IOWA CITY, Iowa -
On Friday in Iowa City, some Hawkeye football fans feel like singing the blues. Entertainer B.F. Burt summed up the situation in song and improvised a tune about the Iowa-Ohio State game.
Around campus, the dream season feels deflated just a bit. Iowa fans know their team must tangle successfully with Ohio State. It's a make-or-break game for the Rose Bowl.
"They're doing as well as they can," said Hawkeye fan Ken Kuntz. "It's hyping up the town. The coach is overpaid, but that's all right. He's a good guy."
It will be some starting debut for freshman quarterback James Vandenberg. Friends and fans know a packed house in Columbus and national TV audience add to the pressure.
"I doubt he's sleeping much," said sophomore Brad Monsen. "I'll bet he's so nervous. He's a nice kid. I just hope for the best."
After a 9-0 start, last week's bump in the road with Northwestern isn't about to discourage diehard Hawkeye fans. They still smell roses.
"I think we have just as good a chance as any week," said freshman Jon Bohle. "Obviously, not having Ricky Stanzi hurts, but I still like our chances."
These Hawkeyes know about being the underdog. But with memories of Sports Illustrated, shirts up in store windows and those familiar bumper stickers on cars, fans are hanging tough.
"We're upbeat," said senior Derek Bohlke. "We've got a lot to play for the rest of this year."
ABC will televise the game starting at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, on WQAD.
"We're used to being the underdog before," said senior Sarah Kaufmann. "It's back to how we felt. We're feeling good about our team, and we'll see if they pull through."
For B.F. Burt, it's something to sing about.
Around campus, the dream season feels deflated just a bit. Iowa fans know their team must tangle successfully with Ohio State. It's a make-or-break game for the Rose Bowl.
"They're doing as well as they can," said Hawkeye fan Ken Kuntz. "It's hyping up the town. The coach is overpaid, but that's all right. He's a good guy."
It will be some starting debut for freshman quarterback James Vandenberg. Friends and fans know a packed house in Columbus and national TV audience add to the pressure.
"I doubt he's sleeping much," said sophomore Brad Monsen. "I'll bet he's so nervous. He's a nice kid. I just hope for the best."
After a 9-0 start, last week's bump in the road with Northwestern isn't about to discourage diehard Hawkeye fans. They still smell roses.
"I think we have just as good a chance as any week," said freshman Jon Bohle. "Obviously, not having Ricky Stanzi hurts, but I still like our chances."
These Hawkeyes know about being the underdog. But with memories of Sports Illustrated, shirts up in store windows and those familiar bumper stickers on cars, fans are hanging tough.
"We're upbeat," said senior Derek Bohlke. "We've got a lot to play for the rest of this year."
ABC will televise the game starting at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, on WQAD.
"We're used to being the underdog before," said senior Sarah Kaufmann. "It's back to how we felt. We're feeling good about our team, and we'll see if they pull through."
For B.F. Burt, it's something to sing about.
