College Football Week 10

And another undefeated team is creeping into the top ten. The University of Houston is 9-0 and QB Casey Keenum continues to throw the ball. The last three will present their own challenges. This Thursday is a quick turnaround as the Cougars go out on the road to Tulane. Then more conference games against SMU and Tulsa will give them a challenge to go 12-0. And of course Conference USA has their title game.

The so-called game of the century between LSU and Alabama is all I need. Alabama dropped to number 3 in the BCS standing, still in front of undefeated Stanford and Boise State. And much talk has surrounded a national title rematch between the two teams. Haven't I heard this before? In 2006 Michigan and Ohio State faced each other as undefeated, but the home-town Buckeyes outlasted the Wolverines 42-39. Much of the nation clamored for a rematch. But it didn't happen and Michigan went on to lose the Rose Bowl and Ohio State went on to lose the national championship. This year LSU won at Alabama by a field goal in OT. Based on LSU's win coming on the road should eliminate a rematch, or Alabama's opportunity to play in the title game. I've always felt that the national title game should include conference champions, and after Saturday night, should not include a team that lost on its home turf. So, No, I don't want a rematch.

I'm thinking many Iowa fans were surprised this week's game between Iowa and Michigan State didn't earn the 2:30 ABC start. I was hoping for it. Instead the game for the Legends Division lead is on ESPN2 beginning at 11am. We can't be surprised Nebraska and Penn State are above the Hawkeyes in the TV pecking order. First time these two teams play, and each are ranked in the nation's top 25. Putting Michigan and Illinois at 2:30 on ABC is a little puzzling, but perhaps they are looking to draw as many TVs as possible. That puts Iowa and Michigan State on ESPN2 at 11am. This promises to be a well-hyped game that could live up to the expectations. But it doesn't garner the ESPN or ABC slot. I guess this game is only big for the fans in each state.

Iowa's Win over Michigan

The win by Iowa over Michigan put the Hawkeyes in control of their destiny to reach the inaugural Big Ten Title Game. Before we look toward the next three games on the Hawkeye schedule, here is the Michigan weekend in pictures.

Iowa's Honorary Captain was Tim Dwight. Dwight a local standout at Iowa City High School and stayed in town to play his college ball for the Hawkeyes. After graduating in 1997 Dwight spent nearly ten years in the NFL with teams such as the San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets. With the Falcons Dwight returned a kick off for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXIII.

The Hawkeyes used its ESPN nationally televised appearance to honor America and those who served for their country by modifying the traditional Tiger Hawk on the team's helmet. The "Stars and Striped" version of the Tiger Hawk had been in the works for weeks and on display six days prior to Veterans Day.

There are only a few that have been in the conference as long as I have. Phil Bromley (middle) has been Michigan's Video Coordinator since 1989. His assistant, Kevin Undeen shoots the games while Phil begins the breakdown process after the first quarter.

With the Big Ten Network all of Iowa's games will be televised. However this was the first trip for ESPN to Kinnick Stadium this year. Dave Pasch (blocked) and Chris Spielman (pictured) called their second Iowa game of the season. This crew also worked the Iowa Penn State game in October with former Florida Head Coach, Urban Meyer. Meyer did not make the trip to Iowa City as he worked College Football Game Day in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

And Bob Brooks stands next to his plaque in the Kinnick Stadium Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Another crew asked for pictures of Brooks next to his award and I decided it also needed to be posted here. Brooks has been active with the Hawkeyes since Nile Kinnick and has seen everything on the high school level as long. Brooks now reports for KMRY in Cedar Rapids.

New Target Field

 Over the weekend we had the opportunity to see Minnesota's new Target Field first-hand. It is self-proclaimed as the nicest ballpark in all of the major leagues. It is hard to argue that statement as it has done well what some other ballparks missed on. It reminds me much of Citizen Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia with a touch of northwoods. It is definitely a field that Minnesotan's can be proud of.

As with many newer ballparks, Target Field is built downtown in an area that locals are either trying to clean up or revitalize. The people of Minneapolis built this park near the warehouse district and is right next to the Target Center. A new light rail system has many lines running to the ballpark and the downtown area. And the park takes advantage of many bars and restaurants that were built to as an entertainment district.

 As we walked in at the gate behind home plate we were greeted by one of the ballpark's bars. This is Hrbek's, named after the first baseman of the '87 and '91 World Champion Teams.

Batting practice was just ending, but a criticism of the new park is that of the home run dimensions. To deep center the dimensions are 411 and 403, but the walls are high making it more difficult for Twins all-stars Mauer or Morneau to hit one out. Deep center are Minnesota Spruce Trees and right field features an overhang onto the field of bleachers.

 An early shower cleared the way for a beautiful sunset on the downtown skyline of Minneapolis. Rain and sunsets are something new to baseball fans in Minnesota. The Twins have played indoors since 1982 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The dome still stands today as the home to the Minnesota Golden Gopher Baseball team and Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. Prior to the move inside, fans in the Twin Cities would go to the present site of Mall of America and Metropolitan Stadium for both the Twins and Vikings.

The left field bleachers were built in the style of bleachers from old Metropolitan Stadium. Flags atop these sections signify both division and world championship years.

Local favorites are found all around Target Field. Locally brewed beers, root beers touting one of the Twins most known sluggers, Harmon Killebrew as well as hot dogs and sausages. Kramarczurs is the provider of Target Field's bratwursts and polish sausages. The $6.50 meats were grilled alongside onions as you waited, the my brat was one of the best I've had at any major league game.

The Twins honor their history with retired numbers hanging just beyond the left field foul pole. Alongside Jackie Robinson's 42 that is retired by all MLB teams are Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Tony Oliva, Rod Carew and Harmon Killebrew.

One of the best retro-logo in major league baseball is that of the Minnesota Twins. Here "Minnie" and "Paulie" shake hands across the Mississippi River representing the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Upon a home run this sign lights up frantically.

Lights are built within the roof that runs from right field behind home plate to left field one set atop the replay board in left field. The lighting does a nice job of showcasing a beautiful ballpark.

And we enjoyed our trip to major league baseball's newest field.

Images from Northwestern Weekend.

Not many photos captured on the weekend of Iowa's first defeat of the 2009 season.

On Friday the announcing crew of Dave Pasch and Bob Griese along with the producer and director sits down with Iowa Football Coach Kirk Ferentz. This proceeded a two hour video session between Griese and Pasch. They took a look at each team's offense from the week before.
Here they are in the booth prior to the start of the Iowa - Northwestern game in the Kinnick Stadium Press Box.

Herky enters Kinnick Stadium.

Then the Hawkeyes take the Kinnick Stadium field.

And here comes the 'Cats.

Iowa Propoganda

From Tuesday(11.03) night's halftime coverage on ESPN. Trevor Matisch with the comments. Video courtesy ESPN. Check out Trevor's take on the punt block at Penn State.

College Football Week 7

With the first BCS poll announced over the weekend, this is a good time to showcase the ladies of one of the top FCS programs. On Saturday Southern Illinois defeated Northern Iowa in one of the most impressvie victories of the day. In a sold out UNI Dome, the Salukies from Carbondale defeated a Panther team which is next to unbeatable at home. However, in a division with a play-off all this victory will do for SIU is position them in a 16 team play-off. The Panthers have their backs to the wall with a must-win game at South Dakota State this weekend. With a loss, the Panthers are out of the play-off.

In College Basketball, ESPN has introduced Bracket Buster Weekend. It is intended to generate excitement among non-BCS conference teams and improve their seeding in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The time has come for ESPN to do the same with College Football. Boise State is #4 in the first BCS poll released on Sunday. TCU is #8. Among the remaining game Boise has, one is against a team with a winning record giving them little hope to improve in the BCS poll. ESPN could reserve Thanksgiving weekend for a BCS buster set of games. Pairings could be announced on November 1 and each year the host team can rotate among the different conferences. A Boise State - TCU match-up would definitely create interest and perhaps provide credibility to the winner. Will the winner have a legitimate claim to being in the National Title Game? Doubtful, but it is one step closer to the playoff the media and fans have been asking for, with the winner guaranteed a spot in a BCS bowl.

ESPN GameDay in State College

ESPN's College Game Day is heading to State College, PA for the Big Ten showdown between Iowa and Penn State. Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will broadcast their show live from 9am - 11am on Saturday, September 26.

(Photo Courtesy Cedar Rapids Gazette)

Three Pre Game Shows

Super Bowl Game Day Pre Game Shows
NFL Network - 3 Sets within the Stadium
ESPN - 1 Set within the Stadium. One in Downtown Tampa
NBC - Three Hours of Today Show inside Stadium and Pre Game show begins at 11am CT.

Closer to Game Time

Practice Continued today at the University of Tampa. This late afternoon practice is the second to last practice before Thursday's Outback Bowl.

ESPN's Chris Spieleman attends the day's practice.

Iowa v South Carolina

January 1st, 2009. Outback Bowl. Iowa v South Carolina. Raymond James Stadium. 10am (CT) ESPN

Spielman Awards

Those of you watching the UCLA - Arizona State football game tonight, former Ohio State linebacker and current ESPN Analyst, Chris Spielman gave out his "Spiely Awards." Among those he gave the Defensive Player of the Year Award to Iowa Defensive Lineman, Mitch King. In my opinion this is quite an honor. Spielman only called one Iowa game, and that was a loss at Illinois

Matt Leinart...your 10 minutes of fame may be over. You'll be remembered more for a picture depicting you doing a beer bong with coed college students than playing for the Arizona Cardinals....But then again, who'd want to be remembered for playing for the Arizona Cardinals. Point goes to Leinart.

CBS Sports...nice way to finish your golf season. An audio glitch had us missing the last 8-10 minutes of audio on their last golf tournament of the 2008 season. No Jim Nantz to explain why Sergio Garcia got relief from his poor lie. I found out a day later that this problem was limited to our broadcast area. Thanks, KGAN

The Yankees and Red Sox play this week. It is hard to believe this is the last series between the two until the final weekend. What will ESPN do for a month? And can ESPN handle a series more important than the Yankees and Red Sox playing on the final weekend? Say the Brewers and Cubs?

Best baseball is being played in the midwest. Although the Cubs have a 4 1/2 game lead on Milwaukee, it is far from over. The battle for the NL wild card may come down to the Cardinals and Brewers. In the American League, it is important to check the standings daily. One day the Twins may lead the AL Central, and the next it could be the White Sox. The next two weeks are very important to the race. The Twins are on the road for fourteen days due to the Republican Convention in the Twin Cities. If Chicago is to have a sizable lead, now is the time.