High School: City High went to Linn Mar and lost! Regina put up a ridiculous 70 points against Louisa-Muscatine and West High, I believe was beaten by CR Washington. The big news out of high school ball though was that moving to District football for 4A schools seems to be advancing- what that will ultimately mean for City High isn't yet clear. In the Mississippi Valley Conference only Dubuque Wahlert and CR Xavier would fall back into 3A and as, geographically speaking, City High is close to Cedar Rapids, I imagine we'd be playing a lot of the same schools. (I mentioned this to The Quiet Man awhile back, being uncertain as to how District play actually works, but I think it'd be pretty wild if IC Regina took on IC West and IC City. I'm honestly not sure either public high school would prevail- but it would be good football.)
College: WE BEAT NORTHWESTERN! FINALLY! If we can follow this up with better play against Indiana and Minnesota (let's get the Pig back home where he belongs, Hawks) I will be extremely content- because we'll also be bowl eligible with two tough tests against Michigan and Michigan State at home. Denard Robinson could cause us problems (as could Marquis Grey at Minnesota) and Sparty's defense is stout, but I like our chances at beating one of the Michigans- I would be really surprised if we dropped two in a row at home. But we can worry about that later, in the meantime, WE BEAT NORTHWESTERN! FINALLY!
Bonus College: Wisconsin continued being ridiculous and the Sports Commentariat still isn't giving them the respect they deserve. Yes, the SEC is a good conference, but let's not fool ourselves: outside Alabama and LSU the supposed level of excellence drops off quickly. It annoys me intensely.
Illinois might be turning into a pumpkin after their loss to Ohio State. I mean, if there was a year to light up Ohio State, it was this one and the Illini weren't up to the task. Oh and Oklahoma State beat Texas... hell yes!
Pro: The Vikings lost. Blech.
Bonus Rugby: The Final is set- New Zealand versus France! I've been liking the All Blacks the more I see of them and I like them in the final... we'll see!
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
The Scorecard #2
College: All good things must come to an end and so it was that Iowa lost to Penn State 13-3 yesterday at Happy Valley. At a certain point, it was probably inevitable, though it's been surprising that it hasn't happened a lot sooner than it did- but despite an anemic, confused offense, Penn State's defense was as good as advertised and kept Vandenburg, Coker and the rest of Iowa's offense from getting into anything resembling a rhythm.
But here's the kicker: Iowa's defense, despite giving up 400 yards in offense to Penn State, actually looked good for the first time this season. We held Penn State to 2 field goals and a touchdown and given the fact that the offense couldn't move the ball at all, our defense was on the field a lot. I'd cautiously consider this a good step forward for our defense. Offensively, however, we ran into problems. They started with no-huddle, dropped out of no-huddle- brought it back sporadically here and there throughout the game and go nothing to show for it. The lack of success running the ball was also notable.
So deep breath everybody, all is not lost. Offensively, we've still got work to do. We can rock no-huddle if Vandenburg gets into a good groove, but I'm starting to think we need to throw different run plays at people to see if we can loosen up the run game a little more as well. Defensively, although we lost, we kept Penn State out of the end zone twice and held them to the fewest points this season. I'd consider that a big step forward. We got pressure on their QBs better, kept them contained better and tackled better. Plus traditionally, Iowa always struggles coming off a bye week.
Bonus College: Iowa State has turned into a pumpkin, losing to Texas and now to Baylor. Brutal games remain ahead for the Cyclones.
Nebraska looked like it was headed for a shocking 0-2 start against a lackluster Ohio State, but came alive and beat the Buckeyes at home for their first Big Ten win. Well done, Huskers.
Florida State lost to Wake Forest, which seems slightly ridiculous to me. Houston remains undefeated as does Boise State and I'm becoming increasingly excited about the season ending Bedlam between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The Sooners put up 55 against Texas yesterday but the Cowboys? They put up 70. Granted they were playing Kansas, but still- that is shaping up to an awesome game.
Bonus Rugby: I've kept half an eye on the ongoing Rugby World Cup and now we're down to the final four. Wales is taking on France in one semi final and it's the clash of the titans as the All Black of New Zealand take on the Wallabies of Australia in the other semi. I haven't seen the Welsh or France in action yet, but New Zealand looks like the team to beat to me and my limited rugby knowledge.
Pro: The Vikings managed to win today! 'Nuff said.
But here's the kicker: Iowa's defense, despite giving up 400 yards in offense to Penn State, actually looked good for the first time this season. We held Penn State to 2 field goals and a touchdown and given the fact that the offense couldn't move the ball at all, our defense was on the field a lot. I'd cautiously consider this a good step forward for our defense. Offensively, however, we ran into problems. They started with no-huddle, dropped out of no-huddle- brought it back sporadically here and there throughout the game and go nothing to show for it. The lack of success running the ball was also notable.
So deep breath everybody, all is not lost. Offensively, we've still got work to do. We can rock no-huddle if Vandenburg gets into a good groove, but I'm starting to think we need to throw different run plays at people to see if we can loosen up the run game a little more as well. Defensively, although we lost, we kept Penn State out of the end zone twice and held them to the fewest points this season. I'd consider that a big step forward. We got pressure on their QBs better, kept them contained better and tackled better. Plus traditionally, Iowa always struggles coming off a bye week.
Bonus College: Iowa State has turned into a pumpkin, losing to Texas and now to Baylor. Brutal games remain ahead for the Cyclones.
Nebraska looked like it was headed for a shocking 0-2 start against a lackluster Ohio State, but came alive and beat the Buckeyes at home for their first Big Ten win. Well done, Huskers.
Florida State lost to Wake Forest, which seems slightly ridiculous to me. Houston remains undefeated as does Boise State and I'm becoming increasingly excited about the season ending Bedlam between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The Sooners put up 55 against Texas yesterday but the Cowboys? They put up 70. Granted they were playing Kansas, but still- that is shaping up to an awesome game.
Bonus Rugby: I've kept half an eye on the ongoing Rugby World Cup and now we're down to the final four. Wales is taking on France in one semi final and it's the clash of the titans as the All Black of New Zealand take on the Wallabies of Australia in the other semi. I haven't seen the Welsh or France in action yet, but New Zealand looks like the team to beat to me and my limited rugby knowledge.
Pro: The Vikings managed to win today! 'Nuff said.
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