The Walkthrough — Ohio State

Posted on Nov 14, 2009 by Marc Morehouse.

ARob a go? — There are reports (HawkeyeInsider) saying Iowa’s leading rusher will give it a go today. He suffered a high-ankle sprain three weeks ago against Michigan State. He still had a limp at Iowa’s walkthrough Friday afternoon.

It’s a four-week injury, minimum, but with treatment and if it was a grade one, he could make it back. But that might stilll be a pretty sloppy ankle for a Big Ten running back. I’m not sure how much he’d be able to help. On the other hand, true freshman Brandon Wegher is pretty beat up, too. The second RB, ARob or Paki O’Meara, and that workload will be interesting.

Keep in mind, this entire team is pretty beat up.

Greenwood, Sandeman a go — Safety Brett Greenwood and wide receiver Colin Sandeman are goes today. How much they go remains to be seen.

Sandeman has been out three weeks with the concussion he sustained at Michigan State. Greenwood has basically been out the same amount of time since spraining his neck vs. MSU.

In the house — The Rose Bowl is here and will deliver its bid to today’s winner.

This is an all-or-Captial One Bowl game.

Or maybe not.

A 10-2 Big Ten team could wiggle into a BCS bowl. A 10-2 Iowa, Ohio State or Penn State could slide into an Orange, Fiesta or Sugar Bowl bid. All they have to do is be ranked in the BCS top 14. Going into this week’s games, Iowa is 10th, OSU is 11th and PSU is 18th.

It’s very, very possible. So possible, in fact, the Sugar Bowl is here today. And so is the Cap One/Citrus folks. At this point, I think they hitch a ride on Iowa’s team charter.

Donahue a Ray Guy semi-finalist — University of Iowa punter Ryan Donahue has been named one of 10 semi-finalists for the 2009 Ray Guy Award, which goes annually to the nation’s top collegiate punter. The announcement was made today by the Augusta Sports Council.

Donahue is a 6-3; 180-lb. junior from Evergreen Park, IL. He is averaging 42.2 yards on 45 punts, with 22 punts inside the 20 and just five touchbacks. Hawkeye opponents have 17 punt returns for 75 net yards, as Iowa ranks 12th in the nation in punt return defense (4.4). He has at least one punt of at least 50 yards in 16 of Iowa’s last 21 games. Donahue holds three of the 10 longest punts (82, 76 and 73 yards) in school history.

A national voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) coaches, sports information directors, national media, and former Ray Guy Award winners will decide the three finalists, who will be named on November 23. Voters will then cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner.

The winner of the 10th Ray Guy Award will be announced live on ESPN during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards show on December 10th.

And yeah, I have a Ray Guy vote.

McNutt at QB?– I don’t see it. They only way I do see it is if John Wienke is simply deemed not ready. I still don’t see it, but we’ll see.

Ferentz fired up — Know that the Iowa coach wants this one. He had his hands all over a 48-play montage of Ohio State scouting that the players watched today.

The photo above? — I’ve been told that DJK replaced that rose with a banana. Love that kid!

Norm in the box — Iowa’s defensive coordinator Norm Parker will call the game from the press box again today. He’s back in a wheelchair after issues with a foot infection flared before the Indiana game.

Update here until 2/team drill — Then we move to chat.

“Woke up this morning . . .” — I kind of like this. As OSU players walk through the stadium in their suits, the P.A. blares “The Sopranos” theme song. Very cool.

Vandenberg on the field — Iowa QBs started this about four or so weeks into the season. They’re out on the field now playing catch. Vandenberg and Wienke are tossing with a manager catching. Ricky Stanzi is tossing with Jayme Murphy. Stanzi’s right leg is in a boot, but no crutches at least.

KOK — Iowa’s offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe is shooting the breeze with ABC sideline reporter Holly Rowe. He’s probably telling her about that fake punt that made it out on the internet this week.

Ohio State players on the field – It’s just shorts and T-shirts. And headphones. 

Disturbing — This football team just got a lot harder to cover. I’m not going into details, but I disagree with the latest restriction.

Iowa specialists — They’re on the field. You know about Donahue and the Ray Guy.

Kicker Trent Mossbrucker is dressed. I think he keeps the redshirt on this year. I think it’s too late to use him and probably not fair at this point.

Drew Tate on the radio — The former Iowa QB is supposed to call in to the Iowa pregame radio show for a snapshot of what might be going through James Vandenberg’s head.

Tate’s CFL team, Saskatchewan, plays Edmonton in the first round of the Grey Cup.

Good stuff from Drew. One of my favorites I’ve covered. You had to bring a brain to a Tate interview.

Pressure on blindside tackle, Bryan Bulaga, today, Drew said.

Barta on Vandenberg — “There’s pressure, he knows it, great attitude about it,” Gary Barta, the Iowa athletics director, said.

“Win today and get an automatic bid to the Rose Bowl,” Barta said. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

ARob a go? — Well, he’s dressed and going through warmups. He looks OK. EDIT: On pregame radio, KF says he’s a go, as are Greenwood and Sandeman.

From 43 – Murray made it. Team upcoming.

No Wegher — He did not report for the beginning of team and is currently talking to doctors and trainers. Will he play? He’s fighting rib and wrist injuries. It doesn’t look good.

He’s had 45 carries the last two weeks.

ARob started with the one’s during team. Let’s move to chat.