Nov. 27, 2005
The Bowl Games and the Hawkeyes
- The 2006 Outback Bowl
- The 2005 MasterCard Alamo Bowl
- The 2005 Vitalis Sun Bowl
- The 2005 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
- The 2005 Motor City Bowl
More Iowa Stuff
- A HOLIDAY SPECIAL! Watch Iowa vs. Minnesota
- The 2005 Capital One Bowl Revisited
- 2005 Hawkeye Huddles
- Follow the Renovation of Kinnick!
- The Schedule: 2005 and Beyond
- Listen to the Hawkeyes on XM Radio
- Watch and Listen to Kirk, the Hawkeyes
What did Drew Tate do to fall out of favor with the people who pass out post-season football honors in the Big Ten?
A year ago as a sophomore, Tate was voted the best quarterback in the Big Ten. Last August, he was named the Big Ten’s pre-season Player of the Year.
But when the Big Ten coaches and news media passed out post-season recognition last week, Tate was nowhere to be found. Not on the first teams, not on the second teams, not even among players listed “honorable mention.”
That sort of free-fall suggests Tate was injured, ineligible or had a bad 2005 season, but we know that none of that is true. Tate had a terrific season, better statistically than last year. He played a key role in Iowa’s third-place Big Ten finish.
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What did Drew Tate do to fall out of favor with the people who pass out post-season football honors in the Big Ten?
A year ago as a sophomore, Tate was voted the best quarterback in the Big Ten. Last August, he was named the Big Ten’s pre-season Player of the Year. But when the Big Ten coaches and news media passed out post-season recognition last week, Tate was nowhere to be found. Not on the first teams, not on the second teams, not even among players listed “honorable mention.” That sort of free-fall suggests Tate was injured, ineligible or had a bad 2005 season, but we know that none of that is true. Tate had a terrific season, better statistically than last year. He played a key role in Iowa’s third-place Big Ten finish. |
But when the votes were counted, Brett Basanez of Northwestern was No. 1 and Michael Robinson of Penn State was No. 2 among Big Ten quarterbacks. League coaches and the media both saw it that way.
Basanez threw for more yards than any QB, but Tate had a better efficiency rating and passed for as many touchdowns (15) in eight Big Ten games.
Robinson ranked only ninth in passing yards and eighth in efficiency, but he finished third in total offense because of his running ability.
The fact that Robinson’s Penn State team is on its way to a BCS bowl game, and he and Basenez are both seniors, might have tipped the scale their way with the voters.
Just as puzzling as the oversight of Tate is the lack of support for Ohio State’s Troy Smith. The senior QB was No. 1 in pass efficiency by a wide margin, No. 3 on total offense and played a critical role in the Buckeyes’ winning a piece of the Big Ten championship. At least he was given honorable mention.
Iowa offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe and his staff obviously did a marvelous job this season. The Hawkeyes finished No. 4 in total offense, yet the Big Ten coaches did not put one Iowa position player on their first or second teams. (Kicker Kyle Schlicher was named to the second team.)
Coaches often criticize reporters for their lack of football knowledge and understanding. But the media’s all-Big Ten team this year seems to be more representative than does the coaches’ team.
The media recognized Albert Young’s fine season by putting him on their second team. The sophomore Iowa tailback led the Big Ten in rushing in conference play after finishing the season with seven straight 100-yard games.
Also, the media put three Hawkeyes on their No. 1 defensive team – linebacker Chad Greenway, cornerback Jovon Johnson and end Kenny Iwebema. Greenway was the only Hawkeye to make the coaches’ first team.
Another puzzling selection was Iowa’s Abdul Hodge. He was a first-team linebacker a year ago and had a terrific 2005 season, but was dropped to the second team by both the coaches and media. Go figure.
The Big Ten had an unusual number of outstanding players this season. The league was loaded with gifted quarterbacks, linebackers and running backs. But the all-conference teams, especially the one selected by the coaches, did not reward some of the Hawkeyes who deserved recognition.f
IOWA’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE gets tougher in the coming weeks, beginning Wednesday (Nov. 30) when North Carolina State visits Carver Hawkeye Arena. The game is part of the Big Ten / ACC Challenge and will be televised by ESPN2 starting at 8:35 p.m.
The Hawkeyes go on the road to play Northern Iowa and Iowa State the following week. They host Arizona State and Drake before Christmas.
N.C. State will be Iowa’s first real test at home. The Wolfpack return three starters from a club that reached the NCAA Sweet 16 last season. UNI and Iowa State were both ranked in pre-season polls. Drake, under Coach Tom Davis, has raised eyebrows with strong early-season play.
Coach Steve Alford has his Hawkeyes off to a strong start. They are 4-1 and have split with two nationally-ranked teams, beating Kentucky and losing to Texas. Both games were on a neutral court in Kansas City.
Alford has perhaps the best team in his seven seasons at Iowa. All five starters return from a club that won 21 games and a NCAA tournament berth last year. Greg Brunner and Erek Hansen play around the basket while Jeff Horner, Adam Haluska and Mike Henderson operate on the perimeter.
A good bench gives the Hawkeyes a rotation that can go 10 deep, with Doug Thomas, Tony Freeman and Alex Thompson providing the main sparks.
Depth, defense and rebounding have been Iowa’s early-season strengths, perimeter shooting its weakness. But the season is young and tough games lie just ahead. We’ll know more about this team in a few weeks.