Night Games, an Event Unlike any Other

Kinnick Night Game Experience.
(Click for link)

 As the Iowa Hawkeyes open their Big Ten schedule this Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the Penn State Nittany Lions, one thing remains as sure as the sun rising in the East, Kinnick Stadium will be let loose.  Fans are expected to wear black and gold in every other section to create a striped affair. Kinnick Stadium Sections courtesy of Hawkcentral.   
The Hawkeyes are a favorite heading into Saturday's match-up for a good reason.  Penn State's true freshman quarterback, Robert Bolden, will face his first true test of his young career on the road in Iowa City.  That alone is a tough task for a veteran quarterback and Iowa's defense looked as stout as ever in last weeks dominating win over Ball State.  Junior Mike Daniels is making a name for himself on the defensive line thanks to much part of Adrian Clayborn, who has been double-teamed all season long.  The key for Penn State's offense is containing the line of scrimmage to open up room for running back Evan Royster.

Ricky Stanzi is been stellar thus far through four games, looking through his progression to find the open receiver.  Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has had a stellar season and is on pace to break Iowa's school record in receptions and receiving yards.  He will be a factor even if Marvin McNutt isn't at full speed for the contest.  Adam Robinson is expected to play the entire game at running back with the backups not quite "Big Ten ready" as head coach Kirk Ferentz said.

When Saturday night ends in Kinnick Stadium, many fans throats will be sore, but it will be much to the satisfaction of a Hawkeye win.

Iowa Hawkeyes - 27   Penn State-  14

The Tussle in Tuscon

As Iowa prepares for their game against 24th ranked Arizona, one question remains.  Just how good is Arizona?  Yes, we've looked at the stats, heard about them outscoring their opponents 93-8.  The fact remains they beat Toledo, and The Citadel.  The Wildcats offense is explosive, but they have yet to face a defense like Iowa.  In last years meeting, which Iowa won 27-17, Iowa's defense flew all over the field and played very well in an early season test. 

This years game should be more dynamic as the build up for the night game in Tuscon has been all over news nationally.  Currently, Arizona remains a slight favorite over the Hawkeyes but look for Iowa to continue what they have been doing well all season; pounding the rock with Adam Robinson and now Jewel Hampton.  They have been very much a ball-controlling offense stealing the clock away from their opponents.  Look for Iowa to try to continue that trend against the speedy Arizona defense. 

Iowa's defense knows they have to be ball-hawks today as Arizona likes to spread it out and create mismatches on the outside.  The most important factor for the Wildcat offense is to try to contain the Iowa defensive line.  While they are not overally big, Iowa's d-line is quick, well-coached, and never gets out of position.  It should be an interesting tussle as the game gets under away at 9:30 CT. 

Prediction-  Iowa 24  Arizona 20

An circle takes the square.

Rafael Nadal completed his "career Grand Slam" Monday night in Flushing Meadows, New York.  Throughout the U.S. Open Nadal's game was tantalizing.  Just two days before the tournament back on August 28th, he began practicing bigger, faster serves.  This crucial element was lacking in his game, because normally he would simply spin his serves in.  With a new powerful serve in place, Nadal's game was imposed on his opponents.  He already has been labeled the fittest man in tennis, but this Grand Slam was different.  The Spaniard rarely was pushed and always had plenty of fuel left in the tank.

 Monday night while facing Novak Djokovic, he controlled the rallies and bullied Novak side to side.  Even when Djokovic won the second set, Nadal never appeared threatened.  He simply kept going about his business and chasing history to become the youngest male tennis player to achieve the career Grand Slam (winning all 4 Grand Slams).  And at 24 years of age, one simply has to ask, how much longer till he overtakes Roger Federer (with 16 Grand Slams) even with a 7 slam advantage.  Look out tennis world, Nadal is just entering his prime. 

Assessing the Iowa - Iowa State Game

Finally the week has arrived for all Hawkeye and Cyclone fans to do battle.  Iowa State opened with a win over Northern Illinois last Thursday, and looked fairly sharp while doing it.  Alexander Robinson looked impressive running the ball and will be a huge key for the Cyclones if they hope to upset the ninth-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. 
Iowa looked impressive in spurts versus Eastern Illinois, particularly early in the first when all three phases of the game, (offense, defense, and special teams) were clicking on all cylinders.
When thinking about this week's game, a recurring thought of turnover battle rolls into my head.   Typically, the team that wins the turnover battle will win the game.  Iowa State was on the wrong end last year giving the ball away 6 times.  However, this is a new year and here are my thoughts for the 2:30pm kickoff Saturday in Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa.
Adam Robinson & Jewel Hampton (Iowa) - If Iowa's offensive line can create holes for either of the running backs ISU could be in for a long day.  Hampton has been credited for looking "explosive" during practice and Iowa fans hope to see a few long runs throughout the day.
Trent Mossbrucker (Iowa) - Daniel Murray is still listed off the depth chart so a few key field goal attempts could fall Mossbrucker's way.  He has rarely been used besides extra points but his leg could swing the victory. 
Bruce Davis (Iowa) - He started at middle linebacker for the Hawks last Saturday and will be counted on heavily to sniff out the Cyclones zone read from shotgun. 
Alexander Robinson (ISU) - He ran very well against Iowa last year and the Cyclones will depend heavily on a repeat performance. However, Iowa's D-line has emphasized how disgusted their performance was against the rushing attack of ISU last year.
Austen Arnaud (ISU) - 10 completions on 22 attempts for 79 yards.....and 4 interceptions.  Arnaud is stressing he's over last years game, but you never know how memories could sneak back in during game day. 

Prediction - Iowa 24  Iowa State- 13. 

Big Ten's Realignment

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany unveiled the new conference's realignment in football terms with "X" and "O". The divisions are as followed
"O" - Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Northwestern.
"X" - Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, and Wisconsin.

As a Hawkeye fan I am both pleased and perplexed with the divisions.  Less Ohio State is good, but now the Iowa Hawkeyes won't play one of their biggest rivals (maybe their biggest lately) Wisconsin.  Iowa-Wisconsin games have always been a physical battle with the winner taking home the "Heartland Trophy". However, with losing the Wisconsin game till at least 2013, Iowa can look forward to ending every season with Nebraska.  The Iowa-Nebraska fans have been asking to play each other for quite sometime now, and it will finally take place in 2011.
Thoughts on the division as a whole
Both will be competitive, but I feel the O division will be more balanced.  On the plus side Iowa only faces 2 true spread teams in Michigan and Northwestern.  It goes without saying that spread offenses usually give the Iowa defense fits because they spread out the defense and take short passes to slowly move the chains.  Iowa preserved their storied rivalry with Minnesota which all fans wanted.  That leaves Michigan State as our other division opponent.  Lately the Michigan State games have been very competitive.  2007 was a double-overtime win, 08 was a late 4th quarter loss, and 09 was a last play of the game win.
Overall, I think the Iowa fans should be happy with the divisions.  It won't be easy by any means, but I think we should have success in the years to come.

Tune in for more information later....