Friday, November 23, 2012 Iowa vs. Nebraska Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City
Going down swinging Plus: Will Iowa improve in 2013?
2 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012
REMEMBER WHEN...
Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg is tackled against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, November 25, 2011. Vandenberg went 16 of 35 passing and threw one interception in the Hawkeyes’ 20-7 loss to the Huskers. (The Daily Iowan/Adam Wesley)
HAWKS IN THE NFL
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COVER STORY POINT-COUNTERPOINT The Hawkeyes are playing for Will Iowa improve next year? Two pride only on Black Friday DI staffers debate
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FEATURED MATCHUP James Morris will have to fight through an injury to contain Nebraska’s quarterback
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GAME ROSTER Complete roster for both the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers. Take it with you to Kinnick
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AROUND THE BIG TEN Check out the final edition of our weekly conference power rankings and players to watch
Bill Casey Publisher Emily Busse Editor-in-Chief Sam Lane Managing Editor Sam Louwagie Pregame Editor Allie Wright Design Editor Adam Wesley and Rachel Jessen Photo Editors
WEB EXTRAS Complete Game Coverage
Head to dailyiowanmedia.com/ live for full analysis, features, and recaps before, during, and after Friday’s game.
DITV Program
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Former Hawkeye linebacker Pat Angerer led the Indianapolis Colts in tackles last season, finishing fourth in the NFL. He missed the first five weeks of this season with a broken foot, but is starting to make his presence felt. Angerer has made 10 tackles and deflected a pass in five games this season. (The Daily Iowan/File Photo)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STAFF
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18
LEADERBOARD Where do the Hawkeyes stack up with the rest of the conference?
20
ON THE LINE See who our football staff picked in some of college football’s biggest games this weekend
CONTACT US
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Go to
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for a photo slideshow after the game
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - 3
4 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012
Iowa linebacker Anthony Hitchens leaves the field after the game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, November 17, 2012. The Daily Iowan/Tessa Hursh)
‘Going down swinging’ Iowa’s seniors are playing for pride only as they take the Kinnick Stadium field for the final time. By Sam Louwagie Samuel-louwagie@uiowa.edu
F
or the first time all season, Iowa football players didn’t have a forward-looking message. The Hawkeyes could not say their goals were “still in front” of them. They couldn’t talk about correcting the team’s problems in time. Iowa fell to
4-7 on Nov. 17 in a beat-down by Michigan and lost bowl eligibility. Time was up. And the players knew it. “That’s just life. You’re going to have some ups and downs,” quarterback James Vandenberg said. “You’ve got to just roll with the punches and do the best you can. This obviously hasn’t turned out exactly how we wanted … We’re building for next year now, and
that hurts as a senior. But it’s something I still want to be a part of.” A downer of a season will end in Kinnick Stadium on Black Friday. The Hawkeyes will enter their final game 11th in the Big Ten in offense and ninth in defense. They are dead last in rushing offense, and 11th in pass efficiency. They’ll face a Nebraska team with the best offense and fourth best defense in the conference. At stake for the
Cornhuskers is a trip to the Big Ten championship game. At stake for Iowa? One happy memory from a dreary three months. “The last game is about pride,” senior cornerback Micah Hyde said. “It obviously hurts to not go to a bowl. It hurts to lose, period. It’s tough. But you’ve got to go out there and give effort.” See seniors, 6
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - 5
6 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012
Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg reacts after a sack during the second half of the game at Memorial Field in Bloomington, Indiana on Saturday, November 3, 2012. (The Daily Iowan/Ian Servin)
seniors
Continued from 4 A gloomy end
Fans don’t seem so interested. The earliest betting lines opened with Nebraska favored by 14.5 points. The expected blowout, and the fact that the game will be played while the university is on Thanksgiving break, could make for a fairly empty student section. Many students are posting offers on Facebook to sell their tickets
for just $5. One Hawkeye fan said on Twitter he would pay someone that much to take his ticket from him. Another said she would trade hers for a Diet Coke from McDonald’s. Iowa versus Nebraska is supposed to be a new rivalry, with a predetermined nickname — the Heroes Game — and trophy. Iowa has a chance to add to its trophy case, currently containing only the Floyd of Rosedale. But without history or evenly matched teams, that also feels stale. Running back Mark Weisman gave a half-hearted answer about the rivalry.
“Yeah, it’s a rivalry,” Weisman said. “They’re right next to us, and we want to win that trophy.” No bowl implications, potentially poor attendance, and a half-hearted rivalry. But the Hawkeyes’ only option is to show up and play. “This has always been a week-by-week process, so a win would be awesome,” linebacker James Morris said. “Is one game going to rectify a losing season for us? No, it’s not. But we’re going to prepare to win, because that’s what we want to do.” Head coach Kirk Ferentz is as focused as ever.
“It’s disappointing not being able to go to a bowl,” he said. “We all have the same goals as far as championships and bowl games. You earn those things by winning on the field, and if you don’t make it, you don’t make it. We’ll do our best to show up ready to win on Friday. And when that’s over, we’ll address what’s in front of us.”
Seniors ‘go down swinging’
Keenan Davis has one more game to leave his mark on the Iowa program he entered with so
much fanfare. Last week, Davis didn’t see the ball come his way one time. He has 46 catches for 560 yards and just 1 touchdown this year. Vandenberg has one final chance to get the 2012 offense clicking before his career ends. Center James Ferentz has one last appearance playing for the program he grew up around. Joe Gaglione and Steve Bigach have one more chance to stop the skid Iowa’s defensive line has been on. Cornerback Micah Hyde has one more game to make a big play in Kinnick Stadium. “Nobody’s going to be
happy. We’re all upset,” Davis said. “But we get what we deserve.” The Iowa senior-class members won’t finish their careers with a bowl game. So inside the walls of the program, even if it doesn’t feel like it to anybody else, they’ll treat this game as if it were a bowl. “I really don’t even want to think about it, but I’ve got six days left of being a Hawkeye,” Vandenberg said. “We’ve got one more time to put on those jerseys. I just want to live it as much as I can, go as hard as I can. And go down swinging.”
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - 7
8 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012
FEATURED MATCHUP
TORK MASON TORK-MASON@UIOWA.EDU
IOWA Name: James Morris
NEBRASKA Name: Taylor Martinez
It’s not been a good year for the Hawkeyes on either side of the ball, but the defense went from appearing all but invincible through the first half of the season to nearly invisible since. The road doesn’t get any easier for Iowa’s season finale against No. 14 Nebraska. Morris will likely be charged with keeping an eye on Martinez and staying with him wherever he goes. That’s easier said than done for just about any player in college football. And Morris will have it even worse. The junior has been playing hurt since Iowa’s loss to Purdue on Nov. 10, and he didn’t appear to be at full speed at Michigan last week. That could spell trouble for the Hawkeyes. If Morris and Company can’t contain Martinez, then the Cornhuskers will put up points in bunches on Saturday.
Martinez has finally developed into the player Nebraska fans hoped he would become. Long known for his wizardry on the ground, which earned him the nickname “T-Magic,” he has evolved into one of the Big Ten’s best passers this season. Martinez has posted career-best numbers across the board in this season. The junior has thrown for 2,420 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing nearly 64 percent of his passes. He’s also rushed for 792 yards and 8 touchdowns this season, including a 205-yard effort in a comeback win over Michigan State on Nov. 3. Martinez is the driving force behind the Cornhuskers’ potent offensive attack, and he’s precisely the kind of quarterback the Iowa defense struggles to defend.
Iowa linebacker James Morris sacks Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa for a loss of nine yards in the fourth quarter of their game at Ryan Field on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010. (The Daily Iowan/File Photo)
Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez throws a pass against Iowa on Nov. 25, 2011. The Hawkeyes lost, 20-7. (The Daily Iowan/File Photo)
Position: Middle linebacker Year: Junior
Position: Quarterback Year: Junior
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - 9
10 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012
Will Iowa improve in 2013?
Yes
The only direction Iowa can go after this season is up. Ever since the Michigan State win on Oct. 13 — a game Iowa had in which Iowa had no business competing, much less winning — the Hawkeyes have dropped five-consecutive games. Those five games have been some of the worst Iowa City has seen since 2000. But the 2013-14 season will bring slightly less intimidating expectations after this season’s abysmal results. It will also be the second year Greg Davis will be in charge of the struggling offense. Davis was set up for a rough first season when he agreed to become the new offensive coordinator for the Hawkeyes. His track record with quarterbacks and the offensive production in Texas was a portfolio that’s hard to top. But when you look at how he produced those numbers, he had a few years to work with each of those players — quarterbacks, specifically. Athletes such as Vince Young and Colt McCoy grew up with Davis, bought into that system early, and that’s why it worked. Davis came into a predominately upperclassmen team for Iowa. James Vandenberg, C.J. Fiedorowicz, and a good chunk of the offensive line were used to the pro-style system with Ken O’Keefe. Granted, the styles have produced similar results so far, but there are some distinct differences that Davis needed time to implement. That time is now. He’ll have a young gun to work with in Jake Rudock (Or C.J. Beathhard or Cody Sokol), and Davis should be able to mold one of them into a quarterback that fits his offense — an offense that is either made or broken with a good quarterback. That’s not to mention Iowa should have both Mark Weisman and Damon Bullock back in the backfield. And if they’re finally healthy together, they make for a pretty potent running game. And Iowa’s starting trio of linebackers has shown plenty of talent this year, too, and all will be back next year. Nobody would’ve imagined that this season turned out the way it did. But there’s only one way to look now if you’re a Hawkeye fan, and that’s up. — by Cody Goodwin
No
Iowa football has been disastrous in 2012, and fans shouldn’t expect things to be any better next year. Despite some fans’ pleas, offensive coordinator Greg Davis isn’t going anywhere. Firing an assistant coach after one season hardly fits Kirk Ferentz’s change-averse style, and that means the offensive scheme isn’t likely to change. The passing game was atrocious this year, and the Hawkeyes will lose the only quarterback who has taken snaps. Adding a quarterback — whether it’s sophomore-to-be Jake Rudock or junior college transfer Cody Sokol — with zero Division-I snaps on his resume is not the way to improve your passing game. Adding to the woes at quarterback is the inconsistent play by wide receivers and tight ends. Dropped passes and miscommunication were common themes this year, and the Hawkeyes lose wideout Keenan Davis. They do return Kevonte Martin-Manley, who was the most consistent performer of the group, and Jordan Cotton, who could provide the deep threat the team desperately needs. And it’s not like the ground attack has been much better, either. Damon Bullock and Mark Weisman both had their moments, but Iowa will likely finish dead last in the Big Ten in rushing offense for the second consecutive year. Both Bullock and Weisman are expected to return, but Iowa fans have learned not to take that for granted. The offensive line may be solid next year, if left tackle Brandon Scherff and guard Andrew Donnal return from season-ending injuries. But that’s not a given, and the group will be without James Ferentz and Matt Tobin, who were two of the most consistent offensive lineman this season. Defensively, the Hawkeyes appeared competent in the first half of 2012, but failed miserably down the stretch. Everything starts up front for the Hawkeyes; when the front four is strong, the defense typically has success. When it’s not, well, we saw that this year. That defensive line isn’t going to get much better, considering that defensive end Joe Gaglione — who leads the team in sacks — graduates. And I haven’t even mentioned star cornerback Micah Hyde’s graduation. The only bright spots I can see for next year’s team are the linebackers, kicker Mike Meyer, Martin-Manley, and Cotton. That isn’t going to cut it, even if the Big Ten is again as weak as it was this year. — By Tork Mason
12 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa
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IOWA HAWKEYES
Marshall Koehn Greg Castillo Barkley Hill Greg Garmon Kyle Anderson Tanner Miller Keenan Davis Sean Draper Trent Mossbrucker Don Shumpert Blake Haluska Collin Sleeper Kevonte Martin-Manley Anthony Gair Tom Donatell Kevin Buford John Wienke Jonny Mullings Jake Rudock James Vandenberg C.J. Beathard Jacob Hillyer Micah Hyde B.J. Lowery Cody Sokol Christian Kirksey Nico Law Torrey Campbell Jordan Cotton Ruben Lile Jordan Lomax Maurice Fleming Nick Nielsen Andre Dawson Anthony Hitchens Damon Bullock Jordan Canzeri Adam Cox Nate Meier Gavin Smith Cole Fisher John Lowdermilk Brad Rogers Travis Perry Jack Swanson Jacob Reisen Macon Plewa Jim Poggi James Morris Mark Weisman George Krieger Kittle Melvin Spears Palmer Foster Drew Clark Laron Taylor Quinton Alston James Ferentz Steve Bigach Marcus Collins Faith Ekakitie Tommy Gaul Eric Simmons Conor Boffeli Matt Tobin Casey Kreiter Austin Blythe Jordan Walsh Casey McMillan Jaleel Johnson Brandon Scherff Ryan Kolka
ROS
- Thursday, November 22, 2012
6-0/160 5-11/187 6-0/210 6-1/200 6-3/210 6-2/201 6-3/215 6-0/180 5-11/204 6-3/190 6-4/210 6-2/200 6-0/205 6-2/195 6-2/205 5-10/170 6-5/220 6-3/210 6-3/200 6-3/212 6-2/180 6-4/205 6-1/190 5-11/188 6-2/205 6-2/220 6-1/195 5-11/183 6-1/185 6-3/200 5-10/190 6-0/185 6-3/210 6-2/207 6-1/224 6-0/195 5-9/180 5-11/210 6-2/235 5-10/175 6-2/218 6-2/203 5-10/230 6-3/230 5-11/200 6-2/231 6-2/225 6-2/218 6-2/230 6-0/225 6-4/210 6-2/255 6-3/210 6-4/288 6-0/215 6-1/224 6-2/284 6-3/282 6-0/215 6-3/275 6-3/264 6-3/300 6-5/290 6-6/290 6-3/250 6-3/275 6-4/270 6-4/305 6-4/300 6-5/310 6-0/208
PK DB RB RB QB DB WR DB PK WR WR DB WR DB LB DB QB P QB QB QB WR CB DB QB LB DB DB WR DB DB WR WR RB LB RB RB FB RB/LB DB OLB DB FB DB DB FB LB LB LB FB ATH DE OLB OL LB LB OL DL LB DL OL OL OL OL LS OL OL OL DL OL LS
RS FR SR FR FR RS FR JR SR FR SR JR SO SR SO FR SR FR SR SO RS FR SR FR RS FR SR JR JR JR SO RS FR JR FR SO FR SR JR JR SO SO RS FR FR JR RS FR SO JR RS FR SR JR RS FR SO JR SO FR RS FR SO JR FR SO SR SR SO FR SO SO JR SR JR RS FR RS FR SR FR SO RS FR
IOWA VS. NEBRASKA • FRIDAY, Solon, Iowa Mount Laurel, N.J. Denver, Iowa Erie, Pa. Ames, Iowa Kalona, Iowa Cedar Rapids, Iowa Cleveland, Ohio Mooresville, Ind. St. Louis, Mo. Carroll, Iowa Solon, Iowa Pontiac, Mich. Plano, Texas Duluth, Ga. Canton, Mich. Tuscola, Ill. Canberra, Australia Weston, Fla. Keokuk, Iowa Franklin, Tenn. Somerset, Texas Fostoria, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio Phoenix, Ariz. St. Louis, Mo. Clinton, Md. Naples, Fla. Mount Pleasant, Iowa Detroit, Mich. Upper Marlboro, Md. Chicago, Ill. Humboldt, Iowa Cedar Rapids, Iowa Lorain, Ohio Mansfield, Texas Troy, N.Y. Chana, Ill. Tabor, Iowa North Liberty, Iowa Omaha, Neb. Carrollton, Ohio Toledo, Ohio Urbandale, Iowa Naples, Fla. Iowa City, Iowa Franklin, Wis. Towson, Md. Solon, Iowa Buffalo Grove, Ill. Norman, Okla. Allen, Texas Davenport, Iowa Marion, Iowa Detroit, Mich. Sicklerville, N.J. Iowa City, Iowa Cleveland, Ohio Yeadon, Pa. Brampton, Ontario Des Moines, Iowa Madrid, Iowa West Des Moines, Iowa Worthington, Iowa DeWitt, Iowa Williamsburg, Iowa Glendale Heights, Ill. Billings, Mont. Westchester, Ill. Denison, Iowa St. Charles, Ill.
70 71 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 98 99
Brett Van Sloten Carl Davis Ryan Ward Mitch Keppy Dean Tsopanides Nolan MacMillan Reid Sealby Andrew Donnal Dominic Alvis Henry Krieger Coble Tevaun Smith Ray Hamilton Steven Staggs Zach Derby C.J. Fiedorowicz Jake Duzey Greg Mabin Cameron Wilson Louis Trinca-Pasat Daumantas Venckus-Cucchiara Jonathan Gimm Nathan Lyman Riley McMinn Drew Ott Mike Meyer Darian Cooper Connor Kornbrath Mike Hardy Joe Gaglione
6-7/292 6-5/310 6-5/275 6-5/290 6-2/240 6-6/290 6-4/250 6-7/302 6-4/265 6-4/235 6-2/190 6-5/248 6-3/195 6-3/240 6-7/265 6-4/235 6-2/190 6-1/195 6-3/270 6-5/230 6-3/240 6-3/280 6-7/245 6-4/245 6-2/185 6-2/280 6-6/240 6-5/270 6-4/264
OL DL OL OL DL OL OL OL DL TE WR TE WR TE TE TE WR WR DL DL FB DL DE DL K DL P DL DL
JR SO FR FR RS FR JR FR SO JR RS FR FR SO SR SR JR RS FR FR FR SO FR SR JR RS FR FR JR RS FR FR SO SR
Decorah, Iowa Detroit, Mich. New Lenox, Ill. Port Byron, Ill. Torrington, Conn. Toronto, Ontario Byron, Ill. Monclova, Ohio Logan, Iowa Mount Pleasant, Iowa Toronto, Ontario Strongsville, Ohio Oskaloosa, Iowa Iowa City, Iowa Johnsburg, Ill. Troy, Mich. Plantation, Fla. Dublin, Ohio Chicago, Ill. Weston, Fla. Houston, Texas Grundy Center, Iowa Rochester, Ill. Trumbull, Neb. Dubuque, Iowa Elkridge, Md. Bridgeport, W.V. Appleton, Wis. Novelty, Ohio
Keenan Davis WR #6
Andrew Green CB #11 Eric Martin DE #46 P.J. Smith S #8
Brett Van Sloten RT #70
Alonzo Whaley LB #45
Austin Blythe James Vandenberg RG #63 QB #16
Thad Randle DT #53
Mark Weisman RB #45
Baker Steinkuhler DT #34
Will Compton LB #51
James Ferentz C #53
Sean Fisher LB #42 Cameron Meredith DE #34
Daimion Stafford S #3
Conor Boffeli LG #59
Matt Tobin LT #60
C.J. Fiedorowicz TE #86
Josh Mitchell CB #5 Kevonte Martin-Manley WR #11
Brad Rogers FB #38
STER
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The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - 13
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
NOVEMBER 23, 2012 • 11:00AM Harvey Jackson Jordan Westerkamp Alonzo Moore Taylor Martinez Daimion Stafford Mohammed Seisay Josh Mitchell Corey Cooper Tim Marlowe Taariq Allen Joseph Carter Ameer Abdullah Jason Ankrah Jamal Turner Andrew Green Courtney Osborne P.J. Smith Jonathan Rose Brion Carnes Stanley Jean-Baptiste Ciante Evans Quincy Enunwa Wil Richards Steven Osborne Rex Burkhead Daniel Davie Austin Williams Kyler Reed Yusef Wade Charles Jackson Thomas Brown
1 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
6-2 /210 6-0 /200 6-2 /170 6-1 /200 6-1 /205 6-2 /200 5-11 /155 6-1 /210 5-10/175 6-3/200 6-5/265 5-9 185 6-4/265 6-1 /185 6-0 /195 6-3 /200 6-2/210 6-1 /180 6-1/200 6-3/215 5-11/185 6-2/215 5-11/195 6-4/205 5-11/210 6-1/185 6-0/200 6-3/230 5-10/185 5-11/175 6-2/210
Kenny Bell WR #80
S WR WR QB S CB CB S WR WR DE IB DE WR CB S S CB WR CB CB WR S WR IB CB DB TE CB CB LB
SO FR FR JR SR JR SO SO SR RS FR SR SO JR SO JR SR SR SO SO JR JR JR JR SR SR RS FR SO SR SO FR FR
Fresno, Texas Lombard, Ill. Winnfield, La. Corona, Calif. Norco, Calif. Springfield, Va. Corona, Calif. Maywood, Ill. Youngstown, Ohio Weston, Mass. Jackson, S.C. Homewood, Ala. Gaithersburg, Md. Arlington, Texas San Antonio, Texas Garland, Texas River Ridge, La. Leeds, Ala. Bradenton, Fla. Miami, Fla. Arlington, Texas Moreno Valley, Calif. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Garland, Texas Plano, Texas Beatrice, Neb. Omaha, Neb. Shawnee, Kan. Lincoln, Neb. Spring, Texas Gardena, Calif.
Micah Hyde CB #18
Quincy Enunwa WR #18
Anthony Hitchens WLB #31 Tanner Miller FS #5
Rex Burkhead RB #22
Brent Qvale LT #76 Dominic Alvis DE #79
Seung Hoon Choi LG #77
Louis Trinca-Pasat DT #90
Taylor Martinez QB #3
Justin Jackson C #72
Spencer Long RG #61
James Morris MLB #44
Christian Kirksey OLB #20 Steve Bigach DT #54
Ben Cotton TE #81 Jeremiah Sirles RT #71
Jamal Turner WR #10
Joe Gaglione DE #99
B.J. Lowery CB #19
Nico Law SS #21
29 30 31 32 33 34 37 38 38 39 40 41 42 42 43 44 45 45 46 47 48 49 51 51 53 54 54 55 56 56 57 57 58 59 61 62 63 65 67 68 69 70 71 72 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 92 95 96 96 97 97 98 99
Seth Jameson Derek Foster C.J. Zimmerer Greg Milliken Jared Afalava Cameron Meredith Mauro Bondi Aaron Gabriel Graham Stoddard Justin Blatchford Max Pirman Jake Long Sean Fisher Trey Foster Trevor Roach Micah Kreikemeier Lane Hovey Alonzo Whaley Eric Martin Walker Ashburn Tobi Okuyemi Matt Manninger Brandon Chapek Will Compton Thad Randle Mitch McCann Robby Painter Baker Steinkuhler Mark Pelini Brad Simpson Todd Peat Jr. Zach Sterup Corey Whitaker Colby Starkebaum Spencer Long Cole Pensick Andrew Rodriguez Ryne Reeves Scott Criss Jake Cotton Brodrick Nickens Kenny Anderson Jeremiah Sirles Justin Jackson Mike Moudy Chris Long Brent Qvale Seung Hoon Choi Givens Price Brandon Thompson Kenny Bell Ben Cotton Tyler Wullenwaber Jared Blum Sam Cotton KC Hyland David Sutton Taylor Dixon Tyler Evans Conor McDermott Greg McMullen Donovan Vestal P.J. Mangieri Kevin Williams Jack Gangwish Aaron Curry Brett Maher Chase Rome Joseph Rotherham Eddie Ridder Jay Guy
6-1/200 5-11/190 6-0/230 6-1/200 6-3/215 6-4/260 6-0/200 6-0/210 6-2/230 6-1/200 6-5/220 6-4/240 6-6/230 6-0/235 6-2/230 6-3/220 6-4/190 6-1/230 6-2/250 6-2/255 6-2/275 6-1/220 6-5/310 6-2/230 6-1/295 6-0/220 6-4/250 6-6/290 6-0/285 6-0/195 6-3/305 6-8/300 6-4/280 6-1/220 6-4/305 6-2/275 6-6/325 6-3/295 6-3/280 6-6/295 6-5/305 6-2/260 6-6/310 6-3/280 6-5/305 6-4/280 6-7/315 6-2/295 6-4/290 6-6/300 6-1/185 6-6/255 6-1/195 6-4/230 6-4/230 6-6/215 6-3/240 5-11/195 6-1/200 6-2/245 6-3/280 6-5/260 6-4/240 6-2/265 6-2/230 6-1/280 6-0/185 6-3/285 6-0/220 6-6/230 6-1/290
CB CB FB CB LB DE PK LB FB S LB TE LB TE LB LB WR LB DE DE DT LB OL LB DT LB OL DT OL LB DT OL OL LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DT OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR TE WR TE TE WR TE WR WR TE DE DE LS DT LB DT P/PK DT LS TE DT
JR SO JR FR FR SR SO FR SR SR RS FR JR SR FR SO SR FR SR SR SO SO SR JR SR JR FR FR SR SO FR FR FR FR JR JR JR JR FR JR SO JR SR JR SR SO RS FR JR SR RS FR SR SO SR SO FR FR SR RS FR SR SO SR FR SO SR RS FR RS FR FR SR SO RS FR RS FR SO
Southlake, Texas Elm Creek, Neb. Omaha, Neb. Wahoo, Neb. South Jordan, Utah Huntington Beach, Calif. Boca Raton, Fla. Marion, Ohio Lincoln, Neb. Ponca, Neb. Orrville, Ohio Elkhorn, Neb. Omaha, Neb. Lincoln, Neb. Elkhorn, Neb. West Point, Neb. Adel, Iowa Madisonville, Texas Moreno Valley, Calif. Kenner, La. Maple Grove, Minn. Omaha, Neb. Wahoo, Neb. Bonne Terre, Mo. Galena Park, Texas Omaha, Neb. Centennial, Colo. Lincoln, Neb. Youngstown, Ohio Omaha, Neb. Tempe, Ariz. Hastings, Neb. Murrieta, Calif. Sterling, Colo. Elkhorn, Neb. Lincoln, Neb. Aurora, Neb. Crete, Neb. Omaha, Neb. Lincoln, Neb. Alliance, Neb. Omaha, Neb. Lakewood, Colo. Roca, Neb. Castle Rock, Colo. Blair, Neb. Williston, N.D. Lincoln, Neb. Houston, Texas The Woodlands, Texas Boulder, Colo. Ames, Iowa Utica, Neb. Gretna, Neb. Lincoln, Neb. Lincoln, Neb. Lincoln, Neb Wauneta, Neb. Waverly, Neb. Omaha, Neb. Akron, Ohio Arlington, Texas Peoria, Ill. Holland, Ohio Wood River, Neb. . Keller, Texas Kearney, Neb. Columbia, Mo. Green Bay, Wis. Elkhorn, Neb. Houston, Texas
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - 15
16 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 22, 2012
AROUND THE BIG TEN
OFFENSIVE IMPACT
POWER RANKINGS
1. Ohio State I love how unfazed Ohio State was in last week’s overtime. Run to the right with Carlos Hyde for 10 yards. Run to left with Braxton Miller for 10 yards. Up the gut with Hyde for five yards and a score. Just kicked ’em right in the teeth. Fantastic stuff. 2. Nebraska So it’s looking like the Huskers are going to make it to this year’s Big Ten championship game. I wish them the worst of luck against whichever team they face in their first Rose Bowl appearance. It’s sad that the best opponent they’ll face this season resides on the West Coast, where football is third behind Major League Soccer and water polo. 3. Michigan That was a stomping if I have ever seen one against Iowa last week. I think Michigan is a better team with Devin Gardner under center and Denard Robinson playing anything that’s not throwing-the-ball-related. 4. Penn State Even though Penn State stomped all over Indiana, they may have lost all-world linebacker Michael Mauti for the season, which is just a crying shame. He was the leader of that team, and he was the world’s last chance to stop Montee Ball from reaching the NCAA touchdowns record. 5. Northwestern It should be illegal for Northwestern to be good at anything that doesn’t involve pizza-faced teens fiddling around with electronics and batteries or what have you. What’s sad is they’ll finish the season with nine wins and go to a decent bowl. What isn’t sad is the fact the Kitties will play a good team that actually watches film and is familiar with who Kain Colter is and what he does.
BEN ROSS BENJAMIN-D-ROSS@UIOWA.EDU
6. Wisconsin I hate the fact the badgers are on their 3rd string quarterback and he’s still making passes that Vandy can only dream about from a season ago. Montee will probably break the touchdown record this week, which sucks, because he plays for Wisconsin. 7. Michigan State Andrew Maxwell isn’t very good, but I bet he torches Minnesota’s secondary for at least 300 yards and a few scores this week. The Spartans have Le’Veon Bell, too. So expect around 1,000 or so yards from Michigan State this week. 8. Minnesota The Gilded Rodents have got to be the worst bowl-eligible team in the country. That’s something I could easily investigate, but I care not to spend that kind of time on anything Minnesota-related. Plus I’ve got a pretty good Turkey drunk going on right now. 9. Purdue It’s the battle of the best football teams the state of Indiana has to offer when the Boilermakers take on the Hoosiers this week. That’s really all I have to say about this. 10. Indiana See above. 11. Iowa Well, here it is. Iowa football. Second worst in the conference. Drink it in, folks. Iowa always gets really good recruiting classes, though, so I’m not too worried about it. 12. Illinois I wish Iowa and Illinois would agree to play a game after the season’s end so we can determine once and for all who truly is the worst team in all the land. Think of how they could market it: the Toilet Bowl, the Midwest Incompetence Bowl, the HOW DID IOWA GET HERE Bowl.
GAME TO WATCH Wisconsin at Penn State Time: 2:30 p.m. Saturday Location: State College, Pa. Where to watch: ESPN 2
Key Highlights Like THE GAME, this matchup really is important for only one team. It looks as though Nebraska will be going to the Big Ten championship game, and Penn State won’t — for years. Still, it’s a chance for Montee Ball to break the NCAA touchdowns record, which I doubt even Wisconsin students want, seeing as he got beat up by classmates on two separate occasions in the off-season.
Name: Devin Gardner Position: Quarterback Year: Junior
Gardner showed everything a good quarterback has against Iowa this past weekend. Poise, arm strength, scrambling ability, and not turning the rock over. And this is coming from a former wide receiver. Some teams just have all the luck. He might have all positives of Denard Robinson and none of the negatives.
DEFENSIVE IMPACT Name: Ryan Shazier Position: Linebacker Year: Sophomore
Shazier just tore it up last week against Wisconsin, recording 12 tackles, 3 for a loss. He also knocked the rock out of Montee Ball’s grip to all but seal the deal and stop what was once thought to be the best running attack in college football ever. He’ll likely be charged with containing Devin Gardner at quarterback and Denard Robinson at whatever he does this week in THE GAME, too. Shazier on keeping Ball from breaking the touchdown record last week: “We knew he needed two to break the record, and we were not going to allow him to break it on us,” Shazier told the Cleveland Plains-Dealer. “We gave him the tie, but we were not allowing him to break it.”
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LEADERBOARD Rushing yards per game, Big Ten
1. Nebraska 256.9 2. Ohio State 245.5 3. Northwestern 222.1 4. Wisconsin 217.6 5. Michigan 194.5 6. Purdue 163.2 7. Minnesota 159.0 8. Penn State 142.2 9. Michigan State 140.1 12. Iowa 124.4
Yards per kickoff return, Big Ten
1. Purdue 23.0 2. Iowa 22.8 3. Indiana 22.6 4. Michigan 22.2 5. Nebraska 21.5 6. Wisconsin 20.4 7. Ohio State 19.7 8. Illinois 19.3 9. Michigan State 19.3 10. Minnesota 19.1
Sacks, Big Ten
1. Penn State 31 2. Nebraska 28 3. Indiana 27 4. Ohio State 26 T5. Northwestern 23 T5. Minnesota 23 T5. Wisconsin 23 T8. Illinois 20 T8. Purdue 20 12. Iowa 11
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ON THE LINE
Matchups No. 14 Nebraska at Iowa
No. 1 Notre Dame at USC
No. 6 Florida at No. 10 Florida State No. 20 Michigan at Ohio State
No. 11 Stanford at No. 15 UCLA
Ian Martin Sports Editor (30-25)
Iowa
Senior days are weird If Iowa’s are not dazed Vandenberg goes off
Notre Dame Barkley not playing Irish in to title game Where they’ll be blown out
Florida Gators bite the ‘Noles When in doubt, pick SEC Jimbo’s real name? John
Ohio State In odd Big Ten year Befitting one team would be The champs, in theory
Stanford First ruin Ducks’ year Then quell the new Pac power All by some bookworms
Ben Ross
Football Reporter (36-19)
Nebraska
There will likely be more red than any other color in Kinnick on Black Friday.
USC
Even without Matt Barkley I see Notre Dame’s weaknesses getting exposed. Also, it’s just not fashionable to stay at No. 1 for longer than a week, anymore
Florida State I can see that happening.
Ohio State
Iowa just makes Michigan looks like it’s good.
Stanford The Cardinal beat Oregon, and they beat the Irish as far as I’m concerned. This team is good.
Tork Mason
Football Reporter (36-19)
Nebraska
Does this need any justification on my part?
Notre Dame Maybe Notre Dame is overrated. But USC definitely has been, and the Irish’s defense IS that good.
Florida State The Heisman race is suddenly wide open again after KSU’s loss. Seminole QB E.J. Manuel makes a statement here.
Michigan
The Buckeyes have flirted with their first loss more than once. And the Wolverines are better with Devin Gardner under center and Denard Robinson behind him.
UCLA I took a gamble on the Bruins last week, and it paid off. Lettin’ it ride.
Sam Louwagie
Pregame & Sports Editor (28-27)
Iowa
Wouldn’t that be crazy?
Notre Dame This looked like a lot tougher game a few weeks ago.
Florida I think I’ve picked Florida five times this year.
Ohio State Cool undefeated season, Buckeyes.
Stanford Then a rematch the next week for the Rose Bowl.
Sam Lane
Managing Editor (37-18)
Nebraska The first time I’ve picked against the Hawks in three years of this, I think. Sad.
Notre Dame Manti Te’o is super fun to say.
Florida I guess the SEC is decent. Who knew?
Ohio State Unoriginal headline idea: “Perfect” season.
Stanford Cardinal rolling after big upset.
Fans’ Picks Nebraska
Hawks’ defense bends, then breaks.
Notre Dame See you in the 2013 BCS Championship Game!
Florida State Doing Bowden proud.
Ohio State
No bowl, but a great season for the Buckeyes.
Stanford Harbaugh who?
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