The Wiz of Odds

Iowa

I'm not here to suggest that Kirk Ferentz, who turns 59 on Aug. 1, is ready to step aside anytime soon as Iowa's coach. But I will tell you that his likely replacement is already on staff. Brian Ferentz, Kirk's son, is entering his third season as a Hawkeyes assistant, and from all appearances, the groundwork is being put into place for one of these coach-in-waiting deals. Brian is 31, and in four or five years when Pops decides he has had enough, the youngster will slide over and settle into the big chair.

Warning: These People Live Among You

We're not sure who would get caught in public looking like this, but Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin found this couple outside Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Friday. They were no doubt smiling after Iowa beat Nebraska, 38-17.

There are more photos after the jump.

Iowa Nice Guy, Halloween Edition

This is what Halloween looked like at Scott Siepker's house.

Overtime Pays Off for Iowa Against Northwestern

Perhaps there was no better place to be Saturday than Iowa City, where the Iowa Hawkeyes engaged the Northwestern Wildcats in one of those old-style, slug-'em-out Big Ten games. Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin took in the festivities, which ended with a 17-10 overtime victory by the hometown Hawkeyes.

There are more images after the jump, none of which involve the Iowa teaching assistant who accidentally emailed nude pictures of herself to math students earlier in the week.

Iowa

How does one determine that a team is going through tough times? It features the kicker on its poster schedule.

Yes, these are lean years in Iowa City. Since Nov. 13, 2010, Iowa is 12-17, with two of the victories coming against Division I-AA opponents. Worse yet, Kirk Ferentz's team enters 2013 saddled with a six-game losing streak.

The Hawkeyes should be able to get off to a decent start. The nonconference schedule includes two Mid-American opponents and a Division I-AA team, all at home. Then there is a road game at Iowa State. Winnable, but Ferentz is only 6-8 against his in-state rival.

Big Ten play, as always, will be a challenge. Ferentz's league record is 59-52, thus meaning 2013 will be another struggle for the Hawkeyes.

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Somebody Has Finally Burst Iowa's Bubble!

Iowa's indoor practice facility was constructed in 1985 during the height of the Hayden Fry era. It seemed state-of-the-art at the time because the field was enclosed by a fiberglass fabric roof. The roof was supported by air pressure, much like the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

But last Friday, the bubble was deflated, ending the facility's 27-year run. Iowa, which had fallen behind in the facilities arms race, will open a 76,000-square foot brick and mortar building in time for fall practice.

Iowa's new practice digs seem modest compared to recently completed facilities of Hawkeye rivals. Michigan, for example, completed work on a 104,000-plus square foot brick and mortar building in 2009 that is called the "Taj Mahal" of indoor facilities. Iowa State has a 92,000-square foot building and Nebraska's playpen is 81,200-square feet.