Matt Millen and Sean McDonough

Iowa Football is fortunate to have had all of its games televised since the 2000 season. Big Ten Network, ESPN, ABC, Fox Sports, Versus are among the different networks producing each game. And in that time I have had the pleasure meeting many personalities and voices associated with college football. However one of the more memorable is Matt Millen.

Typically announcers arrive as early as the Thursday prior to game day to either watch a little video or to attend practice to get to know the team a little better. Then on Friday the talent spends almost two hours with coaches and players to provide a little background for the game telecast.

And while they are in town they will watch video of each team. It varies by announcing crew as to the amount, but no one watches more than Matt Millen.

The former GM of the Detroit Lions spends his fall weekends on either college campuses or preparing for his Monday Night Football duties on ESPN. Millen's life is emerged in football and it starts with the amount of game video he watches. No other announcer I've worked with watches as much as Millen.

For the second week in a row Millen arrived in Iowa City early Thursday morning and immediately went to the video. Iowa was a new team for him this season and it was important for him to study them the best he could. A week ago he spent his entire first day watching Iowa's previous game with Michigan. He then returned with his production staff early Friday morning to watch more of the Hawkeyes in their previous game as well as get some prep in on Wisconsin. The morning wasn't enough as he returned in the evening and then again Saturday morning.

Once he felt his session was complete, he could be found pacing in the Kinnick Stadium press box as if he was preparing for an oral exam. He would take time to meet with the other "celebrities" in the press box, and then return to his pacing until he was to take to the air. As prepared as Matt is, he is that personable. A self-described "low maintenance" person makes you feel as if you've been his friend for years.

His broadcasts reflect the time he prepares. ABC and ESPN is fortunate to have some of the best analysts of the college game, but Millen's preparation is second to none. And tomorrow when Iowa and Michigan State take to the field, Millen may know more about each team than those on the field.

College Football Week 7



Courtesy Frat House Sports

 Another week where the College Football's #1 team goes down...and while it wasn't the #1 team, these ladies at Kentucky had something to cheer about that didn't occur on a basketball court. Kentucky finally beat Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks could not put away a determined Wildcats squad......October has provided us with a match-up that has appeared to weekly give us a game that goes a long way in determining the Big Ten Championship. In this month, the current top three will play each other and two of those teams did away with one pretender. In East Lansing on the first weekend Michigan State made a statement that it would be a major player in determining the conference champion. On that day Sparty took down Bucky and continued their unbeaten streak. The following weekend Michigan State traveled to Ann Arbor and put "little brother" in its place. The third weekend gave us Iowa doing much of the same at the Big House, while Wisconsin dethroned the #1 team in the county, downing Ohio State. The final two weeks has the Hawkeyes hosting the Badgers and Spartans. Perhaps this is the most meaningful October in years for the Big Ten.......If Boise State and TCU are the last two undefeated teams remaining at the end of the season, will the BCS select them to play for the national championship? While this match-up may eventually occur, perhaps in the title game, will the final AP poll award the winner their national championship? or will it go to a BCS team?....

College Football Week 4

We'll celebrate the UCLA victory at Texas with Nicollete, a member of the UCLA Spirit Squads.....Texas may have lost, but Oklahoma's lackluster performance at Cincinnati also took some of the shine off this week's Red River Rivalry....Many more teams are hitting conference play, including all teams in the Big Ten. The best game in the conference is Wisconsin at Michigan State. The winner can be placed among the conference top teams, the loser will be fighting for respectability....Tennessee escaped with a narrow victory over Alabama-Birmingham. The Vol's chances for wins are becomming fewer.... As important as the game between Wisconsin and Michigan State is to the conference race, that isn't the only game played at Spartan Stadium. On the photo deck video coordinators from each school are facing each other for the Video Guy Fantasy Baseball Championship.

Rivalry Trophy Final Four

It is down to the final four of Rivalry Trophies in the Big Ten. The Paul Bunyan Trophy which is fought for between Michigan and Michigan State advances in the Pual Bunyan Bracket. It will take on its namesake of the Axe, an on-field battle between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In the Pig Bracket, Floyd will compete against the Little Brown Jug, a trophy that goes to the winner of the Michigan Minnesota game.

The Paul Bunyan semi-final will take place this week.

College Football Week 9

Blue is the best way to describe Michigan faithful following a 38-13 drubbing to the Big Ten basement dweller, Illinois. The Fighting Illini outscored the Wolverines 31-0 in the second half. The turning point of the game was an Illini goal line stand from the 1 on four downs. Although Michigan is one win away from being bowl eligible, the faithful were expecting better things from head coach Rich Rodriguez in his second year. Much of the talk prior to the season reinforced how Rodriguez was able to turn around the West Virginia program in year two. Home games against Purdue and Ohio State as well as a trip to Wisconsin realistically gives them one more win in 2009, fans may not be patient nor may be the school. Michigan Stadium re-opens in 2010 with brand new luxury boxes which aren't completely sold. The athletic director who hired Rodriguez will be out before the start of the 2010 season, and perhaps a new coach will be running out of the tunnel, too. Les Miles?....Much has been made of poor officiating in the SEC, Pac 10 and Big 10 over the last few weeks, but lost in the shuffle is the poor job done by the on-field clock official. For example in the three of Iowa's wins the clock operator has been questioned. Against Northern Iowa in the opener, the Panthers lined up for a game winning field goal with :08 to play. The kick was blocked, ball rolled around while a Northern Iowa lineman picked it up to maintain position. The clock ticked to :01 giving the Panthers a second shot. Many believed the time should've run out, but due to a replay that did not have the clock on-screen, the replay officials could not overturn it. A week ago at East Lansing, the Hawkeyes had a 3rd and goal from inside the five with :05 to play. A slant pass only lasted three seconds allowing the Hawkeyes one more opportunity. Then Saturday following a Hoosier touchdown the 0n-field timer did not stop the clock and let it click to 4:55. My video showed it ticked from 5:01 to 4:58, yet time was reset to 5:00. Moments like these would be better handled by placing the timer in the press box, not on field. It is difficult to see across the field, and they become too involved in the action and forget about the job at hand. There is only one of these situations that have proved to be incorrect (Indiana), but the Big Ten cannot afford more bad press in an area that should be governed better....Over the weekend two SEC schools made adjustments to the uniforms prior to taking the field. Georgia came out for pre-game warm-ups wearing their custom red helmets. Once they took the playing field against the Florida Gators they wore black helmets. Elsewhere the Tennessee Volunteers ditched the home orange tops for black, making them look more like Halloween pumpkins, than the Volunteers. The SEC has always been known as a football first conference, yet these uniform changes are ridiculous and the money could be used in better ways. The NCAA has instituted rules based on certain decals that can be found on a team's jersey, but they should be more concerned about wasteful spending on multiple uniform styles.

Iowa - Michigan State: The Game

The 2009 game between the Hawkeyes and Spartans was a classic in a series of games that go down to the wire. On this wet, cold and windy weekend, fans endured the elements to watch a game that will be remembered for many years by Hawkeye fans who took the seven hour drive. Below are a series of photos from the game with many more to come of the weekend.

The foliage was at its finest as Spartan Stadium sits in the background.

Tailgaters filled the parking lots outside the stadium hours prior to kick off.

Michigan State Head Football Coach, Mark Dantonio walks the field after the tarp was removed.

Lights are on ninety minutes prior to kick off.

Former Michigan State assistant coach, Norm Parker (left) talks with the Spartan Radio broadcasting team of George Blaha (center) and former QB Jim Miller (right).

Amid a steady rain, tailgaters moved inside their cars to stay away from the elements.

Stands didn't fill up early, but most of the capacity crowd were in their seats in time for kick off.

The Spartan Band marches into a "S" formation.....

...as well as the Michigan State logo.

The Hawkeyes take to the field in front of the Iowa fans.

I am joined by the Michigan State video crew. Tom Shephard (left) and Matt Harper (right) are the video coordinators for the Spartan football team.

Following the last play, which occurred 0n a 4th and two at the two with 2 seconds to play, the Iowa Football players, coaches and staff celebrate a last second victory.


After meeting the media, fans and autograph seekers waited for the Iowa QB (Rick Stazni),

Hawkeyes Make History

It took every minute, every second, but the Iowa Hawkeyes scored on the last play of the game to become the first team in school history to start a season 8-0. Ricky Stanzi to Marvin McNutt on 4th and Goal from the two put the Hawkeyes ahead of Michigan State as time expired.

Hawks go to 7-0, Down Wisconsin

Spotting the Badgers an early 10-0 lead, the Hawkeyes shut them down the rest of the game and beat Wisconsin 20-10. Tony Moeaki and Adam Robinson each had a touchdown while Amari Spievey intercepted two Badger passes to secure victory. The Hawkeyes take their undefeated record into East Lansing against Michigan State next Saturday for a game in prime time on the Big Ten Network.
The victory over the Badgers gave the Hawkeyes the Heartland Trophy for the second consecutive year.

Land Grant Advances

In a first round match-up, the Land Grant Trophy between Michigan State and Penn State defeats the Illinois - Ohio State Illibuck.

This week the match-up is between the Purdue Cannon (Illinois - Purdue) and Governor's Victory Bell (Minnesota - Penn State, pictured). This bell is also up for grabs on the playing field as the Gophers travel to State College.

Remember, please vote in the poll in the upper right-hand corner of this blog. Poll closes the evening of Monday, October 19.

College Football Week 3

After going a season without a win, it is only fair to show the Washington Huskies Cheerleading team some love after the football team upset USC in Seattle. As upset as Pete Carroll is at the loss imagine how Tyrone Willingham must feel.

Kansas State head coach, Bill Snyder signed his contract extension at the right time. After doing so his Wildcats went on the road and lost to Louisiana-Lafayette and UCLA. You could call him the Anti-Ferentz. Ferentz who hadn't finalized his contract until the second season of his Iowa head coaching career went on to win at Penn State and home against Big Ten leader Northwestern.

The ACC will take much heat this season as a conference that should be known more for basketball than football, but they will be better than public perception. Virginia Tech and Miami face off this weekend in the only battle between top 25 teams. North Carolina will contend for the title and Georgia Tech has a tough offense to prepare for in a week's time. The winner of the conference will definitely be BCS worthy and one that will be difficult to beat in a bowl game.

It is tough to put a "must-win" label on any game in week 4, but that is what Michigan State faces as they head to Madison in their conference opener. Very few expected them to be 1-2 and a road loss to an undefeated Badger team will place them in a corner they will fighting out of the next two months.

It's Official--Three Night Games

(Doesn't that grass look great)

The Big Ten announced today three Iowa Football games will begin under the lights. Rematch of last season's upset of then undefeated Penn State will begin at 8pm (et) on ABC / ESPN in State College. The Hawkeye's Homecoming game with Michigan will also appear on ABC / ESPN beginning at 7pm (ct). Iowa's lone evening appearance on the Big Ten Network will be at East Lansing for the battle with Michigan State.

March Madness

With the clocks shifted to allow more daylight, Colin has decided to take advantage of it by practicing his jump shot in the driveway. He did acknowledge that he and Daddy were on the same team, Drake, and we were taking on Michigan. Of course we won and tomorrow we will take on Illinois as well as Tubby's Team.

However there is someone in Long Beach, California who doesn't believe Title IX should include one sport.

And other financial issues have hit the state of Michigan.

Finally, the last two days have shown outstanding

basketball. The NCAA Tournament is remembered for its last-second shots and heroic play, but I hope it can match the excitement the last two days have brought. Syracuse and UConn played to six OTs, then the Orange turned around after last night for another OT win against West Virginia. Kansas falls to the #9 seed, Baylor and then Baylor defeats Texas tonight to advance to the Big 12 Champsionship game. Oklahoma is defeated by Oklahoma State with controversy to end the game. The final 2.3 seconds did not start giving the Sooners two opportunities to win-each missed.

Early Look at the Bowls

The bowls have been announced and the Hawkeyes are heading back to Tampa, Florida and the Outback Bowl for the third time since 2003. This has become a fan favorite for many Iowans and those that I have spoken to are excited about a return trip. I'm looking to returning to Hat Tricks, a earlier Night Out on the Town. The match-up is with the "Ole Ball Coach," Steve Spurrier. The former Florida Head Coach should have his hands full in trying to stop Iowa running back Shonn Greene.

A look at other bowl games.

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl--BYU v Arizona. Is there not a worse fit for team and bowl than Las Vegas and Brigham Young? This will be the fourth straight trip to Vegas for the Cougars. Its a good thing the game is already sold out.

Independence Bowl--Louisiana Tech v Northern Illinois. This game is the only bowl on national tv that night. It was originally to pit a representative from the Big 12 and SEC, but neither had enough eligible teams. This is definitely not the match-up those in Shreveport were looking for, but on the other hand, not many want to spend the holidays in Shreveport.

Hawaii Bowl--Hawaii v Notre Dame. How is that for a reward? A 6-6 Irish team is able to travel to the islands to take on a very tough Hawaii team. It isn't very Christmas-like to place the Irish on the 24th. There will be little Christmas cheer for Notre Dame from this college football fan.

We'll pick on the Big Ten's bowl games as December progresses. My inital prediction is that the conference will not have a winning record. The teams with the best opportunity for victory are Iowa and Michigan State.

Inside the Game

Many stadium within the Big Ten quarrantine the replay officials. Not Michigan State. The Spartans keep their booth open so people, like me, are able to look in as the replay techinician reviews the play.

The system is set up by DVSport and allows the men in the booth to look at every angle of every play fed to them from the television truck. There they can review any angle as often as they'd like at any spped they'd like.

Although the replay official is there to get every call right, it isn't always the case. Check out last Saturday's game at Michigan involving the Spartans. Although the officials can review every play, knowledge and interpretation of the rules supercedes the call.

Traveling to Michigan State

Here are a few of the photos from the recent Iowa Football trip to East Lansing, Michigan to play the Michigan State Spartans.

Members of the Iowa Football team get used to Spartan Stadium during Friday's Walk Thru.

Iowa Football Head Coach Kirk Ferentz takes a look at the field during Friday's Walk Thru. Along with Kirk is Sports Information Director, Phil Haddy and Security Officer, Ron Stewart.

The Red Cedar River, a landmark that sit across the street from Spartan Stadium. The river runs through Michigan State's campus.
The Sun rises upon Spartan Stadium on Game Day.

Michigan State Head Coach, Mark Dantonio leads the Spartans across campus and into Spartan Stadium.

Among the many displays celebrating Michigan State's rich history within Spartan Stadium's Press boxA look inside Michigan State's Spartan Stadium

The Michigan State band is performing prior to Saturday's Homecoming victory.

Fans begin to tailgate prior to Saturday's game outside Spartan Stadium.

An exterior view of Michigan State's following Iowa's loss to Michigan State

Defeated 16-13

The Iowa Hawkeyes dropped their third straight game as well as go 0-2 in the Big Ten Conerence. Michigan State stopped the Hawkeyes on two fourth down attempts in the fourth quarter, the second coming at the two minute mark and the Hawkeyes behind by three.

Shonn Greene carried the Hawkeye Offense with 157 yards for the day while barrelling over the Spartan Defense. Turnovers contributed to the defeat for the second straight week. Twice in the Red Zone the Hawkeyes gave the ball away with a fumble and interception each.

Week 6: Michigan State

Iowa's first Big Ten road trip is East Lansing, Michigan to play the Michigan State Spartans. Game time is set for 11:02am (CT), broadcast by ESPN2. Clay Matvick and Ray Bentley will call the televised game while Gary Dolphin and Ed Podolak bring you the sights and sounds on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Announced today is the start time for the following game in Bloomington, Indiana. The game with the Hoosiers will begin at 11 am and be shown on the Big Ten Network.

College Football Week 4

The Hawkeyes would be an easy target to criticize after losing on the road to Pittsburgh, but we'll put that to rest and look at a few other items from this past weekend.

Game of the Week that wasn't on national television: Fresno State at Toledo. Two teams from non-BCS conferences engaged in an double overtime shootout finding Fresno on the victorius end of a 55-54 contest. After fighting for over 60 minutes, Toledo Head Coach, Tom Amstutz went for the victory in the second overtime while noticing his players had little left to give. The two-point conversion pass was knocked down and the Bulldogs won.

Conference of the Week: SEC. There is no doubt the Southeast has the best football in 2008. While USC should be able to win out and earn a spot in the title game, the representative from the SEC should provide tough competition after playing a near top-ten team close to every week.

Cheat of the Week: Notre Dame and Charlie Weis. During the first quarter in East Lansing, Michigan State reported a laptop in the coaching booth of the Fighting Irish. Laptops are not allowed by the coaching staff throughout the game, yet one was found with the ND staff. Coach Weis blamed it on an intern in the booth, yet I can't believe this was an isolated incident.

College Football Week 1

After the first week of college football, a couple of observations.

The ACC is a basketball conference. Clemson is pummeled by Alabama, East Carolina surprises Virginia Tech, North Carolina State is throttled by South Carolina and Southern California punishes Virginia. North Carolina narrowly beats McNeese State, Maryland is a touchdown better than Delaware and Boston College defeats Kent State 21-0. The most impressive victory is by conference doormat Duke. They beat James Madison 31-7.

Clemson...ENOUGH! We consistently are led to believe the Tigers will be battling for the national title. This year they enter the season ninth in the nation, on national television and get thoroughly beat. Nothing new. Remember, it is better to have your fifteen minutes of fame at the end of the season, not the beginning.

The Big Ten proved they can beat the wannabes of the college football world, but Michigan, Michigan State and Illinois did not make the conference proud. When was the last time Michigan lost back to back home season openers to non-BCS conference teams. I do believe Michigan State has a promising future. Playing on the west coast is tough duty.


Did anyone else notice that Texas A&M lost at home to Arkansas State? And Arkansas was behind by ten entering the fourth quarter against Western Illinois?

Pittsburgh, I'll hold off on my comments until September 21, the day after the Hawks travel east.