Today’s game for Iowa against Illinois, couldn’t be bigger. A win really propels the Hawkeyes into their showdown with third-ranked Penn State next week and, I guess more importantly, it makes Iowa bowl-eligible.

It’s also a huge game for the Illini. I think they are going to be extremely fired up. Another loss really pushes their season to the brink .. I mean possibly not qualifying for a bowl game one year after making the Rose Bowl.

Prediction, If Shonn Greene gets 150, Iowa wins.

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Just finished week eight — an entire week of cardio — I’m not a fan of cardio week. I like the instant gratification of lifting a few weights so my meek looking muscles actually look semi-big.

However, it has been a good week for me since now I could officially in the 174-pound weight class. Look out Mr. Moza Fay, another nine pounds and you and I are going to tango … just kidding, I don’t want to get hurt.

Kristi, our instructor, really took it to us this week from flipping tires to grueling obstacle-like courses which included a combination of punching, kicking, jumping up and down on blocks, push ups and sit ups.

And have you seen Mr. Rick Coleman. The dude is looking good. Apparently we’re going to have somekind of pose off here at the end of the 12-week course. I’m pumped. I think I’ve got him beat.

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I can’t wait for Wednesday and the start of the World Series. I like both the Phillies and the Rays. Both are very talented teams so it is going to be hard to pull for one team over the other.

As a Reds’ fan, I’m hoping Cincinnati’s front office has watched how the Rays have built their team. It took a while, but solid drafts and savvy trades have turned them into almost the model MLB franchise.

You have to wonder, however, how much longer the franchise can make it in the Tampa/St. Petersburg market. Take away the playoff crowds and the only team the Rays probably outdraw is the Florida Marlins. Well … food for thought anyway.

It’s a series were whomever wins you will sort have to feel good for them. Philadelphia and it’s long suffering sports fans, and the Rays, who took a lot of lumps since the joined the league more than a decade ago with the Arizona Diamondbacks  only to watch Arizona succeed quickly and themselves fail time and time again.

I’ll be glued to the action starting Wednesday. It should be a fun series.

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Rumors have it starting right guard Seth Olsen, who had made 29 consecutive starts, was hurt in practice and was seen on crutches at the end of week. He was not on the field during pre-game warm-ups and when Iowa went 11-on-11, junior Andy Kuempel, the back-up at left tackle was at Olsen’s position.

Olsen’s absence could play a major factor in Iowa’s running game. He and starting left tackle Bryan Bulaga have clearly been Iowa’s top two offensive linemen.

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I’m approaching the 40 percent mark of a century, and along with that my waistline was approaching, well not 40, but at least the uncomfortable range.

The bulge protruding from underneath the various T-shirts I like to wear was also getting to a ridiculous size.

More than once in the past few months, I told friends and family it was time to get back to working out. With that said, the expensive elliptical machine that resides in our basement continued to collect dust.

That was until about four weeks ago when a good friend and old workout partner, Russ O’Connell, challenged me to live up to my word.

Russ explained to me he and his wife, Kristi, were starting a 12-week workout program called “OXF” at United Sport and Athlete in Waterloo and that I should sign up.

I asked him what OXF stood for. He said, “O’Connell eXtreme Fitness.” (more…)

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I’d be seriously surprised if Iowa running back Shonn Greene plays another season in the Black and Gold.

Greene will be 24 next  August which means his NFL clock is already ticking. He is in a similiar position as former Hawkeye tight end Dallas Clark, who left after his junior season. Clark also would’ve turned 24 during his senior season.

Barring injury Greene is on pace to rush for 1,644 yards this season, which would rank second to only Tavian Banks 1,691-yard performance in 1997. With Greene’s size, ability and speed it would be hard to believe he wouldn’t be an attractive option in the 2009 NFL draft for any NFL team. Right now, I’m guessing if the draft were this week, he’d go in the first three rounds, if not the first.

Greene goes against Indiana this week, and unless the Hoosiers load up to stop him, he’ll go over the 150-yard mark for the third consecutive game.

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