SB Nation User Blog: Bama Hawkeye

Big Ten Power Poll - Post Week 10

Bama Hawkeye — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:15:04 -0000

Well, so much for the unanimity. The losses by our consensus top two teams from last week put everything into a complete disarray in the Top 4. Behind that, it's even more of a mess. The Big Ten isn't helped by the fact that every team outside of the Top 4 has been shown to be mediocre at best. It's led to some ugly football. That's led to me finding these ugly pieces of merchandise.

1.	108 (8)	You have to trust me on this: after the second martini, seeing Brutus stare at you will be downright creepy.
2.	97 (2)	Most of the Hawkeyes will be hanging their walking cast boot in place of stockings this year.
3.	88	There is a Joe Paterno/graden gnome joke in there somewhere, but I don't think that the gnome is quite that old yet.
4.	87	Yes, I want to make it look like a giant rodent is invading my house by punching through a wall.
5.	63	Foam rubber hats are dumb anyway, but what the hell is that?
6.	57	MSU sweater for your punting-sized dog? That screams "tough guy."
7.	49	Hey! Don't put your drink on the table. That's what the coaster with the buck-toothed rodent is for!
8.	43	I've got a fever and the only cure is a prescription gold ball with a Purdue train logo. Dear God, who comes up with these things?
9.	29	You'll see that the temperature has gone down on Ron Zook's seat.
10.	23	You'll notice that the plate is disposable. Just like the Indiana football season.
11.	16	Instead of a dumb comment about the Michigan travel pillow, I want to stop and acknowledge what has happened here. The voters, well-informed Big Ten football fans, have come to the conclusion that Michigan (MICHIGAN!) is the worst team in the Big Ten. How would you like to travel back through time to 1984 and tell Bo Schembechler and Bobby Knight that in twenty-five years, their schools' respective football and basketball programs would be judged to be the worst teams in the Big Ten? What is going on in this world?

Maize and Brew Dave, Adam Hoge, Hawkeye State, Pete Rossman, BoilerTMill , Joe Kutsunis, Rodger Sherman, Sam @ WWAHT, DailyGopher, Graham Filler, Law Buckeye, Bama Hawkeye, HMLee

The Rivalry, Esq has reached out to the SBNation Big Ten bloggers to create this poll. Its purpose: find a consensus as to the power of the Big Ten teams. We invited each SBNation Big Ten blog to participate. We will vote each week. Invitations remain extended to the writers of Black Shoe Diaries and the Crimson Quarry to participate.

The Rivalry Guide to Beating Ohio State

Bama Hawkeye — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:48:23 -0000

The Rivalry Guide to Beating Ohio State

This was put up over the summer, and I think it holds true today.

Looking at the recipe, I think that Iowa with Stanzi could have done all of these things. At what level does Vandenberg need to play to make this happen this weekend?

A Lament: You'll Be Coming Down

Bama Hawkeye — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:44:16 -0000

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 9-1 (5-1). Somehow, in the aftermath of Saturday's loss to Northwestern, that's been lost. Their record is what I predicted prior to the season. They still control their own destiny for a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth. And yet, Saturday's loss still leaves an empty feeling that I'm still struggling to explain.

It's not that Iowa lost. Lord knows, I never really believed that Iowa would go undefeated. I had planned out the article talking about the number of good Iowa teams that saw dreams crushed in Columbus. I never stopped knowing that this magical run would end against Ohio State. It was fun to dream, but that's all it ever was - nothing real. And yet, there was something about this season. "This is a special team," my wife said before the Michigan State game. Of course, she was right. And that's why it hurts so much. It's not that it ended; it's that it wasn't supposed to end like this.

It wasn't supposed to end like this. Not with an injury.

I know; championship teams require depth. They need to be able to overcome an injury to a player. Iowa was unable to do that on Saturday. The unfair thing is that Iowa was forced to overcome this hurdle so many times this season. When starting cornerback Jordan Bernstine went down for the year in training camp, the team overcame it. When starting running back Jewel Hampton went down for the year in training camp, the team overcame it. When second string running back Jeff Brinson was lost for the season, the team overcame it. When starting left tackle Bryan Bulaga was lost for three games with a thyroid condition, the team overcame it. When third string running back Adam Robinson was knocked out for the last two games (and possibly the season), the team overcame it. When starting punt returner Paul Chaney, Jr. was knocked out for the season, the team overcame it. When starting wide receiver and punt returner Colin Sandeman was lost for the season, the team overcame it. When starting guard Dace Richardson was lost for the season, the team overcame it. When starting safety Brett Greenwood was lost for the season, the team overcame it.

But, this one was too much. Coming off of the best two quarters of football he had played all year, Ricky Stanzi's injury proved to be one that the Hawkeyes could not overcome. Maybe here is the lesson from the close wins over UNI and Arkansas State. You need some blowouts. You need to get your backup quarterback a chance to play. If you can't do that, you'll see regrettable, yet understandable, performances like the one that James Vandenberg provided on Saturday.

It wasn't supposed to end like this. Not with a phantom holding call.

Look ref, I watched Rafael Eubanks's block over and over again. It was clean. He had two hands in front of the defensive lineman. Eubanks pancaked him. He never lost front-to-front forward-moving contact with him. He never pulled him down. When they showed the replay, Bob Griese's response was perfect. "Wow. Not much to see there." He probably wanted to say that Eubanks flattened him like a Panchero's quesadilla, but realizing that "Rafael" sounded Hispanic (and newly retrained by Disney) thought better of it. The call negated Brandon Wegher's 63 yard touchdown run and a 17-14 3rd Quarter Hawkeye lead. Somehow I knew at that point that it was over.

It wasn't supposed to end like this. Not with double schadenfreude upon the Hawkeye fans.

Throughout the miserable 2007 season, and again in the first five games of 2008, the Iowa fans were relentless in their negativity toward Jake Christensen. He was a golden boy who washed out. He had an NFL father, a 5-star ranking, and expectations of the fan base put upon him. And he failed. Yes, he had horrible circumstances. Yes, he did what he could, but before the halfway point of last season, it was apparent that the less-heralded Stanzi was the better quarterback. The four wins that ended the campaign cemented his role as the team's starter. Jake transfered to Eastern Illinois, a 1-AA school, so that he could play during his Senior year. Flash-forward to Saturday: do the Hawks lose if Jake Christensen comes into the game in the second quarter? I'd have liked their chances for victory a lot more. To rub it in just a touch, there were reports that Jake was at the Hawkeyes' game on Saturday; it was EIU's bye week.

Finally, for two straight season, the Hawkeyes' fans have been relentless toward Penn State. Yes, Iowa has won 7 of 8 times that they have played this millennium. Yes, Iowa reveled in ruining their season one year ago. And yet, we ignored the chirping from Northwestern. It didn't matter how the pesky Wildcats - far inferior to our mighty Iowa - had won three of the last four contests. They were justNorthwestern. And just one year after Penn State's foil spoiled the Lions' perfect season, Iowa's foil spoiled the Hawks' magical run.

It wasn't supposed to end like this. But maybe it was. Maybe that's part of what makes college football so far superior to the Sunday product. College football has scrappy underdogs who can dramatically march toward a magical season. College football also has scrappy underdogs who can't quite get there and break your heart.

My wife and I attended the Alabama/LSU game on Saturday. In the 4th Quarter, as yet another Tiger was helped off the field during an injury timeout, they announced several scores from around the country. The SEC fans dutifully cheered as they announced Notre Dame's loss to Navy. They announced Iowa's loss next, and the cheers were louder. My wife's eyes teared up at that point. Not because Iowa had lost. We had come to grips with that already. But for a moment, even fans in the isolated SEC cared about Iowa enough to root against us. For a brief moment, Iowa REALLY mattered. And when we woke up Sunday morning, Iowa didn't anymore. That's the part of the ending that hurts the worst - and it's that emptiness that is going to take a long time to fill.

2009 Bowl Projections - Post Week 10

Bama Hawkeye — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:48:16 -0000

Before we look forward, let's look back. In early February, a certain writer on this very blog made these bold statements:

I still think that 2009 is the start of the return of the Big Ten. For a comparable year, look back to 2000. My guess is that no team goes 8-0 in conference. I also predict that no team finishes with less than 2 losses (and only Ohio State does that).

I envisioned a league in which Ohio State went 7-1 in conference, and everyone else dropped at least two games. Assuming that Iowa loses in Columbus next week, that's what we'll have. As for the strength of the league, I'll put the Top 4 of the Big Ten up against anyone else in the country. Beyond that...not so much.

Ummm....Michigan? Where were you?

Big BCS shakeups this week. If ever there was a year that two mid-majors go to a BCS bowl, this could be it. I still think that the powers that be won't have it (Money, people. It's about money). We'll do another full projection next week, but for now the BCS and Big Ten Bowls follow after the jump.

Remember the rules.

These are projections. I am taking into account what will happen in future games, not assigning teams based upon current standings.
The best teams don't always go to the best games. In the end, butts in the seat and eyes to the television are the biggest factors.
The order of BCS selection is 1) Replacement for #1 Team; 2) Replacement for #2 Team; 3) Orange Bowl; 4) Fiesta Bowl; 5) Sugar Bowl.
The Champs Bowl picks its Big Ten team ahead of the Alamo Bowl this year.
For the full rules on BCS selections, look here.

			Alabama clinched the SEC West with their win over LSU. Barring a complete collapse against Auburn and Mississippi State, they also clinched a BCS Bowl Bid, too. A win over Florida gets them here.
			Left without a good choice for attendance (the choice is USC, TCU, Cincy, or Boise St.), the Orange Bowl goes for sizzle on TV. They're probably hoping that Clemson wins the ACC. The Tigers have the league's best traveling fans.
			It says here that 10-2 Iowa gets selected over 10-2 Penn State. Goodbye, Notre Dame (as the Gator Bowl rejoices). I thought more of you than you were.
			Again, this is going to be the SEC Championship loser versus the Big East Champion. Could be a fun one.
			10-2 (7-1) Ohio State goes to the Rose Bowl for the first time this decade. Oregon better be careful. Arizona and USC are gaining on them.
			I would LOVE to see this game.
			Tennessee may have lost their last game this season. An easy schedule down the stretch makes Tampa a likely destination.
			This spot is open to whatever Big Ten team can get seven wins. Northwestern's upset of Iowa gives them the inside track.
			I suspect that Okie State and Nebraska will go to the Cotton and Holiday Bowls. I'm betting that the Alamo Bowl will not pass on its first opportunity to bring the Sooners to San Antonio.
			Oh Minnesota. All you had to do was beat Illinois. At home. Sad. Now you'll need to beat the Hawkeyes in Iowa City in order to move up from here.
			I hope that the Dallas Football Classic is paying attention to how often the Big Ten fills its sixth post-BCS slot.
			All of these teams are still mathematically alive for 6 wins and a bowl game. Michigan needs to win at Wisconsin or versus Ohio State. Illinois needs to beat Northwestern, Fresno State, and Cincinnati. Indiana needs to win at Penn State and versus Purdue. Purdue needs to win versus Michigan State and at Indiana. If any of these teams were to win six games, they would be above Minnesota in the selection order. Michigan would go above Michigan State too. I think that all four teams have missed their chances and are sinking deeper into the layers of cheese. That means that they will On the Couch with the Queso Bowl (now sponsored by Ro*Tel).

Addendum: I, obviously, write these before the Sunday afternoon polls came out. I was surprised at how far Iowa fell. Assuming that they lose to Ohio State and beat Minnesota, it will be very close for them to make it back into the Top 14. If they don't, you can swap Penn State (who should be safely in after two wins against Indiana and Michigan State) for the Hawkeyes.

One of the 10 Best

Bama Hawkeye — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:21:54 -0000

One of the 10 Best

It's a well deserved honor. Kudos to you, gentlemen.

Week 10 in the Non-Con: What I Want

Bama Hawkeye — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:37:25 -0000

We have favorites and we have loyalties, but if the Big Ten is going to climb out the national perception doldrums, we're going to have to do it together. That means that we have to all be pulling in the same direction. Here's what I want to see from each Big Ten team in their non-conference battles this week. These columns are really short this time of year...

Michigan State (vs. Western Michigan

I want to see Greg Jones play with ferocity that he showed against Iowa. I want the offense to settle into a rhythm early and maintain it through the end. I want the defense to play more aggressively than their schemes.

Imagining each ball carrier is Graham Filler makes the game more fun.

Make sure to go back and submit your picks for Week 10 of the Obligatory Predictions Contest. Weekly winners get a chance to write 500 words on the site.

What I Want

I want Michigan State to put the last two deflating losses behind them and beat Western by two touchdowns.

What I Expect

MSU to move to within a game of bowl eligibility.

What We've Got So Far

The Big Ten is 29-10 (.743) out of conference. The league is 5-8 against BCS Conference teams (plus Notre Dame). Indiana's loss to Virginia guarantees that the Big Ten can finish with no better than a .500 record against the other BCS schools. The league has two losses to non-BCS teams (Northern Illinois over Purdue and Central Michigan over Michigan State).

One of the 10 Best

Bama Hawkeye — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:26:43 -0000

One of the 10 Best

Kudos to all of you who run this blog. It's outstanding (especially when you consider that you're forced to defend the ACC) and the accolade is well deserved.

Big Ten Power Poll - Post Week 9

Bama Hawkeye — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:43:33 -0000

The top four teams each received every vote for their slot. Unanimity is fun!

After that, we have no idea. Michigan had a vote for fifth and a vote for last. Illinois was ranked 8th and 11th. Same with Indiana. Northwestern lost so well, we decided to move them up. It's weird outside of the Top 4. We need more educating at our law schools - and from a Purdue Alum who did some teaching of his own. If that doesn't help, this week's slate of games should do the trick.

Dallas Football Classic Set

Bama Hawkeye — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:21:13 -0000

Dallas Football Classic Set

The Big Ten has nailed down it's 6th non-BCS Bowl affiliation. As we have previously noted, the Big Ten will be aligned with a new "Dallas Football Classic" to be played in the venerable Cotton Bowl Stadium (while the actual Cotton Bowl moves over to JerryWorld in Arlington) on New Year's Day.

What's new, is that the Big Ten will play a Big 12 opponent after the 2010 and 2012 seasons and a Conference-USA opponents after the 2011 and 2013 seasons. A note: this is the equivalent of the old Motor City/Pizza Bowl slot. 2009 looks to be only the third time this decade that the Big Ten will actually fill the slot, so don't book your tickets for Dallas right away.

By my current projections, if this game occurred this year, it would be Northwestern vs. Missouri in a J-School rematch from last season's thrilling Alamo Bowl.

2009 Bowl Projections - Post Week 9

Bama Hawkeye — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:08:06 -0000

After nine weeks of football, you start to see the slotting occur. There may be some surprises yet, and there is a bunch of losing that will happen before we get to the BCS Championship Game. But at this point, these can be true projections and not just guesses.

Saturday night cleared up a couple of big things. The Big 12 South came into sharp focus with Texas's dominating win. Barring something completely unforeseen (and I don't mean an injury to Colt McCoy; I mean like an asteroid wiping out Austin and all of its inhabitants), Texas will win the Big 12 South. Only slightly less certain is that they will win it with a 12-0 record, crush the crappy team that emerges from the Big 12 North, and play in the BCS Championship Game.

Hilary celebrates a Wisconsin win and mourns Northwestern's loss to Penn State...

A recap of Week 9 in the Big Ten, where we attempt to make sense of the Iowa game..

Two time zones west, the Pac-10 race also looks much clearer now. Oregon's win gives them, a two game lead over USC, and unless Arizona can work a three way tie with the Ducks and Trojans (possible, though unlikely) at 7-2 in conference, USC's reign has ended in the Pac-10.

Could Iowa bring back the old winged uniforms for a feathered Rose Bowl?

How does this impact the BCS At Large spots? First, unless Texas loses in the Big 12 Championship game, that league is only getting one bid this year. Second, Virginia Tech's head-shaking loss to North Carolina really diminishes the likelihood of two bids from the ACC. 10-2 USC may be in play, especially if Notre Dame loses one more. For now, I see USC missing the BCS for the first time since 2001. And now, to the projections.

Remember the rules.

These are projections. I am taking into account what will happen in future games, not assigning teams based upon current standings.
The best teams don't always go to the best games. In the end, butts in the seat and eyes to the television are the biggest factors.
The order of BCS selection is 1) Replacement for #1 Team; 2) Replacement for #2 Team; 3) Orange Bowl; 4) Fiesta Bowl; 5) Sugar Bowl.
The Champs Bowl picks its Big Ten team ahead of the Alamo Bowl this year.
For the full rules on BCS selections, look here.

			The only intrigue will be if it comes down to an undefeated Iowa or Cincinnati versus a one-loss SEC team. For now, I still think that Florida and Alabama will both be undefeated in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.
			Right now, it looks like a Tech/Clemson battle for the ACC title. Don't sleep on the Tigers. They almost beat Georgia Tech last time. Penn State needs to win out to guarantee a BCS spot. I think that they will.
			I've been on TCU since the first projections. They are a legitimate Top 10 team. Notre Dame has to win out, including games at Pitt and at Stanford. That looks harder now than it did at the beginning of the season.
			Again, this will be the SEC Championship Game loser against the Big East winner. It may end up being one of the most interesting games of the season.
			If Penn State beats Ohio State this weekend, Iowa only needs to win their home games against Northwestern and Minnesota to get here. If the Buckeyes win, Iowa will need to beat Ohio State, or see Michigan do it to end the season.
			The Capital One has to be chomping at the bit for this matchup. They haven't had the Buckeyes this decade, and have only had LSU after the 2004 season.
			The Outback is most upset that Michigan got Zooked. Unless Michigan wins out to get to 8-4 (which would include a win over Wisconsin), I don't think that Wisconsin gets jumped. It's possible that 8-4 Ole Miss or Auburn gets chosen for this slot instead of a Gamecock return trip.
			How much will Rich Rodriguez watch Spiller and wish that he had him in the read option offense?
			OK Gophers, here's your chance. You can go to the best bowl game in almost 50 years if you beat Illinois and South Dakota State at home. Northwestern and Michigan State look to top out at 6-6, which means that they couldn't be picked ahead of you. You might get bumped up one more if Michigan can't find a 7th win. The winner of the Big 12 North can fall no lower than this bowl.
			Win 7 games, and Sparty moves up a spot in the pecking order.
			Win 7 games, and Northwestern moves up a spot in the pecking order.
			This year, if you can't get to six wins, you can expect to be On the Couch with the Queso Bowl (sponsored bu Ro*Tel!). Indiana and Purdue waded deeper into the cheese with their losses on Saturday. Illinois is just having fun being a spoiler.

And now, we add the other 23 bowl games...




			Las Vegas will be happy to have the BYU fans every year, thank you.
			I can only assume that San Diego State's turn around is due to the impressive job that Chuck Long has done as the Asst. to the Traveling Secretary.

			I suspect that they'll choose Bobby Bowden against his old team over a rematch of last year's game.
			As a small private school with a tiny (relative) alumni base, BC will always be "underseeded" as a bowl team.
			Nashville would love this matchup.
			Ar-kansas versus Kansas. Could be a good game to watch.
			If C-USA can get a sixth team eligible, they fill the spot that Army can't. It's going to be a tough one for UCF. Duke needs one win to get here.
			I expect that the Mountain West will send one of its three best teams here to face the Broncos. I also expect that if Boise State goes to the BCS, Idaho will slide in here.
			With their sixth win, Navy became the first team to lock up their bid.
			The Holiday Bowl has waited and waited for their chance to get the Trojans in San Diego.


			If Auburn can get to 8-4 by beating either Georgia or Alabama, I expect that they'll go to the Cotton Bowl. There is also a shot that they could be taken over a second consecutive trip by South Carolina to the Outback.
			The Gator Bowl is hoping that Notre Dame loses one more game. You don't think that they wouldn't like to start printing "Catholics vs. Convicts" T-Shirts?
			It is still weird to see Temple in a bowl game.

			I expect OU to beat the Cowpokes. The Cotton Bowl will gladly take 9-3 Oklahoma over 9-3 Oklahoma State.
			Great matchup for the C-USA champion.
			If Iowa State can get that 6th win, I expect them to get a bid somewhere. Right now, they fill a spot that the ACC can't.