Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/239177
Random Thoughts W By Rick Klatt ill the University of Iowa's eight-win and Outback Bowl season be a springboard to greater success in 2014? Time will tell, but count me among those who like the chances of that happening. We lose some remarkable talent at the linebacker position, a salty tight end, a record-setting placekicker and others, but the bulk of a gritty and talented team returns, including its No. 1 and No. 2 quarterbacks, its entire stable of running backs and wide receivers, the bulk of its offensive and defensive lines, and defensive backfield. 2014 could be fun… but let's enjoy what's immediately ahead of us and a beautiful Iowa summer first. You can debate it until the cows come home whether head coach Fran McCaffery's ejection at Wisconsin in Game 2 of Iowa's Big Ten Conference season cost the nationally ranked Hawkeyes a victory over the nationally ranked and undefeated Badgers. I appreciate Fran's passion for the game and his love for his players. I suspect the student-athletes feel the same way. One additional note about Iowa's game against the Badgers: It seems clear to me, the guy that isn't a basketball junkie but can tell when the game is being played well, that the Hawkeyes' defense will keep Iowa in every game it plays. That's a good Wisconsin team that cherishes the basketball and Iowa still forced the home team into 12 turnovers including seven by its point guard. That's defense and defense wins championships. The Big Ten Conference completed its bowl season with two wins in its seven bowl games. How is it that I feel the league is stronger today than it was a year ago? The Big Ten plays "up" in its postseason, many more times than not squaring off against teams that are ranked higher. For example, Louisiana State University was included in the final regular season edition of the two national polls and the final Bowl Championship Series list; Iowa wasn't on any, although the Hawkeyes were knocking on the door and should still be knocking on the door based on their performance in Tampa, Fla. Ditto for Wisconsin; the Badgers were ranked, but not nearly as high as South Carolina, their bowl game opponent. Then there is our league's effort in its two BCS games: Michigan State was impressive in victory over Stanford in the Rose, and Ohio State played toe-to-toe against Clemson in the Orange. You may as well put Minnesota in the same boat as the Buckeyes. The Gophers were one punt return away from victory. I feel good about where the league is headed. Here's a peek and some commentary that I agree with regarding the Big Ten's bowl lineup beginning next year: HERE. As of this writing, Penn State does not have a head football coach. Having said that, I'm confident that the Nittany Lions are going to be just fine. Bill O'Brien's stay may have been short, but it had a calming influence and was much more successful — on the field of play — than most predicted. Speaking of 2014 Big Ten Football, remember that the league changes its divisions next year. Instead of Legends and Leaders, we move to East and West, which is plain vanilla, but it accomplishes what needs to be accomplished. Iowa is a member of the West Division with Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, and Wisconsin. I like this aggregation of teams for one reason: the bulk of the Hawkeyes' league schedule annually will come against border rivals. That's a fantastic thing for fans that follow the team on the road. I hope that those who are responsible can do something about the gamesmanship that appears to be happening on the football field with respect to injured players who, after needing medical attention — or, perhaps, just a breather — to successfully leave the field of play, are somehow capable of returning to the fray after a play or two. 51