THE PLOT THICKENS, SORTA

Well, now, here’s a twist for you: Just hours after Iowa canned its wrestling coach Jim Zalesky, there’s a change in the wrestling program at Iowa State, too, as Bobby Douglas is out and 26-year-old Cael Sanderson is in as the new Cyclones head coach.

Sanderson, you may recall, was a career-and-0 wrestler. He didn’t lose at all in college, nor did he lose in the Olympics.

Why the sudden switch for Cy? You might recall that, the last time Iowa hired a Cyclone wrestling legend, it worked out pretty well for them . . . like “15 national championships in 21 years” well. Good luck, Bobby Douglas.

IOWA FIRES HEAD COACH, ENTIRE STAFF!

Okay, well, it was the wrestling staff. Not exactly the unemployment news many were expecting to hear.

However, given the downward trend in Zalesky’s performance (after winning national titles in his first three seasons, the Hawks didn’t even have a single national–or Big Ten–individual champ this season), you can hardly call it unexpected, either.

How would you like to have been Iowa AD Bob Bowlsby these last couple weeks? Cell-phone scandals, endless speculation about Steve Alford’s future, and having to fire Jim Zalesky? I’m guessing he could stand a couple days off right now.

AN EARLY BLOGPOLL ROUNDTABLE

Over at Schembechler Hall (any truth to the rumor that they keep losing all the bowls in the cafeteria over there?) they’ve posted an early BlogPoll roundtable in recognition of the the fact that Big Ten basketball is dead for the year. Since I’m trying to avoid commenting on the cell-phones for Outback Bowl tickets scandal that’s currently afflicting my team, I feel I’ve got nothing to lose by responding. Of course, I’ve felt that way before.

1) It’s early, but thus far, which offseason change or changes in college football are you most excited about?

Are you kidding me? I’m totally geeked about the fact that I’ll not have to hear about Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush any more. In fact, I’m giddy that somebody other than U$C enters the season as the national champion. It’s like Duke losing in the Sweet Sixteen. Actually, it’s like that in more ways than one. You can’t really hate Coach Kryzlwqvrdvszynski, and it’s hard not to be impressed by what Pete Carroll has done with the steaming carcass he inherited. But the incessant media hype for both programs has become such a public nuisance that it’s tainted any possible appreciation of their accomplishments.

I’m also interested in seeing if Ron Prince can continue what Bill Snyder started at K-State . . . and in seeing if he understands (in the way that Snyder never did) that competition creates competitors, and no real program schedules two I-AA teams in a single season.

2) With spring practice underway, what are the three concerns about your team that are causing you the most anxiety? (USC fans can’t just list the departures of Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, and LenDale White.)

1. Obviously, for any Iowa fan, the first concern is how the defense will change with Hodge and Greenway gone. I almost typed “how the Hawks will replace Hodge and Greenway,” but let’s face it–that’s not possible. I’m going to assume that Norm Parker is smart enough to realize that the entire defensive scheme will have to change because almost any pair of college linebackers would represent a dropoff from what Iowa had last season.

2. The next question is whether Drew Tate can return to his 2004 form. 2005 wasn’t a horrible season for him by any means, but I don’t think he seemed like the difference-maker he was in ‘04. A lot of that reflects the quality of offensive line play in ‘04 versus ‘05, with the ‘04 line being a little more capable. Tate had more time to find a possibility back then.

3. Those flarpin’ Cyclones. I’m tired of losing to them. They’re sore winners.

3) Care to take a stab at a preseason top five?

Sure! As we’re fond of saying here at TBP, it’s never too early to be wrong.

1. Ohio State. Only great team coming into the season with momentum. Should pick up right where they left off.
2. Texas. Normally I say that the national champ stays #1 until proven otherwise, but let’s face it; they’re going to miss Vince Young a lot.
3. Florida. I still believe in Urban Meyer, but last year’s team fell a little short of what I was expecting from him. But, it was his first year.
4. Southern Cal. They’ve got a lot of talent, but I do expect a dropoff this season.
5. Penn State. Finished very strong last season; may have a little trouble staying at that level.