The I’s Have It

The Iowa flags fly proudly in Kinnick back in 2006

Today marks the start of three straight games against teams that begin with the letter I. The team names are Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. These three teams stand in the way of Purdue making a bowl game. With the right amount of luck they would also stand between Purdue and a chance to play in Indy for the Big Ten Title. Do I think that this team can play there? Sure. They play the games for a reason. If the team that played so well at Notre Dame and at Ohio State shows up I think that we could even win the game. If the team that I have seen at home the last three times shows up then we might not win a conference game this season, and we will all be paying close attention to Northern Illinois in their bowl game. This is that moment for Purdue’s Football team. They have their backs against the wall, and things are not looking good. Can they use that sense of fear to propel them? The three teams left are not strong. Iowa and Illinois are not very good. Indiana has a good offense, but they despite their fans claims are not that good. That being said the Bucket Game could be very interesting this season. One team could spoil it for the other one. Even if Indy is off the table for either team a bowl game could be on the line.

You might read that first paragraph and think that I am crazy. I just may be. I would rather be the fan with a positive attitude than the negative Nancy that you see way too many times at games. Do I think that it is probable that we will play in Indy? No. I do however think that it is possible, and at this point in the season you cling to whatever you can.

For the second straight week the football team has brought me out of semi-retirement writing on this blog to post something. I really want to see these kids do well. That is what makes it so hard to watch when they are not playing well. Maybe this week will be the start of something very interesting. After all I wouldn’t mind spending New Year’s somewhere warm and sunny.

Purdue vs. Iowa Photo Gallery

I know that it is Indiana week, but I thought that I would take one last look back at the disappointing game yesterday. It seems as if our bowl chances took a huge hit with the loss. Here are some of the pictures that I liked from yesterday’s game.

Gabe Holmes makes a catch on the five looking to score...

...and then drags a few defenders in to tie the score at seven

Not Quite Yet

The play that could have sealed the deal for Marve's legend status at Purdue

All week long I really thought that Purdue was going to get the sixth win that would make them bowl eligible today. I really thought that the team looked good last week, and would not cause anymore of the heartache that they did earlier this season. During the Penn State game I tweeted that this team loves to rip my heart out. They did it again today. Just when you thought that they were going to get things going to get the win something happened to snuff that out. Today was just hard to watch. Before the game started as a little rain fell on our tailgate I made the comment about last year’s Michigan game. The rain did not come down like that game, but the game turned out the same. Constantly in reach the victory could not be pulled out. As a resident in Iowa for two years this really hurts. I always had to hear how Iowa owned Purdue. The Big Ten making this our rival in my eyes just solidified what I already felt. The seniors deserved better than this today.

College Basketball Game of the Week (Hawkeye Down Edition)

 

Carver-Hawkeye from the top of the stands

Well my promise of insight into each game has gone an entire season of being unfulfilled. Early in the season I blamed it on writing too much about football. Now that we have had nothing but basketball going on I really haven’t stepped up. I guess you can blame that on my limited basketball knowledge. I played (if you could call it that) football so I at least understand most of the game. I am still new to organized basketball so I seem to learn something new all the time.

Boilers vs. Iowa Photo Gallery

A great win last night for the Boilers over #20 Iowa. Here are a few pictures from the game.

Chantel Poston and Alex Guyton during the pre game dance

Hawkeye Down

Both cameras follow Brittany up the floor in the second half

Last night I braved the elements to see the Boilers beat #20 Iowa 60-41. I say brave the elements, but the drive to West Lafayette was not that bad. I left extra early because the roads might have been bad. They were not at all so I ended up on campus two hours before the game. After a brief stop at Mad Mushroom I was either ready to re-enroll on campus, or see the game. I chose to see the game, and I was not disappointed. After living in Iowa for a couple years out of college I always enjoy watching the Hawkeyes go down.