Rudock's Raiders destroy Cooper City Cowboys

49-7.


Jake and his teammates still have a chance at winning a National Title!

So who will we JUMP for a Bowl game this year?

Lest I remind you:

2005: Iowa jumped Michigan for a better Bowl.
2008: Iowa jumped Northwestern for a better Bowl.
2009: Iowa got the better Bowl over a Penn State team with the same record.

2010?

Ironically, it is Penn State; Michigan and Northwestern we are currently tied with at 7-4. So in the near future we will have jumped one of those programs TWICE in the last 6 years. HEY, I'm clinging to any good news I can get right now!

Gee, now I don't agree with Gordon

Oh, I'm not talking about the President of Ohio State University. I'm talking about Melvin Gordon. He told a "pretty girl" (Iowa) back in August he would go to the Valentines dance. Now that pretty girl has some acne and another pretty girl (Wisky) close to his house has asked him to the dance. So he has dumped the girl with acne and has now givin his heart to the pretty girl closer to home.

Melvin is fickle.

Girls are fickle.

Ergo, Melvin is a girl. (lesbian?)

And NOW he'll probably get that 4th star we all were waiting for. Lastly, people are claiming a fight in the Iowa locker room lead to this recent change of heart. Every intelligent person knows that is B.S. 7-4 versus 10-1 is what lead to this change of heart.

Game Wrap-Up (after my drunkin coma)

Player of the Game: Coker

Play of the Game: Pryor rushes for 14 yards on 4th and ten to the Iowa 36.

Player of the season: Stanzi

Surprise Player of the season: Coker

Under-Appreciated Player of the Season: Greenwood

Series Record: OSU leads 46-14 (Jesus, that's pathetic)

Game summation: Iowa held the lead in the 4th quarter, then did what they do best this season: Pissed the game away.




(You'd think I'd be over it by now . . . nope!)

Gee, with E. Gordon I agree

If you play in a weak conference, you don't deserve to be considered the equal of a team at the top of a conference like the Big Ten; Big 12; Pac 10 or SEC.

Anyone who says Boise State would give so and so a good game is missing the big picture. If you get in 12 fights on 12 consecutive Saturdays, and 8 of those fights are with a man standing six feet tall weighing 190 lbs. And then you are measured against another fighter who also gets in 12 fights on 12 consecutive Saturdays, but only 3 of his fights are against a six foot man and the other 9 fights are against a man 5'5" 140 lbs. The man who endured the tougher fights deserves more respect than the man who has fought relative weaklings. Boise State could not go winless in the Big Ten. Therefore they would not be in the national title discussion.

What should happen if Kirk refuses to make changes

in the offseason.

1) Nothing.

2) Double secret probation.

3) Paycut.

4) Barta fires an assistant over KF's objections.

5) Take away James' scholarship.

6) Force Kirk to attend church with Alford in New Mexico.

7) Make Kirk read every thread on HR/HI ALOUD to his players every Sunday for a year.

8) Big pay raise for KF.

9) Huge extension for KF.

10) Big raise AND extension for KF.


(Hit the reply button to vote.)

Iowa's struggles are DJK's struggles

MAKE PLAYS OR DIE

DJK is the co-founder of that club.

"His style is not our style." Kirk Ferentz

Last year both units stepped up when they had to.

Example: Offense at Michigan State - scores in the final seconds

Example: Defense set an NCAA record by getting back to back blocked kicks at the end of the game.

This year both units too often have doubt or fear in their eyes. I think there is a lack of leadership among players and coaches this year. How is Wisconsin putting 83 on Indiana and Iowa puts up 18. IMO, BB wants to embarrass people and rattles off speeches about "unleashing HELL!" Kirk is docile and doesn't respect DJK. Kirk doesn't like swagger and that's a problem. Football is not a gentleman's game. It's a game best played by cocky, anti-social bullies. Iowa used to be the "Bullies of the big ten". Now they are a reflection of their coach: The choirboys of the big ten.

Game Wrap-Up

Player of the Game: DJK

Play of the Game: Stanzi-DJK - 70 yard - TD pass

Player of the Season: Stanzi (rating 167.19)

Surprise Player of the Season: Mike Meyer

Under-appreciated player of the season: C. Sandeman

Series record: Iowa 46 - NW 23

Another late game choke job. Iowa commendably came back in the second half to take the lead. They were driving for another TD/FG to put the game away when Stanzi made an ill advised pass and Northwestern came up with it. The Wildcats started on their 15 yard line and drove the length of the field and scored a TD. After taking the momentum away from Iowa in the fourth quarter, Northwestern never gave it back. Iowa loses 21-17.

Rituals to deal with an Iowa loss

WE all have them.

Some people go shopping. Some people go into their room and want to be left alone. Some people watch Hawkeye tapes from happier times. Me? I like to visit the emergency room of Olive View Hospital and report illegal aliens to the immigration authorities. Of course I.C.E. doesn't do anything because they are too busy eating cupcakes and surfing porn sites on their gov't computers.

Cam Newton is in trouble

NCAA has stepped up, finally!

And I think Chizik is in trouble because he knows more than he is letting on.

Have you seen the depth chart for the game against Northwestern?

Josh Koeppel and James Ferentz.

These two young men have a lot in common.

Both have enviable Hawkeye bloodlines.

Both are undersized for a Big Ten O-lineman.

Both have a talent for playing (center).

But there is a difference. One of them has publicly got into trouble a couple times. And one of them is younger than the other. And one of them hasn't played "chicken" with a truck! And one of them has the better size for guard. James Ferentz is guilty on all four counts.

It seems from the outside looking in that Koeppel would be the player at center and Ferentz the player at guard. Center is the leader of the offensive line. Someone who has stayed out of trouble has demonstrated leadership by example. Center's need maturity and experience, the kind that comes with 5 years in a program. Center's need to be able to take on a truck and then get right back up with barely a scratch.

There is no pretty way to say this. The appearance of nepotism is all over the center position.

Normally I wouldn't care about Cam Newton

But his fate tangentially affects The AmeRickanzi. From THIS article:

"Last month, Newton and his father, a pastor, told Sports Illustrated that the younger Newton decided to transfer from Florida in early January 2009 when Tim Tebow opted to remain for his senior year, a move that would have forced Newton into backup status for another season. Newton, however, wasn’t even enrolled at Florida for the spring semester of 2009 when he decided to transfer, according to the source."

Now this:

"Newton subsequently turned in a second paper to the instructor, but it was later found to have been purchased off the Internet, according to the source. The source said Newton was to appear for a hearing in front of Florida’s Student Conduct Committee during the spring semester of 2009 but instead transferred to Blinn College. The committee could have levied sanctions against Newton that included suspension and expulsion from the university. “He knew that he was facing a bad outcome,” the source said."

From the two above quotes we now have proof that the father and son are comfortable creating a false reality. This is only important because the integrity of the "minister" and his son dictate the believability of their denials. If all he did was "cheat" then everyone would say, "Nothing to see here folks, move along." But when you add up "academic fraud" - "theft" - and the current accusation of big bucks "play for pay". Well, Auburn has something to worry about.

Player of the Week

Congrats to Mike Meyer

That makes 6 different Hawkeyes with POTW awards.

Paki
Stanzi
Daniels
Clayborn
Prater

It's called BALANCE

I'm only gonna rehash this 7,832 more times.

Iowa lost the Wisconsin game by pulling a bonehead play at the end of the game.

Indiana did the same thing last Saturday.

This is how life generally works. If you get dealt a bad hand one Saturday, at some point you will be dealt a good hand to even things out.

Retard post of the month

"Dude...I've been watching our QB very closely this year and he's doesn't have good throwing mechanics. Look at where the ball is being delivered to his wide open receivers. The best game I saw him throw was the Georgia Tech game last year. Yeah, he's 3rd in QB rating but I think Paul Burmeister also lead the Big Ten in completion percentage back in the day. My opinion is Vandenburg can sling it better. That was easy to see in the OSU game last year. I just wanna see what Vandy can do with this receiving corp. I'd prefer Rick shut me up vs Nwestern nxt week!"


I wish Chuck Norris would shut this fool up by losing his steel-toed boot inside this Chicken's buck-toothed mouth. His Burmeister comment confirms that he knows nothing about college football nor the Hawkeyes.

Spotlight on Brett Greenwood

Leads the team with 4 interceptions (good for 23 return yards).

How many stars were next to his name coming out of high school?

8^)

Iowa is as good as, or better than . . .

Florida State
Miami (FL)
Georgia Tech
Oklahoma
Texas
Pittsburgh
West Virginia
Cincinnati
Penn State
Michigan
USC
Arizona
Florida
South Carolina
Georgia
Alabama
Tennessee
Notre Dame

How did I arrive at this list? Win/Loss record.

Kirk can't win

with c e r t a i n fans.

"Is it classy to constantly run up the score?"

"Pathetic effort by everybody today except Coker."

Quotes from the same website . . . different posters.

So when Iowa wins by 5 points they are "pathetic".

When Iowa wins by 35 points they are "running up the score".

Now I realize that the poster was talking about Oregon, but the problem is that fans want Iowa to win IN A VERY SPECIFIC WAY THAT SUITS THAT FANS TASTES! After the Michigan State beat-down I read several fans complain about McNutt's second-half failed pass attempt to DJK because it wasn't the CLASSY thing to do.

Wait, it gets worse: but don't forget it's a win against a pretty poor team that took a terrible drop to get the win. Well, yesterday USC beat Arizona State and Nebraska beat Iowa State by ONE point! So should those teams be ashamed of their victory? Of course not. Was JFK or "W" supposed to refuse their Presidential victory's because the vote was achingly close? There are no moral qualifiers in winning, whether it be at the Olympics or in any other sport, including college football. And to answer your question: Yes, politics = sport (bloodsport). ;^)

I can't think of anything more stupid in the sports Universe than a fan demanding that their team not only win every weekend, but win in such a way as to massage the fan's ego.

Ellsworth 34 - Iowa Western 14

Their season is over, but not forgotten. An amazing accomplishment in only their second year of football. IWCC will be force as they go forward. Now the fun part begins. Who goes where? And when do they decide?

Michigan - Illinois game is a bonus for Iowa

Recruiting is the life blood of any major college team.

Rich Rod is still on the hot seat despite a win. His team's inability to play defense will keep Wolverine Nation nipping at his heels.

Zook is back on the hot seat. Not because of this individual game, but because of his overall record.

Both coaches are going to have to deal with recruits hearing plenty of negatives about them. Since Kirk knows that Illinois and Michigan produce a larger number of excellent football players relative to Iowa, the uncertainty about their future will hurt recruiting and this should mean good things for the Hawkeyes.

As for those who want Michigan to return to elite status because they feel the Big Ten can't be respected without the Big Two being in the AP Top 10 . . . ARE YOU INSANE! Balance is much better for the Hawkeyes AND the conference! The unbalanced past where Michigan didn't recruit elite athletes, rather they SELECTED which of the elite they wanted to offer a scholarship too was horrible for the Hawkeyes and the rest of their conference brethren (OSU being the exception).

Game Wrap-Up

Play of the game: Stanzi to McNutt for 52 yard TD.

Player of the game: Marcus Coker (over 100 yards in first start, which happened to be on the road in the B-10)

Player of the season: Stanzi

Surprise player of the season: Meyer (come on, a true freshmen beating out not 1 but 2 upperclassmen!)

Coach of the game: Norm (13 points to a high-flying offense!)

Series Record: Iowa leads Indiana 41-27.


What does this game mean? It means Iowa can still grab a share of the Big Ten title! It means there are no automatic road wins in the B-10. It means the cyber-fans can turn on a Heisman hopeful in the blink of an eye! It means the show-down with Ohio State just got bigger. It means Iowa may experience a record number of nationally televised games this season! It means that Marcus Coker is as good as we thought he was back in August. It means DJK leaves Iowa in sole possession of first place with another record. It means Iowa's defense is gonna be better than our offense as long as Norm and KOK lead those units. It means I was wise not to bet on this game. It means I'm exhausted and need to enjoy a Bud and spend time with the wife.

Transfers

Brandon Wegher, Wade Leppert, Tyler Christensen: All 3 offensive backs left the team before the season started. I hope the coaches can prevent a repeat of that next season.

Remember Ryan Bain? Being a co-starter at Iowa wasn't good enough, so he transfered to the Akron Zips in the powerhouse Mid-American Conference. His presence has done wonders as the Zips are zip-9 and in last place. Oh, and Ryan is a BACK-UP nose tackle.

Diauntae Morrow, another transfer, plays on a team with a better record. The Toledo Rockets are 6-3 and tied for first in the West division of the MAC. D.M. has 2 interceptions on the year, but is not in the two-deeps.

Lastly, our favorite involuntary transfer student (James Cleveland) is second on his Houston team with 41 receptions for 591 yds and 4 touchdowns.

Dear Allen Trieu could you please lean your head

closer to my frying pan. I'd like to hit you with it.

We did not see him playing full throttle all the time, and the inconsistency with effort allowed a couple other guys to jump ahead of him and move him just outside the Scout 300." Allen Trieu, Midwest Recruiting Manager

Allen, the only reason you moved Hamilton from his position in front of fellow Ohio TE Nick Vannett is because Nick is going to Ohio State and Ray Hamilton is going to Iowa. You sir, are integrity-challenged!!!

Starting with the Indiana game

THE HAWK SPOT will have a new post-game wrap up.

Here's what it will include:

PLAY OF THE GAME.

PLAYER OF THE GAME.

UPDATED PLAYER OF THE SEASON.

UPDATED SURPRISE PLAYER OF THE SEASON.

COACH OF THE GAME.

UPDATED SERIES RECORD.

And anything else my loud brain can come up with.

Washington; Colorado and Notre Dame =

COACHES MATTER!

Back in the 90's both of these programs were national title contenders. Both programs enjoyed decades of above average results.

As much as you might not like Dr. Lou, he rescued them from Gerry Faust and returned them to legendary status. But by the mid 90's 8-3 wasn't good enough and Lou decided to leave before he was forced to "retire". Here are the names that followed Lou Holtsch: Bob Davie; George O'Leary; Tyrone Willingham; Kent Baer; Charlie Weiss; Brian Kelly. A murderers row of murderers. And what did they kill? Notre Dame football. The Irish are buried so deep they can't even beat the service academies. The current Army All American high school seniors have spent their entire life watching Notre Dame lose on NBC/ABC more often than not. That's one reason why so many are abandoning ship, even though it is clear Brian Kelly has starting positions waiting for true freshmen.

Don James, Washington's former coach, made it to the College Hall of Fame before Hayden Fry. And Don had a smaller body of work. So he must have been pretty good, right? Yep, Washington was a national power during the 18 years he was head coach. James beat Hayden Fry in 2 Rose Bowls. James won a national championship at Washington during the early 90's. But Don James "retired" after the NCAA and PAC-10 sanctioned his program in 1993. For 10 years after that Washington was mediocre. Then starting in 2003 the bottom fell out. 2002 was the last year Washington had a winning record. So how could they fall so far? Well, just like Notre Dame it didn't happen right away. One bad coach can't destroy a great program. But like Notre Dame, Washington had several bad coaches. In fact, FIVE all together. Which is the same number as Notre Dame if you remove George (never coached a game at Notre Dame) O'Leary's name from the list.

Colorado was a National Champion as recently as 1990 (yes, that's recent when compared to my beloved Hawkeyes). They were B-12 Champions as recently as 2001. They were B-12 North Champions as recently as 2005. Now they have fired their coach (Dan Hawkins) after Colorado has morphed into a team which can't even beat Kansas with a 28 point 4th quarter lead. Colorado is currently considered a bottom dweller in the B-12 and will struggle in the near future as a member of the new Pac-10.

Does any of this apply to Iowa? You bet. When Dr. Tom was forced out Iowa didn't go in the tank right away. Just like Notre Dame and Washington, first we had to dip down into mediocrity. After you become mediocre it is much easier to become crappy, all you need to do is make one bad hiring decision. And that's exactly what happened. Now, 3 coaches after Dr. Tom left, Iowa is a joke among fellow basketball schools. And recruits probably don't care that when Tom Davis retired, Iowa had visited the NCAA tournament more often than 95% of the schools eligible to participate in March Madness.

So what's the moral to the story? There are two things you want if you're a FBS athletic director: Continuity AND a GOOD coach!!

New THS Award: PLAY OF THE GAME!

Brad Herman.

Takes what looked like a Michigan State interception, wrestles it away and then rumbles 56 yards.

He lead the team in receiving yards on Saturday. Final stat: 3 catches for 80 yards.

Keeping track of Hawkeye accolades

Player of the Week.

That makes 5 now!

Paki
Stanzi
Daniels
Clayborn

and now Shaun Prater!

Remember all those Rick Six's from 2009?

Well, the Universe likes balance.

This season The AmeRickanzi has ZERO.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have THREE.

Binns 20 yarder.

Sash-Hyde 70 yarder.

Prater 35 yarder.

I predict a top 25 recruiting class

ESPN says we are on the cusp.

I think we get there 2 ways.

First, the final evaluations will bump a few guys already rated 79 into the 4 star category.

Second, a few blue chips will come on board. Names most likely to do so: French; Coe; Cooper; Price. With an outside shot at Cyrus K. and Anthony Zettel. I'm not saying all, or even a majority of those mentioned will come on board. I feel some will, and that, along with current commits getting a year-end bump, will push us into the TOP 25 realm.

Nicholas Law - bigger commit than you might think

That glorious win against the number 5 team in the nation is still paying dividends.

Nicholas Law has given his verbal. By himself he is a good get. He is big and fast and everyone rates him at 3 stars. Of course you can add an extra star after KF coaches him up. But what really makes him special is that he is from Maryland. Obviously Iowa has been working to establish a pipeline to that state and so far it is working. What makes Maryland special is that Cyrus Kouandjio and Darian Cooper reside there. I am sure Iowa gave their phone numbers to Law and said, "Invite him to join you at Iowa." It will be interesting to learn if the current Hawkeyes from Maryland along with the most recent one can persuade the 2 studs from DeMatha to hop on the train.

Surprise player of the year

Mike Daniels.

He is the only Hawk among the conferences top 10 in sacks and tackles for loss. And the guy isn't even A STARTER!

All Big Ten Hawkeyes

These ratings are based on the player making one or both of the lists provided by the Big Ten Media and Coaches.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A-Rob = 2nd team ABT. Currently he is second in the conference among RB's behind John Clay. He's 3rd in all-purpose yards. He's been Iowa's MVP thus far.

Ricky Stanzi = 1st team ABT. Stanzi is third in passing average behind Chappell and Persa, but he is first in passing efficiency by a wide margin. He will make someone's All-American squad as well.

DJK = 2nd team ABT. This will be a gift for leaving Iowa with several records under his belt, as well as doing nice things on special teams.

McNutt = Honorable Mention

Reisner = Honorable Mention

Reiff = 2nd team ABT.

Vandervelde = Honorable Mention

Clayborn = 1st team ABT. A few AA teams as well.

Ballard = 2nd team ABT

Binns = Honorable Mention

Klug = Honorable Mention (politically correct screw job)

Mike Daniels = 2nd team ABT (currently 7th in sacks and 4th in tackles for loss among B-10 players - no other Hawk currently among the top 10 in either category)

Hunter = 2nd team ABT

Prater = 2nd team ABT

Hyde = Honorable mention

Sash = 1st team ABT. At least 1 AA team as well.

Greenwood = 2nd team ABT

Donahue = 2nd team ABT

Leave a comment if you would make changes to the list.