After days and days of hearing that Iowa was a lock for the Fiesta Bowl, it turns out that TCU and Boise State will be snacking on the Tostitos this year (not sure who's going to watch that game). The Iowa Hawkeyes will meet the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on January 5 in the Orange Bowl.
Iowa's only appearance in the BCS was in the Orange Bowl against USC following the great 2002 season. Georgia Tech has been to the Orange Bowl 5 times, but not since 1967 (long before the BCS obviously).
I'm actually pretty excited about this match up, though I would have liked the Fiesta Bowl better. But, it will be interesting to see how Georgia Tech's triple option does against Iowa's stout defense. We now have about a month to analyze every aspect of the game and it should be fun.
Archive page 93
Waiting...
Well, after a crazy day yesterday where Texas squeaked by Nebraska, Cincinnati squeaked by Pitt, and Georgia Tech squeaked by Clemson the BCS picture is nearly fully formed. The likely top 10 in the BCS will be Alabama, Texas, TCU, Cincinnati, Boise State, Florida, Oregon, Ohio State, Iowa, and Georgia Tech. Now, 9 of those 10 teams are basically a lock. Alabama, Texas, TCU, Cincinnati, Oregon, Ohio State, and Georgia Tech get automatic bids for winning their conference/being the best non-BCS team (TCU). Florida will go to the Sugar Bowl and Boise State was perfect and will get a bid. So, the 1 team in question is, of course, the Iowa Hawkeyes.
It seemed like everyone thought they were going to a Fiesta Bowl if Texas won. Well, now people are starting to say the Fiesta will be TCU vs. Boise State to have a battle of the unbeaten. So, does that mean Iowa in the Orange against Georgia Tech? Or, will it be Penn State in the Orange? I'd be pretty mad, but not as mad as those Hawkeye fans that I've read about who have already purchased plane tickets to Phoenix and already booked hotel rooms. Actually a friend of mine's parents are guilty of jumping the gun. For me...I considered writing the "Iowa to meet Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl" post and have it fired up to be posted at 7:00 tonight, but I'm not ballsy enough I guess.
So now we wait... The big question tonight though, is do I flip over from the Iowa-Iowa State wrestling match to watch FOX's coverage of the BCS selection. I think, no. I'll just follow the BCS selections online.
It seemed like everyone thought they were going to a Fiesta Bowl if Texas won. Well, now people are starting to say the Fiesta will be TCU vs. Boise State to have a battle of the unbeaten. So, does that mean Iowa in the Orange against Georgia Tech? Or, will it be Penn State in the Orange? I'd be pretty mad, but not as mad as those Hawkeye fans that I've read about who have already purchased plane tickets to Phoenix and already booked hotel rooms. Actually a friend of mine's parents are guilty of jumping the gun. For me...I considered writing the "Iowa to meet Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl" post and have it fired up to be posted at 7:00 tonight, but I'm not ballsy enough I guess.
So now we wait... The big question tonight though, is do I flip over from the Iowa-Iowa State wrestling match to watch FOX's coverage of the BCS selection. I think, no. I'll just follow the BCS selections online.
A Big Weekend
I've been taking it easy the past couple weeks. I took spent some time away from blogging during the holiday. I've got plenty of excuses though...work gets pretty crazy at the end of the year, as my kid gets older he's staying up later and demanding more of my time, it's so dark out so early I just feel like sitting on the couch and watching TV all night, Iowa basketball is so hard to watch it makes me stop thinking about Iowa athletics, Iowa football hasn't played a game and is still a month away from the next, and on and on...
But, this weekend is a big weekend for Iowa. Not only will the football team learn its bowl destination (likely Glendale, Arizona for the Fiesta bowl) and its opponent (likely Boise State), but the #1 ranked wrestling team goes to Ames to face off against #2 Iowa State. I love watching and following Iowa wrestling, but I'd don't really know the first thing about wrestling. Well, guess I know the rules and scoring, but I am in no position to analyze the match ups or provide any insight. So, blogging will be limited on wrestling, but I'll be following the team closely all year.
Back to the bowl game...all signs are pointing to Iowa in the Fiesta Bowl as long as Texas takes care of business versus Nebraska. Things start to get interesting if Nebraska does win. To start who would be #2? The SEC loser? TCU? Cincinnati? Who would get bumped? Iowa? Boise State? Let's just hope Texas wins.
But, this weekend is a big weekend for Iowa. Not only will the football team learn its bowl destination (likely Glendale, Arizona for the Fiesta bowl) and its opponent (likely Boise State), but the #1 ranked wrestling team goes to Ames to face off against #2 Iowa State. I love watching and following Iowa wrestling, but I'd don't really know the first thing about wrestling. Well, guess I know the rules and scoring, but I am in no position to analyze the match ups or provide any insight. So, blogging will be limited on wrestling, but I'll be following the team closely all year.
Back to the bowl game...all signs are pointing to Iowa in the Fiesta Bowl as long as Texas takes care of business versus Nebraska. Things start to get interesting if Nebraska does win. To start who would be #2? The SEC loser? TCU? Cincinnati? Who would get bumped? Iowa? Boise State? Let's just hope Texas wins.
Commit #20 for 2010: C.J. Fiedorowicz
Last week, Iowa picked up arguably its biggest commit for 2010 as tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz came to Iowa City as an Illini and left a Hawkeye. Fiedorowicz liked Iowa's use of its tight ends in the offense and the atmosphere of Kinnick Stadium. I'm sure it didn't hurt that Iowa is 10-2 and likely headed to a BCS bowl while Illinois has a whopping 3 wins and will be home for the holidays.
Fiedorowicz is the 20th player to verbally commit to the Hawkeyes and the 2nd from the state of Illinois (which has been a hotbed for Iowa...if I counted right, 17 on the current roster are from Illinois). He is rated 4-stars by both Scout and Rivals.
High School:
C.J. attended Johnsburg High School in Johnsburg, Illinois. The Skyhawks recently wrapped up an 8-4 season with a 10-28 loss in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A Illinois playoffs. Fiedorowicz led the way all season on both offense and defense. He primarily lined up as a receiver in high school, though is being recruited as a tight end. This season he caught 44 passes for 921 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had 49 receptions for 809 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.
Fiedorowicz is also a good basketball player (kind of like another TE that Iowa is enjoying right now). Johnsburg is currently sitting 3-0 and Fiedorowicz is currently coming off a 10 point, 9 rebound effort.
Quick Thoughts:
This guy is a real threat in the red zone. He caught 26 TD passes in just 21 games in the past 2 years. He is very tall at 6'7'', has great hands, and knows how to go up and catch a ball. You can watch him make some big plays in a game from week 3 on YouTube (you've probably seen this video if you read other stories on the kid). He could be a huge mismatch if covered by a short safety or a slower linebacker. Obviously, lining up primarily as a receiver in high school, he doesn't have the experience blocking that a Kirk Ferentz tight end needs. So that is one thing he will need to work on hard if he wants to see significant playing time next year. If not, he may be used just in obvious passing situations.
Fiedorowicz is the 20th player to verbally commit to the Hawkeyes and the 2nd from the state of Illinois (which has been a hotbed for Iowa...if I counted right, 17 on the current roster are from Illinois). He is rated 4-stars by both Scout and Rivals.
High School:
C.J. attended Johnsburg High School in Johnsburg, Illinois. The Skyhawks recently wrapped up an 8-4 season with a 10-28 loss in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A Illinois playoffs. Fiedorowicz led the way all season on both offense and defense. He primarily lined up as a receiver in high school, though is being recruited as a tight end. This season he caught 44 passes for 921 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had 49 receptions for 809 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.
Fiedorowicz is also a good basketball player (kind of like another TE that Iowa is enjoying right now). Johnsburg is currently sitting 3-0 and Fiedorowicz is currently coming off a 10 point, 9 rebound effort.
Quick Thoughts:
This guy is a real threat in the red zone. He caught 26 TD passes in just 21 games in the past 2 years. He is very tall at 6'7'', has great hands, and knows how to go up and catch a ball. You can watch him make some big plays in a game from week 3 on YouTube (you've probably seen this video if you read other stories on the kid). He could be a huge mismatch if covered by a short safety or a slower linebacker. Obviously, lining up primarily as a receiver in high school, he doesn't have the experience blocking that a Kirk Ferentz tight end needs. So that is one thing he will need to work on hard if he wants to see significant playing time next year. If not, he may be used just in obvious passing situations.
Iowa #9 in BCS
Iowa jumps up to #9 in the BCS standings this week with losses by both Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech. The good news is that when everyone is watching the conference championship games and de facto championship games this weekend and the top 10 graphic pops up on the TV screen, Iowa's name will be there for everyone to see.
The other good news, is that for now, Penn State sits outside of the top 10. Hopefully the Fiesta Bowl folks are watching and get a reminder than Iowa is a better choice.
The other good news, is that for now, Penn State sits outside of the top 10. Hopefully the Fiesta Bowl folks are watching and get a reminder than Iowa is a better choice.