Barta's Message Needs to be Heard

Did you get the e-mail from Gary Barta this week? If you are a season ticket holder for Iowa football, you most likely did. If you aren't, I will briefly summarize it for you.

The general gist of the message was that rushing the field is dangerous, so think twice before doing it next time.

Now that that's covered, I am not here to babysit anyone. I was out on that field with everyone else Saturday night. The second time, not the first when there was still one second on the clock.

The message I hope gets across is the latter part of the message: think twice before doing it next time.

Rushing the field is fun, but make it mean something. I am a Junior here at the University of Iowa, and in the three seasons I have been on campus, there has only been one game worthy enough of rushing the field. That was Saturday.

But if I am correct, we have rushed the field 6 additional times dating back to the start of the 2006 season. Are you kidding me? Let's take a look at those games we have been rushing the field for...

2006 vs. Iowa State - Sure, we got the trophy back, but the Cyclones finished 4-8 that season.

2007 vs. #18 Illinois - Were we really that desperate that any Top 25 team is going enough to rush the field for?

2007 vs. Michigan State - If this game hadn't gone into overtime, I'm sure this wouldn't have happened, but still, the Spartans finished 7-6.

2007 vs. Minnesota - I have no words for this. It was great getting Floyd back, but this loss dropped our northern rival to 1-10 on the year. Not exactly an incredible upset.

2008 vs. Iowa State - For the second time in three seasons, we give Cyclones the satisfaction of thinking they are actually important despite them limping in with another horrible record.

2008 vs. Wisconsin - Another trophy game against a team having a down year.

After looking at this list, I almost wish we didn't have traveling trophies. They build the game up to be incredibly huge, no matter what the record of the opponent.

Next time you want to rush the field against a team who may not even make a bowl game, think twice. We are not Iowa State. Most years, Iowa State's bowl game is against Iowa in the third game of the season. We are better than that. We win an emotional game against an in-state rival and move on to our loftier goals for the season.

Maybe, before stepping off down the aisle, take a look at the scoreboard. If the opponent doesn't have a single digit to the left of it's name, they're probably not worth it.

Big Ten Predictions - Week 11

Just two weeks to go in Big Ten play, and 3 teams can still win the automatic bid to the Rose Bowl. Here's how I see this week shaping up:

11:00 CST ESPN

Ohio State 24, Illinois 10 - Ohio State's defense is just too much for the inconsistent Illini offense to handle. Juice throws at least 2 interceptions.

11:00 CST ESPN2

Northwestern 31, Michigan 21 - CJ Bacher returns and leads Northwestern to win #8. Michigan is still too inconsistent and cannot put two consecutive games together yet.

11:03 CST Big Ten Network

Penn State 48, Indiana 10 - It's safe to say Penn State is a little angry after last week. Unfortunately for Indiana, that anger will be taken out on them. Overall series is 11-0 in favor of Penn State.

11:03 CST Big Ten Network

Iowa 35, Purdue 13 - The defense is again the key for Iowa. After last year's debacle against Western Michigan, they understand the importance of getting win #7, and play tough from the first whistle.

2:30 CST ABC

Wisconsin 27, Minnesota 19 - Things just keep getting worse and worse for the Gophers. With Decker out, and Wisconsin starting to regain the form that had them ranked in the Top 10, the Badgers take Paul Bunyan's Axe. It's a good thing Minnesota already has 7 wins...

Hawks look to avoid Western Michigan repeat...

As the Iowa Hawkeyes approach Senior Day this week, there has been a lot of talk from fans worried about a letdown after the emotional upset last week. I know one way to solve that problem.

Watch the film from last Senior Day.

Coming into last year's finale with a 3 game winning streak, and an emotional win over Minnesota to reclaim Floyd, the Hawks dropped the ball with a bowl invite on the line against a 3-7 MAC team.

Now in hindsight, that game was a blessing in disguise for this season. Iowa is coming off a big victory over #3 Penn State, and their Senior Day opponent has a record of...you guessed it...3-7.

Rest easy Hawk fans. The defense is going to be fired up, and the offense is going to be firing on all cylinders. They know from last season 6 wins is not good enough, and aren't about ready to make the same mistake twice.

Iowa 35, Purdue 13