ISU Wins in Lubbock 41-7. This is the largest win over a ranked team in the Iowa State Football History. Texas Tech was ranked #19, this last week. I'm starting to believe Paul Rhoads knows something about defending the Spread Offense that Tech runs. This is the second straight year in a row that ISU has beaten Texas Tech. Last year the score was 52-38. I had mentioned earlier that Rhoads teams are always good for an upset. Paul Rhoads teams have also demonstrated an ability to win on the road. Both characteristics of well coached team and program on the rise. I'll be honest I didn't see this one coming. Stealing one on the road against Rhoads former boss Tommy Tubberville is a sweet as having my daughter sit on my lap and watch Mickey Mouse videos.
Country Rhoads West Virginia - Mountain Momma!
In other news: The Big XII formerly announced that West Virginia is going to join the Big XII. I applaud Interim Commissioner Chuck Neinas for being proactive and locking down West Virginia while Missouri is deciding to sign the divorce papers. The Big XII isn't even listing Missouri as a member of the Big XII for the 2012 season. This signals that Missouri is all but gone. Fine, Good, who needs ya.
West Virginia was the Commish's number two choice for new schools to join the Big XII. First was BYU. BYU has a bigger television market. But, what we lose in tv's we make up for with a solid Football program in WVU. West Virginia has been consistently in the top 20.
So. what happens if BYU does want to join the Big XII? And Texas and Oklahoma aren't willing to go to 12 teams to avoid an end of the year Conference Championship game. Would the Big XII write Iowa State a check to go away. I can hear you say, "Oh that would never happen." I'm not so sure. Crazy things have happened this year, that I didn't think would happen. Again, the realignment deal is all about televisions and dollars. Iowa State doesn't bring much to the party in these areas. But, for now the Big XII looks like it is a stable conference with plenty of football power, and that is good for Iowa State.
Texas Tech is a Woo Hoo Chick. She loves a good time. Tech typically travels in pairs, and she loves to follow the crowd. She often gets talked into to going to new parties with her girl friends long before she is ready to leave the one she is currently attending. The Good News: Tech loves to party. She gets really jazzed up when she gets invited to a bowl game party. She will let you talk her into almost anything during a bowl party, and hardly ever regrets it. The Bad News: Tech loves to party. However, she is often passed out when it is time to get your guns up.
New Segment: Ask the Paul Rhoads Look A Like: Keys to the Game.
Paul Rhoads Look A Like
Q: What is the key to the game? I used to work under Tommy Tuberville, Texas Tech Head Coach, while at Auburn. Texas Tech runs the spread offense that Mike Leach put in place before he was fired. Currently Texas Tech is averaging 43.4 points per game, which is Play Station type points. So our game plan is to hold them to less than us and score more than them.
Q: What does Redshirt Freshman QB look like in practice? He looks like a Freshman, but who cares, we are 3-4 with 4 straight losses in the conference. It's not like he could put another gray hair on my head.
Q: Why is Nebraska rated higher than Wisconsin? This is the problem with the BCS which is harder to figure out than a bunch of teenage girls. Wisconsin losses a road game to Michigan State on a last second hail mary pass, and they end up ranked 15. Nebraska traveled to Wisconsin earlier in the year and got piss pounded 48-17 and yet Nebraska is ranked 14 which is higher than the team that beat them. I feel especially bad for Wisconsin, because this is the closest they will get to the National Championship for the next 10 years.
Favorite Tailgate Pic This Year
Julia, Brian, Austin: Cousins
Q: How do you feel about the announcement that West Virginia is positioned to join the Big XII if Missouri leaves for the SEC? It is good for the Big XII in terms of talent. Currently the Big XII has the best football talent top to bottom throughout the conference. Adding West Virginia doesn't add much in terms of television appeal compared to what we have lost with Nebraska, Colorado, Texas A&M, and most likely Missouri. But, TCU and West Virginia have been top performing and very talented football programs.
Commish says, Suck it Realignment: Colorado is currently 1-7 in the Pac 12, with Zero wins in the conference. Colorado likely won't win another game this year. Nebraska, is fairing well in the Big Ten, Eleven, Twelve; does that mean the Big X is soft? Nebraska has a big test this weekend against Michigan State in Stinkin' Lincoln, NE. Have fun next year Texas A&M and Missouri. You have to game plan against all new teams. While all the other teams have a file with plenty of film with tendencies of conference rivals. Unfortunately you aren't going to a soft Big X conference where the wins seem a little easier.
Texas A&M is a hot chick with all kinds of Daddy issues, AND suffers from Middle child syndrome. Daddy was a Colonel in the army. So, A&M has moved around a lot, and has never quite seemed settled. A&M is an independent thinker with a mind of her own and isn’t afraid to let you know all about it. TheGood News: is she looks good, she is freaky loud in bed, and she isn’t afraid to dress up for you on game day. The Bad News: she is never satisfied and is eventually going to play he loves me – he loves me not and make rash decisions she’ll likely regret in the morning.
Kyle Field, Texas aTm Football Stadium
The Bad news or the really bad news? Prediction Iowa State gets one more win this year (we should beat Kansas at Jack Trice in two weeks). ISU has 6 games left on the schedule 4 of the games are against top 25 teams including this week against Texas A&M. I was really hoping to make a withdrawal from the Texas aTm this weekend but our funds are overdrawn. Injuries and turnovers are the plague of a shallow team. Shontrelle Johnson is out for the season and it is rumored that Steele Jantz, starting QB has been suffering from a foot injury that he picked up against UConn earlier this year. This is starting to look like that Physics 222 Exam that convinced me it was time to look in a new direction called marketing major (we’ll soon be previewing Iowa State Basketball– stay tuned). No. 17 Texas aTm (4-2, 2-1) will be extremely problematic for Iowa State on Saturday, averaging 227.7 rushing yards per game, which is good for 16th in the nation. The Cyclones have allowed a 100-yard rusher in four of six games. The past two games, Iowa State has given up 129 rushing yards to Missouri's Henry Josey and 200 to Baylor's Terrance Ganaway. Our run defense is as likely to hold aTm’s rush attack in place as well asTeri from Ames’ Aquanet is able to hold her bushy main.
It gets worse: Iowa State has averaged 24.1 points per game. Opponents: 36.3 points per game. As if we didn’t need one more reason to hate Texas aTm, Mike Sherman the aTm head coach formerly coached the Green Bay Fudge Packers.
I would love to wrap this package up with a pretty little bow, but I just don’t see it making a difference. The one characteristic about Paul Rhoad’s teams is that they play to the end, and they typically come up with an upset somewhere along the way. So, we have that going for us, but I would say bowl eligibility is as likely as the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit addition asking to use my backyard for their next photo-shoot backdrop.
P.S.: 8 Undefeated teams in the BCS rankings: 3 of which are from the Big XII (Iowa State has to face all three yet this year Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State)
Commissioner: We have Dan from Des Moines on the line. Go ahead caller.
Dan: Commish, did you hear about the merger of the Mountain West Conference and Conference USA? What are your thoughts?
Commissioner: WRONG! Thanks for the call DAN from DEADmoines. It is time to drop a knowledge bomb, both conferences are being raided by the Big East, Big XII, and ACC. This is a preemptive move by both conferences to stay relevant, and in addition to make a bid to become BCS bowl worthy. The merger makes this Mountain USA a 22 school football conference. Most likely they are going to be raided and their conference will end up with 16-18 schools. However, don’t expect the BCS to cough up another bid to the Mount USA. We’ll see how long this lasts, when college kids are forced to travel over numerous time zones to play football. Bomb. Click.
Commissioner: We have Christopher from Ankeny. Go ahead caller.
Christopher: The Big Ten has 5 teams in the Top 25 rankings. Which conference is stronger Big Ten or the Big XII?
Commissioner: WRONG! We haven’t met Chrissy, but you sound like a pretty boy metrosexual that has a man crush on the Big Ten as much as you do for Justin Timberlake. The Big XII has five teams in the top 25 as well. The other team in the Big XII that feel out of the rankings this week was: Baylor. When you have a strong football conference teams have to beat up on each other. There are only two games that matter this year. November 5th when LSU travels to Alabama (SEC Conference), and December 3rd when Oklahoma travels to Oklahoma State (Big XII Conference). The winners of these two game will likely be playing for the national championship. Sorry Wisconsin, Clemson, Boise State, and Stanford you’re as out of place as that murse (Man Purse) that you use to carry your personal items. Click.
Commissioner: We have Tom from Texas on the line. Go ahead caller.
Tom: Commish, What do you think about all the traditional match ups going down the tubes because of conference realignment? What about the loss of the Texas A&M and University of Texas yearly match up.
Commissioner: WRONG! Texas sent Texas A&M an email this week stating their schedule is full through 2018. So, Texas and A&M won’t be playing any time soon. This is the equivalent of breaking up over text message. They are both acting like little kids. If I was Commissioner of the Big XII, they would both be put in time out and made to sit on the stairs. Conference realignment has to do with money and televisions. That’s it. I expect schools to vote on providing a stipend for football athletes in the next couple years. That will be the next step to making the NCAA officially become the minor league for the NFL. All of the former traditions and rivalries are irrelevant. TVs and the associated money is all that matters. New Rivalries will eventually emerge. Click.
Commissioner: We have Teri from Ames on the line. Go ahead caller.
Terri: What time is the Iowa State Game on Saturday? Woo Hoo, GO Cyclones.
Commissioner: WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! I don’t have time to answer your blond questions, we have serious issues to consider in college football right now. First we have this wonderful tool called the Interweb. The Game Times is 2:30 Which I found by going to www.cyclones.com then go to Schedules, and then click on Football. That is three clicks, and I doubt your going to get carpal tunnel from three mouse clicks. No I don’t know what the weather is going to be like, or what they are going to be serving for the pregame meal, or what color of Iowa State headgear goes best with your summer complexion. CLICK.
Teri from Ames: Commissioner, I heard that Missouri was approached by the FSN Network to televise the Iowa State and Missouri football game on Saturday, but Missouri declined. I can't understand why in the world they would do that?
Professor Petebody
Professor Petebody: Well that is a good question, Teri from Ames. Let Professor Petebody drop some knowledge on your blonde 'fro. Perhaps Missouri is afraid to publicly televise the game because they are concerned that Iowa State may actually travel to Columbia and walk away with a victory. Perhaps they are blocking out the game because although this Saturday is Homecoming in Columbia, they are concerned about filling the stadium. Professional teams often black out television coverage when they are concerned about not having a sell out crowd. Perhaps Missouri is concerned their beloved homecoming date with the SEC may find out they are stuffing their training bra. The SEC cross conference date may find out that Missouri doesn't have the crowd, the goods, or the talent to match up. Perhaps the Missouri high brow PhD types are trying to hold the Big XII hostage for more concessions, even though there is a pretty fair revenue sharing and television deal on the table for the Big XII. I believe bottom line is: Missouri is afraid they could loose this game against a fiesty Iowa State Cyclone Football Team. Knowledged!
Missouri looks like a Southern Belle with a Southern drawl. However, Missouri isn’t Sexy Southern - she is Slutty Southern. Missouri is very appealing, borderline attractive. She has caught the eye of many a suitor, all of whom have been too afraid to commit to her long term. They just can’t decide if she is hot enough or able to put out long-term. Good news: She will let you look up her skirt, she is fun in bed, and she will let you do just about whatever you want, and probably more than once. Bad news: She lets all the other boys look up her skirt right in front of you, just to make sure you are good and jealous. She is never satisfied and it is only a matter of time before she makes a move from the suburbs to the next level and she won’t be taking you with her. She knows how to use and be used to get what she wants. Wherever she lands it is going to be on her back.
Iowa State Keys to the Game Against Missouri
This Saturday, Iowa State plays Missouri at Columbia, with a start time of 1:00 pm. The game will not be televised on network or cable television. Missouri is 2-3 and Iowa State walks into the road game at 3-2. It was really nice of Missouri to schedule their homecoming game against Iowa State just to ensure a larger than normal crowd. When scheduling a homecoming opponent, most schools choose a team they believe they can beat to keep the alums happy.
1. Missouri rush against Iowa State run defense: Iowa State keyed on the pass for much of the game against Baylor and gave up big yards against the run. ISU didn’t shut down the pass either, but our first mission will be to shut down the run against Missouri. Offensively, the Tigers are led by sophomore quarterback James Franklin and sophomore running back Henry Josey. Josey currently leads the Big 12 in rushing with 588 yards, while Franklin is averaging about 240 passing yards and two total TDs per game.
2. Missouri pass defense: Missouri hasn’t been as strong as advertised on defense. They are vulnerable to the pass, a strength of ISU. If ISU can keep the game close and contain the Missouri run from long bursts. ISU could prevail.
3. As the quarterback goes, so goes the game: This is the same thing I mentioned last week. I give the nod to Iowa State in this category. Missouri is playing a sophomore quarterback, and ISU is playing Steele Jantz with 3 impressive come from behind wins. That could and should make the difference in this game.
4. Turnovers: What is there to say in this category. Iowa State has coughed up the ball more than Garfield has coughed up hair balls. If the turnovers are close, ISU could win the game. If Iowa State continues the turnover trend, this game could get as ugly as an overweight drunk Missouri coed drinking Natty Lite.
Although I think we have a chance and this is a winnable game, Iowa State is on the road and road wins are difficult against good teams in the Big XII. Final Score: 27 - 17, Missouri wins.
Mascot: Collie Name: Aggies (refers to Ag School or Land Grant institution)
Located in College Station, TX - Public
Enrollment: 46,442 Spring 2011
Stadium: 82,600
Texas A&M Football the football team has won 18 Southwest Conference championships, 3 Big 12 South Division championships, 1 Big 12 championship, and 1 national championship. The team has appeared in 30 bowl games, winning 13, and has produced 41 first Team All-Americans, 5 Academic All-Americans, and 1 Heisman Trophy winner, John David Crow in 1957. Twenty-one Aggies currently play in the NFL.
As TCU is to Nadia from American Pie
Texas Christian University: TCU
Mascot: Horned Frogs
Located in Fort Worth, TX
Founded: 1873 - Private Enrollment:9,142
Stadium: 44,358
The Horned Frogs have won two national championships, one in 1935and the other in 1938 Additionally, the team has captured fourteen conference championships. Many notable football players have played for TCU, including Sammy Baugh, Davey O'Brien, Jim Swink, Bob Lilly, and LaDainian Tomlinson. Under Coach Gary Patterson, the Horned Frogs have owned the No. 1 ranked defense in the country five times (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010), the most top defenses by any team since the NCAA began keeping records in 1937. TCU finished the 2010 season as the consensus No. 2 ranked team in the nation after beating the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2011 Rose Bowl.
Personally, I would like to party with both. But, since A&M has decided to move to the SEC, I'm willing to try a sleeker and more slender model. TCU is up and coming. She doesn't have the tradition or the following, but her figure has filled out and she does look good in a dinner gown. We'll see if she brings enough to bring stability to the Big XII Family.
The Big XII Conference has seven football teams with schedules among the top eight in difficulty, according to NCAA.org, which compiles the won-loss totals of past and upcoming opponents for all 240 Division I programs.
Kansas has the nation’s toughest schedule, based on an opponent winning percentage of 82.2. The Iowa State Cyclones (80 percent) are second, followed by Texas A&M (78.7) and Oklahoma (76.1). Oklahoma State (74.5) is sixth, and Texas and Missouri are tied for seventh at 73.9.
Big 12 teams combined for a 27-3 record against nonconference foes. Two losses were on the road and another at a neutral site.
Baylor: is a Jesus Freak with a major ‘tude that occasionally comes off as a little wacko. She is not afraid to stand up to any Goliath and speak her mind. The Law and The Lord or the two edge of her steely sword. Good news: she will be accommodating at first and eager to please, but less so with each passing year. Baylor doesn’t expect shinny objects as gifts, maybe the occasional crucifix on a holy day, she just wants to be loved Bad news is: she is bound to stand up at a PTA, Church Board, or Booster Club meeting and say stuff that makes you blush, but not in a good way. And then expect her, for the rest of your life, to start every conversation, you ever have with, “Bob and Helen from Church….”
Iowa State versus Baylor Keys to the Game:
This one doesn’t look good. I am actually more concerned about Baylor than I was Texas. Having Texas at home backed by a record setting crowd, actually had an appealing ring to it. Now Iowa State has to travel to Waco Texas to take on the Baylor Bears who are also 3-1 and coming off a last minute loss to Kansas State in Manhattan, KS. The Bears could be gearing up for a statement game much like Texas.
Keys to the game:
1. Battle of the quarterbacks. Whichever school has a better outing from their quarterback will win the game. ISU has Steele Jantz a Junior College transfer that has played well from behind except for during the game last week against Texas. Baylor has a Heisman Trophy Candidate Robert Griffin III, playing quarterback. RGIII is harder to contain than a bead of mercury on a greasy table top. Last week against K-State RGIII threw for 346 yards and 5 touchdowns on the road. RGIII has thrown 18 touchdowns for an average of 4.5 a game, and only 1 interception. Iowa State Quarterback Steele Jantz went 28-51 for 251 yards, against Texas. On the year Jantz has 7 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Clear Victory: Baylor
2. Turnovers and Special Teams. Unfortunately turnovers and Special Teams always seem to be in the same sentence for Iowa State. Iowa State has been extremely susceptible to turning over the ball. If Iowa State turns over the ball more than once, consider this game another tough one to watch. Big Edge: Baylor
3. Whoever gets out of the blocks the quickest will set the pace and win. Star quarterback from Baylor Robert Griffin III tried out for the Olympic track team as a 17 old. I think that means he is really fast. If Baylor gets out of the blocks early and ISU has to play from behind like they have all year it will be a very difficult task to catch Baylor on the back stretch. Major Edge: Baylor
Commissioner’s pick Baylor 42-17, game time 6 pm Central
