It doesn’t look like that will be the case. Today, Iowa fell, but not to Penn State (no, they beat them gloriously – sigh – earlier this season) and not to Ohio State (they play one another next week). Iowa was stomped into the ground by none other than Northwestern.

Ok, “stomped into the ground” is a little harsh. The game ended up with a score of 17 – 10, which isn’t necessarily bad, until you realize just how mediocre  both of the teams really were today. It’s really easy to claim that this only happened because Ricky Stanzi, the Hawkeyes quarterback, got taken out with an ankle injury in the first half. That definitely contributed to the loss. I’m not buying it, though, that the team deserved to be ranked #4, with or without Stanzi. Iowa may have been undefeated, but what the records don’t show is that they’ve played sloppily in many games and almost lost more than once.

So at this point, the Big Ten title could still go to Iowa, or it could belong to either Ohio State or Penn State. After the Iowa game, all of these teams had one loss. Just a short time after, though, Ohio State and Penn State kicked off, and it quickly became apparent who had the upper hand. Personally, I think that both quarterbacks looked pretty bad today, but when it was put on the shoulders of the rest of the offense to make plays, Ohio State’s players stepped up. Penn State’s embarrassing 24 – 7 loss puts them out of the running for the title.

Yep, this was pretty much the scene all day in Happy Valley. Image: Newscom

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Michigan State finally showed that they actually remember how to play football by crushing Western Michigan 49 – 14. Michigan, on the other hand, didn’t have such a good day, losing 38 – 36 to Purdue. I will say, however, that even though Michigan’s record isn’t so good, they’re hanging in there every week and actually showing some hope for the future under Rich Rodriguez. Wisconsin held on against Indiana (for the record, I think they’re overrated too at #21, but that’s a post for another day), and Illinois overcame Minnesota 35 – 32.

The Big Ten may not be a powerhouse at this point, but hopefully they can rebuild the conference to be competitive nationally again. At least with teams like Iowa rising to such a high ranking, which teams in the Big Ten do consistently every year, they’re remaining attractive to prospective students, which can only lead to strong teams in the future.

Post from: EveryJoe

Big Ten Teams Shake Things Up

Undefeated:

• Alabama
• Boise State
• Cincinnati
• Florida
• Iowa
• Kansas
• South Florida
• TCU
• Texas

Winless

• Ball State
• Eastern Michigan
• Florida Atlantic
• Miami (OH)
• New Mexico
• Rice
• Western Kentucky

Really, I think the big surprises here are that there are no major surprises. Few people would have put Iowa on the undefeated list when predicting records at this point in the season, considering that they played Penn State, but once again, the boys at Happy Valley choked.

I guess South Florida on the list is a little surprising too. They haven’t had a totally easy season. Cincinnati has (sorry, I know ya’ll love ‘em, but I’m not sure they aren’t totally overrated). Next week, they play one another, so that will end for one team.

WR Mardy Gilyard has been important for the Bearcats so far this season. Can they continue to charge ahead as they meet harder opponents on the field? Image: Newscom

I’m hoping that Cincinnati proves they deserve to be ranked so high, but I don’t think South Florida will just roll over.

As for the winless list…well…let’s just say that Michigan is happy to not be on it.

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 Midseason Undefeated and Winless

So, at least the top three teams stayed strong. Of course, the big news for #1 Florida, who beat Kentucky into the ground, was that Tim Tebow was taken out of the game and to the hospital with a pretty bad concussion. He’s doing OK now, which is to be expected with a simple concussion – it’s just a little scary when you’re not sure if it is something worse or not. #2 Texas (who beat UTEP  64 – 7) and #3 Alabama (who beat Arkansas 35 – 7) held steady, but after that, the top 25 went to shit.

First, the Gamecocks shut down #4 Ole Miss, in a game that was all about defense. South Carolina’s defense, that is. Mississippi usually relies heavily on Jevon Snead, but South Carolina pretty much took him out of the game. Oh, he wasn’t injured or anything, but the O-line just couldn’t stop the Gamecock defense, and Snead couldn’t seem to make any places. How’s this for an embarrassing stat: Ole Miss has now lost 6 straight SEC openers. Ouch.

But they aren’t alone when it comes to embarrassing states. Did you know that Penn State has lost 7 of their last 8 games against…Iowa. Seriously, I kid you not, Iowa has a football team. They’re a team that just doesn’t get much press time, and for some reason, Joe Paterno and Penn State haven’t realized that they have a rivalry with them. The Hawkeyes came to Happy Valley this year, and it was a downpour for much of the game, but that didn’t stop them. Head coach Kirk Ferentz actually wanted to play for Penn State and JoePa when he was in high school, but there wasn’t any scholarship interest. Ibet he gets warm fuzzy feelings every time he whoops ass against PSU. The game itself was kinda a snoozefest, holding steady at 10 – 5 for much of the game. Then, Iowa suddenly exploded in the fourth quarter and Penn State made some major mistakes. Final score ended up being 21 – 10, and Penn State is no longer a top five team.Yes, it hurts my soul.

Image: Newscom

Moving on, the previously-ranked #6 California had a bad week as well. They were thrashed by Oregon. I mean, thrashed. Final score 42 – 3 thrashed. Coming into the game, Cal had the tenth best rushing offense in the country. And then Oregon was like “and now, you don’t.” The Ducks aren’t a horrible team, but this was an embarrassment for Cal. They shouldn’t have let Oregon have 32 unanswered points. A single field goal isn’t good enough when you’re a ranked team.

LSU, ranked seventh at the time, won their game against Mississippi State, but it wasn’t pretty, and I personally don’t think that they deserve the #4 spot that they have now after a game like that on Saturday. Sure, they won, but it should have been an easy game and it was anything but. Mississippi State played their heart out and almost ran away with the game. One of the most interesting games of the week was #9 Miami at #11 Virginia Tech. Oh wait, Miami blew too. Seriously, it wasn’t supposed to be a gimme game for the Hurricanes, but they looked like hell on the field this week. It should have been a good game, and it just wasn’t. At least Boise State (then 8, now 5) played like a top ten team should, beating Bowling Green 49 – 14.

We’re mid-season. Teams need to be playing with more heart than I’ve seen. I mean, I’m all for a few surprises and upsets every week, but Week Four was ridiculous.

Post from: EveryJoe

College Football Week Four 2009 in Review

Kirk Ferentz, Image: Newscom

The school’s getting a bargain – Ferentz’s alary and bonuses won’t change with the new contract. He reportedly earns $3.02 million annually, so Ferentz is getting a good deal too. The agreement also gives him up to 35 hours per year of private plane use, as well as bonuses for winning seasons.

Iowa’s record under Ferentz is 70-53, and last year, the team was victorious in the Outback Bowl.

Post from: EveryJoe

Kirk Ferentz Signs a New Contract

Because his father is Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes head coach.

Kirk Ferentz, Image: Newscom

Lil Ferentz is a center for the team and was arrested along with fullback Tyler Christensen and tight end Zach Derby. Christensen reportedly pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal mischief and public intoxication. He’ll pay fines of nearly $500. Both Ferentz and Derby have pleaded not guilty.

University public safety officers say that Derby and Christensen attempted to pick a fight with an off-duty officer around 2 am on Monday. He called for backup, and they say that while the responding officers were talking to the two, Ferentz came over from a nearby parking lot “yelling and screaming.” He reportedly blow a BAC of .160.

Kirk Ferentz has said in a statement that his son and the other two boys are suspended for the remainder of spring practice and further team participation is pending. We’re betting that he’s also grounded and not allowed to have desserts for a month.

This James Ferentz’s second strike – he was cited for underage alcohol possession in October. Following that charge, he was ordered to go to counseling sessions and participate in community service.

Post from: EveryJoe

James Ferentz and 2 Other Hawkeyes Arrested

#11 Ohio State 45, #24 Northwestern 10

• Pryor at Ohio Soup
• The 2008 Ohio State – Northwestern Report Card at Buckeye Legends
• Pryor Steps Up Against Northwestern at The Buckeye Blog

#18 Michigan State 21, Purdue 7

• Michigan State Refuses to Lose at A Beautiful Day for Football

Wisconsin 55, Indiana 20

• Wisconsin Breaks Away to Defeat Indiana at Indiana Football News
• Wisconsin runs over Indiana 55-20 at Big Ten Network

Michigan 29, Minnesota 6

• UM 29, Minnesota 6: Notes, quotes & observations at Michigan Wolverines Football
• Michigan Takes Home Little Brown Jug with 29-6 Win Over Minnesota at Michigan Sports Center

Western Michigan 23, Illinois 17

• Broncos Turn Back Illinois, 23-17 at MAC Report Online
• Western Michigan the ‘better team’ in frustrating Illini loss at The Daily Illini

Iowa 24, #3 Penn State 23

(Do we really have to talk about this one? Really? Fine. Sigh. It seems like EVERYONE is talking about it anyways…)

• Iowa stuns No. 3 Penn State at Monte Asbury’s Blog
• iowa vs penn state, a game to remember at The Urban Bigfoot
• Penn State Loses to Iowa – What it means for Michigan State at Elect Jeff
• IOWA UPSETS PENN STATE 24-23 at Gridiron Goddess
• My long, Penn State, National Nightmare is over at STFU Sports Blog
• Iowa upsets undefeated Penn State at Nick’s Blog
• Penn State Upset by Iowa 24-23 at The Big Lead

(insert depressed face here)

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 11: Blogging about the Big Ten

Northwestern 24, #17 Minnesota 17

• Last Call with Jake Simpson: Final thoughts on Saturday’s win at NU Football Insider
• Late INT lifts Northwestern past Minnesota 24-17 at Big Ten Network

#21 Michigan State 25, Wisconsin 24

• Day 2 at Just Juli
• Michigan State vs. Wisconsin at Cave Kurt’s Blog
• Sat. Final: Michigan State 25, Wisconsin 24 at Today’s TMJ4 Sports

Central Michigan 37, Indiana 34

• Welcome back, Gerry. Central Michigan 37, Indiana 34. at The Hoosier Report

Purdue 48, Michigan 42

• What the hell Michigan?!!!??!! at Sports according to Josh
• Rich Rodriguez setting records at Michigan at Top of Mind

Illinois 27, Iowa 24

• Illinois’ Glow After Beating Rival Iowa at College Football Insiders
• Ferentz talks about the loss to Illinois at Iowa Hawkeyes Football

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 10: Blogging about the Big Ten

Indiana 21, #22 Northwestern 19

• Finally, a glimmer: Indiana 21, Northwestern 19. at The Hoosier Report
• NU-Indiana Highlights at WNUR Sports

#24 Minnesota 17, Purdue 6

• Boilermakers Fall To Minnesota 17-6 at Purdue Boilermakers News

Wisconsin 27, Illinois 17

• Wisconsin Badgers football: Illinois keeps itself in check at Badger Beat
• Badgers beat Illini to get back on track at Big Ten Network

Michigan State 35, Michigan 21

• State Defeats Michigan – it’s been a long time coming! at The Life Tussle
• MSU over Michigan in all standings at What I See Staring Into Me From the Abyss

#3 Penn State 13, Ohio State 6

• Paterno and Penn State beat Ohio State in Columbus for the First Time in 30 Years at Graney and The Pig’s Blog
• Ohio State: The day after at Read Between the Lions
• Penn State Wins — Then Riots at J Schil’s Blog
• PSU-Ohio State at Mike Harder’s Weblog

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 9: Blogging about the Big Ten

Northwestern 48, Purdue 26

• Northwestern-Purdue Highlights at WNUR Sports
• No. 21 Purdue takes down Northwestern Big Ten Network

Iowa 38, Wisconsin 16

• Series by series: UW offense against Iowa at Wisconsin Badgers Football

#12 Ohio State 45, #20 Michigan State 7

• Ohio State Michigan State Recap at The Nut and the Feisty Weasel

#3 Penn State 46, Michigan 17

• Review, Game 8: Penn State 46, Michigan 17 at Zombie Nation
• Game 8 Recap: Penn State 46, Michigan 17 at We Want the Lion

Illinois 55, Indiana 13

• Rock bottom, yet? Illinois 55, Indiana 13. at The Hoosier Report
• IU Falls to Illinois 55-13 at 1070 The Fan

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC 

(check back soon if the link isn\\\’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 8: Blogging about the Big Ten

No, this isn’t some case of an over-involved parent. Ferentz’s dad is actually Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentz. When junior was cited by city police for underage drinking during Thirsty Thursday (ah, I miss college), Coach Kirk suspended his son indefinitely. He’ll also be required to attend counseling and do community service, and I’m sure he got a nice *little* fine from the police.

Two issues here.

Number one, I don’t like the fact that he’s playing for his dad. Sure, it has been done before, but I feel like that complicates things and compromises the integrity of the team. As a parent, you want your son to play, so you’re tempting to give him more playing time than his talent and skills deserve. That’s not fair. At the same time, because you want to seem fair, a parent coach will often be harder on his child than on the rest of the team. That’s also not fair. Either way, it is a lose-lose situation.

Issue number two I have is that it was his dad that took care of the discipline. Coaches make judgement calls all the time on players who are caught drinking. Some get away with a warning if they’re of legal age and it wasn’t the night for a game. Underage drinking always (that I know of) leads to a suspension, but his dad is going to decide for how long and the terms of him returning to the team. That’s not fair either.

My point is that someone else should have taken care of the team situation – the athletic director, for instance. And hey, maybe that was the case, though the report made it sound like the coach made the call.

Leave a comment below – how do you feel about guys playing for their fathers? Was this situation handled fairly?

Picture via Newscom.

Post from: EveryJoe

Aww, Dad! Coach Ferentz Suspends his Son