It seems a while ago (with the Labor Day holiday mixed in) but three cheers for college football returning last week.
Since I live in Big 12 and Big Ten Conference territory, I tend to focus on schools from those leagues.
Let’s just say the rumors about the Big Ten being down this season probably aren’t rumors. It may be a hard cold fact. Wisconsin escaped a talented FCS (Football Championship Series) in the University of Northern Iowa. The Badgers miss quarterback Russell Wilson who can make up for glaring weaknesses on a team. Iowa was just happy to escape a pesky Northern Illinois squad late. The Hawkeye offense appears to be a continual work in progress. Then, how about Michigan? I thought the Wolverines would at least provide Alabama a competitive game. It wasn’t pretty, but rather ugly.
Over in the Big 12, Iowa State played good football at home against Tulsa. Tulsa provided a firm punch in the first half, but the Cyclones responded and were the aggressor most of the remaining way. Quarterback Nick Florence won’t remind Baylor fans of Robert Griffin III (RG3), but the senior played solid against SMU. The Bears will continue to score points and the wide receivers will continue to play a large role.
Showing posts with label Labor Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Labor Day. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Friday, September 9, 2011
Big Game in Iowa Saturday
It’s time for the annual Iowa State-Iowa football game Saturday. This contest provides the opportunity to show the world that Iowa is more than cornfields and wide open spaces. Yes, we do have institutions of higher learning that play competitive football.
Like most sports rivalries, this affair divides husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts and cousins. During Iowa State-Iowa week, you rarely find anyone (sports fan or not) in the state that doesn’t have a favorite in the game. Both teams feature gold as part of their color scheme, but you bleed cardinal for Iowa State or black for Iowa.
Generally, there is so much hype during Iowa State-Iowa week that I cannot wait for the actual game. But this year the talk is somewhat subdued. I think the Labor Day holiday was one factor. The other cause is the uncertainty of the Big 12 Conference where Iowa State calls home. Fans are concerned the conference might die and Iowa State will then need a new home.
Hopefully, the game will be competitive. As an Iowa State fan, I believe the Cyclones will require a much better effort than their one-point escape against Northern Iowa last week. The Hawkeyes had no problems with Tennessee Tech so their touchdown favorite status (even at Iowa State) is certainly fair.
I am also hoping Fox Sports will focus its attention on the game and leave the pictures of cornfields for another day.
Like most sports rivalries, this affair divides husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts and cousins. During Iowa State-Iowa week, you rarely find anyone (sports fan or not) in the state that doesn’t have a favorite in the game. Both teams feature gold as part of their color scheme, but you bleed cardinal for Iowa State or black for Iowa.
Generally, there is so much hype during Iowa State-Iowa week that I cannot wait for the actual game. But this year the talk is somewhat subdued. I think the Labor Day holiday was one factor. The other cause is the uncertainty of the Big 12 Conference where Iowa State calls home. Fans are concerned the conference might die and Iowa State will then need a new home.
Hopefully, the game will be competitive. As an Iowa State fan, I believe the Cyclones will require a much better effort than their one-point escape against Northern Iowa last week. The Hawkeyes had no problems with Tennessee Tech so their touchdown favorite status (even at Iowa State) is certainly fair.
I am also hoping Fox Sports will focus its attention on the game and leave the pictures of cornfields for another day.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Big 12 Conference Soap Opera Never Ends
I couldn’t believe my eyes or ears over the Labor Day weekend when I learned Oklahoma is exploring departure from the Big 12 Conference.
But in retrospect, why was I really surprised? The conference is in a terrible mess and its days are obviously numbered.
At last count, we had Nebraska and Colorado taking up residence in the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences respectively. Texas A&M wants to bolt and desires a membership offer from the Southeastern Conference. And now Oklahoma says it has received numerous interest from other conferences. Plus, there is no truth to the rumors that Kansas State, Iowa State and Baylor will leave and form the Big 3 Conference (for my foreign readers this is my poor attempt of making a joke).
Simply, many members (or former members) of the Big 12 exhibit the strong characteristics of the Me-First Generation. Whatever happened to one-for-all and all-for-one? You cannot have a successful partnership if some schools are always looking for a better deal. The Big 12 acts like one big dysfunctional family. The emotions of anger and sadness are both in play here.
Trust is gone in the conference. Everyone is looking over their shoulder. Teams either want something to happen or waiting for the worst to happen and you cannot run a league with those attitudes.
The Big 12 is a poster child for greed in college athletics.
But in retrospect, why was I really surprised? The conference is in a terrible mess and its days are obviously numbered.
At last count, we had Nebraska and Colorado taking up residence in the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences respectively. Texas A&M wants to bolt and desires a membership offer from the Southeastern Conference. And now Oklahoma says it has received numerous interest from other conferences. Plus, there is no truth to the rumors that Kansas State, Iowa State and Baylor will leave and form the Big 3 Conference (for my foreign readers this is my poor attempt of making a joke).
Simply, many members (or former members) of the Big 12 exhibit the strong characteristics of the Me-First Generation. Whatever happened to one-for-all and all-for-one? You cannot have a successful partnership if some schools are always looking for a better deal. The Big 12 acts like one big dysfunctional family. The emotions of anger and sadness are both in play here.
Trust is gone in the conference. Everyone is looking over their shoulder. Teams either want something to happen or waiting for the worst to happen and you cannot run a league with those attitudes.
The Big 12 is a poster child for greed in college athletics.
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