Some people think this mascot is kind of weak, I like it's old-fashionedness.
After a week of making all of you(hi mom) wait to see who finishes 2nd in the conference, the day has come. Iowa, is 2010 pre-season pick by me to finish as Big Ten runner-up.
To say the least, 2009 was a good year for Hawkeye football. Iowa started off ranked 22nd in the country and barely beat an unranked Northern Iowa team at home by a final score of 17-16. All did not feel well in Iowa City, and the Hawkeyes promptly fell out of the top 25. In week two Iowa traveled to play in-state rival Iowa State, who's mascot is something mixed between the Tasmanian Devil and an Arizona Cardinal, in Ames (with No i). Iowa had no issues handling ISU to the tune of 35-3.
A week later Iowa beat Arizona at home and then went on to face #4/5 Penn State in "Happy Valley". The Daryll Clark Heisman campaign ended abruptly that September evening. The Iowa defensive line made PSU's O-line look like a bunch of undersized high schoolers(ducks head to avoid objects thrown by PSU fans). Adrian Clayborn rumbled for 6 and Daryll Clark was a sad panda again. You wanted a "Statement Game"?? Well, you got it.
A week later Iowa beat Arizona at home and then went on to face #4/5 Penn State in "Happy Valley". The Daryll Clark Heisman campaign ended abruptly that September evening. The Iowa defensive line made PSU's O-line look like a bunch of undersized high schoolers(ducks head to avoid objects thrown by PSU fans). Adrian Clayborn rumbled for 6 and Daryll Clark was a sad panda again. You wanted a "Statement Game"?? Well, you got it.
The Autumn Wind/Angry Pirate. No not the sexual term that I won't link to.
With the win at Penn State Iowa found themselves in the top 15. After a ho-hum win over Arkansas State, we had an early season match-up of top 15 teams with a game against that team up north. At the time TTUN "was back", Tate Forcier hadn't gone for 5 yet and Rich Rod was close to a 10 year "Charlie Weis Special" contract extension. The game was as exciting as advertised and Iowa went on to win by a final score of 30-28. Iowa went on to beat Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. The Hawkeyes had played their way in to the top 5 and some fans were starting to smell roses.
Then it happened. Iowa lost to Northwestern at home (supposedly NW is Iowa's kryptonite??) which set up the biggest game in the Big Ten; #10 Iowa at #11 Ohio State for the Big Ten Championship and a trip to Pasadena to face the Pac 10 champs. We know how it went. Vandenberg doesn't want your life, but some of us want his mom. OSU run game goes wild and somehow we end up in over time, thanks to a return for a TD for Iowa on special teams. Overtime... crap. Tresselball takes over, field goal time but it's a guy that most of us don't know of, Barclay. He hits it, loses the name of his back and the Buckeyes win.
Sort of a big deal.
Iowa goes on to beat Minnesota and earn an at-large spot in the formerly FedEx Orange. They do the Big Ten proud by beating Georgia Tech. Stanzi does America proud by telling us that if we don't like it, we can GTFO.
Then it happened. Iowa lost to Northwestern at home (supposedly NW is Iowa's kryptonite??) which set up the biggest game in the Big Ten; #10 Iowa at #11 Ohio State for the Big Ten Championship and a trip to Pasadena to face the Pac 10 champs. We know how it went. Vandenberg doesn't want your life, but some of us want his mom. OSU run game goes wild and somehow we end up in over time, thanks to a return for a TD for Iowa on special teams. Overtime... crap. Tresselball takes over, field goal time but it's a guy that most of us don't know of, Barclay. He hits it, loses the name of his back and the Buckeyes win.
Sort of a big deal.
Yeah, YOU can GTFO of 'Merca.
After the bowl win, expectations for 2010 are high. On offense Ricky Stanzi returns to save American for Al Qaeda. Stanzi had a decent year last year going for 2,417 yards 17 TDs, 15 INTs while throwing for 56%. Not great numbers honestly. For Iowa to be a real threat at the MNC he's got to do better. Even if Stanzi has what it takes to improve he's got 3 or 4, depending on who you ask, new linemen in front of him. Tall order for any team to overcome.
It's no secret that defense was Iowa's strength last year and that the defensive unit carried this team when it had to. Well, guess what? Most of them are back with exception to the entire linebacking corps(OK, one guy is back) and one cornerback. 8 returning starters isn't bad at all considering the front four returns intact. Can the linebackers get up to speed by the time the tough games roll around? Most likely, yes.
Obviously I think Iowa is pretty damned good based on them being 2nd in the Big Ten, but let's take a look at their schedule for potential trap games etc.
Eastern Illinois (W) - It's a home game, and it's Eastern Illinois. Tony Romo is no longer their QB. This is a good warm up for the new O-lineman.
Iowa State (W) - Last year was a little to close for comfort for Iowa fans. This year it's a home game and I think at least a 100 point win. (just kidding it wasn't close, that was NIU)
@Arizona (W) - For some reason, Iowa fans are nervous about this game. Zona does have a good QB, but Mike Stoops is still Mike Stoops. Iowa wins, but it could be close just because of the travel/jet lag factor.
Ball State (W) - Sorry, David Letterman.
"ehhh, ya got any gum? hee heeeeeee"
It's no secret that defense was Iowa's strength last year and that the defensive unit carried this team when it had to. Well, guess what? Most of them are back with exception to the entire linebacking corps(OK, one guy is back) and one cornerback. 8 returning starters isn't bad at all considering the front four returns intact. Can the linebackers get up to speed by the time the tough games roll around? Most likely, yes.
Obviously I think Iowa is pretty damned good based on them being 2nd in the Big Ten, but let's take a look at their schedule for potential trap games etc.
Eastern Illinois (W) - It's a home game, and it's Eastern Illinois. Tony Romo is no longer their QB. This is a good warm up for the new O-lineman.
Iowa State (W) - Last year was a little to close for comfort for Iowa fans. This year it's a home game and I think at least a 100 point win. (just kidding it wasn't close, that was NIU)
@Arizona (W) - For some reason, Iowa fans are nervous about this game. Zona does have a good QB, but Mike Stoops is still Mike Stoops. Iowa wins, but it could be close just because of the travel/jet lag factor.
Ball State (W) - Sorry, David Letterman.
"ehhh, ya got any gum? hee heeeeeee"
Penn State (W) - Last year, Iowa's defense made Daryll Clark look like Anthony Morelli with a worse arm. The Matt McGloin/Kevin Newsome combo won't have any luck either.
BYE WEEK
Michigan (W) - Velcro Robinson doesn't stand a chance.
Wisconsin (W) - This is going to be a battle, pitting strength against strength. Wisconsin's O-line may be the best in the country and Iowa's D-Line is either best or 2nd best depending on who you ask. I give Iowa the slight advantage because it's a home game. Can Wisconsin run against Iowa this year? Which QB makes less mistakes? This is one of the biggest games of the year in the Big Ten, if not the country.
Michigan State (W) - Interception war 2010.
@Indiana (W) - QB sleeves or not, Ben Chappell is going to get hit a lot during this game.
@ Northwestern (W) - Revenge for 2009 is in order.
Ohio State (L) - This game is basically the Big Ten Championship game before we get one in 2011. It's going to come down to Ohio State's veteran defensive line versus Iowa's new O-Line. James Vandenberg doesn't want your life.
Vandenberg, Vanderbeek. Get it?
You win this pig, again. Just keep it for a while.
BYE WEEK
Michigan (W) - Velcro Robinson doesn't stand a chance.
Wisconsin (W) - This is going to be a battle, pitting strength against strength. Wisconsin's O-line may be the best in the country and Iowa's D-Line is either best or 2nd best depending on who you ask. I give Iowa the slight advantage because it's a home game. Can Wisconsin run against Iowa this year? Which QB makes less mistakes? This is one of the biggest games of the year in the Big Ten, if not the country.
Michigan State (W) - Interception war 2010.
@Indiana (W) - QB sleeves or not, Ben Chappell is going to get hit a lot during this game.
@ Northwestern (W) - Revenge for 2009 is in order.
Ohio State (L) - This game is basically the Big Ten Championship game before we get one in 2011. It's going to come down to Ohio State's veteran defensive line versus Iowa's new O-Line. James Vandenberg doesn't want your life.
Vandenberg, Vanderbeek. Get it?
Minnesota (W) - The battle for Floyd. Football shaped locker rooms don't help you win games. Neither do pink ones. Also, Tim Brewster, you're fired.
You win this pig, again. Just keep it for a while.
Iowa goes 11-1 during the regular season and earns it's way to an at-large BCS Bowl bid. Normally, they'd be heading to Pasadena but there's some stupid agreement that makes the Rose Bowl committee take a non AQ team this year. Orange Bowl again? Maybe Sugar? Fiesta? Yeah one of those. (Although, when I thought about this a little longer, Iowa could still go to the Rose Bowl. Let's say USC wins the Pac10. They're obviously not eligible for the post season, would the non-AQ team take the pac10's spot?)
