COMMENTARY: Iowa Football Regular Season in Review
By Jeff Hare
Well, the regular football season has ended for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and what a year we have seen.
What started with 2 blocked kicks, and ended with a goal line stand. Th regular season ended with 10 wins and 2 losses.
I don’t think any of us in July would have imagined this kind of season. For me, I don’t think I have ever witnessed a season with as much drama, entertainment and pride, that I have had this year. It seemed like nothing was easy, and we couldn’t take anything for granted.
Starting with the 2 blocks kicks against UNI, then the wins over Iowa State and Arizona. We will never forget the rain and Adrian Clayborn against Penn State.
How about almost blowing the season against Arkansas State, then coming back to win in the darkness and cold over Michigan. Beating Wisconsin and Michigan State on the road (will any Hawkeye fan ever forget the sight of Marvin McNutt holding onto the ball with an Michigan State defender hanging all over him?)
From there it was the rally against Indiana, followed by the two heartbreaks. And then the icing, a hard fought 12-0 win over the Gophers, to keep Floyd in Iowa, where he belongs. What a year.
So where to next? We know Ohio State will go to the Rose Bowl. Rumors are rampant that a second Big Ten team will go to a BCS game. If that is the case, it will come down to Iowa and Penn State. Though Iowa won that game in September, I am not sure that will mean a lot with the selection people.
Penn State will travel well, and will bring one of the great personalities in all of sport (Joe Paterno). Iowa brings a lot also, in terms of fans and story lines. My own thought is that if, (and that is a big if), a Big Ten team is chosen, it will be Penn State. Iowa has played some great games on TV this season and brings sizeable ratings, but in the end, the lure and national appeal of Penn State will win out.
That drops Iowa to the Capital One Bowl against an SEC team. No idea on who they will play as of yet, as the SEC still has some big games to play. Now if the BCS doesn’t take a second Big Ten team, I think Penn State will play the Outback Bowl.
The selection committee has a lot to questions to answer, especially with Boise State and TCU. Also, the Big 12 is trying to make a case for a good looking 9-2 Oklahoma State team also. I am not real sure that Oklahoma State will bring the fans like Iowa or Penn State, but if they beat Oklahoma, they will and deservedly so, get a long look from the BCS Committee. The next 3 weeks or so, in college football will be a lot of fun. This year has been great and so it continues.
IN OTHER NEWS AND NOTES IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL
A big shout out goes to the Iowa State Cyclones. Bowl eligible in Paul Rhodes first season. They have done very well, and hopefully they will get a nice bowl game and that seventh win. Great job.
As far as the coaching carousel in the college game, the hottest seat is in South Bend. I think Charlie Weis will be let go. What will be interesting is who new coach will be at Notre Dame.
Here’s a recap from the UI:
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