cthomas

Add a few more million to the assistants as well.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a basketball first guy. At this point, I hope we do everything we can to give Cignetti what he wants to build this program. Football, since Coach Cig arrived, is the most fun I have had in a very long time. I love the way Cig's teams play. The precision that they play with reminds me of the best CBK basketball teams. Poetry in motion. Football played well is a beautiful thing.

At 77, I've seen a lot of bad IU football. These past two years have been a revelation about what can be. Honestly, I don't think we are quite there yet, but we are on the cusp. Keep giving Coach Cignetti the resources he needs to build IU football and we will compete with andand at the top tier of college football. Cig is that good. We are good enough now that we can win on any given Saturday. Maybe this next one. Maybe not. But if we stay with the process, we will get there.

If we lose, I'll take the hit. Not picking against our guys. Cigs - 31 Waterfowl - 17

PSU losing = there goes our strength of schedule.

I don't understand this issue either. Every big time program plays in hostile environments and seem to do just fine calling plays. Cig is too good to allow this to continue to be a problem.

I like it. I have no love for Iowa in any sport, men's or women's. Knock them down and then kick them while they're done there.

Losing Ponds changes things for Iowa's passing game. They probably go after whoever is in his spot pretty early. Our defensive front really needs to show up today.

Never daunted Cigs - 38 Grounded Hawks - 13

Bite me, Paul!

I think what gets under played is the advantage that Coach Cignetti brings to the table. Nobody will ever out prepare him. By kick-off he will have viewed every play that Iowa has ever run and every defensive scheme they have ever played. This might be our first road game this year but our core guys have all played in tough road environments. I expect us to go there and take care of business. Coach Cig is changing the thinking in the B1G the way Coach Knight changed it in basketball.

Cig clearly did not. He began pulling starters at the end of the third quarter and didn't throw a pass in the fourth quarter. Illinois was mentally and physically broken in the second half. Cig could have named the score.

I thought this would a tough game. Guess nlt.

When Cig was hired I said I just wanted to see disciplined, penalty free football. Man has he delivered.

Our girls always do their part.

Fat chance that happens. Enjoy the Big Apple.

I think this game is the first time Mendosa is going to face adversity. He's definitely improved over the season so far but I'm not completely confident in how he's going to handle what's coming. I think this game is going to be determined by which quarterback handles the defensive pressure the best.

Let me start by saying I absolutely hate their tub of lard coach. I still remember the 80+ he put on IU some years ago while at Wisconsin. Vengeful Cigs -38 Tub of lards - 17

Cig suggested that Martin will get a shot in the rotation. I thought he was pretty impressive against ISU. I know, not Illinois level of competition, but he still showed some nice moves.

We'll learn a lot about our football team over the next three weeks. Illinois is as close to a must win as we are ever going to have. Oregon and Penn State on the road will tough to overcome. We pretty much have to beat Illinois and Iowa and then not overlook the rivalry game at the end to have a shot at being in the playoff conversation. How things have changed since getting to six wins was the yearly goal.

Purdue looks considerably improved from last year. That, or USC isn't as good as I thought they were.

Cig scrubbed everything from last year. He wants all the attention and focus on this season. I think I remember someone saying that he ordered all the pictures in the hallway from last season taken down. That man's focus is like a laser beam.

I think Cig gives the starters at least one more quarter.

Almost?? I don't know what we can possibly learn from this game.

Cig was chewing on Mendosa during the timeout. Then Mendosa throws a TD.