I enjoy visiting with different fan bases about College Football. In my early days, the Bluebloods were king!
I have been a College Football fan, since 1971, when my grandfather, who was born just ahead of Henry Fonda in Grand Island, Nebraska, would set up his multiple TVs at their home for us to watch football games around the Thanksgiving and New Year's holidays in my hometown of Cedar Rapids, up the road from the U of I.
I say 1971, since I attended my first college football game out in Indiana that year in West Lafayette.
My grandfather died in 1975, so we didn't enjoy any seasons of note involving Iowa.
Nebraska was the program he introduced me to, with Bob Devaney and the Game of the Century.
Other relatives would introduce me to Bo at Michigan and Woody at Ohio State. Of course, there was Bear Bryant, John Robinson and Joe Paterno among other names who influenced me in my early days College Football.
I was a huge Sam Bam Cunningham fan, who had an influence on SEC football, as many of you may already know.
Back in 1971, you didn't see Iowa or Kentucky, as I recall, in the TV games. The marquee games:
Iowa and Kentucky have become Top 25 programs over the past 3-4 seasons.
Recruiting too, is now trending for each program heading into 2022.
Iowa is looking to finish in the Top 25 for their fourth straight season. The Hawkeyes finished 2019 at 10-3 and sit with the same mark heading into the Citrus Bowl match up with 9-3 Kentucky.
Both have won 3 straight bowl games. Kirk Ferentz has done it twice. Both opened 2021 with six straight wins.
Iowa lost back to back B1G games this season. Kentucky had a three game slide in SEC play, but has won three straight heading into bowl season!
This should be an interesting match up, with Kirk Ferentz and Mark Stoops facing one another for the first time.
Ferentz is 1-2 against Mark's brothers. He is 0-1 against Bob Stoops, ten years ago in the Insight Bowl in Arizona.
It ended the last three game bowl winning streak for Iowa. As a Hawkeye fan, one hopes for a good game, an opportunity to pull another win off to kickoff 2022 in grand fashion.
The margin for error for Iowa has been thin, all season, but 10 wins has been a success. Kentucky was 7.5 wins for 2021, so a 9-3 season is a success.
Obviously, the goal is more, as fans. At 6-0, we can just imagine what some fans were dreaming or hoping for, but ultimately, the four teams in this year's College Football Playoff appear to be the four right choices for 2021-22.
The Citrus Bowl faces the 2005 champion #15 Iowa against the 2019 champion #22 Kentucky, as the Wildcats are favored by roughly a FG.
Both wins came down to the last play. A long pass play for Iowa. A fumble recovery for Kentucky.
This should be a good game on January 1st. Iowa or Kentucky are capable. Kentucky has a better offense and a Top 25 defense. The Hawkeyes are lead by field position, strong special teams and a defense that has lead the nation in most interceptions, since 2017.
10 different players logged interceptions for Iowa in 2021.
Iowa was minus 4 in 27-22 win over Mississippi State in 2019 Outback Bowl?
Iowa doesn't have much margin of error, but they do have bowl prep and one final game of 60 minutes.
Should be fun. Merry Christmas to everyone. And, if traveling to Orlando. Have a safe trip.
I have been a College Football fan, since 1971, when my grandfather, who was born just ahead of Henry Fonda in Grand Island, Nebraska, would set up his multiple TVs at their home for us to watch football games around the Thanksgiving and New Year's holidays in my hometown of Cedar Rapids, up the road from the U of I.
I say 1971, since I attended my first college football game out in Indiana that year in West Lafayette.
My grandfather died in 1975, so we didn't enjoy any seasons of note involving Iowa.
Nebraska was the program he introduced me to, with Bob Devaney and the Game of the Century.
Other relatives would introduce me to Bo at Michigan and Woody at Ohio State. Of course, there was Bear Bryant, John Robinson and Joe Paterno among other names who influenced me in my early days College Football.
I was a huge Sam Bam Cunningham fan, who had an influence on SEC football, as many of you may already know.
Back in 1971, you didn't see Iowa or Kentucky, as I recall, in the TV games. The marquee games:
- Nebraska v Oklahoma
- Texas v Arkansas
- Michigan v Ohio State
- USC v Notre Dame
Iowa and Kentucky have become Top 25 programs over the past 3-4 seasons.
Recruiting too, is now trending for each program heading into 2022.
Iowa is looking to finish in the Top 25 for their fourth straight season. The Hawkeyes finished 2019 at 10-3 and sit with the same mark heading into the Citrus Bowl match up with 9-3 Kentucky.
Both have won 3 straight bowl games. Kirk Ferentz has done it twice. Both opened 2021 with six straight wins.
Iowa lost back to back B1G games this season. Kentucky had a three game slide in SEC play, but has won three straight heading into bowl season!
This should be an interesting match up, with Kirk Ferentz and Mark Stoops facing one another for the first time.
Ferentz is 1-2 against Mark's brothers. He is 0-1 against Bob Stoops, ten years ago in the Insight Bowl in Arizona.
It ended the last three game bowl winning streak for Iowa. As a Hawkeye fan, one hopes for a good game, an opportunity to pull another win off to kickoff 2022 in grand fashion.
The margin for error for Iowa has been thin, all season, but 10 wins has been a success. Kentucky was 7.5 wins for 2021, so a 9-3 season is a success.
Obviously, the goal is more, as fans. At 6-0, we can just imagine what some fans were dreaming or hoping for, but ultimately, the four teams in this year's College Football Playoff appear to be the four right choices for 2021-22.
The Citrus Bowl faces the 2005 champion #15 Iowa against the 2019 champion #22 Kentucky, as the Wildcats are favored by roughly a FG.
Both wins came down to the last play. A long pass play for Iowa. A fumble recovery for Kentucky.
This should be a good game on January 1st. Iowa or Kentucky are capable. Kentucky has a better offense and a Top 25 defense. The Hawkeyes are lead by field position, strong special teams and a defense that has lead the nation in most interceptions, since 2017.
10 different players logged interceptions for Iowa in 2021.
- Field position, Iowa's best unit is special teams, with an outstanding PK Caleb Shudak, Australian punter Tory Taylor, Charlie Jones on returns, coverage units, and Iowa has blocked a FG and scored on a block punt on path to win games this season
- Explosive plays are down, but formula is to keep opponent to less than 2 +25 plays a game, under DC Phil Parker's analytics
- Iowa must win the turnover margin game +2 has been mentioned here
- Mississippi State bowl win, Minnesota and Iowa State wins come to mind when thinking about how Iowa might have to play this one
- Iowa has to find some Explosive Plays themselves
- Tackling is always important, as PJ Fleck often shares
Iowa was minus 4 in 27-22 win over Mississippi State in 2019 Outback Bowl?
Iowa doesn't have much margin of error, but they do have bowl prep and one final game of 60 minutes.
Should be fun. Merry Christmas to everyone. And, if traveling to Orlando. Have a safe trip.
