Jake's first start, half the Oline's first start, and Douglas and Bowman probably getting hyped for the big NASCAR race this weekend. It wasn't a pretty show, but it was an Iowa win, which after last year, I'll try to be okay with. The OL gave Jake pretty good protection, but somebody needs to tell him the happy feet works for Peyton Manning, less for JC. Obviously, he was nervous, blahblahblah, but taking a little bit off of the 8-yard throws will probably help our hands squad out a little bit. The receivers were rough, lots of drops, and I'm vacillating between the two camps who are saying that this is either a serious problem, or something that can be fixed quickly and easily. AY + Sims looked good, both 100+, and Sims would have had much more if not for another fantastic Dave Witvoet call, this time holding on Moeaki. Bottom line, we need to score more points. 16 on 383 yards is not going to get it done in the b10.
Defense looked pretty damn good. I only dropped the F-bomb once, surprisingly Adam Shada was involved in the interaction. Godfrey had a freakish pick early on, and played a hell of a game. Mitch looked good...if 'motor' is really one of Kiper's major draft criteria, the kid's gotta be a top-10 pick. Obvious hyperbole, roll with it. It was pretty clear that NIU isn't exactly Wisconsin, or even Michigan State, but the front 7 looked really, really good. Nice to see Iwebema get a sack early on. Hopefully the boys can stay healthy and keep it up.
Special teams...yikes. I think I have to admit that Kaeding got me, along with the entirety of the Iowa brethren, spoiled. That said, how do you miss a GD extra point? I mean, what else does Signor do in practice besides kick? He's getting a free college education because he can kick a little ball a long ways, and then fails to kick said little ball 20 yards. Something doesn't add up there. Whenever our punter would trot out in HS, he was told specifically "don't suck." Hopefully the Iowa K's hear the same. Kick coverage was better than last year, but not great. Bernstine was a liiiitle too excited, methinks. I just wish he would have laid the kid out a little more if he is planning on hitting the returner so early. Brodell had a nice return along the sideline, after that play was the first time I wasn't extremely nervous that NIU was going to score first.
Obviously some work to do...but we're 1-0. Hopefully much more of this to come:
Michigan St. 55 - UAB 18
Apparently UAB has a football team. And they're not very good. Good win for D'Antonio, but I think MSU would take anything after the mountain-climbing SOB JohnL. Jehruu Caucrick went for 4TDs on 93yds rushing. I think that might officially put him in the Brandon Jacobs Touchdown Whore Club. You might as well draft him now for your fantasy keeper leagues.
Penn St. 59 - FIU 0
Good job guys, nice warm-up. I would say watch out next week when you're playing a real team, but I think ND's next. I hope JoePa skull-fucks Large Charles to an equal degree.
Ohio St. 38 - Y'town St. 6
The AP starts out their recap claiming OSU doesn't miss Troy Smith, AGon, etc. They probably wouldn't have missed anybody off of their 2-deeps if the 3rd-stringers had to play the game. One of the new receivers, Dane Sanzenbacher, caught a 1-yd TD. Somehow that name is a bit less intimidating than Ted Ginn, Jr. The Big Bean, Chris Wells, had a bit of a rough going, likely too stunned by a Columbus paper stating he was a Heisman candidate. I mean, I'm a homer, but come on now...
Northwestern 27 - Northeastern 0
Well, definitely a better start than last year for the Wildcats in the battle of directional juggernauts. Apparently one of NW's corners led the team in tackles. Usually a bad sign. I don't really have anything else to say. Next week they have Nevada, who will maybe pose a bit more of a challenge.
Michigan 32 - Appalachian St. 34
You might have heard about this game. If you turn on your computer/radio/television/mobular phone/flashlight , it will probably give you the full rundown, as well as exactly who from the Michigan Athletic Department will be gone by Tuesday [it is a holiday weekend after all].
Wisconsin 42 - Washington St. 21
People up here in the PacNW told me that Wazzu would be able to stick with the real U-Dub, and I pretty much started laughing. But for the first half, it was definitely a game, and in my mind, I was thinking "shiiiiiiiit." We already had one b10 look really, really stupid, and do not need another. Apparently, Bielema is throwing up a big middle finger to PJ Hill and UW Tradition and throwing the ball. A lot. Donovan attempted 29 passes, and Hill rushed for 84 yards. Color me confused. But in the end, it was another ass-beating. My money says Alvarez will slap BB into submission in order to ride PJ Hill into the ground, Herm Edwards-style. Hopefully that happens by 9/22.
Missouri 40 - Illinois 34
Hmmmm....2 of my top 3 most hated teams. I was hoping for Zook + Pinkel to outdo themselves and somehow work out a 0-0 double loss. Unfortunately for the Illini, The Juice got knocked the hell out like Debo in Friday. And as hard as the Zooker gameplanned and fought for his team, they just couldn't get it done. Think The Little Engine that Couldn't. Backup QB Eddie McGee threw for 250+, but ended up tossing 2 picks, and going Ronnie Harmon on the goal line. I actually felt bad for the Illini, they would have had a good shot against a "good" Mizzou team with Juice in the game. But, the sympathy was short lived. I still hate both teams. Maybe it's just me, but Chase Daniel seems to have an eerie resemblance to Big Ben Rothlisberger.
Purdue 52 - Toledo 24
All I know is that Toledo should have beaten Iowa State last year, and Purdue has no defense. Other than that, I don't really care much about this game. Hi-5 Purdue, let's move on.
Indiana 55 - Indiana St. 7
Congrats to Indiana in their first win after losing Coach Hep. If Iowa didn't play the worst game of their lives against IU last year, I would be pulling for them. Oh, don't worry, Hardy went 3-153 and 2 TD's. Seriously. Can we bring back Ryan Bain to just snap his fibula and save Adam Shada from 8 pass interference call's each time we're on defense? As for IU, they might get a bit of a test against Akron, but it will be hard to see where they're really at until the Illinois game in a few weeks. Lewis to Hardy is a legit combo in CFB this year.
Minnesota 31 - Bowling Green 32
It seemed like the folks from the Great White North were pretty excited for their team: new coach, new field upcoming, things were going to turn around. Let's back that bus up for another year or so. Credit the Gohps for coming back from 21 down, but it looks like they still have a ways to go. Might want to start with the pass defense, who gave up 400+ to the brown+orange. Nice CO Jones shown by the BGSU coach, going for 2 to win it, instead of sitting for the OT.
Other games of interest to only me:
Kent St. 23 - Iowa St. 14
Fuck and yes.
Kansas 52 - Central Michigan 7
Mangino was hungry.
Notre Dame got slapped by GaTech. I don't care enough to look up the score, but that makes me happy in pants.
All in all, solid week 1. Praise God football's back.
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