Agree Mike with what you say about Pryor, and his veteran supporting cast. I still think the hype over Iowa is over done because of having to retool the offensive line. It hasn't been that long ago that an inexperienced offensive line gave up some of highest QB sacks in the conference, and that equated to a couple of pretty mediocre years. I find it amazing that Indiana has more players listed on this top 25 than Michigan. Who would have ever thought that would be possible?
Long, Hartlieb, Rodgers, Duncan, even Stanzi rate ahead of Tate in my book. While he over achieved as a sophomore, and had an amazing year, he under achieved as a junior and senior, that sort of tarnishes his image in my book. I do wish him well in the CFL, though.
I read a report over the week-end that the Big 10 has the 8 team conference schedule and all the non-conference games scheduled through 2012, but have been ordered to not make any more non-conference agreements beyond that. However, there are some teams like Minnesota that already have non-conference games scheduled out through 2015. Now, if Nebraska is scheduled to join the Big 10 in 2011, who the heck are they going to play?
I think it's a generation thing Mike. I grew up playing and following baseball, basketball and football. There was no soccer. My kids on the other hand, grew up with all the above mentioned sports, but they also all played soccer. While I followed their soccer games, I never really got into the sport. I guarantee you that all three of my sons were into this World Cup action. I, on the other hand, watched the Cardinal game on Saturday afternoon. And here lies the problem. I still think the greatest athletes in America are playing sports other than soccer, although soccer is making progress. As the younger generation becomes more and more in tune to soccer, maybe somewhere down the road the US will win a World Cup. But it won't happen in my lifetime.
I think Iowa's recruiting has gone quite well lately without having to fight the rest of the country for the Texas leftovers that don't go to the Texas or Oklahoma schools. How many Texas kids off the Iowa Football team were in the most recent NFL draft? Zero. Now if they have any basketball players down there, we could use a little help in that area.
What a joke, this was strictly political. Had they known at the time that Texas was going to be bribed to keep the Big 12 from disintegrating, they would have kept their noses out of it.
At least Iowa was represented in more than their share of categories, and even garnered a few of the awards. Thought about watching it last night, but decided on the Cardinal game instead.
I think commonsenseguy is right on. Not taking Iowa in the Fiesta I'm sure cost them a lot of money, but no way did the BCS want to look at the possibility of having two mid-major, non BCS schools, upset two BCS teams in BCS bowls. Boise State vs Iowa and TCU vs Georgia Tech would have both been real interesting match-ups and probably been good for TV ratings as well.
I think the post from TwoCats is on to something Mike. Tell us what to expect from the Nebraska athletic programs. Football? I believe they were one of the top defensive teams in the nation last year. Could their Big 10 membership threaten Iowa's football recruiting stronghold in the state? Could their volleyball team could challenge the Penn State dominance in the conference, and their women's basketball team help improve the national perception of women's basketball in the Big 10. How about their men's basketball program? I don't think it's very good in the Big 12, but maybe they will compete better in the Big 10? As the "new kid in town", I think a story along those lines would provide good info and interest. Also, unless I missed it, when will the decisions be made about the makeup of the two divisions in the conference, and how will that decision be made? Strictly Delaney?, ADs? Non partisan consultants? other?. And are the Divisions going to be made strictly for football or other sports as well? If you've already reported on this stuff and I missed it, I apologize.
Obviously Mr. Steele doesn't think much of Iowa's offense. I guess he figures the defense is going to shut everybody out, or else how could he possibly rate Iowa 14th? I don't think there is much logic in Mr. Steele's predictions. Makes for interesting reading though, and should provide good bulletin board material for the Iowa offense.
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