Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/410582
71 Michigan State versus Ohio State? It should be a great game. I'm going to go with the home team. I'm also sticking with my assertion that the team that wins the Big Ten football championship deserves of one of the invitations to college football's "Final Four." Here's a quick-hitter: Iowa leads the Big Ten Conference in kickoff returns with an average of 26.5 yards. I can't remember the last time we led the league in this statistical category. I know it jumped off the page when I saw it Sunday when I was reviewing the updated Big Ten statistics. (And, for those who will make the trip to Minneapolis or watch on television, Minnesota ranks No. 2 in this category.) November is a big month for many Iowa teams including its nationally ranked field hockey and women's soccer program. Both have advanced to their respective Big Ten postseason tournament that will be staged this week at Michigan and Purdue, respectively, and both have their eyes on invitations to the NCAA's postseason party. ose invitations won't come easy, but I think these squads are up to the challenge because of the leadership of upperclassmen. Here's another quick-hitter: UI kicker Marshall Koehn is quietly putting together an All-Big Ten- like season. e junior from Solon has made seven straight field goals and is now 9-of-12 for 2014 — including 4-for-4 from 40 yards or more — and he has been perfect on all 30 of his PATs to day. We also shouldn't overlook the fact that 31 of his 44 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks — Iowa had 30 touchbacks in all of 2013. S ometimes even a blind squirrel finds a nut: I've suggested for months that the month of November 2014 was going to be exciting for fans of the University of Iowa football team and it appears to be the case. Four games stand between the Hawkeyes and the end of the regular season and four wins stand between the Hawkeyes and their first-ever trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Conference Football Championship. It's a grueling stretch, beginning with the trip to Minneapolis in the annual battle for Floyd. I liked our chances for success in July, I liked our chances for success in September, and I like our chances today now that we're squarely in the month when championships are won. It's very fair to say the Iowa football team we enjoyed on ANF Game Day last Saturday at historic Kinnick Stadium was the Iowa football team fans were hoping to see from Game 1. Big running lanes, long completions, a swarming, chaos-creating defense, big-time impact plays from the special teams. is is where I remind myself that it's always a work in progress and these aren't the guys playing on Sunday. If you're going to find your stride, it's good to find it in November. Note to fans of the Hawkeyes: Based on what I see the few times I pop into a practice, and what I hear, and what I read, it's going to be an entertaining winter sports season on the UI campus. Lisa's team could be a special one. e University of Iowa was the host institution for the men's and women's Big Ten Conference cross country championships. anks to hard work by a lot of staff, most notably our event management and facilities crews, the teams that participated in these events were treated to a well-run event. Having said that, did you read the story about Hawkeye Kevin Lewis and every member of the UI's two teams? You can do that HERE.