There were a few years, not long ago when we were less than stellar, and faced some of the toughest schedules in the NCAA (rated pre-season). Well for maybe the third year it holds we (preseason ranked at #24) have less than an overwhelming schedule based somewhat this season on the BIG 12 having only 2 schools ranked ahead of us (at OU #6 and Texas #11 in Ames https://athlonsports.com/college-football/top-25-college-football-rankings-2019 )

No doubt we had tough schedules recently, but we did well. With a good returning core and favorable schedule this could be another good year https://cyclones.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=97

• Aug. 31 —vs. UNI
• Sept. 14 — vs. Iowa
• Sept. 21 — vs. Louisiana-Monroe
• Sept. 28 — at Baylor
• Oct. 5 — vs.TCU
• Oct. 12 — at WVU
• Oct. 19 — at Texas Tech
• Oct. 26 — vs. Oklahoma State
• Nov. 9 — at Oklahoma
• Nov. 16 — vs. Texas
• Nov. 23 — vs. Kansas
• Nov. 30 — at K-State

Yes it is subjective - From 247SPORTS:

What is the most important factor in reaching the College Football Playoff during the 2019 season?

Hint: It's not always about having an elite head coach or several future draft picks in your two deep — though it certainly helps.

Schedule favorability, above all, is a chief indicator during the preseason on who might be the best bets to reach the final four. It usually means many of your toughest games come at home and there are notable breaks — needed byes in key spots or missing a titan from the other side of the conference — highlighting your favorite team's respective docket.

More at:
https://247sports.com/LongFormArtic...oughest-South-Carolina-132205543/#132205543_5

I see in the new Flo rankings he has moved up to #6 at 220. Where does he project at in college? Never seen him in person. Does he have the height to add weight for HWT?

Just curious what others expectation are.

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/top-25-college-football-rankings-2019

Also: An important note on Athlon's top 25 for 2019: This is not a preseason ranking of teams going into the season. Instead, this ranking takes into account where we project teams to finish after the national championship in January.

24. Iowa State

Iowa State is on the rise under coach Matt Campbell. The Cyclones are coming off back-to-back winning records in Big 12 play for the first time in program history, and this is the first time Iowa State has been projected by Athlon Sports to finish in the top 25. Running back David Montgomery and receiver Hakeem Butler left big shoes to fill in Ames after leaving early for the NFL Draft. However, the news wasn't all bad for the offense this offseason. Tom Manning returned to Ames from the NFL to call the plays, and quarterback Brock Purdy is one of the Big 12's rising stars. As a freshman in 2018, Purdy went 6-2 as the starter and threw for 2,250 yards and 16 touchdowns. The offensive line has room to improve but brings back all five starters from last season. Replacing Montgomery might be more of a committee approach, while Deshaunte Jones, Tarique Milton and transfer La'Michael Pettway lead the way at receiver. Iowa State led the Big 12 in run defense and held opposing offenses to just 22.9 points a game (also best in the conference). This unit boasts a strong front seven, anchored by end JaQuan Bailey and nose guard Ray Lima up front, with Marcel Spears and Mike Rose providing support at linebacker. The biggest concern for coordinator Jon Heacock rests at cornerback in finding a replacement for standout Brian Peavy and D'Andre Payne.

Others of note:
18. Iowa
11. Texas
6. Oklahoma

**** yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

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I live in eastern Iowa, near Iowa City. My neighbor, who is a friend, is a big Hawkeye fan. He does not donate money to the university but does attend games. He has met several of the current (and recently graduated) players over the past few years and has ultimately ended up having them over to his house numerous times. When they come over, he and his wife always give them food and beer.

Is he considered a booster if he doesnt donate $ to the university? Does it matter? It seems like it would be an NCAA violation to me. Otherwise would be ridiculously easy (easier) to circumvent all rules about giving players benefits.

tldr: I think my Hawkeye neighbor is unintentionally committing NCAA violations

https://www.hookem.com/story/texas-...wing-michigan-assistant-luke-yaklich-opening/

Texas coach Shaka Smart spent Thursday talking with Michigan assistant Luke Yaklich about filling the Longhorns’ current opening on the men’s basketball staff, two sources familiar with the interview said.

Yaklich, known as Michigan’s top defensive assistant on former coach John Beilein’s staff, could not be reached Thursday.

The opening on Smart’s staff was created when Darrin Horn left to become a head coach at Northern Kentucky.

(From Michigan message board):
https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/shaka-smart-interviewing-luke-yaklich-opening

"Game of Horns?"

Still working on a name for this. I thought the first episode went as well as it could have. Have gotten some great feedback so far.

https://cyclonefanatic.com/podcasts/hoops-more-with-cw-georges-episode-1/

I realize Survivor 39 has not even aired yet. However, Here is the list of returning winners that will play for the winners only season. This is going to be a good one if you like Survivor. People trying to stand out and make game plays will make this season. It will be strange to see which players will be Identified as people we have to get out now since they could win, since they have all won and are all really solid players.


https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2019/05/survivor-40-cast-survivor-winners/

Anyone here collect cards? The 2019 Bowman Mega Box exclusive to Target is set to be released tomorrow. I have seen a lot of them on Ebay already and just had a buddy buy all 48 of them he found at Target this morning. They are only released once and once they are gone they are gone. So each Target gets 1 shipment. They are going like hot cakes on ebay. Anyone get any yet?

I wonder how many people get swept up in this stuff whenever they do these reviews. I wonder how they even know an item is gone without being paid for. Surely they aren't reviewing every transaction.

I'm skeptical these guys are doing this by accident but maybe they are. Who knows. Lots of public embarrassment for a $7 item.

https://www.amestrib.com/sports/201...enyi-uwazurike-charged-with-misdemeanor-theft

North of 4.5 million a year.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...3771/texas-tech-beard-agrees-6-year-extension

David Montgomery is picked as a top fantasy breakout player on the fantasy footballers.

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ps the fantasy footballers podcasts are some of the best FF podcast available if that stuff interest you.

Today was Audubon, council Bluffs
14th Sioux city, Okoboji
15th Ft Dodge, Clear Lake
20th Knoxville, Bettendorf
21st Dubuque, Cedar Rapids
22nd Marshalltown, Waterloo

Did anyone get to go today? Looks like Audubon had a good turn out.

If you haven't had the chance to attend they are a lot of fun and a good chance to meet the coach of your choice. They all give a little stump speech and you get a chance to win door prizes or buy ISU swag. These events are really family friendly.

looking for suggestions for battery powered tools.... I have a dewalt 14.4 v drill that's lasted me the better part of 15 years however it's on it's last leg. That coupled with we have a gas powered weed wacker that has seen it's final days. It'd be nice to have a leaf blower. I have a real nice gas mower and won't be getting rid of that anytime soon. I already have a corded skill saw and recip saw so it'd take quite a bit to convince me to ditch those for battery operated. I tend to do a fair amount of things around the house and am fairly handy however I'm not the these everyday. I'm leaning towards going the route of battery operated drill that you can use the batteries for the weed wacker and leaf blower as well however don't know much about them. Any input on brand, which way to go, etc would be greatly appreciated!

https://247sports-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/247sports.com/college/iowa-state/Article/Iowa-State-football-recruiting-state-track-meet-qualifiers-commits-signees--131959098/Amp/?amp_js_v=a2&amp_gsa=1#referrer=https://www.google.com&amp_tf=From %1$s&ampshare=https://247sports.com/college/iowa-state/Article/Iowa-State-football-recruiting-state-track-meet-qualifiers-commits-signees--131959098/

Iowa State will be well-represented at the Iowa High School State Track and Field meet with a number of signees, commits and targets from multiple recruiting classes qualified for the showcase.

All six of Iowa State's commits and signees from the state of Iowa in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes qualified for the state meet on Friday night.

Has anyone on this board taken online classes through ISU in the past couple of years? If so, what are the typical time-commitments? Do classes meet at a specific time, or does one log on and review a recorded lecture throughout the day?

Article in Omaha newspaper. he may be mayor of Ames , but he is a true Nebraskan at heart WOW

Start today , Shapiro will be wrestling this morning

https://cyclones.com/news/2019/5/16/wrestling-carr-shapiro-bound-for-junior-world-team-trials.aspx

For those that don’t watch a good amount of basketball, Evans is a solid player.
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Kellis Robinett‏ @KellisRobinett 7m7 minutes ago
Kellis Robinett Retweeted Grant Rohach

Former Iowa State QB. Played for Courtney Messingham. Now he's an offensive graduate assistant for the Wildcats.

Grant Rohach‏ @grantrohach
Excited to be a part of the @KStateFB staff!

WWE Money In The Bank (2019)

XL Center, Hartford, CT

Sunday, May 19, 2019

WWE Network

There's also an as of yet unnamed Saudi Arabia event planned for May 3. I don't plan on covering it.

SIAP, but Will Clyburn’s CSKA Moscow won the Euroleague (top competition after the NBA) and Will was named MVP of the Final Four. Congrats Will!

https://www.euroleague.net/final-fo...a5w3t/final-four-mvp-will-clyburn-cska-moscow

Does anyone have experience with board and train for their dog? If so, what are your opinions?

We adopted a male lab mix from the local rescue in February. We think he may have been a stray from South Carolina/Georgia. He's a year old. We just had his balls chopped off.

He is insane. We've tried everything to get him to behave better. We recently met with a dog behavior specialist and nothing seems to be working.