ShareThisWhat next for those heart-stopping Houdini Hawkeyes?
Survivors of four college football cliffhangers already, Iowa's master escape artists still have four more regular-season performances on tap. How in the world they're going to top their last act in East Lansing, Mich. is anybody's guess.
After failing to score a touchdown against Michigan State in the first 58 minutes and 23 seconds, Iowa marched 70 yards in the final 1:37 and scored the game-winner on a seven-yard pass from Ricky Stanzi to Marvin McNutt as time expired.
From their home opener against Northern Iowa to last Saturday's miraculous finish, it's been quite a mind-boggling ride.
It took two blocked field goals in the waning seconds for Iowa to beat Northern Iowa of the FCS (formerly I-AA). The following week, the Hawkeyes drubbed Iowa State, 35-3, and then posted impressive back-to-back victories over Arizona and Penn State in Weeks 3 and 4.
Trailing the Nittany Lions 10-5 in Happy Valley heading into the fourth quarter, the Hawkeyes turned the game on a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown with 12 minutes remaining. They went on to win, 21-10.
But the following week was another head scratcher. Iowa led then 1-2 Arkansas State 21-7 heading into the fourth quarter in Iowa City, but had to hold on for a 24-21 victory. Sure-handed McNutt played a key role in that game as well, catching two touchdown passes and recovering an onside kick to seal the win.
Iowa performed a similar fourth-quarter survival act the next weekend, hanging on to beat Michigan 30-28. And in Week 7, the Hawkeyes staged another comeback similar to the one in Happy Valley, rallying from a 10-0 deficit to beat Wisconsin, 20-10, in Madison.
In his post-Arkansas State press conference, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz made it pretty clear he couldn't give two hoots about style points.
"I'll tell you what," Ferentz said. "I've been around this thing long enough where I don't worry too much about how you get there. It's just a matter of getting there."
So far, his philosophy is working pretty well. Iowa is 8-0 for the first time in its history.
And never mind that half of those victories came by a total of eight points. Remember, style points don't matter.
Iowa climbed from No. 6 to No. 4 in this week's edition of the BCS standings. Not bad for a team that wasn't even ranked in the polls after its first three games.
The Hawkeyes' quest for college football's Holy Grail -- already one of the scariest and most mysterious in recent memory -- could get even more hairy down the stretch.
Iowa will likely have to play Indiana, Northwestern, Ohio State and Minnesota without leading rusher Adam Robinson (high ankle sprain) and starting right guard Dace Richardson (broken leg). With an offense that ranks 86th in scoring, well... Iowa had best not shelve its great escape act.
If they stay true to form, the Hawkeyes are bound to give us at least one more head scratcher (Saturday against the Hoosiers?) and one more fantastic finish (Nov. 14 at Ohio State).
If Iowa, somehow, manages to perfect its magical season and makes it to the BCS title game, one thing is for certain... Coach Ferentz could write the book on BCS survival tactics.
The BCS multimillion-dollar question: What to do about the two elephants in the room where there's barely enough space for one?
If TCU and Boise State finish unbeaten - and there's no reason to believe they won't - chances are the Broncos will be left out of the BCS bowl bonanza.
It may not be right. It may not be fair. But that's the way BCS cookie crumbles, usually.
And how about the SEC elephant that's gotten too big to ignore?!
One week after suspending the officiating crew that worked the Oct. 17 Arkansas-Florida game, SEC commish Mike Slive was scolding three coaches for denouncing referees. Tennessee's Lane Kiffin, Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson and Mississippi State's Dan Mullen evidently violated the SEC code of ethics for speaking their minds.
Mullen got so mad, he called for the discipline of a replay official who failed to overturn a Florida touchdown that appeared to be a fumble short of the goal line. Instead of Mississippi State getting possession on its 20, the TD stood, sealing Florida's win.
Mullen lambasted the official, saying, "I hope he's severely punished if he ever works another SEC game again..."
Slive wouldn't comment on the call. Gee, wonder why. Perhaps Mullen speaketh the truth.
As for this Saturday's big games, No. 3 Texas and No. 5 Southern Cal might have to utilize Ferentz' survival tactics to escape Stillwater and Eugene with victories over No. 14 Oklahoma State and No. 10 Oregon respectively.
(Email John Tucker at jtucker(at)unionleader.com)
(E-mail John Tucker at jtucker(at)unionleader.com)
columnUNBLANCED LINEMust credit New Hampshire Union LeaderColumn
