With only one weekend remaining in the College Football season, most teams have their eyes on the postseason. At 7-5, Iowa will likely be on unfamiliar grounds this year; meaning no Insight or Outback bowl. Out of the three bowls that seem to have interest in the Hawks, only one has ever featured an Iowa team… and that dates back to 1991.

It’s worth noting that out of the eight Big Ten teams eligible for bowl season, Iowa has the second worst record out of the bunch. However, the Hawks should be able to compensate with a proven fan base that is willing to travel. For the first time in a number of years, the Hawks could be playing a bowl game outside of Florida or California… not entirely probably, but definitely possible; although I’m not sure how much of an upgrade New York would be in late December.

Without futherado, let’s check out where the Hawks could play this holiday season:

MUSIC CITY BOWL (ACC VS BIG TEN/SEC)

Why you should want it:

Do you love Iowa football? Country music? Do you want to go to the bowl game without spending bowl game money? Do you hate flying? Well then do I have the bowl game for you! The Music City Bowl is most definitely what many Hawk fans will be hoping to see come December 2nd. Not only is it an easy drive (about 81/2 hours), Nashville will also offer country music prominence that most Iowa fans will love.

Why you should not want it:

For Hawk fans hoping for a tropical winter vacation, this bowl game is not for you. While it will be warmer than Iowa, it won’t be paradise by any means. Other than that, there’s not a ton to complain about… Nashville seems like a prime location to get the masses of Hawk fans rolling in. Look for Nashville to be monsooned with Iowa folk if the dominos fall right.

The Hawks would likely be matched up a humdrum SEC team in Nashville: either Kentucky or a the coachless Texas A&M Aggies. While this may seem favorable, I’m not sure how confident I would be going against the spread attack of the SEC. Although, it would be great for the young secondary to see.

Destination Rating: 9

HOLIDAY BOWL (PAC 12 VS BIG TEN)

Why you should want it:

Who wouldn’t want to visit beautiful San Diego in the dead of winter? There are not many places that could beat San Diego in terms of a destination spot for cold weather teams. This place is a tourist’s dream and is only a short two hour drive to LA. Definitely the destination for Hawk fans who want to see the warm weather.

Why you should not want it:

Flying out and staying in Southern California is definitely a pretty penny. On top of that, Iowa would probably see themselves matched up with a quality Pac-12 opponent, meaning they would be closer and would probably out number Iowa fans. SDCCU stadium has a somewhat bad reputation as a venue. All of this goes without mentioning what happened the last time Iowa played in Southern California. Still stings a little.

A likely matchup in this one would be a Washington Huskies team that is only one year removed from a visit to the College Football Playoff. The thirteenth ranked Huskers would be a tough matchup for the Hawks as the load of the offense would probably fall on the run game.

Destination Rating: 6.5

PINSTRIPE BOWL (ACC VS BIG TEN)

Why you should want it:

If you’re a Hawk fan wanting to see a postseason win over anything else, this is your game. The Pinstripe Bowl is likely the least prestigious bowl the Hawks are being associated with right now, which would likely mean a lesser opponent. I’m not sure how many Hawk fans are dying to see NYC, but maybe I’d be surprised. Playing in Yankee Stadium could be cool, although I’m not sure how many people it could hold.

The Hawks would likely square off with an ACC basement dweller at Yankee stadium if this were to happen. I would personally root for Boston College to be the matchup as two of the country’s finest linebackers would square off (Harold Landry/Josey Jewell). On the other hand, we could also see Virginia in a game that would probably be a punter’s showcase. Let’s hope for BC or even North Carolina State.

Why you should not want it:

New York in December? Better bring the Carharts, Iowa. This would be a cold one. Not to mention the Big Ten basketball tournament is set to be held in NYC a short two months after bowl season. It adds a little insult to injury when you consider this was the last bowl game Iowa State played it. It gets even worse when you realize a Greg Schiano led Rutgers team beat the Clones by two scores. That being said, this seems to be as low of a bowl game as the Hawks will fall to.

Destination Rating: 5

The post Previewing where the Hawks could be playing this bowl season appeared first on KRUI Radio.

As a Bears fan, the last decade or so of draft picks has produced little worth celebrating. The bears have only extended four draft picks since the 2007 draft, and right guard Kyle Long is the only current  Bear draft pick that is in his second contract with the team. That track record is just awful, but general manager Ryan Pace is determined to change that in his third draft with the team. The Bears have seven picks in the draft, with two fourth rounders and no sixth rounder, and will have the third overall pick behind the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.

For this mock draft, I included trades, made mock selections for each one of the Bears seven picks, and highlighted a number two option for each of the Bears first three rounds. Let’s get to it.

First Round-pick #3- Jamal Adams, Safety, LSU

If Adams is Gone? Jonathan Allen, Defensive Lineman, Alabama

The Bears secondary has been dreadful since Lovie Smith was fired in 2012, especially at safety. The Bears haven’t had a pro bowl safety since Mike Brown, and last season the Bears started four different combinations at the position. With there being so few options at the top of the draft at premium value positions like quarterback, offensive tackle, and pass rusher, Adams provides the Bears with playmaking ability in the back end of the defense. He’s a well rounded athlete who can play downhill in the run game, match up man-to-man on tight ends, and showed good range in zone coverage at LSU by snagging four picks his Junior season. While Jonathan Allen was dominant at Alabama, and would be a welcomed and immediate contributor on the defensive line along with Eddie Goldman and Akiem HIcks, the Bears can’t afford to take a player in this spot who has an extensive injury history. Allen has already had both of his shoulders operated on and it has been reported that he may already be suffering from arthritis in those shoulders. Adams on the other hand not only has a clean bill of health, but has been lauded by almost everyone in the evaluation process for his leadership ability. Considering that  the only secondary prospects that rival Adams, Malik Hooker and Marshon Lattimore from Ohio State, both come with reasonable durability concerns, Adams seems to be the safest and most sensible pick for the Bears at #3.

Second Round- pick#36- Adoree Jackson, CB/KR, USC

If Jackson is Gone? Chris Wormley,Defensive End, Michicgan

As I mentioned earlier, it’s no secret that the Bears secondary has been one of the league’s most disappointing for a few years now. An area where they are desperately lacking production is in the turnover department. The Bears were tied for dead last in the NFL in interceptions last season with eight. That number is abysmal, which is why I think Jackson would be another welcomed addition to the back end along with Adams. He played on the outside and inside at nickel over his career and picked off five passes while deflecting 11 more last season. Wormley may be the more polished prospect as of now, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has proven time and again he can take athletic players that are a little rough around the edges and develop them quickly. Throw in Jackson’s ability to step in day one as an NFL kick returner, and that’s a whole lot of potential value in the second round.

Third Round-TRADE DOWN WITH BUFFALO-pick #75- Tarrell Basham, OLB, Buffalo

If the Bears stay put? Nathan Peterman, QB, Pitt

 The Bears have the 67th overall pick, and with a few teams sporting multiple fifth rounders that may be eyeing a quarterback in the middle of the draft, this feels as good a spot as any to trade back for an extra pick in this deep draft. The Bears have been quiet about having any interest in some of the middle of the pack quarterback prospects, so if they aren’t in love with Peterman or Cal’s Davis Webb, find someone who is and make a deal. The third round projects to be full of pass rushing prospects, and Buffalo’s Tarell Basham has the body type at 6’4, 270 pounds to be a force off of the edge in the Bears 3-4 scheme. He played against weak competition in the MAC, but he can sit and learn behind veterans Willie Young and Pernell McPhee until he’s ready.

Fourth Round-pick #111- Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami FL

The Bears have done a lot of extensive research and scouting on this years quarterback class, but Ryan Pace continues to remain mum on the position and his interest on any one prospect. The two mid round prospects that have been most frequently linked to the Bears are Davis Webb and Brad Kaaya. Kaaya has three years of starting experience and has put up some pretty solid numbers in the ACC, and many scouts and coaches that have worked with him have praised his football intelligence. He obviously has some flaws in his game, with pocket presence and inconsistent accuracy under pressure being his most notable weaknesses, but the Bears have put off drafting a developmental quarterback for too long. Kayaa provides nice value for the Bears on the third day and he can sit behind Mike Glennon for a year or two and develop.

Fourth Round-pick #117-Josh Reynolds, WR, Texas A&M

Reynolds’ lack of strength and quickness will drop him into the middle rounds of the draft, but at 6’4 with 4.52 speed and a 37 inch vertical there will be plenty of teams who will be after the all SEC receiver. Mike Glennon was at his best in Tampa Bay making spot throws to taller targets Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, and while the Bears added Marcus Wheaton and Kendall Wright in free agency, neither one of them has the height or speed that Reynolds possesses. The Bears can’t count on former first rounder Kevin White coming back healthy and with Alshon Jeffrey gone, it’s imperative that the Bears add another toy for Glennon to play with.

Fifth Round-pick#147-Adam Bisnowaty,OT,Pittsburgh

The interior of the Bears offensive line is set for years to come, but starting tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie had their fair share of struggles last season. The Bears didn’t make any serious additions at offensive tackle in the offseason, so the 6’6 three year starter will have the opportunity to step right in as the team’s swing tackle off the bench.

Fifth Round-pick#156-Isaac Rochelle, DE, Notre Dame

The Bears have more needs than they can address in their first five picks, so one major need will be addressed later than it should have. The way I see this draft shaking out, I would bet that defensive line is the one spot where the Bears end up passing on some guys in the early rounds and settling late in the draft. The leader in the clubhouse for the Bears starting defensive end opposite of Akeim Hicks is last years third round pick Jonathan Bullard. There were concerns in Hallas Hall that Bullard was too lazy and inconsistent and it cost him playing time. If nothing else, the high motor Rochelle can provide effort and energy that can hopefully push Bullard to raise his competitiveness, and hopefully that will result in better production on the field.

Seventh Round-pick#221- Jacob Hollister, TE, Wyoming

It’s anyone’s guess as to how the last round will play out, but I’m guessing that the Bears add to a position that was sorely lacking after Zach Miller went down for the season with a foot injury. The Bears added a block first tight end Dion Sims in free agency and return the oft-injured Miller, and that’s about it. According to pro football focus, Hollister has the potential to be a serious threat down the field, comparing him to Julius Thomas.

So there you have it, eight picks, split evenly between offense and defense. Let’s trust that Ryan Pace knows what he’s doing, the Bears don’t have any more room for error.

The post Chicago Bears Mock Draft appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Coming into this season, the “sophomore slump” question was on everyone’s mind for Johnny Manziel. He came out of nowhere last season and led Texas A&M to a 11-2 season, including a 41-13 dismantling of Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. He also managed to break SEC records set by Cam Newton and Tim Tebow, as a freshman mind you. But this year there seems to be a new “Johnny Football” over in Tallahassee. Another redshirt freshman quarterback named Jameis Winston has his Florida State Seminoles undefeated and currently ranked second in the nation and likely to compete for a national title. But regardless of a team’s record, the Heisman Trophy goes to the nation’s best player. And despite the losses and his off-field issues (which are minor compared to some other players) Johnny Football is still the best player in college football.

Numbers Don’t Lie

I realize that Winston and Baylor’s Bryce Petty are undefeated, and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota only has one loss. But Manziel is beating them in passing yards (3313), passing touchdowns (31), rushing yards (611), and completion percentage (73%). The part of his game that he is not leading in is rushing touchdowns and he still has more than Winston – the Heisman frontrunner. Yes he has more interceptions than any of these other contenders, but he also has almost 50 more passing attempts than the next closest player, Mariota.

No Heisman Moment? Try Every Game

I will give Winston credit that his “Heisman Moment” was going into Death Valley and dismantling then third ranked Clemson 51-14 on national television. His thumping of then number seven Miami 41-14 also helped his candidacy. But Manziel has played this way week in and week out. Last year he snuck up on some teams, but this year everyone knows what he is capable of. Johnny has a target on his back and he is still putting up these numbers. Even in his two losses his team scored 42 and 41 points. And in both of those games he had over 500 yards of total offense.

Records Should Not Be the Only Factor

I am not trying to take anything away from Winston, but if the Seminoles had a loss, he would not be the number one contender. To me, the Heisman Trophy shuld not only go to the nation’s most outstanding player, but to the player that makes the biggest difference on the team. It should be a player whose team would not be the same without him. Florida State’s defense is third best in the nation and only gives up an average of 11.1 points per game – Texas A&M not so much. The Aggies’ defense currently ranks 88^th in the nation and gives up 30.9 points per game. And A&M lost both of their games by a total of 11 points. The bottom line is that is Manziel had a defense close to the caliber that Winston has, he would be undefeated as well.

Put Attitude Aside and Base it Off Performance

Yes we all know about Manziel’s off-field issues. He is basically an average college student. I have heard people say he is a punk and a showboat, but you know what? He can do it. It is not really arrogance when he backs it up week after week. Manziel just got bad press for doing what every other college guy does. But put all the partying and money counting celebrations aside and base it off of his numbers and what he means to his team. If the people do that, it really is a clear choice.

Related articles

• What Johnny Football Needs to Do to Lock Up the Heisman in Death Valley
• It’s all about Johnny Heisman … again
• Heisman Watch 2013: What Each Contender Has Left to Prove

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