Admittedly you should take this for what it's worth, but just got off the phone with a close friend of mine who knows someone who works at U. of Phoenix Stadium here in AZ (where the Fiesta Bowl will be played). Supposedly Iowa vs. Boise St. is a done deal, they have the invites (or whatever the proper procedure is) all signed and sealed, just waiting for Sunday to deliver. 

I know it's stupid to believe 'I know a guy who heard from a guy who talked to someone', but every piece of information I hear down here alludes to Iowa vs. Boise St, from stadium people to airport people to radio people. Look me up for a drink when you're all in town... =)

Junker was on Xtra 910 radio down here in AZ yesterday and was talking Fiesta bowl with the hosts. The hosts asked him about the Fiesta, and he talked a little bit about how they were losing their conference tie-in championship to the BCS championship game (Texas), and as a result would be getting an at-large selection (blah blah blah, we already know that).

The hosts then said, 'Come on John, who is the Fiesta Bowl taking?'. Junker took a minute to talk about OK St., and how they would look good at 10-2 if they beat OU. And then he said the following:

'I've been on the Fiesta Bowl committee since 1981, and we've wanted Iowa to come down here for as long as I've been here'.

He also didn't even mention PSU except in passing. 

It's OK St. vs. Iowa in the Fiesta to determine the bowls, and that makes me feel a little better about Iowa's chances. As stated earlier - If Iowa goes to Fiesta, look me up for a drink when yo're down here!

I've got the opportunity to head to Columbus for the Iowa game, and was wondering if anyone else was heading over there. I'm going with a friend's family, and don't think they're going to be having as much, umm, fun, as i like to do during the nights or for tailgating. So i was wondering if anyone from on here was going to be there as well and if they'd like to meet up for some drinks. 

Need some help-

Gonna be on the road to Omaha this weekend for a wedding, and need to know if there are any Iowa bars or good places to watch the game in Old Market. Missing the great atmosphere of the Sandbar here in Phoenix, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Need to pre-game myself into oblivion before the wedding while watching the Hawkeyes. Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks!! Go Hawks! Beat the, umm...  Red Hawks? Wolves? Something like that...

[Bounced to the front page like it's Frank Duong -- ed.]

What we knew about Greene all along-

"I love the way guys bounce off of him," the Jets head coach said at his just concluded news conference between today's early and late rookie minicamp practices. "He goes rolling in there and guys are going flying. It doesn't matter who it is. An offensive teammate went flying today. He hits that hole, and this is a big man coming through there. He runs low. He's just a big old rascal. But they do, they bounce off him."

What we also knew about him-

"Unfortunately," Rex added, "some of the passes bounce off him."

Ryan provided an exchange between QB Mark Sanchez and Greene after one dropped pass. Sanchez:

"Sorry, I should've put that on the other shoulder."

Greene: "I just don't catch very well."

Sounds like Greene is doing pretty much exactly what we all thought he would...

(Courtesy of Newyorkjets.com)

Anthony Tucker has been ruled academically ineligible, and as a result will miss the remainder of the season. I haven't found any articles to link to on this, but the story just broke. (UPDATE: The story is over on one of those boards if you want the story. Not that one, the other one...)

Even though he hasn't contributed much lately, he started the season on fire and was Iowa's leading scorer. Between suspensions, injuries, and now this, the Iowa team is starting to resemble the Iowa football team of last year and the year before.

More bad news for Lick and the team...

According to the Kansas City Star, which attributes the news to Cris Collinsworth, the Chiefs are looking at current AZ Cardinals Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley to be their next head coach. Haley has a little history with Piolil, having worked with him on the Jets in the late '90's. 

Haley was on a radio show this afternoon on my way home from work here in AZ, shortly after this story broke, and was asked about it. He basically shrugged off the question, saying he was focusing on getting the Cards ready for the Super Bowl (something i still can't believe i just typed. Just ridiculous...). He did, however, admit he thinks he is ready to be a head coach. 

The KC Star piece also mentions that it had been speculated that Ferentz was a choice of Pioli, but talks about it being difficult for him to leave now with James just a Sophomore. 

Again, not like i thought KF was going anywhere, but here's another indication he's definitely not leaving...

The former Pats VP has agreed to take over the GM post for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Let the Ferentz-to-the-Cheifs talks begin. Though personally I don't think Ferentz is going anywhere, this wouldn't be a bad situation for him to make the jump. He's got a friend as the GM, doesn't have to move his family too far, and KC is a good football town/stadium. Lots of Hawkeye support down there, which wouldn't hurt...

Sources close to UA are hearing that ISU will be asking the Arizona AD for permission to speak with Mike Stoops after UA's bowl game tomorrow, Saturday 12/20.

Word is that Stoops is ISU's guy, and they will be offering him a 5-year deal at $1.3 Million per year. However, supposedly Stoops likes UA and would like to stay there. He's looking for a raise and an extension to stay there, but even with a raise he wouldn't be making $1.3 at UA.

The rumor down here in AZ is that Mike Stoops is one of 2-3 finalists for the Iowa State job. That in and of itself isn't that concerning; Mike isn't that good of a coach. His teams at U of Arizona have consistenly underperformed, but they are good for one big upset a year. 

The kick is the supposed staff he is looking at putting together. Supposedly Chuck Long as Offensive Coordinator, who as of three weeks ago is unemployed. The other Stoops brother, Mark, as Defensive Coordinator. He's currently DC at Arizona under Mike, and his defenses have been decent in the Pac-10, where no defense is played ever. Under any circumstances (USC need not apply). 

Could be a decent staff, and one with a whole lot of Iowa ties. Would be nothing more than a lateral move for Mike Stoops, but this has been his best year at UA and he has been on the hot seat for two years. He's either striking while the iron is hot, or using this as a bargaining chip to get an extension at UA. His official stance, when reached after practice today, was 'No comment.'

Something to follow in the next few days...