The biggest thing in regular season college athletics is coming to Iowa tomorrow. ESPN GameDay is on its way to Iowa City to broadcast the Saturday evening football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and The Ohio State University Buckeyes. The eyes of collegiate football fans will soak up the sights and sound of Iowa City for a couple of days, and the atmosphere of Kinnick Stadium for three hours.
How do you know that Iowa football is not a national power (and may never be).? Simple -- ESPN GameDay is an exceptional happening. This is not your average week of football in Eastern Iowa. Everyone remotely interested in the Hawkeyes knows that their team is in the spotlight Saturday night like they haven't been for 14 years. In fact (as Blue would say), that's a clue! Fans can remember the last time there was a night game at Kinnick (1992 against Miami) and the last time GameDay was in town (1985 vs. Ohio State).
When was GameDay last in Columbus? Last week. South Bend, College Station, Lincoln, Los Angeles? Very recently. Those are a few of the hometowns of college football programs who are truly powers.
So, what kind of impression will the Hawks leave on the 18 million people that tune in at 7 p.m. on Saturday night? Ah, that is the question every fan is asking -- is this Iowa team for real?
Iowa is for real, as is the homefield atmosphere that will be like a 12th man on the field in black and gold. But is Iowa ready to play and beat the unanimous #1 team in the country, with the unanimous #1 star?
Nope, at least I haven't seen anything yet this year that indicates so.
And so while it pains me to have to pick against Iowa, it must be done. Iowa drops their first game of the season this week. Look for a poor showing the first half of the game, with some recovery in the second half.
Iowa: 17
Ohio State: 27
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