Well last Saturday was fun…until it wasn’t. When Mark Gronowski dashed into the end zone with under two minutes to play it really felt like the moment in every major Hawkeye upset where we knew they’d done enough to win. One failed two point conversion later – seriously, what the hell is wrong with our two point plays??? – one pinpoint throw by Dante Moore, and one kick by defender of the realm Sir Atticus Sappington, Esq. later, we’re left observing the ruins of another “What if” game against a top 25 opponent.
I’ve seen Mark’s touchdown here and there on social media a few times since the game and it’s so bittersweet to watch knowing what’s coming around the corner. That heroic moment is marred by hindsight and it’s such a shame that that moment will always have that association with impending defeat. It reminds me so much of the Tevaun Smith bomb in the 2015 Big Ten Championship game. No matter how many times I see that replay I can’t get as excited as I know I should.
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We had a brief discussion on the BHGP Discord channel Sunday about the games that we just can’t bring ourselves to rewatch and that championship game may always be my #1. Saturday’s missed opportunity against Oregon will now be added to the list alongside the 2017 Penn State game and 2009 Ohio State. They all had that missed opportunity feeling where you felt victory was right there for the taking and for one reason or another it was ripped away from you. Now no matter when Smith’s TD or highlights from those 2017 or 2009 games pop up on my timeline I just keep on a’scrolling. Those were tremendous games, but I just can’t go through that pain again. Sorry for making you all go through it again too but I just had to get the thoughts out.
As a palate cleanser, let’s see what’s coming up in week 12 of the season. Schedule graphics courtesy of Projection Sports.
Thursday, November 13 & Friday, November 14
|
Matchup |
Time (CT) |
TV |
Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Troy @ Old Dominion |
Thursday, 6:30 PM |
ESPN |
WatchESPN |
|
Clemson @ #20 Louisville |
Friday, 6:30 PM |
ESPN |
WatchESPN |
|
Minnesota @ #8 Oregon |
Friday, 8:00 PM |
FOX |
FOXSports.com |
Bored on a Friday night? Clemson @ #20 Louisville and Minnesota @ #8 Oregon have you covered. Louisville is having a strong year while Clemson is having the opposite. Dabo Swinney’s Tigers are sitting with a losing record and the Cardinal’s are only 1-8 in this series. Jeff Brohm is well positioned to earn the school’s second win in a row. Meanwhile, Minnesota travels to Eugene to tackle the #8 Oregon Ducks. Ahead of a huge game against USC next week and fresh off a physical win at Iowa, the Ducks will need to avoid the letdown. I don’t think I could stomach the Gophers managing the upset that the Hawks couldn’t. Go Ducks.
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Saturday, November 15 – Morning / Afternoon
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I think there are some really intriguing games early Saturday spread across the different conferences. #9 Notre Dame @ #22 Pittsburgh is the obvious standout. Both teams are playoff contenders with the Panthers currently sitting in the driver’s seat of the ACC and Notre Dame being called Notre Dame. Okay, to be fair the Irish are still pretty damn good and rightfully in the CFP discussion. The other game I’m really interested in is #18 Michigan @ Northwestern, as I think Northwestern is scrappy enough to give the Wolverines a challenge. Last week the Wildcats hung in early against USC before being overwhelmed by the Trojans – helped by a legally questionable fake punt. I think things could be a bit too close for comfort in Evanston.
I’d also keep a close eye on West Virginia @ Arizona State, Arizona @ #25 Cincinnati, and #24 South Florida @ Navy as some games that could get interesting. And you’re not fooling me, Wisconsin. Even after besting Washington last week I’m still hoping #2 Indiana punches you right in the T.E.E.T.H.
The afternoon window has more huge games and none are bigger than #11 Oklahoma @ #4 Alabama. The Tide seem to be comfortably back to their dominant form while Oklahoma has had a bit of an up and down year. They’re coming off a big win at Tennessee last week but have also dropped two of their other games against ranked teams. It’s put up or shut up time if the Sooners want to make it into the playoff.
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Of course there’s #21 Iowa @ #17 USC. I wasn’t expecting the CFP committee to drop Iowa completely out of their rankings and I’m glad they only dinged them one spot. The Hawks showed they could compete against damn fine competition. They’ll have one more shot to topple a ranked opponent in Los Angeles. I still have a creeping suspicion that they’ll do better than most people are expecting.
For you sickos out there, Penn State @ Michigan State will see one of them earning their first conference win. The Nittany Lions were oh so close last week before one of the most insane catches I’ve seen all year. Gus Johnson might still be passed out in the Beaver Stadium press box.
#10 Texas @ #5 Georgia is the headliner on Saturday night for obvious reasons. It’s most definitely the most eye popping game in the evening, though I think we could be in for some fun with Mississippi State @ Missouri, TCU @ #12 BYU, and nightcap games like Boise State @ San Diego State. Purdue travels out to Washington while Florida goes to #7 Ole Miss. I don’t think an upset is likely but the seeds could be there with both.
Which games are you excited for, and which past Hawkeye games are just too painful for you to rewatch? Sound off in the comments.