Fourteen

Sometimes when you are stuck at a certain number and you want it so bad, that you have to create your own way of reaching that goal. We all do it but not competely under the covers. Props to you my friend Erock for the innovative way of not becoming rusty during your triumphs. May the next one feel as good if not better......

Ivan Maisel, Love Him. Iowa State ASU, Hate Them.

Yesterday on espn.com Ivan Maisel had a live online chat about college football. We know that Ivan is with us this year because he has us at #10 preseason. He has also called Drew Tate and Albert Young Heisman candidates. During the chat, Iowa came up twice. The readers' questions and Ivan responses are below:

Ivan, Ivan, Ivan … Not putting Arizona State anywhere on this list [not even among the others receiving consideration???] is a complete crock. The defense will be better than last year [by how much I admittedly am uncertain], and the offense will be just as ridiculous [in an averaging 40 points a game sort of way] as it was last year. Also, what's up with all you ESPNers jumping on and off Iowa's bandwagon every year? They are always top 15 until of course they wet the bed in the first five games. I have never heard of another team that all the sportswriters wanted to be ranked so bad. … You guys might want to buy some ankle braces before the season starts, so you are ready to leap come Week 3.

Brian Roach
Gilbert, Arizona

The Sun Devils' defense is depending on an infusion of transfers. I'm sure they're all the greatest players since Terrell Suggs. Funny thing about Iowa is, they keep finishing in the top 10. Sportswriters do notice that. Anyway, I'll wait to see the ASU defense produce before I tighten my ankle braces.

I can't quite understand what the infatuation is with the University of Iowa.

I suppose it could be Kirk Ferentz, but really, Iowa hasn't done much of anything for the past two years.

Did you watch the Iowa-ISU game last year? [Drew] Tate looked like a stiff and lost his composure to boot. [Iowa State's Bret] Meyer is a much better QB -- taller with a better arm.

Iowa State demolished them, and I believe will do so again this year (just like six out of the last eight years, by the way.) Clearly, I am not an Iowa fan. I just can't stand to see them listed on another top 10 list, like last year, when they just don't deserve it. Frankly, it makes it look like you didn't do your homework and just picked them because it was a lazy choice.

Dan Conrad
Milwaukee

Shoot, I thought we just disagreed. I didn't realize I had work-ethic issues. Thanks for pointing that out. I'm going to do something about it. First thing tomorrow. No, Monday, that's it. Monday. No, not Monday … well, I am going to do something about it.

How Was you Weekend?

I got a strange text message last Saturday morning. Attached to the text "The Jammer, Jammed up" was the above photo of an unidentified man sitting in the back seat of what appears to be a white sedan. Does somebody have an explanation for this?

One Year Later

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