Spring Tidbits

Next week, I'll be starting a series based on A.C.T.S., addressing any doubts or misconceptions while imparting a scripture passage, quote, of theme/ideal to meditate on based on that day's readings or other spirtual inspiration. This will be starting on Wednesday, and until then, it's Hawkeye football, baby. My brain is maintained by a black and gold fever that won't be quenched until September, as you, my ambiguous reader, can understand that I'm having a tough time during this period of sports duldrums, with baseball bats and crackers jacks doing little to satisfy my needs. Spring practice has reached its climax, and there's a lot that is set in stone to go along with a plethora of questions marks. Iowa had a very satisfying bounce-back season last year, going 9-4, losing 4 games by a total of 12 points, and finally learning how to close a team out by winning 5 of their last 6 games, including a thrashing of South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. Sitting at 3-3 and finishing 9-4 shows a lot of character, but the problem is a lot of the leaders who helped contribute to such an impressive turnaround have graduated, including record-setting running back Shonn Greene, right guard Seth Olsen, and 4-year starter defensive tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul. The fortunate thing is that there are clear, established replacements at all these positions, but with that problem solved comes a more pressing issue...the schedule. The Hawks had Ohio State and Michigan off their schedule the last two years, but the two conference behemoths return this season. Iowa has to play a revenge-minded Penn State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin on the road, a brutally tough trio. Talent galore returns at the skill positions, including a stable of thoroughbreds to replace Greene, the deepest linebacking core in the Kirk Ferentz era, a mammoth offensive line, and a leader at QB who played his best ball to end the season. I think if we can play well and steal one of those games on the road, then we could be in for another upper echelon Big Ten finish, but in college football, a team is truly different year by year. I'll tackle each storyline position by position, starting tomorrow with the QBs and the ridiculously good looking Ricky Stanzi a.k.a. Swingin' Dick Stanzi. Enjoy ladies..


umm shit, that's Seth Gorney


theree we gooo