-heat#IDComment98551458 Taking Arizona and 32 points would be a wise move, one befitting Hlastradamus... :) Until they prove me wrong, I just think this Iowa team has a unique combination of experience, talent, depth, character, chemistry, focus, coaching... I just think that what they've learned the last couple of years, and how close they came to perfection last year, has the Hawkeyes on a mission. Lots of teams may think they're on a mission, too, but they lack that unique combination of qualities I think Iowa has. And besides, if Nebraska can beat Arizona by 33, I don't think a 32-point Hawkeye win is all that unlikely. But that's why this is all so much fun. They're going to play the game and then we'll all find out. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:37:23 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/12/the-time-has-come-this-week-hawkeyes-must-face-the-heat#IDComment98551458 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/12/the-last-call-the-long-ball#IDComment98485411 That's a shocking picture, Marc. I don't remember ever seeing Ferentz jump on a player during a game. I know he must at times, but it seems so out of character to see it in a photo. And I think you're right. It seems Kirk's ire is directed at Hampton, NOT DJK. As for Saturday night, Arizona will pay for scheduling Toledo and the Citadel when an actual football team visits Tucson and runs wild in the desert: Iowa-41, Arizona-9. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:24:34 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/12/the-last-call-the-long-ball#IDComment98485411 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/09/11/jewel-hampton-stays-busy-for-iowa#IDComment98484813 Once Jewell gets his game legs, he and Robinson will be a dynamic RB monster. You can count on that. And how about that O-line? People worried about the losses, but forgot the mantra: "Next man in." This Iowa O-line is good and young and will only get better. And that, of course, is the key for the RB's and the offense. As for this week, Arizona hasn't even worked up a sweat yet against Toledo and the Citadel. That changes Saturday night. The Hawks run wild in the desert: Iowa-41, Arizona-9. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:17:22 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/09/11/jewel-hampton-stays-busy-for-iowa#IDComment98484813 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/12/the-time-has-come-this-week-hawkeyes-must-face-the-heat#IDComment98483841 It's true that it doesn't matter what Iowa does. Iowa is Iowa to most of those outside the state. That will never change. As far as the schedule, it might be noted that Iowa had 19 consecutive non-winning seasons (1962-80) often because its 3 (in those days) non-conference games were USC, UCLA and Penn State or Oklahoma or Nebraska. One reason Hayden turned the progam around is that he adjusted the schedule to one cupcake, one game about even, and one a challenge. Frankly, I wish Iowa would NEVER play teams like E. Ill. or Ball State or FIU. I'd love a series with a Texas A&M, a Kentucky, a Maryland, a Navy, Army or Air Force, Notre Dame, or powerful Va-Tech. But as to the Arizona game, Iowa State is a far better football team than Toledo or the Citadel. Arizona hasn't even worked up a sweat yet. They will Saturday night. You can take it to the bank: Iowa collects its first two field goals of the year, and FG's are all the Wildcats can manage. This ain't the Citadel. Take it to the bank: Iowa-41, Arizona-9. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:05:46 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/12/the-time-has-come-this-week-hawkeyes-must-face-the-heat#IDComment98483841 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/09/11/jewel-hampton-stays-busy-for-iowa#IDComment98324765 Robinson is amazing. He was a nobody until Jewel got hurt last year, and look at him now. He's too slow, he runs too straight up, he doesn't hit the hole quick enough...all he does is help the Hawkeyes win. This is a typical Iowa style back. No flash, just guts. And he's pretty smart, too, knowing that sharing duties with Hampton this year will keep both of them fresh and make the team better. Let's keep them both healthy. Sun, 12 Sep 2010 06:11:30 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/09/11/jewel-hampton-stays-busy-for-iowa#IDComment98324765 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/11/hlas-column-so-far-hawkeyes-are-coolheaded-and-coldblooded#IDComment98323725 Remember the angst some people expressed going into this game? Remember how some were worried about the offensive line of bowl-winning ISU, the running game, the improved Arnaud, etc, etc., etc.? Now, not so much... And speaking of Boise, I'd love to see them play James Madison for the BCS title in Glendale. That would be a wonderful game, what with both squads having handled V-Tech. Of course, there is the problem that James M. isn't a BCS school. But given the fact that some folks had Boise in the national title game after their last-second win over V-Tech, why not give James the same respect for accomplishing the same thing? Sun, 12 Sep 2010 06:07:03 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/11/hlas-column-so-far-hawkeyes-are-coolheaded-and-coldblooded#IDComment98323725 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/11/picture-perfect#IDComment98322520 Excellent description, Marc. The word choice seems apt. This is the performance I had in mind when I suggested Iowa would win 44-3. Iowa is an elite team, and ISU, well, isn't. Early in the second quarter, Iowa had 222 total yards to minus 2 for ISU. That's the kind of game it was. But I was disappointed in the punt and kick coverage. That's a great area for improvement in Tucson next week. And since I'm a fan, I can skip ahead and point out that after Arizona, it's Ball State, the team that lost to Liberty yesterday. The Hawkeyes had better get that W in the desert, then prepare for the deep reserves to play lots of football against BSU. That one could get ugly. Sun, 12 Sep 2010 05:58:20 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/11/picture-perfect#IDComment98322520 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/sports/iowa-hawkeyes/hawkeye-football/2010/09/11/at-halftime-iowa-28-isu-0#IDComment98320455 Early in the second quarter, Iowa had 222 yards of offense, Iowa State had run 6 plays for a MINUS two yards. If you asked ISU, I suspect they'd consider that close enough to a "crushing." Sun, 12 Sep 2010 05:46:49 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/sports/iowa-hawkeyes/hawkeye-football/2010/09/11/at-halftime-iowa-28-isu-0#IDComment98320455 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/sports/iowa-hawkeyes/hawkeye-football/2010/09/11/at-halftime-iowa-28-isu-0#IDComment98320056 The Hawkeyes aren't ranked in the Top Ten for nothing. Iowa was a 14-point favorite. They won by 28 after calling off the dogs early in the second half. No, it wasn't 72-0, but then Bob Stoops doesn't coach the Hawkeyes. This was total domination by, perhaps, the best defense in the country and an offense that is beautifully balanced. That young offensive line seems to be coming along just fine, BTW. Ask the Cyclones. Oh, and it's good to see that Boise and James Madison are destined for the BCS championship game. Oh, wait, James M. isn't a BCS school.... Maybe that Boise win over V-Tech wasn't quite so impressive after all... Sun, 12 Sep 2010 05:43:44 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/sports/iowa-hawkeyes/hawkeye-football/2010/09/11/at-halftime-iowa-28-isu-0#IDComment98320056 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/09/09/iowas-tillison-says-hes-unbreakable-right-now#IDComment97953314 Thanks for telling a story that, again, makes it great to be a Hawkeye. Coach Ferentz and his staff didn't need Lance, but they took him back not so much for what he could do for the team, but for what the team -- and an Iowa degree -- could do for him. That's why, when Big Ten players were asked what coach they'd most like to play for, the majority said Kirk Ferentz. And that's why it's so much fun to follow the Hawkeyes. It's about quality people, and I'm glad Lance Tillison is one of them again. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 04:19:54 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/09/09/iowas-tillison-says-hes-unbreakable-right-now#IDComment97953314 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/09/predictions-on-the-iowa-state-iowa-game-from-hither-and-yon#IDComment97951938 Iowa needs to make a statement, needs to add some substance to the hype. And I think it will on Saturday. Iowa-44, ISU-3. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 04:13:22 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/09/predictions-on-the-iowa-state-iowa-game-from-hither-and-yon#IDComment97951938 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/09/the-big-analysis-iowa-state-2#IDComment97756190 Great analysis, as always, Marc. And your projected score is entirely logical and likely. But based on the embarrassment the Iowa D-line still feels from last year's game, and the return of Hampton to help energize the offense, and the fact that Kinnick had better be rockin', I'd like to think the Hawkeyes will open some eyes with an old-fashioned thrashing of the Cyclones. So I'll call it Iowa-44, ISU-3. That's a score worthy of a No. 9 team that's on a mission playing at home against an in-state rival. The Hawkeyes need to take it to ISU from the coin flip and never let up. Period. Thu, 9 Sep 2010 05:49:25 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/09/the-big-analysis-iowa-state-2#IDComment97756190 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/08/john-feinstein-boise-state-surely-would-have-beaten-iowa-last-year#IDComment97618806 O.K. I wanna play "they surely would have," too. My version goes like this: Iowa "surely would have" beaten NW last year if Stanzi hadn't gotten hurt. And Iowa "surely would have" beaten Ohio State if (a) an Iowa receiver catches a pass in the end zone instead of dropping it or (b) makes a 22-yard FG that missed by inches. And then Iowa "surely would have been" in the national championship game at 12-0. And so the Hawkeyes "surely would have" won that game and with it, the national title. See? Isn't this the most fun since, well, ever?! And anyone can play Mr. Feinstein's game. Hey, how about this one: If grandma were a guy, she "surely would have" been grandpa. Although I have to admit, that one does display a lot more concrete logic than JF's. But never mind. Go ahead. Join the fun. Let's ALL play "surely would have"! Wed, 8 Sep 2010 14:30:56 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/08/john-feinstein-boise-state-surely-would-have-beaten-iowa-last-year#IDComment97618806 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/06/omeara-named-big-ten-special-teams-pow#IDComment97313853 I would echo the sentiments of gohoks83. O'Meara has been unfairly maligned by many on the message boards. All the kid has done is his best, without complaint. And what a difference a year makes. Last year's opener didn't go the kid's way, but he didn't pout. He stayed tough all year. And now, a year later, he is rewarded for his selfless, hard-nosed play. That was a brilliant punt block and a difficult pick-up and return for a TD. Then Paki looked quicker and effective in his carries from scrimmage. This is great. I'm really thrilled for him. Mon, 6 Sep 2010 16:39:55 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/06/omeara-named-big-ten-special-teams-pow#IDComment97313853 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/05/hlas-column-that-35-3-win-over-cyclones-last-year-means-zero-to-hawkeyes-now#IDComment97239164 Caution is always good. Respect for an opponent is always good. And so the Hawkeyes will be cautious in their comments all week and will respect ISU on Saturday. Then again, the game is in Kinnick and ISU will be facing a Top Ten team, not a team that might be a contender in the MAC. And so when the caution is over and the respect amply applied, check the scoreboard. No, it won't be another 35-3 Hawkeye win. Instead, I'll take a tough game that Iowa slips away with by the score of 44-3. Mon, 6 Sep 2010 05:16:36 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/09/05/hlas-column-that-35-3-win-over-cyclones-last-year-means-zero-to-hawkeyes-now#IDComment97239164 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/05/nothing-innocent-when-it-comes-to-iowa-isu#IDComment97140340 Ferentz gave a plausible and honest explanation, but nobody can control how ISU people want to interpret it. Frankly, it matters not. Will ISU be coming after Clayborn? Was PSU coming after him last year in Happy Valley? How did that work out for PSU and their 100,000+ "white house" fans bent on revenge? It will take a little more than bulletin board material taken out of context for ISU to survive on Saturday. I'm thinkin' the Cyclones had better leave the bus runnin'. They'll want to be on it as fast as possible after another old-fashioned beat-down: Iowa-44, ISU-3. Sun, 5 Sep 2010 14:47:42 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/05/nothing-innocent-when-it-comes-to-iowa-isu#IDComment97140340 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/09/03/video-windy-unveiling-of-evashevski-drive#IDComment96785659 Hayden Fry Way, Forest Evashevski Drive... These are great things, except they're both tardy. At least Hayden's still around to appreciate the recognition. Iowa should have done this for Evy long ago...at least while he was still alive. It's seldom too early to recognize someone for the contributions they've made, but it can definitely be too late. Or maybe it's true: Better late than never... Fri, 3 Sep 2010 17:44:07 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/09/03/video-windy-unveiling-of-evashevski-drive#IDComment96785659 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/09/01/new-era-begins-for-iowa-football-big-ten#IDComment96605528 We all know geography would have worked just as well over the long term, but Delany and gang just couldn't resist the gerrymandering opportunity for TV purposes. But it is what it is, and what it is isn't bad for Iowa. It's just not as good as geography would have been. I like keeping OSU-Michigan as a last game. And it'll be great for Iowa to square off against the Buckeyes or Beavers, or maybe Wisconsin or Illinois, in Big Ten championship games in years to come. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 15:31:47 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/09/01/new-era-begins-for-iowa-football-big-ten#IDComment96605528