pitiful

[TheJON]

I know Iowa won but that was a pathetic melt down by the defense. No excuse for that. There was no excuse for playing that pathetic on defense. Going into the tank with 10 minutes to go is ridiculous.

[M Club]

don't know what you're bitching about. a win in cfb is a win. all this "we're a veteran team" blah blah blah is just blah blah blah since how much veteran play are you going to get out of seasoned 20-year-olds? that and michigan's offense is that explosive, so be happy you gave up your 500+ yards and still got a win on the road. (i would have said michigan's offense is that good but they've averaged like 17 turnovers a game since dickrod took over.)

can't believe the big ten's going to come down to iowa and michigan state. nevermind, it's not. iowa's going to beat state then lose to wisco and ohio state. wisco's going to lose to michigan. and then ohio state's going to win the fucking conference again even though they'll be out of the driver's seat till the final weekend.

[Shoalzie]

Forcier was a shot in the arm for the Wolverines but I'm not overlooking the fact the Hawkeyes were playing off when the lead got up to 21 points. I figured it was a huge tease and Iowa would still prevail. Another nail in RichRod's coffin...

[TheJON]

You know damn well a win is not a win for Iowa. A win is a win for LSU, Florida, Ohio St, Notre Dame, Texas, etc...

I have said all along that the Big-10 will come down to Iowa-OSU but now I think it comes down to Iowa-MSU and Iowa-OSU. Wisconsin can't beat Iowa for the same reasons Penn St can't.

Having Iowa season tickets right now does not suck. I get to see Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State in our last 3 home games.

Wisconsin has been struggling with Iowa for years because we are in their heads, don't ply loose (probably because of Bielema puts such an emphasis on the game), and Iowa NEVER loses to a team that runs that style of play. And now it's even worse for them because they're coming off an emotional win AND have to play in a hostile environment the next week. I will be surprised if they keep this within a touchdown.

I can't remeber the last time MSU won at Kinnick, but that game scares the shit outta me. It sets up perfectly for Sparty. Iowa will be coming off a short tough, emotional stretch. They'll be coming off an easy stretch and they know that the Iowa game is going to be for a BCS Bowl and it's going to be the biggest game MSU has played in probably 20 years. I just don't know if MSU will come out tight or play the game of their lives.

Big-10 title literally goes through Iowa City this year. Oh how I wish I bought extra season tickets and sold them for profit like I was thinking about doing. We got 4 tickets and I could bought 2 extras and EASILY had my 4 tickets paid for by selling the extra pair. Damn me!

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

don't know what you're bitching about. a win in cfb is a win.

No sheet. It's a conference road win. Take what you can get. If MSU beats Northwestern 5-2 in OT, rounds are on me.

I don't see MSU winning at Kinnick, though I do feel they're the better all-around football team right now.

[M Club]

You know damn well a win is not a win for Iowa. A win is a win for LSU, Florida, Ohio St, Notre Dame, Texas, etc...

actually, i don't know wtf you're talking about. a win is a win. maybe i can guess that this is about perception, which, uh, fine as far as the polls go, but writers don't determine who a conference champion is.

i do like your obsession with national perception and rankings even though you whine about what a joke they are. either you care or you don't care. jonsense, i suppose.

and Iowa NEVER loses to a team that runs that style of play.

really, the quintessential big ten team? you never lose? do you even remember the last time you were in the rose bowl?

[TheJON]

Forcier was a shot in the arm for the Wolverines but I'm not overlooking the fact the Hawkeyes were playing off when the lead got up to 21 points. I figured it was a huge tease and Iowa would still prevail. Another nail in RichRod's coffin...

I don't think it was the nail in the coffin because he can still redeem himself the rest of the way.

I thought Iowa played lazy but that doesn't take away from the way Forcier played. He played a great 4th quarter. Made some very nice throws. Eluded big pressure on one play and made a tough throw for a 1st down. Really didn't make any mistakes. The 1st INT he pretty much had to force it because they were down 2 scores late. Gotta make a play on 3rd down. Only made a couple bad throws. Was very impressed with his play. He looked like arguably the best player on the field yesterday.

I think Michigan needs to use a 2 QB system. There's 3 reason- 1.Robinson is gonna get killed out there. He's already been knocked out of 2 games and we're only midway through the season. 2.its a great change of pace. Iowa spent 2 weeks preparing for D-Rob and then once Forcier came in, I think it really threw the Hawks off. Make teams prepare for 2 different styles. 3.Forcier is a quality Big-10 QB and I disagree with people that say he's not a fit in that system. No doubt Robinson is a bigger playmaker and I don't think Forcier will ever be all-american caliber, but he's come in to replace Robinson twice this year and done a very good job.

[M Club]

don't know what you're bitching about. a win in cfb is a win.

No sheet. It's a conference road win. Take what you can get. If MSU beats Northwestern 5-2 in OT, rounds are on me.

I don't see MSU winning at Kinnick, though I do feel they're the better all-around football team right now.

can't leave out the fact michigan has now become a trap game: team no one takes seriously but who might bite you in the ass if things go perfectly for them.

really, getting gashed for 500 and still winning was supposed to be our m.o.

[M Club]

Another nail in RichRod's coffin...

really, i'm about ready to for this harbaugh thing to go down. i was happy with the dickrod hire and figured after seeing the 08 team take the field that he'd need a few years to put things together. the offense is coming around, obviously, and i think he should still get a fourth year to see what he could do with veteran players, but the defense shows no sign of ever coming around. they've gotten progressively worse. i understand they're young and stupid, but at the same time, whom has he recruited that looks ready to contribute, ever? he's pulled highly-rated recruits in the secondary, but they all transfer out, fat and unmotivated. erg. next year's going to be the same busted ass shit, though i suppose we have an even better offense to look forward to provided learn how to protect the ball.

[TheJON]

You know damn well a win is not a win for Iowa. A win is a win for LSU, Florida, Ohio St, Notre Dame, Texas, etc...

actually, i don't know wtf you're talking about. a win is a win. maybe i can guess that this is about perception, which, uh, fine as far as the polls go, but writers don't determine who a conference champion is.

i do like your obsession with national perception and rankings even though you whine about what a joke they are. either you care or you don't care. jonsense, i suppose.

and Iowa NEVER loses to a team that runs that style of play.

really, the quintessential big ten team? you never lose? do you even remember the last time you were in the rose bowl?

When did I say I don't care about iowas national perception? I thought I've made it quite clear that I do. I wasn't talking about conference titles. I was talking about national title and BCS bowl. Until it's impossible, I'm still considering Iowa in the national title hunt and polls are very important. You know how irritated I was last year with the national media. Why does Iowa get ripped for winning in similar ways to an LSU but receives 8000x more criticism? And you think people should consider this a real sport? Come on, it's a rigged sport and you know it.

As for Wisconsin....

You can laugh at that all you want but Wisconsin can't beat Iowa when we are good. They only get us in down years and even then they barely beat us. You don't think there's something to that? You think it's just a coincidence? Go look it up and tell me the last time Wisconsin beat a decent Iowa team. I honestly can't remember once in my lifetime. Their style of play doesn't match up well with what Iowa does on defense and they always have trouble covering our receivers. I'm telling you that there's more to Iowa dominating Wisconsin and Penn St for quite a while now than you think. The style of play has a lot more to do with it than you realize.

Iowa has had quality defenses under Ferentz in 2002,2003,2004,2008,2009,2010. I doubt Wisconsin has averaged more than 13-14 PPG in those years against us. There's a reason for that. Nothing will change on Saturday. Now you add in the fact that Wisconsin is going on the road in a hostile environment following an emotional win and it makes it even tougher.

[M Club]

When did I say I don't care about iowas national perception? I thought I've made it quite clear that I do. I wasn't talking about conference titles. I was talking about national title and BCS bowl. Until it's impossible, I'm still considering Iowa in the national title hunt and polls are very important. You know how irritated I was last year with the national media. And you think people should consider this a real sport? Come on, it's a rigged sport and you know it.

you've gone on and on about what a farce the rankings are. presumably you wouldn't put too much stock in them then. well, here you are hoping iowa does well in a system you think is utter bullshit.

Why does Iowa get ripped for winning in similar ways to an LSU but receives 8000x more criticism?

uh, lsu? do you even follow cfb? find me one person who counts lsu among the country's best. the best thing anyone will write about them is "les miles has big balls" and "eh, i guess they're not undefeated, but..."

no one takes iowa seriously because they go on the road and lose a statement game to arizona. so, the best thing you guys can do is win the big ten, then it doesn't matter what anyone writes because you'll get an auto-bid.

As for Wisconsin....

blah blah blah wisconsin blah blah blah. ja, i get you beat them more often than they beat you. i was responding to your thing about "we don't lose to teams that play that style of ball." all wisconsin is is tressel ball on steroids. most of the better big ten teams play that "style" of ball, and you haven't exactly been lighting up the conference the last few years.

[TheJON]

We're 15-5 in the last 20 conference games. The 5 losses were by a combined 20 points. 2 were to Northwestern and 1 was to Illinois. I'd say we're doing okay...

As for Wisconsin....

Like I said, they have struggled with us for a couple reasons. You think it's just some coincidence that they can't ever beat us when we're good? Ferentz has their number.

If you're not buying my argument, what exactly is the reason they can't EVER beat us when we are good? Is it just a fluke? A coincidence?

Iowa ran similar style of defense under Hayden Fry to what they run now. Alvarez ran a similar style of offense to what Bielema runs. Wisconsin coaching staff has had major Iowa ties ever since Alvarez left Iowa to go there.
So what is it? It's either a fluke, a coincidence, or I'm spot on.

[Screw_Michigan]

but the defense shows no sign of ever coming around. they've gotten progressively worse.

And you blamed Scott Schafer.

[Mace]

Got back from Ann Arbor late this afternoon and came away with these observations:

1. The Big House is everything that I thought it would be....and more. An absolutely awesome venue for football. It was relatively quiet when Iowa had a 3 TD lead but it was deafening when Michigan mounted their comeback.

2. Michigan fans are the classiest fans in the Big Ten. From tailgating at the golf course to the ushers at the stadium who greeted us with "welcome to the Big House, Iowa fan".....and then thanked us for coming when we exited the stadium. Awesome, awesome fans in a totally awesome football atmosphere.

3. I feel fortunate to have finally visited Michigan Stadium and witnessed the tradition that is Michigan football. The band marching across the field playing Hail to the Victors send chills down my spine....as did seeing the Wolverines run through the tunnel and jumping to touch the Go Blue banner. Those are the things that this old man will remember for the rest of my life and I am happy that I witnessed them with my son.

As for the game, Iowa played their typical game and got conservative on both sides of the ball when they got the lead. The problem was that Michigan is too explosive and that it's tough to sit on a lead. Personally, I think Michigan would be better served by having Robinson and Forcier both on the field, with Robinson as a running back. The kid can't throw, and Forcier is a much better and effective passer....at least yesterday. Robinson is unbelievably quick and fast, and I would think that he could give Michigan a running game and a more versatile offense. Just my opinion based on one game. Michigan would have one hell of a team if they could play defense and reduce the number of turnovers.

Anyway, I'm just glad to get the win and wanted to thank the Wolverines for a very enjoyable weekend. It was, by far, the most enjoyable Big Ten road trip I've ever taken. Go Hawks, and, yeah, Go Blue too.

[M Club]

If you're not buying my argument, what exactly is the reason they can't EVER beat us when we are good? Is it just a fluke? A coincidence?

you're not reading what i said. you guys beat wisco on a consistent basis for whatever reason. it's not the style of play, though. the best teams in the big ten have similar styles to wisconsin: ohio state, penn state, wisconsin, michigan state, michigan when they were good. if you didn't lose to teams like that you'd be ohio state.

[M Club]

but the defense shows no sign of ever coming around. they've gotten progressively worse.

And you blamed Scott Schafer.

i know you'd blow anyone who's even heard of western michigan, but at least have a bit of self-respect and save your lips for someone who actually cares for your school and not some guy who john'd the place out. scott shafer failed miserably with players who are now in the nfl. gerg is failing miserably with players who will be cut by the cfl.

[M Club]

The band marching across the field playing Hail to the Victors send chills down my spine....as did seeing the Wolverines run through the tunnel and jumping to touch the Go Blue banner.

one of my best football moments was getting to hold the banner before a game as the team came out. you don't have to be successful in life if your friends are...

glad you enjoyed the trip. a bit jealous of you since i haven't been back to aa in the fall since 04. fuck you for winning, though. what spots did you end up hitting for food and bev?

[Mace]

what spots did you end up hitting for food and bev?

Unfortunately, none of them. Our group traveled in separate vehicles, and took different routes to Ann Arbor, and we didn't meet up until late Friday night. Bottom line, we ended up staying in Jackson on Friday night because the group from the other vehicle, except the driver, had been drinking the entire 10 hour trip and were too intoxicated to go out. We watched the Cincy-Louisville game and had a couple of beers in the room, and headed to AA at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday to start tailgating. We parked at the golf course and, unbelievably, were parked next to two of my former baseball players that I hadn't seen for 5 or 6 years. I had a great time tailgating and talking football with a number of Michigan fans. My son and I enjoyed ourselves and decided that we will definitely make a return trip to Michigan in the years to come. At that point, we will hit some of the eating/drinking establishments you guys suggested. Not doing so on this trip was the only disappointment of the weekend.

[Killian]

scott shafer failed miserably with players who are now in the nfl. gerg is failing miserably with players who will be cut by the cfl.

While I'm not agreeing with Fredo_Michigan, I wonder how many of those stories about the defensive coaches not respecting Shafer and running to Rich Rod are true. Shafer is doing a decent to good job at Syracuse and Robinson is setting records for futility at UofM.

[M Club]

they're probably all true. dickrod should have just hired his d-coordinator from within when he came over from wvu instead of telling some guy to manage schemes he wasn't familiar with. it was a bad hire but one he at least tried to remedy rather than stick with the square peg in a round hole. defense is going to be the end of dickrod in ann arbor, though. don't expect the 85 bears but would at least feel like the occasional three and out is in the realm of possibility.

[TheJON]

Speaking of DickRod.....

West Virginia vs Michigan in the Gator Bowl? I would pay money to see that one.