I'm surprised this hasn't been a hot-button topic this week, but here you go...

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Pretty big return to competition for the ISU commit.

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The idea that Kamala is ill prepared to be the leader of the free world has been confirmed by that 18 minutes of nothingness. Nothing like asking the arsonist to put out the fire

fairviewfarmer said:

First off, don't kill the messenger, just passing on a few things I've heard in the last week or so about fall practice from a couple trusted sources.
Covid was an issue early in camp with more than several players missing a few days of practice. But enough about that.

Kickers and Punters: Perkins seems to have done the majority of the punting so far. Konrardy has hit some long FG's in practices and scrimmages.

Linebackers: Its a free for all with a butt load of guys seeing time with the "1st teamers"
DL: similar to LB in that the coaches don't seem to be afraid to throw all the guys in there to get reps.
DB: Freyler is ready to rock and roll.
OL: have heard that Jalen Travis may not be back from a rumored stress fracture until the Iowa game.
Some guys getting the bulk of OL reps now would be Hufford, Black and Miller of course, along with Neal.
Haysert has been nursing an injury. Buhr has also seen some time with the ones, as has Dylan Barrett.

RB: Hansen is getting a lot of practice reps with the ones
QB: The one big surprise I heard is Connor Moberly is really impressing the staff. Has had a really good first fall camp and is really pressing JJ Kohl.

Again, just passing on what I've heard.

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Covid is rising.
More hospitalizations and deaths lately. No longer news. Had went down for awhile.
New vacc. upgrade approved last week. Still runs a variant behind.
Covid is forever now. Endemic not pandemic. We can live with it.
Looking to get the shot in September with a flu booster.
Some hate the covid shot (that's your business and fine with me), but I'd be dead without it.
Nasty bug was the last variant.
Only measles were worse for me. And I've had a lot of bad bugs. Q Fever anyone??

You'd expect a locker room to see some.
And not everybody to get it at the same time now.
Still no 100% knowledge on acquired immunity beyond don't get a booster shot for three months after you had the bug.
Variant changes often.. Subvariants even more.

Welcome back to the Cygarin Ratings 2024 edition and a whole new conference look.

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Good article. Playing at Iowa Western this year.

I'm hearing the Cyclones will be hosting the following three basketball recruits in conjunction with the football season opener.

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50.00 each, Call or text 712-260-8218

Here's the full breakdown on each of the Cyclones' game day visitors for Saturday afternoon.

LINK

The latest from X poster MHver3 has Big 12 considering adding UCONN, ZAGS, and PAC 2 schools. Would get two full prorata shares to divide amongst the four, and possibly other benefits. Could be all rumors, but several sources are reporting something is up especially with UCONN. I like the PAC 2 schools, the other two not so much.

Tonight, three Iowa State commits are in action on the same field, as Algona (Alex Manske & Jack Limbaugh) travels to Spirit Lake (Ethan Stecker). I'm going to be watching West Des Moines Valley's Zay Robinson & Jayden McGregory tonight against Southeast Polk, but would welcome anyone who wants to contribute some reports from Spirit Lake!

Thanks

Obviously early and means nothing, but better than a sharp stick in the eye or being down in the mud kicked with an iron boot.

If you have difficulty walking is there a lot to park in and get a ride to the stadium ???
I thought there was a mall you can park and get a ride ??

Would you hire someone who has been shown to be a cheat and a fraud in business… and repeatedly lies…?

and I can attest that it was just as hot on this day in 1983 as it is today. The parking lot at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids left the steering wheel on my 1974 Caprice too hot to handle.

How long ago was 1983? Well, my wife's parents were on a bus trip to Chicago that day to see King Tut. It was hot for that fella, too.

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The 2024 College football season kicks off in 11 days on Saturday, August 24, with Florida State at Georgia Tech (11:00 a.m. on ESPN) in this year’s “Aer Lingus College Football Classic”. ISU of course plays against Kansas State in the 2025 contest.



There are three other games later that day involving Mountain West teams, including SMU at Nevada (7:00 p.m. CBSSN).

Then it’s on to the first full weekend. Here are some notes I put together on higher profile non-conference games the first four full weeks of the season:

Thursday, August 29:

North Carolina at Minnesota (7:00 p.m. Fox)—a chance for the ACC to beat the Big 10


Friday, August 30:

TCU at Stanford (9:30 p.m. ESPN)—Big 12 vs. ACC.


Saturday, August 31:

Georgia plays Clemson in Atlanta (11:00 a.m. ABC). The good news is that one of these teams will lose.

Penn State at West Virginia (11:00 a.m. Fox)—First of four opportunities this regular season for the Big 12 to beat the Big 10.

Miami (FL) at Florida (2:30 p.m. ABC). A decent shot for ACC to beat SEC. (On a side note, Florida hosts UCF in October…a chance for the Big 12 to beat SEC.)

Notre Dame at Texas A&M (6:30 p.m. ABC). Notre Dame’s schedule is fairly soft this season. A&M is picked for 9th in the SEC, but this might be an opportunity for Notre Dame to lose. So, if you’re an Irish hater…root hard for A&M in this game.

UCLA at Hawai’i (6:30 p.m. CBS)—a very average (at best) UCLA starts their miles and miles of travel heading in the wrong direction.


Sunday, September 1:

LSU plays USC in Las Vegas (6:30 p.m. ABC)—one of those “at least someone has to lose” games.


Friday, September 6:

BYU at SMU (6:00 p.m. ESPN2). With huge donor money in tow, $MU plays it’s first of two Big 12 teams as they host BYU. Would be nice for the Big 12 to take the Mustangs down a notch (or two) this non-conference season.

Duke at Northwestern (8:00 p.m. FS1). ACC vs. Big 10…not a lot on the line in terms of proving conference superiority, but a small nugget for the ACC if the Blue Devils win.


Saturday, September 7:

Texas at Michigan (11:00 a.m. Fox). Another “at least someone will lose” game.

Arkansas at Oklahoma State (11:00 a.m. ABC). A chance for Big 12 to beat SEC

ISU at Iowa (2:30 p.m. CBS). Second of four opportunities for Big 12 to beat Big 10. And of course, the national game of the year!

Baylor at Utah (2:30 p.m. Fox)—two Big 12 teams, BUT this one is a non-conference game to fulfill an existing contract.

Kansas at Illinois (6:00 p.m. FS1)—third shot for Big 12 to beat Big 10

Colorado at Nebraska (6:30 p.m. NBC). Last of four chances for Big 12 to beat Big 10

Houston at Oklahoma (6:45 p.m. SEC Network). Houston is picked for last in Big 12, so OU will likely go 4-0 in non-conference (remaining home games vs. Temple, Tulane & Maine). Sidebar—game is on SEC Network, trying to pilfer Houston fans.

Texas Tech at Washington State (9:00 p.m. Fox). First of two consecutive weeks where the Cougars will play P4 teams. They’ll be psyched to prove to the country they belong.

Mississippi State at Arizona State (9:30 p.m. ESPN)—another “can the Big 12 beat the SEC?” opportunity.


Friday, September 13:

Arizona at Kansas State (7:00 p.m. Fox). Two Big 12 teams, BUT this one is a non-conference game to fulfill existing contract.


Saturday, September 14:

Alabama at Wisconsin (11:00 a.m. Fox). Living in Wisconsin, I complained for years that Barry Alvarez scheduled weak non-conference schedules. In recent times, they’ve played LSU, Notre Dame, and now Alabama. If there ever was a time for the Badgers to get Alabama, it’s now—post Nick Saban with several players gone.

Oregon at Oregon State (2:30 p.m. Fox) and (see next bullet point)--

Washington State at Washington (Seahawks Stadium) (2:30 p.m. Peacock). A chance at payback for the two “State’s”. These games used to be played at end of the season.

Notre Dame at Purdue (2:30 p.m. CBS). A rivalry road game that potentially Notre Dame could lose? Likely not: Phil Steele has Purdue tied for last in the Big 10.

Colorado at Colorado State (6:30 p.m. CBS). Even though Colorado is now Big 12, it’s hard to cheer for Deion. Go Rams.

UNI at Nebraska (6:30 p.m., Big 10). Any chance the Panthers can pull the upset?


Saturday, September 21:

Purdue at Oregon State (7:30 p.m., the CW Network). I give Purdue props as they have tended to annually schedule a couple P5/P4 schools. A week after the Notre Dame/Purdue game, the Beavers should have an excellent shot here. Beavers new head coach Trent Bray has stated that their goal is to win 11-12 games and make the CFP playoff.

Michigan State at Boston College (Time/TV TBD). Another chance for a Big 10 team to fall to a conference they thumb their nose to.

TCU at SMU (Time/TV TBD). Second consecutive home game for SMU vs. Big 12 (week off after the BYU/SMU game on September 6).

UCLA at LSU (Time/TV TBD)—the second “LA” school that LSU plays in non-conference.


One school missing: Ohio State is not listed here. Their non-conference schedule is daunting--Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall.

We often hear talk about winning in the margins. In 2022 we were very poor at it. Save for the TCU game, we played a lot of close games and lost too many. We didn't do well in those margins.

Last year, we did better - but it was far from perfect. A pick 6 versus Iowa that even I could see before it was thown. [Not high praise.] A pick 6 versus Kansas that was almost as bad. The game versus Ohio. Even with sickness, it was still Ohio. Inexplicable starts versus Kansas, Ohio, and Memphis. Some uncharacteristic defensive breakdowns, particularly versus Kansas and Memphis.

If we want to take that next step we have to be better in those type of situations. And have a sideline referee who can see 8" inbounds is not out of bounds (KU game punt return TD called dead.) It is why I continue to be nervous. 6+ decades of Cyclone Fandom. God, I do love it.

Necker's "Rally Shots" will be back in C-4 this year after a 1 year stint in C-3.

Hope to see some old friends stop by for one.

New Folks are Welcome too....

Go Cyclones

Anyone having issues with Ticketmaster trying to get a parking pass for this weekend ?

For those who follow ISU XC, Amy Rudolph has left for Tennessee.

According to a family friend who has close ties to Xavier, ISU has not shown any interest in recruiting FB players from there, in spite that there are three Xavier players on the Iowa FB team. Does anyone has any insight into this? I trust our coaches, just curious.