College Football Week 5

Welcome to Wisconsin and Welcome to the Big Ten. The feeling of Nebraska playing Big Ten football hasn't sunk in since the Cornhuskers have been playing Wyoming, Fresno State and Washington. This pre-conference scheduling isn't any different than in years that Oklahoma State, Baylor and Kansas State ensued. But now those fans of the Big Ten, who have been anxious for the Big Red to join want to show the folks from Lincoln how tough the Big Ten can be. This will definitely be a tough ticket. Historic Camp Randall will certainly be electric and fans from Philadelphia to Ogalala will be tuned in to watch.

Over a month ago a Facebook friend posted she had four tickets available for Iowa State and Texas in Ames this Saturday night. At the time I knew this was our off-week and it would be an interesting game to attend. But now that the game is days away, it will certainly be the night Cyclone fans anticipate on a more regular basis. Although not a fan of either team, I need to give props to the 'Clones. In three games they have beat a top five team from FCS, outlasted our Hawkeyes in 3OTs and went on the road and beat the defending Big East Champs. A win over Texas will bring them their national attention they deserve.

And Wisconsin - Nebraska isn't the only big game in the conference. A year ago Michigan State and Ohio State tied for the conference title, although they didn't play each. other. The Buckeyes went on to the Sugar Bowl while Michigan State earned the non-BCS bowl game, Capital One Bowl and lost to Alabama. This is the Spartans' opportunity to prove on the field what they couldn't a year ago. This is a big game for Ohio State. Dropping this game at home makes the following week's game at Nebraska even more important.

And for the Hawkeyes, the off-week comes at a time that will help prepare them for conference play. This is the week the video staff makes sure all video is available for the staff and ensuring all video is in place for the upcoming schedule.

A New Video Era



Matt from Iowa alongside Big D and Ryan from Wisconsin

 Many of you have already heard of the recent tragedy at Notre Dame involving a video student losing their life when the scissor lift they were shooting practice from tipped over in winds totally 50mph. My sympathies and those of my video staff are extended to the family of the student as well as the Notre Dame Video Staff.

Much of what I wanted to say has been covered in a recent article on ESPN.com. Being a member of a college video staff can at times be anonymous. We are those who hide behind the cameras, rarely being seen in front of those. While many have their eyes on the on-field action, there are those recording every move of the players, seemingly non-stop throughout a practice or a game. That footage is edited and shared out to coaches and players on your own team, and games are exchanged with teams throughout the conference and country.

While many eyes constantly play, replay and review each play over and over, it is a small group of people that watch their footage. Coaches and players are the target audience for this video, but fans rarely get a glimpse of this behind the scenes world.

This tragedy strikes very close to home. While I did not know the young man who lost his life, I do know his immediate boss. He has been at Notre Dame for as long as I've been at Iowa--around twenty years. All of us in the profession have been atop those lifts getting everything a coach would want to make his team better. And whether or not we continue to get into scissor lifts, boom lifts or other shooting towers, we send other students up to capture every step, route, punt and hit. When I began working at Iowa the saying was, "Whatever the Hawkeyes are doing, we're shooting it." Big Brother we became.

The unique part of the job is the comraderie that binds video staffs across the county. Coaches may like one another, but they also want to beat their fellow friend. But in our profession our rivalries must be put aside as it is important to help one another out. We need our opponent's video as they need ours. And in the process of helping one another out, we become friends with each other.

This two-week period on the schedule features Wisconsin and Michigan State. Our team goal is to win the game, but at Iowa we share a booth as well as assisting each other to ensure they can do their job quickly, efficiently and correctly. And at the same time, we form a bond of friendship. Some greater than others, but for these consecutive weeks we host two staffs we consider friends and not opponents.

For those who follow this blog know Wisconsin's and our video staffs meet in Dubuque every Summer for a friendly, yet competitive game of golf. A lot of fun is had on that day, and that continues over to a great time in the booth during a game. Michigan State will also provide a fun experience within the booth on Saturday regardless of the outcome of the game.

Tomorrow when Iowa and Michigan State put their cameras atop their tripods, nothing will have changed. I will be standing next to MSU's Tom and our students will be in the end zones side by side. That is our normal. We will be thinking of what those in South Bend must be going through as their normal will never be that again.

Battle for the Toolbox

Not only is the Heartland Trophy at stake when Wisconsin travels to Iowa City to take on the Hawkeyes this weekend, so is the longer-running travelling trophy of the Toolbox.

While the Heartland Trophy began in 2004, the Toolbox dates back to 1991. The current day's edition has a different look to the one that began the series.

It didn't start the year that Barry Alvarez took over as head football coach in Madison, but in year two the game took off. John Chadima, a former manager for the Iowa Football team became the Director of Football Operations for Alavarez. After a year he reached out to Iowa to see if there would be interest in playing a game between the managers of the representing teams. The game was on, and it was played on a sunny Friday afternoon inside Camp Randall Stadium. The Hawkeye managers won the first game, but the Battle for the Toolbox didn't become a yearly tradition until 1995.

The football teams of the two schools weren't on each others schedules for 1993 and 1994, but once that series re-started, the Battle for the Toolbox started a new run that hasn't had an interruption since.

Today the game has taken on new meaning. On that sunny afternoon in 1991, few were on-hand to witness it. The game was officiated among the players and the game was over in almost an hour. But today crowds show up to show their support for their son, boyfriend or classmate. Whether the game is in the Iowa Indoor Practice Facility or Wisconsin's Dave McClain Center fans, cheerleaders and mascots are found crowding the sidelines. And the game has become serious enough that the home team supplies high school officials to keep the play fair.

Friday night after 10pm will be another battle for a toolbox that has seen its better days. But this piece of equipment has meaning and history. And although the rivalry of the two football teams will no longer be played on a yearly basis, the Battle for the Toolbox is truly the biggest loser amid all of the fallout.

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?....

Hawkeyes Win in Ann Arbor

A slow start, strong first half and an Iowa team that showed resolve when the Michigan Wolverines fought back in the second half yielded a Hawkeye victory, 38-28.  The Hawkeyes appeared in control during the second half, but an injury to starting Michigan quarterback Dennard Robinson brought in 2009 starter, Tate Forcier, and the Wolverines showed new life through Forcier's arm. The Hawkeyes sealed the win with a ball control drive that resulted in a field goal and a ten point lead with only minutes to go. The Iowa defense came up with an interception and the Hawkeyes only had to kill the clock for the fifth win on the season.

Next week the Hawkeyes host Wisconsin in a game televised by ABC beginning at 2:30.

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.

College Football Week 2

It is nice to see the Minnesota Golden Gopher Cheerleaders have already found other things to do with their Saturday afternoons. After Saturday's upset home loss to FCS South Dakota, the Gophers will have a hard time rebounding from the loss as Southern California visits the Twin Cities this week....The Minnesota, Southern California match-up is one of three matching the Big Ten v the Pac Ten. Arizona State travels to Madison to take on the Badgers while the Hawkeyes head to the desert to meet the Arizona Wildcats....Not often would I say this, but the center of the college football world will be in Tucson, Arizona. Few match-ups in the nation compare to this one. The Hawkeyes will be trying to defeat a ranked non-conference opponent on the road for the first time since 1976 when they beat the Penn State Nittany Lions, 7-6. The following week the Hawkeyes traveled to Southern California where they were soundly beaten 55-0....

Top Ten Most Memorable - #8

#8 is a tie between two games played at Penn State with the Nittany Lions The first is the 2000 game as Kirk Ferentz went back to his home state for the first time as a head coach. It was an afternoon in which very few believed this "Ferentz guy" would actually get it done in Iowa City. The "nice guy" did not seem like he could get the program going in the right direction, and it wasn't until a few days before entering the contest that he would come to terms of a contract, nearly two years after accepting the job. Overcast skies greeted the Hawks and the future leaders of the team were starting to emerge. Players such as Nate Kaeding, Fred Barr, and Colin Cole played a huge role in this double overtime thriller that found Ryan Hansen intercepting a Rashard Casey pass in the second overtime. The win started the winning ways for the Iowa program while sending Penn State to the bowl sidelines. Iowa took the victory 26-23.
The 2004 contest was the most unique in the series. Once again the storyline centered around Kirk Ferentz leading into Saturday. Ferentz had spent little time with his squad as he was dealing with the death of his father with the funeral taking place the day before the game.  The first he saw of his team was at the hotel in State College for the night meetings. What made this game unique was how the scoring took place. Two field goals for the Hawkeyes, two safeties for the Nittany Lions and the final ended up being 6-4, Iowa. It was an emotional scene in the locker room as Ferentz was awarded the game ball, bringing tears to many involved.

Amy T #8 - 2005 Iowa 20 Wisconsin 10 - The final home game for Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez was spoiled the Hawkeyes as they were seeking redemption for a heartbreaking loss the week before to Northwestern. The post-game ceremonies went on in front of a shocked Badger crowd who had not expected their beloved head coach to leave the Camp Randall sidelines with a loss.

Haddy #8 - 2003 Iowa 30 Michigan 27 - Any time the Wolverines are defeated is a special occasion. This time it was done on the Hawkeye's Homecoming, and this was definitely a party. The Wolverines stormed to an early lead, but the determination of the Hawkeyes fought back and took a lead in the second half. Up ten late in the game, Michigan tried all they could, but the Iowa defense kept Michigan out of the end zone when needed.

Pete's #8 - 2002 Iowa 34 Michgan 9 - Facing Michigan in the big house is never easy, but the Hawkeyes made it look so. The Wolverines had trouble getting anything going on this rainy, foggy day which sent the locals home quickly.

Rivalry Trophy Tournament Finals

The unofficial tournament to determine the best rivaly trophy in the Big Ten is at its Final stage. it comes down to two of the most original trophies, each involving the University of Minnesota. Floyd of Rosedale, which is contested between the Hawkeyes and Gophers (most recently won by Iowa) and the Paul Bunyan Axe, which goes to the winner of the Gophers and Badgers (most recently won by Wisconsin).

Vote in the upper right-hand corner of the blog before Monday, November 30.

College Football Week 11

One would think this young lady from Louisville is looking for the day when the Cardinals are respectable again in the Big East. Times won't change until someone new heads up the program...Hats off to SMU and June Jones. Jones doesn't go to the top programs, but he has righted the ship at SMU and Hawaii as well as putting them on the national radar....The opportunity to replace Michigan Head Football Coach Rich Rodriguez is starting to take shape. Winning only one conference game with one remaining (v OSU), the maize and blue fans won't tolerate much more mediocrity. Michigan defensive players have experienced four new coordinator over the same amount of time and there has been no improvement. With allegations facing the program of not filing practice logs and rumors running rampant of players transferring the once proud program is slipping further and further. However a switch of head coaches isn't that easy. Of course he will have to be bought out--some Michigan alum will swallow that pill, but the current Athletic Director, Bill Martin, is retiring next September. No quality candidate will take the job without knowing who the athletic boss will be. Fans are losing patience, but a change may not be imminent...On the final weekend of conference play, the Big Ten game of the week is not in Ann Arbor, Iowa City or East Lansing. The game with the most on the line is in Evanston, Illinois. Resurging Northwestern hosts Wisconsin for the first time in two years and many storylines. Not only are bowl implications on the line, but former Badger Defensive Coordinator Mike Hankwitz will be facing his former team for the first time heading up the Wildcats D. Wisconsin has had wins over Michigan and Michigan State, but an impressive victory still eludes them. A victory Saturday over Northwestern may not sound like much, but it could be Bucky's best win of the season...Many discussions have occurred surrounding the regulation end of Iowa and Ohio State. Iowa Football Coach, Kirk Ferentz decided, after having the ball in their own territory and tied with less than a minute to go, to play for overtime. There may not be a right or wrong answer as to whether he should've played for the win, but consider what the Miami Dolphins did in Sundays' game. Leading 22-16 with under two minutes to play, Dolphin QB Chad Henne threw a pass which was intercepted and later led to the go ahead TD. Miami was able to overcome the mistake and eventually win the game. With a freshman quarterback and already throwing two interceptions, Ferentz did the right thing by playing for the additional fifth period.

Game Time - Wisconsin

The Hawkeyes took a 6-0 record into one of the Big Ten's toughest environments. The battle between border states is also for the Heartland Trophy. It is a bull that came to be before the 2004 game in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes won the game, kept the trophy and became one of two teams in the country to be 7-0 in 2009.

The team emerges from the locker room for pre game warm ups. The seats at the far end of Camp Randall are reserved for the UW students. "Bucky's Creatures" are very fashionably late to Badger football games. On this day the seats weren't completely full until early 2nd quarter.

Bret Bielema, a former Hawkeye football player and coach now leads the Badger football program. Bret and I have been friends since our freshman year at Iowa. He also was one of my groomsmen at my wedding. (Photo Courtesy Erick Tjarks).

History was set on this day at Wisconsin. For the first time the opponents were allowed to share the home video booth. David "Big D" Blaker allowed us to shoot from his booth, just feet from our designated location.

The University of Wisconsin Band, among the nation's best, plays their popular fight song, "On Wisconsin."

At the end of the 3rd quarter at Camp Randall the Wisconsin fans "Jump Around." We, as video guys decided to join in.

Leading Up to Game Time - Wisconsin

October may be the best time to travel to Madison. The foliage is at its peak, and the crisp Autumn temperatures allow for the full aroma of the brat grills set-up outside Camp Randall Stadium. It is a very easy trip from Iowa City to Madison. Except for a 20 mile trek on Highway 1, it is literally US Highway 151 all the way to the Stadium.

While the sign Welcomes you to Wisconsin, many Badger fans feel otherwise. A popular afternoon radio show host on "The Big 1070" informed the listeners that he "hate(s) Iowa."

The trip is only three hours long, but Iowa Video Student Erick Tjarks finds it hard to stay awake.

 On Capital Square is a popular Madison night spot. The Old Fashioned was full of Badger Homecoming enthusiasts.

 It was the UW Video Staff along side the Iowa Video Staff at the Old Fashioned. Pictured are David Blaker, Rob Porteus and Ryan O'Donnell from the Badgers. I am joined by a Iowa Video Staff Alum, Heather Van Peursem (right) and her friend Brit.

 The State Capitol of Wisconsin.

 The sun rises early on Camp Randall Stadium. Arriving to the stadium two hours prior to the team's arrival, support staff get the stadium prepared for the game. It was a quick turnaround for the Iowa team managers. The night before they were crushed by the Wisconsin managers, 37-6 in the annual battle for the toolbox.

Among the many lakes within the Madison city limits, Lake Mendota is nearest to Camp Randall Stadium, located just blocks from the home of the Badgers.

Of course tailgating is popular around the stadium. Here cars are squeezed into the adjoining neighborhood. Grills are as popular as the cool beverages being consumed.

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.

Battle for the Toolbox

Saturday's battle between Iowa and Wisconsin isn't the only game between the two schools this weekend. Friday night the Battle for the Toolbox takes place between the managers for each school. The Hawkeyes are looking to extend their five-year win streak when they enter the McClain Center, across the alley from Camp Randall at 10pm. Admittance is free for the two-half flag football game.

Night Out on the Town

The Iowa Football team takes its win streak on the road to neighboring Wisconsin. While in Madison there are many great locals spots to stop at, but the one place that is reflective of the Capital City attitude is State Street Brats. Many of the restaurants and bars that are hopping on a football weekend are located on State Street, and while in Wisconsin if you don't have a beer, you definitely need to have a Brat. State Street Brats is appropriately named and lies in the heart of the Madison campus. Without a doubt if you head to Camp Randall this weekend, a stop at State Street Brats is a must, but definitely get there early to have a place to sit.

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.

Media Guides becomming a Dinosaur

Another sign of the economy hitting college campuses, three Big Ten Schools announce they will no longer print media guides.

Hawkeyes 38-16

To the tune of "Ron Dayne," today it would be "Shonn Greene!" 217 yards and four touchdowns later found the Hawkeyes dominate a Wisconsin Badger team that is searching for its next win. Iowa improved its record to 5-3 and 2-2 in the Big Ten with a much needed bye week in its sight. The Badgers slipped to 3-4, 0-4 in the Big Ten with Illinois on the horizon.

The Shonn Greene attack was simply beautiful if physical, running football is your thing. And today many witnessed his speed to escape the Badger secondary on many of his long runs. Sharing time with Greene is Jewel Hampton who physically pounds the ball on the defense, but today it was Shonn Greene's day.

The Heartland Trophy is the second travelling trophy brought back to Iowa City in 2008. This rivalry trophy began in 2004 and this will be the third year the Hawkeyes will have possession. Earlier this season the Cy-Hawk Trophy was regained with a victory over Iowa State.

Hawkeyes - Badgers

Bucky Badger rolls into Iowa City for a critical Big Ten match-up for both teams. Wisconsin has dropped their last three games, two of which (Michigan and Ohio State) they were in and had chances to win. Just recently they were destroyed by Penn State. A loss to the Hawkeyes and Bucky starts the Big Ten Conference Season 0-4 with games against Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota on the horizon. They finish the season at home with Cal-Poly. Cal-Poly is currently in the FCS (formerly 1-AA) top ten. The Badgers need wins soon. Definitely, a Badger loss and their season is in Jeopardy.

This week's game can be seen on the Big Ten Network. Mark Neely, Glenn Mason, Chris Martin and Anthony Herron will call the game. Of course all can tune into Gary Dolphin and Ed Podolak on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Game time is 11am.

We know the Badgers are desperate for a win. This car was seen recently parked close to the Iowa Football Complex. Could this be Wisconsin Head Football Coach and former Iowa Hawkeye Bret Bielema?