Big Four Classic, Morningside o so close, Hazzle Dazzle, Too many bowl games

*Greetings from North Dakota.
*Hockey is God up here..
*It took me some time to gather the fact that there is high school hockey teams up here...boys and girls. Not only that, they draw bigger crowds than their basketball teams.
*I have yet to drop a Mighty Ducks quote on the air..give it time.
*I know I have a lot of Iowans reading this blog..so let's get to it.
*The "Big Four Classic" is a great idea. Wells Fargo is a beautiful facility and the idea of getting Iowas "four teams" together in Des Moines for an annual event is gold. However, there is a problem. The "Classic" needs to be round robin. Have two games on Friday night..two games on Saturday afternoon. Winner plays winner with a consolation game as a warmup Saturday evening. These players don't care about the quick turnaround and even if they did, it's a nice preview for the grind of the conference tournaments. Have it rotate every year. Friday night games..Year One: Drake vs. Iowa/UNI vs. ISU. Year Two UNI vs. Iowa/Drake vs. ISU. Year Three Iowa vs. ISU/Drake vs. UNI. These teams deserve to play each other..and the fans deserve to see it.
*I saw they were selling beer at "The Well" on Saturday during the games. Good thing there were bars nearby.
*I'm sure Iowans enjoyed enjoying a cold one while being in attendance for a college sporting event. Some might be jealous that they serve beer at UND hockey and basketball games..which make hockey games that much more awesome.
*Speaking of UND, the mascot of "Fighting Sioux" has been taken away from them by the NCAA. I'm not going to get into the politics of it but when I moved up here, I thought it would be 5 to 1 "Sioux apparel" to the "New UND apparel." I was wrong. It is more like 99-1. Needless to say, "Sioux" fans aren't trading in their apparel anytime soon.
*Speaking of name changes, the Morningside Mustangs were once the Chiefs..a move not very supported by Siouxlanders.
*Morningside played in the NAIA National Championship last Thursday. They fell in heartbreaking fashion 30-27, in overtime to Marian. Joel Nixon still had one of the more impressive football plays I have ever seen, hands down the best I've seen at the NAIA level. The Mustangs have nothing to be ashamed of..they had a great season and Morningsiders everywhere couldn't be prouder.
*WHO-TV's Chris Hassel is headed to the "Four-lettered network." Chris made a name for himself doing "Hazzle Dazzle's" on the weekly Sunday night show "Soundoff" Some people hated him, most people(awesome people) loved him. Here is my favorite Hassel piece:Little Lick, Lotta Bite
*There are way to many bowl games...There was once a time when I thought bowl season was the second greatest time of the year..(second to "March Madness") I want that to remain true..with the playoff system coming, I think it will.
*Toodles!

Greetings from North Dakota, #1 Football movie, Huskers to Indy, Pelini trying to get over hump, Ferentz being Ferentz, and ISU going bowling

*Greetings from Grand Forks, North Dakota. This is me getting into Grand Forks late Saturday afternoon. My arrival in North Dakota

*You can complain about your football team Hawkeye fans, just not the weather. My view in North Dakota.
*Let's get to it shall we?
*It has been awhile since I have posted, which leads us to the number one football movie of all-time..Rudy.
*I'm not the biggest fan of Notre Dame but there is no doubt this is the best football movie ever made.
*Favorite part Don't I know you?
*Hard to imagine but basketball season is in full force. Iowa played last night and I think that Hawkeye fans are back to reality. Yes, with Gesell and Woodbury coming into the program there is a lot to be excited about. Sprinkle that in with the returning talent, it would be easy to get carried away. But Iowa is still a very young team. They will surprise some teams this year, but I think the NCAA tournament is a reach, a far one at that. If Iowa is "on the bubble" at the end of the year, I would consider that a good season for Fran and the boys.
*It looks like Ferentz is sticking by the side of his offensive coordinator. Did you expect anything different? They are not going to bring Davis in for one year and then fire him. Iowa doesn't do that(look at Ferentz) Nor should you do that. It would really show that the program is in desperation mode(which maybe they are)
*People ask me about Ferentz and how long he might last at Iowa. I say if we have a repeat of this season next year, you can say goodbye to Kirk's blow ups on the sideline and "risky" play-calling.
*Nebraska is headed to its third conference championship under the helm of Bo Pelini. In my mind, this is the hump for Bo. It is year five of the program and year two of the B1G. The conference is bad, Nebraska had high expectations this year, this game against Wisconsin Saturday night might be Bo's biggest games so far as head coach. Win and go to the Rose Bowl, gain momentum for next year(next year sets up big for the Big Red.) Lose, go to a decent bowl and probably lose to an SEC team (Another long off-season)
*I think Nebraska wins. Tim Beck must call a great game. 1.)Control the clock..meaning Sexy Rexy and Ameer combine for 55 carries..yes, 55. 2.) Don't put Martinez in bad situations. i.e. Run the ball first..Pass only if it is completely safe. 3.) You can't have stupid, idiotic penalties.
*Win turnover battle and don't commit stupid penalties and you win. Huh..hasn't that been the theme all year?
*Congrats to CPR and the Iowa State football team. They continue to impress and I know all of CyclONEnation is excited..they should be.
*Right now, and I think everyone can agree on this..the Iowa State football program is in better shape then Iowa...how many saw that coming 20 years ago?
*Next time, hockey, Fighting Sioux controversy, and much more.

Huskers-Badgers, Tunnel Walk vs. Jump Around, Tom Osborne, Iowa 10 years ago, Is Iowa State taking over the state?

*Greetings my friends
*Today is a good day 1.)It's Friday 2.)It's Football Season 3.)Last night, Washington beat Stanford and last year Nebraska beat Washington and since Iowa played Nebraska last year, that means Iowa is a BCS team this year.
*Let us get to it.
*Number 2 on the Top 10 football movies of all time countdown: Remember the Titans. This movie might have a strong case for number 1 but a "5 foot nothin, 100 and nothin" dude won't let that happen.
*This movie has everything you need, football fan or not. With legends like Coach Boone and YOAST!! to Julius Campbell and Sunshine, if this movie doesn't make you choke up, well you can go hang out with Coach Taber.
*What's your favorite part of the movie? Too many for me to name.
*The Nebraska-Wisconsin game has lost a lot of interest from a national standpoint, but for the Nebraska players it hasn't. Although some would compare it to the Texas game, I don't buy that. It seems like the Huskers are a little more business like this time around.
*Wisconsin is bad but I don't think they're as bad as people make them out to be. Nebraska should win by 14 plus, but they won't. My prediction, 26-19 Huskers. Don't ask me how the Badgers get 19, it's the Big Ten..probably a safety, a field goal, a touchdown and a missed PAT, with a touchdown and a two point conversion-That's how the Big Ten rolls...UGLY.
*Tunnel Walk>Jump Around
*Iowa fans...remember 10 years ago when you played Minnesota-How could you forget..tearing down the goalposts in the Metrodome and trying to take them out the door with you back to Iowa City. Nebraska had 6 losses..Iowa State was losing to UCONN before UCONN football was UCONN football..times were good Hawk fans. What happened?
*Last week it was hard to watch the Hawks. No doubt Iowa played a large part into losing that game..but credit CMU-They came in and played outstanding.
*Iowa fans..Why isn't Captain Kirk on the hot seat? Yea, it's been whispered around but it should be shouted. It seems like Iowa fans are afraid that they lose Kirk, they will lose everything that was built with Coach Fry and himself.
*It seems like more and more, coaches are playing to deep into the game (Kirk and Stoops) and it's starting to backfire on them. No doubt Ferentz can coach..look how he turned it around..but when is it time to start thinking about a change? GD is new to the offense, I get that. But how long to give that, 3 years? By then is just getting to a bowl game good enough?
*Hawk fans please give me some feedback: @DanCoreyKTIV or on the Facebook page.
*At this point, I think they redshirt Michael Malloy.
*Iowa State fans..one more win and you're in the Top 25-How does that feel?
*Speaking of which, can Nebraska have Jamie Pollard? I'll never say anything bad about that guy and what he's done for Iowa State athletics.
*And if KF is eventually out in IC, there is no way CPR goes to "the dark side" is there?
*Texas Tech is not the Tech of old..but they have some weapons..a veteran qb, can he handle the "dynamic duo" of the ISU LB's. Should be a great game.
*Tom Osborne is getting out of the game and it has been a great ride for TO. He channeled his faith into coaching and teaching boys how to become men. 
*The replacement refs are gone and Ed Hochulis biceps are back. Now we get on with the biggest empire in the world. 
*Morningside QB Joel Nixon might be the answer the Mustangs have been looking for..One of the best D's in quite sometime(and that's saying something) Nixon is 30-0 in his last 30 starts at QB. Guy knows how to win.
*Have a great weekend everyone.

*Let us roll on with the countdown of the top 10 football movies as we arrive at Number 3: Friday Night Lights.
*I had some very high expectations when it came out to theaters when it came out in 2004. It lived up to them. Billy Bob Thornton was absolutely tremendous playing coach Gaines. The movie puts an exclamation point on the book that was written by Bissenger. It amazes me how much the pictures in the book are so close to the actors in the movies. Usually you see some resemblance, but Derek Luke (who played Boobie) looks like the real Boobie.
*I want to visit Odessa, Texas solely based on this book and movie.
*We are entering the third week of college football...and it feels glorious.
*First and foremost, I would like to apologize to Iowa State fans everywhere for doubting Taylor Nystroms beloved Cyclones. I went against the Clones their first two games and got burned.
*Ever seen the "The Opposite" episode of Seinfeld? Where George is up and Eileen is down and Kramer calls Jerry an "Even Steven"..yea, that one. That was exactly what happened with the Cy-Hawk game over the last two years. Last fall in Ames, we saw the greatest game(depending on who you are) between the two teams. This year?? I could of painted a wall and watched it dry and it would of been more interesting.
*The Cyclones gave every opportunity for Iowa to win the game..the Hawks didn't want it.
*To say Iowa is STRUGGLING on offense is an understatement. Greg Davis wants to take the Iowa offense and mold it into what he had at Texas...Here's the problem..Iowa has the personell to run counters, play-action passes, and having the tight end as their premiere receiving threat. What they're are doing isn't working and it's shaping up like it can be a long year for Iowa fans.
*The Clones defense(mainly their LB's) are as advertised. Paul Rhoads is got something in Ames.
*I don't think Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard gets enough respect. Here's a guy that made some hires that didn't work out (Mac and Chizik) but responded with authority with the hires of the Mayor and Rhoads.
*I said Nebraska would win by 3 touchdowns..I have never been more wrong. UCLA deserved more respect and I was drinking the Husker Kool-Aid. 
*Nebraska has some big problems, especially on the defensive end of the ball.
*What I said about Davis and the Iowa offense..same problem with Nebraska and the defense.
*If you told Nebraska fans that Bo wouldn't have the personnel on the field to fit his type of defense (physical and fundamental), Husker fans wouldn't of bought it.
*The Husker defense was in position to make plays, they didn't.
*To put the blame of the Husker loss on quarterback Taylor Martinez is ridiculous. It falls on the shoulders of Tim Beck and the Nebraska play calling.
*More coming this week.

Iowa-Iowa State, Nebraska-UCLA, Morningside-NWC

*As we continue the countdown of the Top 10 greatest sports movies of all time we arrive at number four...Brian's Song.
*If this movie doesn't choke you up, you don't have a heart. I'm going to have to go with the old school version of the flick, and that one alone. When you think of great men throughout time names like Ray Finkle, Danny O'Shea, and Brian Piccolo come to mind.
*This movie doesn't have the most entertainment and is aged with its quality of video, but it's one that will tug at your heart.
*Let's get to it:
*It's one of the biggest weeks in Iowa, second only to the week of the state fair. Iowa-Iowa State. 'Nuff said.
*This is the week where Iowa and Iowa State fans go back and forth, and its so much to sit back and watch the dogs go at it.
*Last year was one of the most entertaining games I can remember between the two teams. Was that a fun game to watch. Steele Jantz put his mark down on the Hawkeyes and it's never going to be erased from Iowa fans minds.
*I cannot remember a game between these two teams that both have been so equally talented!! Iowa State looked very sharp, especially late in the game against Tulsa. Iowa looked poor all the way through against Northern Illinois.
*Remember when Iowa escaped UNI a couple years ago? Remember how BAD that team looked in week one? Yea, they went on to beat Iowa State 35-3. Ouch. Clones, don't let that happen.
*It hasn't been pretty over the last few years in Iowa City for the Cyclones..the last couple of trips east on 80 have resulted in blowouts.
*Here's some keys to the game: Iowa's offensive line has to improve SIGNIFICANTLY. They must protect JVB and give him time to throw. If they control the line of scrimmage, I'm telling you it might be a long day for Iowa State.
*That being said, I think Iowa State needs to control the football...something that shouldn't be a problem. Shontrelle Johnson should rack up over 100 yards again and Steele Jantz looks to eat up the Hawk defense with scrambling out like he did last season.
*The same old song: Turnovers and Special teams..How good was Iowa's special teams last week? Meyer was excellent. Hawks hoping the don't have to use Meyer that much this week. Hawks need 7 if they want to stick with Iowa State.
*Prediction: @tnytro don't hate me Iowa:26 Iowa State:17
*Out West we go...Rex Burkhead is rumored to make the trip..psstttt...Don't play him. If you can't beat UCLA without Rex Burkhead, you don't deserve to be a national contender, something Nebraska wants to be.
*If you want to see a preview of what the game will look like from the Rose Bowl tomorrow night, pop in the 2010 Washington-Nebraska game.
*Martinez will be an early "Heisman candidate" Monday morning..It's going to be his coming home party.
*Gus Johnson is doing play by play of the game on Fox. I'm anxious to watch a game on something other than the four letter network.
*Every Nebraska fan is hoping to hear: "MARTINEZZZZZ TOUCHDOWN!!WELCOME HOME T-MAGIC!!"-Gus Voice.
*Vegas really likes UCLA to stick with Nebraska, thinking that Mora(an X's and 0's) guy will pit his "athletes" and hang with the Big Red. Response to this is Mike Leech at Washington State..just because you have a great coach(and I think that both are) it doesn't mean you waddle in and beat good teams.
*Prediction: Nebraska: 57 UCLA:26
*To the biggest game at Elwood Olsen Stadium in YEARS.
*Morningside hosting Northwestern is going to be a great game. The Red Raiders will send the entire town of Orange City down 75 and "Cheapskate Hill" will be packed with fans. Expect a very, very large crowd.
*It's easy to love the matchup of the Northwestern Offense vs the Morningside Defense. Davis Bloemendaal hasn't lost a game as a starter quarterbacking the Red Raider offense and Brandon Smith is an All-American running back. Put that up against the likes of Colby Henderson and Chris Cavillo and you got yourself an all out battle.
*Joel Nixon, in his second game AT QUARTERBACK for Morningside, must take care of the football. The Red Raiders are going to look to stop the running attack of the Stangs and let Nixon air it out. If Joel can scramble out of the pocket, he will give the NWC defense fits.
*Prediction: Morningside:28 Northwestern:17
*That is all.

Hawks, Clones, Skers, and more

*Top 10 Football movies of all time continues with number five being: The Program. I put this movie in for two reasons..A) It's a great football flick and B) If I didn't put this movie in, I would fear for my life knowing that Lattimer would track me down and tear me into pieces. Don't believe me?
Starting Defense!!
*This movie takes us inside the college football life and what really goes on, a must see for any football fan.
*I was in a wedding this weekend. Its day? Saturday(The real opening day of college football) Its time? 3:00(During the Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska, and UNI game) Of course, I didn't let the groom live it down..he said the bride made the choice for the date and time..my man, you are in for a LONG marriage.
*I went back and watched the games and here are my thoughts from the opening weekend:
*The Big Ten got its grand stage to prove to everyone that they can hang with the SEC. Alabama chuckled at this idea and put the favorite to win the B1G six feet under on national TV. Robinsons Heisman=Bye Bye.
*Iowa has A TON of work to do. Remember though, we all thought the world was coming to an end when the Hawks barely beat UNI in 2009. The Hawks went on to have a pretty good year.
*For what would of been a sixth string running back, Bullock looked solid..not great or spectacular, but solid.
*It was special teams that won that game for Iowa. Meyer with the field goals (tied for most in the nation) and the great play by Castillo pinning Northern Illinois deep.
*For a guy that had the offense down pat, James Vandenberg didn't exactly play "lights out." Now if the guy had some time to pass, maybe he could do better than not even 130 yards passing.
*The O-Line needs work and I don't buy that that's "the best defense Iowa will face all year."
*Iowa did however beat the team with what was the longest winning streak in the country.
*Greg Davis, Iowas new OC, showed us what he likes to run..the question is, do the Hawks have the right tools to make the machine run.
*I'll hit on Iowa State, then get to the Cy-Hawk Game.
*I needed alot of convincing before the Tulsa game that Iowa State was going to win. I didn't get it.
*After being down 16-7, Steele Jantz went into beast mode. Not only that, the defense came around and Shontrelle Johnson ran for 120. Tulsa did make it interesting with a late push, but the Clones were to much.
*Iowa State fans love Dan McCarney. They hate Gene Chizek. That game was a game where BOTH of those gentlemen would of lost. Paul Rhoads does it again in my mind.
*Cody Green looked good in the first quarter, but eventually proved why he couldn't get the job done at Nebraska..dude has trouble with the long ball.
*If Iowa State pulls it out next weekend and Steele Jantz plays a great game (both possible), Jantz might be one of the most hated Cyclones by Iowa fans of all time.
*Iowa is going to have to show so much more then they did on Saturday if they want to win this one..good thing for Hawks, it's in IC.
*Predictions to come later this week.
*My ridiculously blind prediction of Missouri State over Kansas State looked good early in the third quarter as the worst team in the MVC was tied with the 22nd ranked Wildcats. Then Kansas State won the game 51-9. I'm in journalism, not professional betting.
*To Lincoln we go.
*Dear Rex Burkead,
Get better soon.
XOXO,
Nebraska fans everywhere.
*Taylor Martinez walked into the press conference after Saturdays 26-34 354 yard 5 td performance and thought to himself in a Happy Gilmore voice.."Uh-oh, Taylor learned how to pass." #doublepistols
*Husker OC Tim Beck looked like he was in the zone. Great routes by the WR core, the right calls at the right times, and put Martinez in good situations.
*T-Magic's throwing motion has changed for the better, but really, why does it matter what it looks like as long as it gets to where it needs to be..as long as it gets there 70 percent of the time.
*Morningside vs. Northwestern play in Sioux City this Saturday night..what a game that will be. The Mustangs rolled 17th ranked Valley City State 49-7 and the Red Raiders beat up on Southwestern. It will be a huge crowd (the biggest in years at Olsen) and will be a great game.
*More to come throughout the week

*Top 10 Football Movies rolls on as we reach Number 6: Varsity Blues. You know if you get mocked in Not Another Teen Movie, that you're a keeper.
*This was kind of the kick start to high school football movies. Although Friday Night Lights was written a long time ago, I think Billy Bob and the boys showed how high school football really is.
*The movie shows a lot of different aspects on high school and football..the partying, the pressure, will to win, a coach you don't like, the town behind you, etc.
*Good flick in my opinion.
*#SportsFourceSpirit moves on up to Spencer.
*The Tigers were WINLESS in 2010 and it looked like they were headed the same direction in 2011. But with some key wins and getting into the playoffs on that last Friday of the season, the Tigers changed the attitude around Spencer. Not only did they make it into the 3A playoffs, they also beat the top seed, Creston, and took Harlan down to the wire.
*Jim Tighes pronounced Tys team is all about PROCESS. They don't worry about the big goals, just getting better everyday.
*The Tigers have some work to do. Friday night Emmetsburg(number 2 in 1-A) rolled them. They also have a tough district, but it's hard to root against these guys.

*Keeping the countdown rolling, number 7 of the best football movie ever made: Any Given Sunday.
*This movie has an all-star lineup: Pachino, Diaz, Foxx, Quaid, LT, Jim Brown, AND LL Cool J. There is not another movie on the countdown that has a cast like this one.
*This movie is intense and doesn't beat around the bush. It shows you exactly what goes on in an NFL organization and takes no shortcuts.
*This movie could bump up a couple of spots, but it's not going to. Number 7 is a safe spot for the Sharks.
*#SportsFourceSpirit takes a look at LeMars Gehlen Catholic. The Jays move up a class and lose Trevor Bouma. That doesn't go well for a team that is trying to get back to the Dome. The Jays opened up in the CNOS Classic this past Saturday against Hinton and looked pretty good...in the first half. Hinton got on a roll and there was no looking back for the Blackhawks, beating Gehlen, 35-14.Gehlen not only lost Bouma from last year, but also their starting QB and two great players on the line. It's no doubt Tony Gunters team will have some work to do if they want to get back to the playoffs(which he told me was their goal.)

*Back to the blog(and the countdown)
*I apologize to my 3 readers of the blog that I haven't posted in awhile..I'm sure you were losing sleep.
*Greatest football movie countdown continues: Number 8: The Longest Yard
*The older generation sticks with the Burt Reynolds edition, younger folk prefer the Adam Sandler version..Take your pick, they're both good.
*It is a good storyline and a pretty good football flick. Although some would rank it higher in the countdown, I don't see it better than any movie in my top 7.
*Those wardens try and get you everytime, just ask Andy Dufresne.
*#SportsFourceSpirit has come and gone..ten teams outside the metro in ten days.
*Kingsley-Pierson is the next team on the list. They had a good season last year, however got knocked out of the playoffs first round.
*They think they can improve on that and take the next step in advancing to the playoffs. The Panthers will rely heavily on some senior leadership to get them there.

*Greetings.
*Here's a quick thought..why is it every time I say that to people when I'm out and about, someone always associates it to aliens by responding in an "Unearthly way" or hold up the peace sign? It always makes me chuckle. That is "my phrase" as a reporter and if being an alien makes me unique, so be it.
*Continuing the top 10 football movies of all-time countdown continues. 
*Number 9 greatest football movie of all-time is: We Are Marshall
*This is a pretty solid film...nothing flashy, but it gets the job done. It tells the story of the tragedy of the Marshall football team's plane crashing and them making the decision to continue with the football program. With the likes of Nate Ruffin, Marshall went on to have some pretty good dang years as a football team.
*Favorite quote: "We're not honoring them, Jack, we're disgracing them." I think this might tie into the Penn State situation that has occured/occuring. It will be interesting to see how it plays out in Happy Valley.
*The second of ten teams outside the metro on our Sports Fource coverage leading up to the season is: WOODBURY CENTRAL
*The Wildcats return some key players from a team that won its first playoff game since 1980, when their coach Kelly Manker, was in pads for the blue and white.
*The 'Cats are a pretty confident bunch. But they will have to get through some excellent competition to reach where they want to go, the Dome.
*It will be fun for locals to watch the Paulsen twins over the next few years. With their size and for only being sophomores, they might go pretty far.
*Shout out to everyone I know from Moville, which it seems about half the town.

 *Greetings
*Today is the countdown to the start of high school football in Northwest Iowa. To get ready, I will be spotlighting ten high school football teams around Sioux City and also covering the metro teams..(this corresponds with our Sports Fource coverage.) Not only that, I will be taking an inside look at all the local college teams getting ready for the upcoming season. And last but certainly not least, I will be counting down the top 10 football movies of all-time.
*Let's just start right there because that's probably why you are here.
*Number 10 greatest football movie of all-time is: Little Giants
*Myself being in my early 20's, this movie came out at a perfect time. Whether you liked Icebox or Spike, Brother Danny or Brother Kevin, there is no denying this great movie...and with a special appearance and inside coaching from John Madden, the movie had it all. There is no doubt Becky should of been a Cowboy..but she got the last laugh against Spike and those bratty Cowboys. #JuniorandBeckyForLife
*Favorite quote: "Giants, Giants, HELP US GOD!!"
*The first of ten teams on our Sports Fource coverage leading up to the season is: HINTON
*The Blackhawks are using last seasons 2-7 record as motivation for this year. With some more seniors on this years squad and the motto of "One game at a time," Hinton makes the move down from Class 1-A to A. Don't worry, it doesn't get easier. With West Lyon, Woodbury Central, and Lawton Bronson all in that class, it is going to be a tough schedule.
*Coach Held really likes their line, saying it is one of the strongest points on the team. Luckily for Hinton, and the rest of the state, Trevor Bouma is graduated and gone. That means this years game against LeMars Gehlen at Elwood Olsen Stadium on August 25th should be much closer.
*Much more tomorrow.

*Greetings
*We are now two weeks away from MOST high school football teams starting in the state of Iowa.
*I like the idea of starting off with a bang. This means Valley vs. Dowling for central Iowa fans, East vs. Heelan in my neck of the woods. I, like many people, seeing these great, early football season matchups when we are used to seeing a powerhouse play a middle school team.
*Sioux City East coaches think that this might be one of their best team in years. Talking with head coach Bob Goodvin, he likes the idea of the new competition his team will get this year. Valley is the clear favorite in the district, but Goodvin says don't overlook the other teams.
*In talks of the new 4A districts, I'm on the fence. I like the balance it will bring, but I don't like parents having to travel three hours every other weekend to see their kids play. I guess if there is one good thing, it will spike the viewership of the news.(Wanting to see highlights because they didn't want to travel.)
*Iowa State will always be the underdog. They have no problem with that.
*The Olympics have been fun to watch and I think the USA Men's basketball team will crank it up three notches in pursuit of a gold medal. They are no "Dream Team."
*Speaking of, if you're looking for a good read, "Dream Team" by Jack McCallum is a fantastic book. It has all the inside info on the 1992 team, with Mac giving his opinion. He has the past and present quotes to back everything up. Truly a great author.
*I will start counting down the Top 10 best Football movies leading up to the season. Expect some quotes from Rudy, Boobie Miles, Gary Bertier, and Billy Bob.
*Have a nice weekend, and Go America!!

*Greetings
*We are two weeks away from high school football kicking off in the state of Iowa. 'Nuff said.
*Today is Husker fan day in Lincoln. Our very own Nick Filipowski made the trip to Lincoln. Martinez has a goal of completing 70 percent of his passes this season and says he hasn't felt this good in a very long time.
*I think Taylor will have a solid season IF Tim Beck understands his quarterback better than last season. Those INTs. Martinez threw at Wisconsin, Beck deserves more blame than Martinez.
*Martinez is a different character than Husker fans are usually used to seeing at the QB spot, a reason why I believe they are so easy to get on his case. This season is "Put up or shut up" time for Martinez...and his biggest fan Bo Pelini.
*I think it's a good thing that Bo has Martinez's back...gotta show him that you have confidence in him.
*Martinez is the best Nebraska has until a young man named Johnny Stanton steps on campus.
*Iowa State has one of the best linebacker cores in the country...they don't have a favorable schedule.
*How can you hate against Paul Rhoads? Gotta love what he's doing in Ames.
*I think the QB competition is a healthy one in Ames..it's only going to make the Clones better.
*Some Nebraska reporters were saying that Iowa would take any one of Nebraska's top 4 or 5 running backs. I would have to agree.
*The lack of running backs at Iowa might open the door for Michael Malloy to get plenty of reps as a true freshman. Hopefully he has a better career as a Hawkeye then the former last Heelan player to wear the Hawkeye uniform.
*I think 7 to 9 wins is reasonable for Iowa this fall..If they can go 5-0 before their bye, watch out.(and it's a reasonable goal.)
*If you're not on Twitter, that sucks. Saw a number yesterday that is mind blowing...just shy of 1 million Twitter accounts in the 2008 Olympics...over 300 million for these games...stunning.

Football is among us, Olympic talk, and Penn State thoughts

*The fact that most conferences around college football have had their media days is exciting. It means college football, the greatest sport in the world, is right around the corner.
*Bo Pelini and the media go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly. That guy loves the media so much, I'm sure all the sports reporters in Lincoln and Omaha get a Christmas card from The Pelini's every year.
*It would not be a B1G Media Days without Bo dropping the term "process" or "attention to detail." We got one.
*Some people think this is a "make or break" year for Bo. I don't think it's that extreme. Here's my expectations for Bo's Huskers(as it has been the last 3 years under the Pelini era): 11 wins would be surprising, Husker fans would take 10 wins, 9 wins the conservative guess, and 8 wins is disappointing.
*Hold the phone right there Husker fans. Husker fans would "take 10 wins." Remember Frank Solich did that year in and year out and got fired. I'm not sticking up for Solich because that train was headed down the wrong track when the Osborne players were graduated. But the Callahan era is over and if Husker fans thought 9 wins wasn't good enough with Solich, they need to stick to their guns and say the same for Pelini.
*Talking with Hawkeye fans, they think this year is going to be very, very interesting.
*As I'm writing this, at the rate it's been going for Iowa, another one of their running backs is getting arrested. The curse lives on.
*Ferentz has had no problem kicking players off his team when they have ran into problems with the law. That is a good thing. The bad thing is them getting into trouble. I know the stories about Iowa City but come on.
*I think the fact that Greg Davis is the offensive coordinator complimenting what Iowa has coming back on offense is promising. Vandenberg is a smart enough kid that he can get the playbook down going into his senior year. With a strong receiving core, Iowa might be passing even more than last year.
*Nothing is ever set in stone as a win when you're a Hawkeye football fan. However, the schedule is favorable not only in the non-conference but conference play as well.
*Much more on Iowa State next week, but I think it's great how they were the darling at the Big 12 Media Days.
*The Olympics is a great time for the world to come together and for us, as Americans, to swell up with pride for our country.
*Now more than ever, the tape-delay thing is frustrating. I can't get on my Twitter timeline without seeing who won gold, and it not being able to watch it on "quality" TV for another six hours. I guess that's what happens when you follow over 900 people, most of them sports people on Twitter.
*I got to do a story on A.G. Kruger and Derek Miles this past week, both locals who will be competing in the Olympics. Let's just say I will be yelling at the TV cheering them on. (Kruger went to Morningside, originally from Sheldon will be in the Hammer Throw. Miles is a pole vaulter who an assistant coach at USD, also nearing the age of 40.)
*Bo Pelini is taking the right stance on Penn State players. It doesn't surprise me that teams are making a push to get their players but I don't see it as right. Other programs don't care what has happened, but if they see a chance for themselves to make their team better, they'll do it.
*When was the last time people talked about the Ohio State scandal from last summer. We tend to forget things really fast...especially when it comes to college football.
*I love the fact NBC is opening up with its coverage of the NFL on a Wednesday night. Ratings will be high for that game (Giants vs. The Boys) but give me Pittsburgh and Denver the following Sunday night. Can't wait.