Iowa Western: The JUCO Place To Play

By Michael J. Malone

HuskerHawkeye Contributor

Some random thoughts this week.

* Things are getting more interesting by the day in Columbus, Ohio. Jim Tressel's resignation on Memorial Day could just be the beginning. Quarterback Terrell Pryor, already suspended for the first five games of the 2011 for selling memorabilia in exchange for tattoos, is now being investigated for issues involving the purchase and use of automobiles. It also was revealed Wednesday that Pryor shouldn't be driving at all right now.

Pryor was seen driving a sports car to a team meeting Monday, even though his Ohio driving privileges were suspended because he failed to produce proof of insurance after a traffic stop Feb. 19. Pryor is being investigated for the cars he has driven in three years as a Buckeye, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

I wouldn't bet on Pryor taking any snaps for OSU this season and don't be surprised if school president Gordon Gee and athletic director Gene Smith lose their jobs if the investigations continue to uncover more violations.

IWCC

* Football fans in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area might just want to take in an Iowa Western game next season. The running back position should be well-stocked for the Reivers. Iowa four-start recruit Rodney Coe, who checks in around 230 pounds, didn't qualify academically and has elected to play for Iowa Western. Coe was expected to be in the mix to be Marcus Coker's back-up at Iowa.

Joining Coe at IWCC will be former Cedar Rapids Washington all-stater Andre Dawson. Dawson red-shirted last year at Northern Iowa, but decided he needed a change and elected to head to Council Bluffs. Dawson ran for almost 2,000 yards during his senior year at Washington. Iowa Western's program continues to grow and no doubt will continue to be a place where Iowa and Nebraska, among others, will look for talent.

* If they haven't already, BTN will become a much-watched network in Nebraska as the Cornhuskers join the Big Ten on July 1. BTN (recently renamed after four years at the Big Ten Network) has made great strides since its inception. The on-air talent is solid and the production on events has improved greatly.

Big Ten Newtwork

Although nothing has been announced, I suspect once the Huskers become an official league member on July 1, the network will bust out a string of "Big Ten's Greatest Games" featuring some of the best football and basketball games in Nebraska history. In the past the network has had entire weeks devoted to the "best of" for each school.

During August, the network takes a day to visit each school during preseason football drills. Fans get to see some practice footage, interviews with players and a sit-down with the head coach. The hour-long shows are well done and provide insight to the upcoming season.

For Big Ten fans wanting a taste of the Huskers and NU fans wanting a taste of BTN, the Nebraska preview show will be a must see for many.