1: What. A. Night.
Every year, I look forward to and at the same time, absolutely dread our annual football recruiting party at The Keg Stand in West Des Moines.
I love it because from you (the Fanatics) to our advertisers to friends and family, all of the people that make this ship (CycloneFanatic.com) float every day gather in one place on one incredibly fun night to celebrate something that everybody is passionate about.
I love it because where else in America does a coaching staff openly mingle and get to know its fan base like Iowa State’s does at a non-booster event that is 100 percent independent of the university?
I love it because every year, we try and do something meaningful for a good cause and you Fanatics always seem to respond. Last night, over $1,000 was raised for the Curtis Bray Memorial Fund. We also raised nearly $400 for the American Heart Association. That is very, very cool.
You all (the Fanatics) are the best though. I mean that. The reason I dread the event is because leading up to the party every year, I get edgy (I am a hardcore worrier by nature) that people won’t show up. Last night, we had a record crowd at this event.
Thank you all for making the trip to the Keg Stand and I sincerely hope that you had a great time.
2: Man-genius
After watching Mark Mangino address the hundreds in attendance last night and also having a few separate conversations with a few folks along the way, I can’t help but feel incredibly optimistic about Iowa State’s offense in 2014. I’m not expecting 50 points a game (slow your roll) and am still taking a wait and see approach when it comes to the offensive line, but Mangino is bringing a head coach level of calmness to an area where this program has struggled. Even though he has only been on the job for a short period of time, this could not be more apparent to me.
He’s calm. He’s organized. He appears to be unbelievably motivated.
From my eyes, this hire that received rave reviews from the second it was announced, is looking better by the day.
3: No more sunshine…
To begin my third thought on Thursday, I want to steal part of a line from the funniest movie in the history of cinema, Dumb and Dumber. It’s when Harry sees Lloyd driving the moped, you know, because he sold the “Shaggin’ Waggin” for it straight up…
“Just when I thought that you couldn’t possibly be any dumber, you go out and do something like this……”
In the movie, Harry goes on to say, “AND TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF.”
As for the NCAA, a group that anybody with a brain is starting to dislike more and more by the day, on Wednesday, their actions simply got dumber and there is no sign of redemption in sight.
More rule changes might be coming your way football fans.
The NCAA Football Rules Committee has recommended that defenses should be allowed to substitute players within the first 10 seconds of the play clock (but not in the final two minutes of each half). The kicker: If the offense snaps the ball before the play clock reaches 29 seconds, that’s a five-yard penalty on the team trying to score.
Essentially, this is the NCAA and some jaded coaches who can’t play big-boy football flipping Oregon, Baylor and a bunch of other schools that have been speeding up over the last few years, the bird.
The NCAA Rules Committee claims that player safety is why this rule needs to be enforced. You can learn more about that by CLICKING HERE and reading this CBSSports.com report.
Listen, if that really is the case, I am fine with it. As it was beaten into our brain last July at the Big 12’s annual media days in Dallas, the game of football has to change before other people (from outside the game of football) change it for us. With the seriousness of head injuries, concussions and the potential health concerns that we’ve yet to see come to the surface yet – let’s all have a lengthy conversation and do the right thing.
I get that. I am for that. But this, I’m sorry, is just stupid, UNLESS, somebody can prove something.
"Where is the documented medical evidence that proves that tempo offense puts players at more risk?" Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze told CBS.
That is what it all comes down to for me. It’s like winning a game of H-O-R-S-E. In order to win, you’ve got to prove it. And just because a few people don’t like the way that a few schools are playing ball these days, doesn’t mean that it should be against the rules.
In this case, I’m simply not buying what this group is trying to sell.
You want to slow em’ down? Then stop the other team.
I’ll leave you with a reminder to tune into the Cyclone Fanatic Radio Show (presented by Wilson Toyota of Ames) tonight from 6-7 on 1460 KXNO. As always, we’ll have the podcast posted on CF later tonight. You can also stream the program via I’Heart Radio and at KXNO.com.
