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HAWKS TAKE OSU TO WIRE, LOSE TO WISKY AND NITTANY LIONS


HAWKS TAKE OSU TO WIRE, LOSE TO WISKY AND NITTANY LIONS

Triple Loss a First in College Football History

From the AP:

The pain was evident on frosh Hawk starter James Vandenberg's face. It was not simply the pain of not making the Rose Bowl as the underdog. Nor the pain of losing his first start, despite playing unexpectedly poised football. Nor the pain of having come so close, so close, to beating a team no one thought they could beat.

No. For the Opie-faced Hawk signal-caller, it was the pain of the first triple-loss in NCAA history. Yes, Iowa was a 17 point underdog, playing in perhaps the most hostile environment possible. Yes, Iowa hung in there, with a real chance to win, taking the highly-regarded Buckeyes into overtime. Yes, Iowa nearly won despite crippling injuries that would've placed lesser teams on the losing end of a thirty-point beat-down.

But it became clear, by the time the Buckeyes had won on a 39 yard kick in OT, that this loss by this Iowa team could not be fully realized by just a single "L" in the loss column. This team, this lucky team, this recipient of manna all season long from the football Gods (did I mention they lucked out by blocking TWO field goal attempts to beat Northern Iowa? And also by blocking a punt for a TD in the PSU game? And also by returning a kickoff for a TD against the Buckeyes? And also by coming back from 14 points down late in that game to luckily get to OT?), was so overrated, their fans so obnoxious, their coach so smugly "nice" (and we in the college FB media HATE "nice"!), their unis so garish and Steeler-y, and their ex-coach so moustache-y and high porch picnic-y, that one loss could not do it all.

Let the record reflect that Iowa now falls to 7-4, with an asterisk next to the Iowa-Wisconsin and -Penn State scores leading one to the welcome words "Lucky Win, Counts as Loss". Let the doubters take their "Well, didn't Iowa beat both those teams AT HOME fair and square?" garbage to the dump. We all know what happened. Some call it luck. Others, fortune, or kismet, or fate.

But it surely wasn't talent, they weren't deserved victories. How could they be, with the Hawks anchored by (gasp!) a bunch of slow Midwestern two and--if they're lucky--three star prospects? Surely their victories at Happy Valley and Camp Randall were influenced by darker forces (dare I name him: Satan?), and in the name of all things holy, cannot be rewarded as wins.

But it isn't likely to stop there. Out West, where real football talent is sprung, there is a movement to negate the Hawks win against Arizona as well. Understandable, given the Wildcats close loss to a near-unbeatable Cal team, a team that would surely woodshed the lowly Hawkeyes by forty. Iowa may have won the Kinnick Stadium point battle, but justice will win the victory-total war, the Wildcats hope.

According to NCAA sources, an investigation, too, is in the works. Surely rules were broken somewhere along the line, for no rational explanation otherwise exists for Iowa's uncanny knack of defeating clearly superior teams this season. Come from behind? Come on! Money, drugs, booze, babes, iPods, slankets, Swanson chicken-pot-pies--these must have been some of the enticements that were offered to opponents to let Iowa "back in the game" in their many unearned victories.

Fortunately, the pollsters have injected some well-needed sanity into this situation and, knowing how slow the NCAA is in their investigation, docked Iowa the requisite number of poll slots. Depending on the poll, Penn State and Wisconsin are ahead of Iowa, and all is right with the world. That is, until the next "come from behind" lucky Hawkeye victory.

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so if history serves correct..

and Iowa shits the bed next week (WHICH THEY ABSOLUTELY WONT FUCK SAID GOPHERS) then Minny vaults ahead of us in the the polls??? makes perfect sense

by Gustav on Nov 15, 2009 7:51 PM CST reply actions  

Once again I am thankful for the cold, unfeeling logic of the computers.

But I will not be worry-free while Penn State remains in the top 14 of the BCS rankings.

by RossWB on Nov 16, 2009 12:26 AM CST up reply actions  

Neither will I

I’m not convinced Penn State can win a BCS. Hell, we might be more safe if Wisconsin goes to the Cap One and we go to Tampa.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Nov 16, 2009 8:19 AM CST up reply actions  

I don't think the Fiesta Bowl has

PSU ahead of Iowa. The Orange Bowl does though. I think the performance this weekend matters too. If Iowa romps and PSU struggles that could play a small role in fan enthusiasm (perceptions that is).

In any event, I give Iowa a 50/50 chance at a BCS even if they win by more than the Vegas spread. And if Oklahoma beats Ok. State, then I give Iowa an 80% chance for the Fiesta Bowl.

"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz

by StoopsMyAss on Nov 16, 2009 8:36 AM CST up reply actions  

I dunno

Iowa and Penn State are both going to bring a ton of people to any game. The difference is, they also have a big name that will draw viewers, while we don’t. Given that there’s a very decent chance the opponent is someone like Boise State, who also isn’t a big ratings draw, that could be a big deal.

by NorseHawk on Nov 16, 2009 10:26 AM CST up reply actions  

I don't think PSU can sell as many tickets

as iowa can in Arizona. The bowl execs are first and foremost concerned about tckets to the game being sold. Second, they want fans who will grow the local economy…they partner with local biz and they have a responsibility to them. Finally, they have to work with the networks. But, a buddy of mine is in a key position with FOX sports and he told me that networks have far less say in bowl game selections than they do in the NCAA selection for the NCAA B-ball tournament. He told me all about that…which was surprising.

These bowls are free agents unlike anything else in college sports.

"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz

by StoopsMyAss on Nov 16, 2009 10:46 AM CST up reply actions  

Having said that...both will be good selections for them.

I think whoever looks better this weekend combined with Ok State losing to Oklahoma decides it.

"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz

by StoopsMyAss on Nov 16, 2009 10:48 AM CST up reply actions  

Here are the ratings going back about 10 years

I think you will see Iowa can outrae Penn State. For example, last year’s game got a 3.1 whereas when PSU played the Alamo Bowl two years ago they got a 2.7. In fact, Illinois out rated PSU in the Rose Bowl. So I am not sold on PSU as a super power in the ratings game.

http://www.bcsfootball.org/bcsfb/tvratings

"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz

by StoopsMyAss on Nov 16, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions  

I meant Iowa's outback got a 3.1

"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz

by StoopsMyAss on Nov 16, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions  

I don’t see that. PSU wins out. Iowa just needs to win this weekend. Thinking beyond that just makes my brain hurt. The polls suck, but the last time an official UI personal complained about them coincided with 2 game losing streak. Coincidence? Football gods? Well, it the football gods were merciful, Iowa would have beaten those osu fuckers last weekend. So, the football gods are ridiculously vengeful mofos. I will not participate in further tempting their wrath.

by txhawkeye on Nov 16, 2009 11:09 AM CST up reply actions  

If you believe in the football gods, then we're in worse shape

We’ve got a post on the front page of BSD discussing our chances for a BCS bid.

Shit always happens when we play in East Lansing. And this team has been playing like the Steelers offense played on Sunday: sleepy, indifferent, etc.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Nov 16, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions  

Losing to Wisky and PSU

All I can say is "F@#k you! We’re Iowa!

by GMcNhawkeye on Nov 16, 2009 8:33 AM CST reply actions  

I think this three-loss trifecta settles it, and it's all Ken O'Keefe's fault.

I mean, someone needs to investigate him.

Incidentally, revisionist logic of this sort can only mean one thing: sometime in February Iowa will pick up a few basketball wins, because while we might appear to be 3-21 or something, no doubt some of those games will be decided by lucky-ugly scores like 35-39.

Mr. Boh Knows ...

by Bellanca on Nov 16, 2009 10:35 AM CST reply actions  

Well done sir

I enjoy your sarcasm!

…give me the courage and the ability to so conduct myself in every situation that my country, my family, and my friends will be proud of me.
-Nile Kinnick

by Hawkeyewith49Jackrabbits on Nov 16, 2009 4:52 PM CST reply actions  

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