Tag: Hawkeyes

Top 3 College Football Games You Should Watch for Week 8.

I’ve been battling the flu for a week. I’m still fighting it, so I’m not feeling great.

I’m not gonna put in a long introductory start or even do a deep dive of evey game.

I’m just getting straight to the point.

In no particular order…..

#14 Houston Cougars (6-1) at #10 Utah Utes (6-0)

Game starts at 10:15 PM (EST) on Saturday night, on ESPN.

This is going to be a QB battle.

Casey Weigman (HOU) is completing 67.7% of his passes for 1,771 yards, 20 TDs to only 2 INTs. He can run the ball too, with 229 yards and 6 TDs.

Devon Dampier (UTAH) is completing 73.1% of his passes, for 1,412 yards, with 15 TDs, to 4 INTs. He also can run the ball, with 198 yards and 3 TDs.

Prediction – My brain is telling me to take Utah at home. However, something is nagging at me to take Houston on the road. I’m gonna listen to my brain, and take Utah in a close, high scoring game. 45-42.

#6 Indiana Hoosiers (6-1) at Michigan Wolverines (4-2).
Game starts at 12:00 (Noon) (EST), Saturday afternoon, on FOX.

The Hoosiers are coming off their first loss in 1.5 seasons (they were the undefeated national champions last season). How will they respond???

Michigan has FINALLY benched QB Bryce Underwood, and freshman Tommy Carr (grandson of legendary Michigan coach Lloyd Carr) is getting his first career start. What a tough assignment too.

Prediction – I feel sooooooooooo bad for Tommy. He’s getting his dream coming true, and it’s against a very tough and fast defense. While “The Big House” is a difficult place to play, Indiana is too good and too well coached. Indiana wins 35-21.

The Floyd of Rosedale Trophy Game.

#15 Iowa Hawkeyes (5-1) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2).
Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST), Saturday afternoon, on FS1.

These two teams have battling for this 98 lb bronze pig since 1935.

Iowa will be starting their backup QB Jeremy Hecklinski for the 2nd straight game. 1st string QB Hank Brown IS available but still dealing with a shoulder injury. HB Kamari Moulton ran for a career high 208 yards last week.

You NEVER know which Minnesota team is gonna show up on the field, on any given Saturday. If their offense (starting with QB Drake Lindsay) can ever match the play of their defense, this team could be a top tier team Big Ten team. PJ Fleck is a GREAT coach.

Prediction – Rivalry games are always so hard to predict. I don’t think “the bloom falls of the rose” for Iowa entirely this week, but I do think it’s gonna be a close game. Give me the Hawkeyes 23-20.

Which game do you think is a “must watch”???

– by Sean McKenzie

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, ESPN, USAToday.

Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.

October 22, 2026
The 3 College Football Games You Should Watch for Week 6.

What a week of college football, Week 6 has in store for us.

The Red River Shootout/Rivalry between the #1 Texas Longhorns vs the Oklahoma Sooners. No matter the rankings, this game is always chippy and physical.

#14 Missouri Tigers are coming off a big win over (then ranked) #8 Florida, and they’re taking on the Texas A&M Aggies (who are rumored to be under investigation for NIL violations). Can the Tigers handle being the hunted, instead of the hunter???

Can Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule FINALLY beat a ranked team? They take on last year’s National Champions, #7 Indiana Hoosiers. Personally, I’m saying doubt it.

With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to pin down a list, but, here are the 3 games you should watch…..

1) #20 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1) at Washington Huskies (3-2)
Game starts at 9:00 PM (EST), Friday night, on FOX.

Both teams are coming off crushing losses (Iowa to Ohio State at home, and Washington at USC).

While, Iowa was simply outclassed on the field, Washington SHOULD have won, and simply choked the game away.

It seems like Iowa has finally found a good QB in Senior Hank Brown (832 yards, 5 TDs, and 1 INT). As usual with the Hawkeyes, it’s all about defense and the running game. Senior Kamari Moulton gets the bulk of the carries (50 carries for 311 yards, and 2 TDs), but Braeden Jackson, Xavier Williams, and Nathan McNeil all have over 100 yards on the ground. Senior LB Cam Buffington has 44 tackles to lead the team, and DE Joesph Anderson has 3 sacks.

Washington has one of my favorite dual-threat QBs to watch, Demond Williams Jr (1,327 yards, 8 TDs and 3 INTs in the passing game, 53 carries for 191 yards, and 2 TDs running). On defense, it all runs through Senior safety Alex McLaughlin, as he leads the team in total tackles (36), sacks (2.5), and INTs (2).

The Huskies are favored by 3 points (as of this writing).

Prediction – I badly want to take Washington. My gut is telling me that Williams will try too hard and cost his team the game late. Give me the Iowa Hawkeyes in a close 28-27 upset win.

2) #21 UCLA Bruins (4-0) at #13 Oregon Ducks (3-1).
Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST), Saturday afternoon, on CBS.

Are Bob Chesney and his UCLA Bruins for real???

Well, we’re about to find out, as they face their toughest test BY FAR.

This Bruins offense goes through the running game, NOT QB Nico Iamaleava. Senior HB Wayne Knight followed Chesney from James Madsion and leads the team with 49 carries, for 445 yards, and 9 TDs. He’s not alone though. HBs Anthony Woods (36, 269, 4), and Jaivian Thomas (28, 155, 3), help shoulder the load. On defense, LB Sammy Omosigho simply has a nose for the football. He leads the team in total tackles (38), sacks (3), and forced fumbles (4).

Junior transfer QB Dylan Raiola (Nebraska) will get the start. He’s 30 for 36, for 413 yards, with 5 TDs and 0 INTs, so far this season. He’ll need to continue playing well, which he didn’t do at Nebraska. On defense, transfer S Koi Perich (Minnesota) leads the team in total tackles (24). LB Matayo Uiagalelei leads the team in sacks (3). DB Jett Washington leads the team in INTs (2) and forced fumbles (1). What does that tell you??? That they have playmakers all over the defensive back 7.

Prediction – The UCLA storyline is great, and Bob Chesney is going to bring the Bruins back to relevance for the next few years. HOWEVER, he’s in for a rude awakening. The Ducks are favored by 11.5, and I’ll take that. Ducks win 42-21.

3) #2 Georgia Bulldogs (5-0) at #5 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0).
Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST), Saturday night, on ABC.

Get your pizza and popcorn ready, don’t forget your TUMS too (if you eat this late LOL); because this game is gonna be fun!!!

Georgia is led by the best QB in the SEC (yes, I said it) in Gunnar Stockton (1,049 yards, 13 TDs, 1 INT). He simply doesn’t make mistakes. They need the run game to step up in this game. Their leading rusher, HB Nate Frazier, only has 211 yards on the ground, but does have 5 TDs. As usual, the UGA LBs are fast and active. They have 9.5 of the teams 13 sacks and 4 of the teams 5 forced fumbles. They fly around to the football, and they will need to continue to cause turnovers in this game.

Alabama’s’ high-octane offense, is led by dual-threat Sophomore QB Keelon Russell. He’s thrown for 1,414 yards, 11 TDs and 2 INTs, and has run for 184 yards with 4 TDs. The Crimson Tide have 3 HBs with 200+ rushing yards, Daniel Hill (51 carries, 247 yards, 4 TDs), Trae’shawn Brown (42 carries, 211 yards, 5 TDs), and EJ Crowell (26 carries, 204 yards, 3 TDs). Future 1st round pick WR Ryan Coleman-Williams, leads the team with 20 catches, for 376 yards, and 4 TDs. The defense gets after the QB, as they have 16 team sacks this season, causing 8 INTs, and forcing 6 fumbles.

Prediction – Some think this will be high scoring. Some think this will be a defensive struggle. I think it’ll be in the middle. Alabama got them in the regular season last year, but lost in the conference title game. I DO NOT think that happens here. Bulldogs get the win in Tuscaloosa, 35-28.

What game do you think should’ve made the list???

– by Sean McKenzie

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave and ESPN.

Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.

October 9, 2026
Winners and Losers from the Final Day of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is the FASTEST combine in history.

Every single position group, except the QB’s. ran the fastest 40 times ever.

For the final day, MY favorite group took to the field, the offensive linemen. The hogmollies, baby. The guys that really make things work.

Coming in, we all knew that this was a deep class of prospects, and that played during the on the field drills.

There could be as many as 6 or even 7 offensive linemen taken in the 1st round in the NFL Draft this April.

Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Olaivavega Ioane, Caleb Lomu, Kadyn Proctor, and Monroe Freeling, are sure fire locks to go Round 1.

For the best coffee and lattes in Van Wert County, stop into The Rebel Bean. Check out their Facebook page for store hours and drink menu.

My biggest winner was Logan Jones, the center from the Iowa Hawkeyes. He not only ran the fastest 40 of all the offensive lineman (4.90), but he also looked so smooth, with quick feet, during the on the field portion of the day.

Personally, I’d love for my Cleveland Browns to snatch him up at #70, IF he’s still available at that spot.

This is a nice OC class. Jones, Connor Lew (Auburn), and Jake Slaughter (Florida), could all go inside the Top 100.

My biggest loser of the day was Dametrious Crownover from Texas A&M. He has impressive size for an offensive lineman, but he struggled badly during the on the field portion. He couldn’t keep his balance, slow feet, looked very uncomfortable pulling, it was a bad day.

The Daily Dose in Convoy, has all the sugar-free, protein packed, drinks and snacks you need to get through your day. Check out their Facebook page for store hours and drink menu.

The 2026 NFL Draft starts Thursday night, April 23rd, at 8:00 PM (EST) and goes through Saturday, April 25th, on ESPN and NFL Network.

– by Sean McKenzie

Picture courtesy of…..USAToday.

March 2, 2026
College Football Week 11 Recap and Helmet Stickers.

WHAT A WEEK OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!

When we all looked at the Week 11 schedule, we thought it’d be a “chalk” week.

We were W-R-O-N-G.

The ACC had 2 of their top 3 teams upset, as #14 Virginia lost to Wake Forest 16-9. Congratulations Demon Deacons on their first win against at Top 15 team since 2003. #15 Louisville lost to Cal 29-26 in overtime.

Keeping on the Top 25 upset train; unranked Wisconsin Badges trip up the #23 Washington Huskies 13-10. In my College Football Preview Article, I predicted that WISC HC Luke Fickell would be fired by now. Instead, they announced they’re going to give him 1 more season.

There was a BANGER of a game in the SEC, as the Auburn Tigers gave #16 Vanderbilt all they could handle and more. The Commodores behind an incredible game by QB Diego Pavia get the win in OT, 45-38.

In the Big Ten, we had the front runner for Catch/Play of the Year, by WR Omar Cooper Jr, as the #2 Indiana Hoosiers scored a touchdown with 36 seconds left, to win 27-24.

#9 Oregon Ducks hit a game winning field goal with 3 seconds left, to escape Kinnick Stadium, and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 18-16.

In the Big-12, the #8 Texas Tech Red Raiders handled the #7 BYU Cougars 29-7.

Ranked teams #1 Ohio State, #3 Texas A&M, #4 Alabama, #5 Georgia, and #10 Notre Dame, all got wins on Saturday, and kept their College Football Playoff Chances intact.

Ladies and gentlemen, the James Madison Dukes now have the BEST ODDS to get the G5 spot in the CFP (35%) with a 35-23 win over Marshall Thundering Herd. They are now 8-1 on the season.

Now without further ado, it’s time for the popular Helmet Stickers.

(Team) Sam Houston Bearkats

The Bearkats FINALLY get their 1st win of the season with 21-17 win over the Oregon State Beavers.

(Offense) Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt.

There were a lot of choices to choose from, but it has to go to the Vanderbilt QB. Pavia had 489 total yards and 4 total TDs.

He went 25 of 33, for 377 yards, and 3 TDs passing, and added 18 carries, for 112 yards, and 1 TD on the ground.

(Defense) Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech.

I had Rodriguez in my Top 10 College Football Players article before the season started, and he continues to show the country why I had him there.

He had 14 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery, and an interception, to help the Red Raiders take sole possession of 1st place in the Big-12 Conference.

– by Sean McKenzie

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Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, sportslogo.net, yahoosports, and collegefootballnetwork.

November 9, 2025
The 3 College Football Games to Watch for Week 2.

Week 2 of the college football season is here. While we all know that most of the games this week are “money games”, there are still a few games, that have serious meaning for not just the upcoming season, but potentially, for the college football playoff picture.

So here are the 3 most important games to watch this weekend.

1) #11 Illinois Fighting Illini at Duke Blue Devils.
Game starts at Noon (EST) on ESPN.

The Fighting Illini are highly ranked and return their best players in starting quarterback Luke Altmeyer, and linebacker Gabe Jacas. Both performed well in their Week 1 win over WIU.

They need junior running back Aidan Laughery to have another 100-yard game, and keep the Duke offense, off the field.

Illinois is a popular “sleeper team” in the Big Ten. They must win games these non-conference games, as their conference schedule starts off tough.

Blue Devils starting quarterback Darian Mensah transferred in from Tulane and made a big impact in Week 1. The sophomore went 27 of 34, for 389 yards, with 3 TDs and 0 INTs. He’ll need to keep that momentum going, because the run game is lacking.

Prediction – Illinois wins 35-28.

2) #15 Michigan Wolverines at #18 Oklahoma Sooners.
Games starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on ABC.

This is only the 2nd time these two rich and storied programs have ever met.

This game is all about the tale of two different quarterbacks.

Michigan is starting a true freshman in Bryce Underwood in his first “true road test”. He looked OK, in his first start last week, going 21 of 31, for 251 yards, with 1 TD.

Oklahoma is trotting out a veteran transfer in junior John Mateer. He looked great in his Sooner debut, going 30 of 37, for 392 yards, with 3 TDs and 1 INT.

Both teams need this win, to break the absolute stink of last season off their skins.

I think homefield and crowd noise is going to play a big part early in this game. It’s hard to play on the road in college football, and Norman is going to be rocking.

Prediction – Oklahoma wins 28-17.

3) Iowa Hawkeyes at #16 Iowa State Cyclones.
Game starts at Noon (EST) on FOX.

Nothing like an early season rivalry game to get the juices flowing.

The Cy-Hawk Trophy Game was started in 1977 by fans, after these two football teams didn’t play for 43 years.

It is one of my favorite rivalry games and trophies.

We all know that the Iowa Hawkeyes seem to be allergic to the passing game. They really on defense and running the football. They ran for 310 total yards in their Week 1 victory, and will absolutely need to do the same thing again. Their defense is always gap sound, and they don’t miss tackles. Senior kicker Drew Stevens nailed a 55-yarder last week, and that’s a great weapon to have.

Iowa State is led by redshirt junior Rocco Becht. He’s a three-year starter for the Cyclones. He’s a gritty and tough quarterback, who has proven he knows how to win big games. Through two games this season, he’s gone 33 of 48, for 461 yards, and 5 TDs and 0 INTs.

Iowa leads the series 47-24, but Iowa State won the trophy last year in a gritty 20-19 game. The Cyclones have won 2 of the last 3 games.

Prediction – Cyclones make it 2 straight wins with a 27-24 victory.

– by Sean McKenzie

Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN and NCAA.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, profootballnetwork, clutchpoints, and sportsgrid.

September 5, 2025