Chicago Sports Then and Now

The Iowa Hawkeyes will look for a different result than in their last Orange Bowl appearance.

This is the ghost of Orange Bowls past—specifically 2003, when the Iowa Hawkeyes met the USC Trojans….

In case you have not heard this before, be advised that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Study your lessons well, Iowa Hawkeyes, before you head off to another Orange Bowl contest.

Simply put, the lesson to be learned is this—”Speed Kills.” You either contain it or it hits you like a Mack truck, leaving you flattened—road kill diem.

Think back…recall the hope and promise of the season…

It was January 2003 and Iowa had an amazing 11-1 record, ranked No. 3 in the polls (No. 5 BCS). The Hawkeyes’ only defeat, if you recall, came at the hands of in-state rival Iowa State. Curse those Clones!

Quarterback Brad Banks had come in second in the Heisman balloting, losing out to Carson Palmer, quarterback for USC who, ironically enough, would be leading his Trojans against Iowa—no, not in the Rose Bowl, but in the Orange Bowl.

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A 21-10 victory over Penn State in Happy Valley was a big highlight of the 2009 season for the Hawkeyes.

In 2009, Santa dropped in early and often to visit Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz, leaving 10 preseason bowl gifts under the nationally ranked Hawkeye tree.

As Ferentz eagerly opened each one, the gold-gilded invitation, kept under lock and key offering a special trip to a warm climate, loomed larger and larger as bowl season moved closer and closer…

Gift No. 1: Iowa Escaped Northern Iowa, 17-16

How could this not be a special year when it started with this first package wrapped tightly in black and gold.

Iowa blocked two Northern Iowa field-goal attempts in the final seven seconds of Iowa’s first game to record a 17-16 win over Northern Iowa.

Broderick Binns blocked the first attempt from 40 yards and Jeremiha Hunter blocked the second attempt from 41 yards.   And Iowa escaped Northern Iowa .

Fa-la-la-la!

Gift No. 2: Sash Helps Stifle Cyclones

Traveling to Ames to play instate rival Iowa State is always met with trepidation.

This road trip became especially rewarding because of the play of Iowa strong safety Tyler Sash, who had 10 tackles on the day and tied a school record with three pass interceptions.

Sash helped Iowa gift wrap this win 35-3 making the final result Iowa’s largest victory in the series since a 63-20 decision in 1997.

Joy to the World!

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The Zultan finished the regular season with a big performance.

After toying with his loyal followers throughout the entire season, the Sports Then and Now Zultan showed his true power in the final week of the “Top The Zultan” regular season.

Recognizing that Les Miles was due for an implosion, he correctly predicted that Mississippi would upset the LSU Tigers. He also bested most challengers by correctly predicting victory for Purdue, Oregon and BYU when many thought otherwise.

For the first time since the opening week of the contest, not a single contestant could beat the 7-3 mark of the Zultan.

After finishing the regular season with a success rate of 72 percent (80 of 111), the Zultan is enjoying a much deserved rest as he prepares for the challenge of the upcoming Bowl season.

Throughout the season, there were a few souls who did manage to “Top the Zultan” at least once.

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Don’t be sad. It had to happen.

Zultan faces the inevitable end of the season. Soon you will not have the all—seeing one to kick around anymore, to paraphrase the often hilarious Richard Nixon! This is Zultan’s last regular fearless prediction column of 2009. Hibernation mercifully awaits.

Last week the seer went 6 of 10, missing wins by Northwestern at Illinois, Michigan State at Purdue, Ohio State over Iowa (sigh), and Stanford’s annihilation of USC—whoa! Year to date, Zultan clings to 72 percent [73 of 101].

This is your last chance to enter the drawing for a $50 Best Buy Gift card by clicking here to enter your own predictions. If you outguess the mighty Zultan your name will be placed in the draw along with all those who surpassed Zultan on the season. The winner will be announced on November 24 in a special feature on Sports Now and Then.

Zultan may consider forecasting bowl winners if the hue and outcry for his return is great enough. You may let me know in your own inimitable style.

In the meantime…there are upcoming games to predict with much still at stake in the Big 10 and the rest of college football.

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It wasn't easy, but Ohio State maintained their hold on the Big Ten with a win over Iowa.

#1 Ohio State (#10) defeated Iowa (#13) in Columbus
The Buckeyes [9-2, 6-1] hung on in overtime to defeat a depleted Hawkeye team 27-24.  With Iowa’s starting QB Ricky Stanzi on the bench unable to compete because of an ankle injury, the pundits expected the Buckeyes to steamroll the Hawkeyes in the Horseshoe.   But Iowa made a game of it and lost the contest in the last gasps of overtime.  Ohio state booted through a field goal to win the game and book a place on the train to Pasadena. They just need to get by Michigan this week. Everyone is betting that they will.
#2 Iowa (#13) lost to Ohio State (#10) in Columbus
The Iowa Hawkeyes [9-2, 5-2] lost a heart-breaker in overtime in Columbus 27-24 to accede the top spot to the Buckeyes.  James Vandenberg filled in admirably for the injured QB Ricky Stanzi. Although Iowa clawed their way back into contention, they could not score in the overtime period.   Ohio State has claimed at least a tie for first place and no doubt a trip to Pasadena.  Next week the Hawkeyes play at home against the Minnesota Gophers for the privilege of retaining Floyd of Rosedale.

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Zultan in complete disguise is hiding out in a convent in the upper Himalayas. The Big 10 reduced the mighty seer’s reputation to rubble. The great one’s efforts to enrich the storied conference’s prestige was diminished and degraded last week as Zultan missed 4 of 6 picks in the Big 10. The disgrace has reduced the great ones caloric intake to 3000 a day…need I say more?

Zultan’s Mom is also in rehab after the Iowa loss. She is expected to pull through if Iowa defeats Ohio State in the Horseshoe. Who are we kidding here? Mom is toast.

Zultan scraped bottom this past week going only 5 for 10 in his assault upon college football oddsmakers. This represents a season low for the sultry seer who falls to 74 per cent on the year picking 67 of 91 through November 7.

As for the rest of the Big 10, the seasoned seer has given up all scientific forms prognostication and is drawing winners names out of a caldron.

The most compelling contest on Saturday in the Big 10 takes place in Columbus Ohio where the Iowa faithful will pray for a Hawkeye miracle. That is what it will take for Iowa to remove the stake through the heart handed them by the traditional media nay-sayers.

So get in line to test the waters this week as the Big 10 plays for post season glory. The challenge is yours – the question remains – do you feel lucky? Because keep in mind that Zultan has gone underground where aberrant forces love to wreak havoc with predictable outcomes…
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