Hawks Waking Up From The Dead
Last weekend I zipped back to Iowa to catch the Iowa/Illinois game. Overall, the Hawks played pretty well. Offense stalled a bit when it got close to scoring but much improved over the last few weeks. They beat a pretty decent Fighting Illini team. If the Hawks can beat Purdue (at Purdue) this weekend, I could see them getting on a little run the last half of the season.
Adam and I went to the Tennessee/Georgia game the week before that. It was fun seeing the SEC atmosphere vs. the Big Ten atmosphere. As for tailgating and partying - I think everyone knows how to do it and do it well (both SEC and Big Ten). You also get to hear "Rocky Top" played over and over throughout the day. I will say that Tennessee's stadium makes Kinnick look small (107,000 capacity vs. 70,000 capacity).
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I think when you add in the red necks common in the south (no offense) the SEC games take on a different, almost scary feeling. Shannon's clinic at LSU (internship) was a block away from the LSU Football Stadium - getting to work unmolested on game days was not a given.
Iowa .. yeah, nice to finally have a win! .. I probably bet 10 games a week (yeah - i know, i have issues) - and, haven't bet iowa since they were beat by iowa state. may have to give them a second look this weekend.
I thought 70,000 was a lot of seats in Iowa City. 107,000?! That's amazing. How many people live within 25 miles of that stadium? Is there anyone left who isn't at the game to do things like keep the power plants, etc. running?
If it was all of Knoxville going to the game, I think you would be right - some general infrastructure items may go unmanned. I would say from Nashville to the eastern border of Tennessee is probably responsible for filling most of the stadium.
Glad they woke up again! Coach Kirk blowing his top put fire back into the second half . What else could it have been. . . the players themselves were not motivated. Shame on me for betting against them (along with thousands of others), but if that helps I'll gladly do it again. All it will take is a win every Sat. & we're bowl bound (some are saying).
The hawks have actually looked OK lately... I really think Christensen has great potential -- he just needs the confidence and someone to throw the ball to. Hopefully both will pop up next season....
BUT, HAVE YOU SEEN OUR BBALL?? I get the "big 10" channel in L.A., so I've seen our first two games. Ignoring the fact that we are playing no-namers, we look really good!! I like our new coach -- he already looks better at managing his players. But, time will tell.