The GRAHAM-COOPER Cup Chronicles

Sorry folks ... I have been silent for too long.  I can't wait until this kid arrives and I have more free time and nights of restful sleep.  That is my cute way of suggesting that the lack of posts is not entirely a result of the derailment of the Hawkeye's season.

It is not easy to do but it is time to face the two [2] losses.  It is easier to do so when one considers them in the context of what is still a great season.  Another significant achievement to ponder is the performance of back-up quarterback James "Dawson" Vandenberg.  The kid showed some real moxie in his first start ... taking us to overtime in Columbus.

Now we must look forward ...

The Hawkeyes end the regular season at home, against the Golden Gophers.  This is a must win game for IOWA and their rapidly-improving young play caller.

The Nittany Lions have only lost one contest [to Ohio State] since falling to the Hawkeyes.  As such, they have crept past IOWA in all rankings [aside from the BCS].  Penn State finishes their season on the road against Michigan State.  Considering how tight things have become in the Big10/G-CC race, one could consider this a "big game" for Penn State.  It will be interesting to see how senior quarterback Daryll Clark handles the pressure in his final collegiate outing.

Wisconsin is continuing a similar climb of its own.  After losing to IOWA in mid-October the Badgers have taken care of business three times [Purdue, Indiana & Michigan] to the tune of a combined 113 points scored and 52 allowed.  This weekend Wisconsin will do battle with the Stanzi-slaying Wildcats of Northwestern. 

Last but not least ... the Old Oaken Bucket is once again up for grabs.  One may assume that Indiana has the upper hand in this match-up as the game will be played in Bloomington.  However the Hoosiers have only been victorious against the Boilermakers twice in the last decade [2001 & 2007].  Let's not forget the fact that Indiana has already exceeded the expectations I set for the program at the start of the season.  Who knows ... anything can happen when two teams battle to be one win shy of bowl eligibility.

Perhaps it was too good to last ... maybe ... all things [good & bad] must come to an end.

... my fault ? 

I might have [in jest & questionable sportsmanship] asked a buddy if his team [PSU] would put a hurt on Pryor.

... the curse ? 

I was hoping we had avoided that.  The cover we [mid-atlantic region?] received displayed an image of the World Series champion Yankees.  The Hawkeyes were pushed to the banner.  It seems that was not the case in more far-flung areas.

 

Whatever the cause ... the past is the past and Vandenberg is the now.  I am looking forward to this weekend's game.  I know that winning in Columbus as a redshirt freshman quarterback is a monumental challenge.  But this has been the season of miracles ... blocked field goals [2 in a row], game-changing turnovers and last minute drives.

The Ohio State defense is the real deal.  I expect that they will bring some serious pressure to the un-tested IOWA play caller.  When they do ... Vandenberg has to get rid of the ball [we know he has a strong arm] and find McNutt, Moeaki, Stross, etc.  If the Hawkeyes can strike early and play defense the way they have all year ... anything can happen.

GO HAWKS !!!

Ricki ... I love you and I always have ... I never doubted you for a second ... don't believe those stories you hear about me nearly giving up on the season and running from the game broadcast when it appeared that we were a play away from being down by three touchdowns. 

My second retraction is aimed at the Penn State student section ...

Throughout the season I have been repeatedly disappointed by the self-described "Best Student Section in the country".  I am not referring to the snowballs directed at JoePa or the Nittany Lion mascot nor how quiet the section became during the loss to IOWA.  Rather, I have been shocked by the student body's inability to occupy their seats until darn near halftime.  Don't get me wrong ... I enjoy an adult beverage or three as much as the next guy.  But if you can't shake off Friday's nights debauchery in time to make a noon kick-off ... perhaps you need to re-evaluate your priorities.

Sadly I did not appreciate college football [to the extent that I do now] while I was a student at IOWA.  I never had student tickets and did not attend as many games as I should have. 

To the PSU student ticket holders I wanted to say "wake up and take advantage".  Years from now you will be talking with your grandkids [or perhaps even sooner with a prospective employer] and upon learning that you attended Penn State during the Paterno-era they will want to hear all about your experiences.  Are you going to tell them that you were unable to hoist your worthless butt out of bed before noon or attend games in less than perfect weather?  Shame on you.

I have decided NOT to say those things.  I have decided NOT to judge the entire student body based on the poor actions of what on many weeks appears to be the majority.  Rather I choose to commend the whole for the actions of the minority ... for the select few who comprise the proud community that is Paternoville.

Bless you crazy kids and all that you do to contribute to the glory of college football.

A.  Herky
B.  4
C.  Awesome
D.  Pumpkin

• Of course the correct answer is [B] 4. 
  
• Florida is number one in the BCS standings and IOWA is 4.

Speaking of rankings ... Wisconsin "moved up" in the USA Today poll.  By NOT playing, they were able to garner an additional 23 votes ... not too shabby.  Unfortunately, the Badgers do not have the luxury of another bye week.  Instead, the Boilermakers are charging into Madison with the goal of extending their winning streak.  It hardly seems fair ... two weeks ago Purdue was beating Ohio State while Wisconsin was losing to IOWA.  Bragging rights are up for grabs here people.  This is what The Cup is all about! 

There is one more G-CC battle on tap for Saturday ... Indiana @ IOWA.  After suffering a one-point loss in Evanston, the Hoosiers' road trip seems bound for additional punishment as the team heads toward Iowa City.  The Hawkeyes will need some players to step up in the absence of their brothers who were bruised in the thrilling victory at Michigan State.  We've got cracked ribs, sprained ankles and worse.  On the plus side we have two home games before heading to Columbus ... not that I am looking past Indiana or Northwestern.  Perhaps I am kinda looking around them but can you blame me?  I mean ... did you see that amazing finish?  1:37 left, Ricki picks up the team and shoulders the load all the way to pay dirt!  Hold on ... I need to wipe these tears of joy and pride from my eyes. 

an interesting sociological note: College football fans are more likely to recognize the greatness of your team ... when it is not being demonstrated through a defeat of their team.  All of a sudden I have Penn Staters jumping on the IOWA bandwagon.

As four of the G-CC schools are battling each other, Penn State is shut out of the reindeer games [too soon?].  The Lions continue their tour of the upper-midwest with a stop on the banks of Lake Michigan for a game with Northwestern.  It is not likely that Paterno or Clark will be dazed by the bright lights of Ryan Field and PSU's biggest road adversary [the weather] should not be a factor.  All indications point to another victory for Penn State ... next week ... Ohio State.     

 

GREATEST ENDING EVER

I will keep it short and sweet this week folks. 

Please refer to the entry from last week for my excuses.  They are all still applicable ... except for the snow one.  Just mix up the order to keep it fresh.  Actually now that I think about it ... the frequency of web-cam portraits from our favorite travelling bier-o-phile have dropped off significantly.