The Big Game 6er!

1. Iowa struggled to get by NIU this past weekend, Iowa State rumbled past Tulsa to set up a 1-0 matchup in Iowa City for the ‘new’ CyHawk trophy.  Iowa hasn’t lost to ISU in Kinnick since 2002, and some feel that Iowa State maybe the more talented team going into the game Saturday.  What happens?  Who wins?

Matt – I really don’t have a feel, ISU played better the first game of the year.  ISU I think is the most talented team and I like their LBs as the best unit on the field.  I think though that this mirrors last year’s game.  Iowa had the more impressive first game last year, ISU struggled.  ISU pulled off the win at home.  I could see that happening this year, flip-flopped.  I’m thinking somewhere Iowa pulls a play out and eecks out a win in the 4^th and the defense this year stops Steele Jantz and the Hawks can run out the clock with a W.   Hawks 24-Clones 23

Wendt – Iowa-27 Iowa State-13

Painter – Iowa has way more talent but is transitioning.  I think Iowa's passing game will greatly improve (Vandenberg is a million times better at Kinnick.  The game will either end with ISU winning by a few points or Iowa winning by double-digits.

Blake – I've gone back and forth.  On the surface, it seems like ISU should win.  However Iowa is so successful at home, and in home openers, and I think it took a while to realize how good NIU played, that now I'm favoring Iowa a little.  Still wouldn't bet on this game either way

BSox – I don’t think I’m going too far out there to say I think Iowa will win, but I do believe that it will be a close game. I think if Iowa would have had better luck in the red zone this weekend, there would be a different feeling going into the game. So away we go again. We’ll see what happens this year.

Majors – With every fiber of my being I am willing the Hawks to a win. I am just not sure, though. We seemed to be in neutral all game, and NIU's front 7 just manhandled us it seemed. Go Hawkeyes!!!

Zach – Iowa did struggle last week to Northern Illinois, and I can't wait for tomorrow to come around so the talk can stop for at least three hours. Anyway, Iowa State looked too impressive to lay an egg on Saturday. Jantz shouldn't have many problems, but Iowa hangs around in this game. ISU 28, Iowa 24

2. Week 1 of the college season is in the books…Penn State got beat by Ohio, Alabama rolled Michigan, Boise State couldn’t pull off the upset in East Lansing and UNI almost pulled a shocker in Madison.  What are your week 1 impressions?

Matt – Alabama has as good of a defense as some NFL teams.  I think if they can get any offensive production, mark them down for the title game.  No other SEC team impressed me.  USC looked good and I liked Michigan State and Va Tech.  Baylor also trying to not miss a step without RG3.

Wendt – Alabama was very impressive and Denard Robinson is still a glass quarterback and will never amount to anything in the NFL (he better not be a Heisman finalist either) Nebraska looked good apparently (I didn't watch but just heard) Ohio is actually a better team than most people were giving them credit. USC is legit

Painter – Same as every year, there was a lot of sloppiness all over, especially on the teams that have new coaches/coordinators.  It's also very difficult to replace players at the college level.  The good teams were making their presence felt

Blake – Alabama and USC are really good.  Everything is is still open for discussion

BSox – I think its too early to really get into real deep impressions. We know the SEC is tough, big ten is down, big 12 barely plays D, and Oregon will have great uniforms all season. That’s what we know.  By the way, I do like oregon’s uniforms. I don’t care if it is a huge money makers just for nike, I think they are sweet. Love the helmets.

Majors – Helloooo Alabama! They looked ready to go, which is typical Saban when he has time to prepare. I think it will still be a great season, and there are more twists & turns ahead.

Zach – Penn State's marketing department better get to work on how to market their basketball season right now, Ohio might be the "Boise" of the nation this season, Mike Leach now realizes what kind of buzzsaw he's run into, and oh yeah, the SEC is still going to be the best conference by December.

Ok, NFL time, the season starts on Wednesday with the Giants and Cowboys.  Who you got?

3.  Who wins the NFC?  Any darkhorse contenders?

Matt – I’m going with the Packers here.  I think the Bears could cause some trouble (if healthy) and the Giants and Niners are still there.

Wendt – Green Bay (keep an eye on Seattle)

Painter – Green Bay will be really strong again (hopefully the defense improves) and Detroit should push them in the division.  Carolina and Atlanta will be strong too but the Packers will be looking to get back to the Super Bowl.

Blake – I think the 49ers have a real chance, along with the Bears and Packers

BSox – Safe bet is the packers. But its weird to think Chicago or detriot could be up there too. Dang that division is loaded. Dark house would proly be the giants…I mean come one they have to be right?

Majors – I think the Packers win the NFC. Watch the Seahwaks though, I like Russell Wilson, and that D could be nasty.

Zach – Rematch of last year and for my sake, it better not be the same outcome. Don't sleep on the Seahawks as long as T.O. stays low with his mouth

4.  Who wins the AFC?  Any darkhorse contenders?

Matt – Going with defense.  The Ravens.  I like Houston to be a dark horse.

Wendt – New England (keep an eye on Houston)

Painter – You can never bet against New England but Baltimore may be in line to take over.

Blake – Patriots again, but I could see the Ravens or Broncos getting there too

BSox – If its true and the pats are a good bet, steelers are usually there, and the ravens….the ravens need to get it done soon, or they will be too old. Dark horse here isn’t really a dark horse, but Denver will be fun to watch, they were already a playoff team, and I cant see how they’d take a step back with an upgrade at QB

Majors – I want to say the Texans, but losing Demeco Ryans & Mario Williams hurts. I still think they are a tough out, though. Darkhorse? Well, if Run DMC can stay on the field & Carson can throw to the correct team, the Raiders could pull some surprises. They do have a TON of 1 ET games, which is a death sentence for West Coast teams.

Zach – Houston vs. New England. Yes, Houston. They have to have SOMETHING to cheer for. Winner: Those damn Pats. In terms of darkhorses, look out for Kansas City

5.  Who wins the the Super Bowl and MVP?

Matt – Ravens win.  Ray Rice MVP…Ed Reed and Ray Lewis retire as champs

Wendt – New England with Tom Brady as MVP

Painter – I really want Green Bay to win it but I don't know if they'll be able to get past Baltimore in the Super Bowl.

Blake – I'll take the Patriots.  They've been so close the last few years, and I can't see Brady and Belichek going out without one more

BSox – Really?

Majors – I am going with the Packers, but watch the Ravens, they could have 1 final run in them.  MVP is Rodgers.

Zach – Pats beat the 49ers. Sigh

6. Michael Clark Duncan passed away this past weekend, what’s your favorite MCD movie?

Matt – He’ll be remembered most for the Green Mile but he was a pretty good Kingpin in Daredevil

Wendt – The Green Mile with honorable mention to Daredevil

Painter – I thought he was great in Armageddon and Green Mile

Blake – Green Mile.  Not even close. 

BSox – I’m gonna go with Armageddon, simply because I always laugh at him on the motorcycle, and yelling “COME GET PAPA BEAR!”

Majors – Any of them, he was awesome. I liked watching him & the Rock together, real life best friends that carried over to the screen. Will be surely missed.

Zach – The dude appeared in everything it seemed like, so if I may, I'll claim three. His role in "Married With Children" as a bouncer, his voiceovers in "Family Guy" and his role in "The Whole Nine Yards" were the funniest for me, but playing John Coffey was definitely his signature role

Kickoff Weekend Friday 6 Pack

Iowa and Iowa State open this week.  Iowa goes to Chicago to take on Northern Illinois and Iowa State hosts Tulsa.  Both could and should make noise for conference titles in the MAC and Conf USA.  Will either team knock off their BCS opponents?

1. Iowa vs NIU prediction

Matt – NIU has been hit with some injuries and graduated a few players from their 10 win team last year but should still be good.  Iowa’s DL is a question and who’s going to run the ball?  I think this game is close like the last time in Chicago and but Iowa seperates in the 4^th quarter.  23-10 Hawks

Painter – It's going to be a sloppy game but Iowa should, and had better, win this game.  I don't know if I can tolerate a repeat of the last time Iowa played NIU at Soldier....

Wendt – Iowa-24 Northern Illinois-15

Blake – 27-17 Iowa

BSox – Pretty sure iowa will win, but I wouldn’t be surprised if its closer than what people think. Considering it’s the first game, the lack of running backs, and the new coaches…might be closer than what people think. Should be interesting though

Silker – Iowa starts slow but pulls off a win. 30-27

2. ISU vs Tulsa prediction

Matt – I think this game is similar to the Iowa-NIU game.  I think this game will be tight in the 4^th quarter.  With that I’m going to give the ISU LB’s a nod and they’ll make a big play when needed to stop the Golden Hurricane.  ISU makes it 1-0 to the Iowa game.  Cyclones 31-26

Painter – ISU's offensive line will look like Swiss cheese and they will barely pull this one off, but of course they aren't looking toward Iowa just yet...

Wendt – Iowa State-27 Tulsa-21

Blake – 32-17

BSox – Another game that could be closer than you’d think. I know it’s a close spread with Tulsa being favored, but I’m really curious to see how jantz plays. Last season, he was amazing when he was on, but when he was off, it got bad real quick. So I’m interested to see how he reacts and what he looks like now as compared to last year

Silker – ISU demolishes and wins big. 24-3  -- Because the only two games mattering this weekend are:UNI 10 Wisconsin 52; Notre Dame 31 Navy 24

3. Big name players are hitting the chopping block in the NFL, TO by the Seahawks, Vince Young by the Bills.  Also 5 rookies will start week 1 in the NFL at QB.  What is the move your shocked by the most and what is the biggest story of the preseason?

Matt – ESPN is choking everyone with Tebow & the Jets creating stories.  Diva wide recievers in TO & Ochocinco being cut.  Those stories are getting most pub, but how about Russell Wilson in Seattle and the other 4 rookie starters?  Is this 1983 (Year of the QB in the draft) all over again?  I think that is more interesting.  And MJD, when will he play and where? 

Painter – The most shocking move was that Seattle signed TO in the first place and the biggest story of the preseason is my own retirement from fantasy football

Wendt – Billy Cundiff being cut by Baltimore was surprising but nothing has really shocked me this preseason

Blake – Just how fast successful veterans fall out of this league.  You mentioned two, Randy Moss sat out last year.  I still think back to how fast Shaun Alexander dropped a few years ago

BSox – Russell Wilson is pretty interesting considering they thought Flynn might be their guy. I thought they’d leave him on the bench for a bit to learn the system, and make the move later. Otherwise, TO wasn’t a total surprise, that was 50/50 to me. otherwise, the biggest story is probably the refs, and how bad the stand in refs are. No one gets too upset in a preseason game, will be interesting to see reactions on these horrible calls in a game that matters

Silker – Biggest move is that we are still talkin about Seattle. Pete Carroll always likes is talkin about him as much as Rex Ryan. That is why TO was brought in. Seattle wins 7 games this year and Carroll is on the hot seat next year. Biggest preseason story is the lack of offense for the Jets. Can you hear the Tebow chants already!

4. The Dodgers and RedSox pulled off a HUGE trade with Beckett, Gonzalez and Crawford leaving Beantown and joining the Dodgers.  Does this move make the Dodgers the favorites in the NL?

Matt – I thought the Dodgers where NL Champs before the season, and this I think will just help them get past the Giants and rest of the NL.  Don’t shy away from the Cardinals too, how do they always do this?

Painter – Nope

Wendt – I'm not gonna lie, I completely missed this deal but I still think the Reds are the favorite in the NL 

Blake – If the Nats shut Strasburg down, you have to think so.  LA has more experience than the Nats anyway, so they still might come out of the NL.

BSox – Depends on how the gel. The dodgers seem like that team that could just fall apart at any point just because of their recent history. We’ll see

Silker – Yes. Boston dumped everyone they could and will rebuild for the next ten years. The dodgers are now penent favorites and will be a force to recon with. McCourt is kicking himself for going backrupt.

5. Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth got into it a bit at this weekends race with Tony chucking his helmet at Kenseth’s car. Dumber way to retaliate, chucking a helmet at a car, hitting a guy wearing a football helmet with your fist, or charging the mound where a pitcher is waiting for you along with his infield teammates?

Matt – Hitting a dude in a football helmet is stupid.  That’s broken fingers or hand written all over it.  Tony made a great toss of his helmet though, but I do wonder if that could have gone off in the stands and hurt someone?  I’m sure there is a fine coming.

Painter – If you throw a helmet you had better hope it doesn't get hit toward anyone else.  At least with the other two you are risking your own safety more than others.  That being said Tony had pinpoint accuracy on his toss and it was much needed for NASCAR

Wendt – Hitting a football player with their helmet on is by far the dumbest move ever 

Blake – Car's are big, so I wouldn't do that.  Hitting a helmet is just stupid, so of course I'd rather charge the mound.

BSox – I thought the tony/matt thing was great, and I loved the helmet toss. I’d say dumbest is proly punching a guy with a face mask, that’s just a no win scenario

Silker – Classic will always be charging the mound. It shows that you don't care and are about to take it

6. The Summer Movie season is pretty much over.  What was your movie of the Summer and what is the flop?

Matt – The Colorado shooting seems to have put a black cloud on the movies this summer.  It took the steam out of Batman and I think everything since then.  Avengers is the movie of the summer.  Bust (of what I’ve seen) is going to be Total Recall.  It didn’t separate itself from the original enough but Jessica and Kate…mmmm.

Painter – Avengers carried the banner for the 2012 summer movie season.  The flop was the movie theater in Perry for not having a fully-functional sound system in one of its 3 theaters, and of course it was the one that the movie I took the kids too was showing in.

Wendt – I can honestly say that I don't think I watched any of the "summer blockbusters" and will probably see them when they hit DVD/Netflix

Blake – I have a near two year old...I don't watch new movies.  

BSox – I’d say avengers, ted, or dark knight…and out of that I enjoyed avengers the most. Otherwise, I didn’t see too many other movies, and couldn’t tell you which I saw that was the biggest flop sorry

Silker – I didn't see many but Batman was pretty good

NFL and IOWA/ISU predictions next week

Friday 6 Pack

1. Melky Cabrera of the Giants was suspended for performance enhancers last week and suspended 50 games.  Many players have been caught and suspended; do the current rules work for MLB in testing and the punishment?  Should something more be done?

Matt – 50 games doesn’t seem to worry these guys.  I say suspend them a year without pay.  Second strike your done.  That may be enough of a punishment to keep clean.  These guys have kids looking up to them.  An organization that is paying them greatly relies on them to be clean.  Strike fear in them.  They just aren’t worried right now about it.

Wendt – I saw a tweet about one and done when it comes to suspensions, and while I doubt that will ever happen it might actually keep these guys from cheating. Feels like MLB wants them to continue to hit a ton of homeruns and if they need to cheat, do it, but don't get caught

Painter – I'm close to the point of letting these guys get juiced up and let them have at it.  Players that want to cheat will find a way around the rules if at all possible.

Blake – The users are always ahead of the testing, that's why it seems like it would be smart for baseball to bring on Victor Conte as a consultant.  Short of that, I'm not sure why you get 3 strikes before getting banned.  Why not one strike?  1 positive and you're done with the game forever.  That should be a deterrent

BSox – 50 games is pretty big, and if you’re like melky and get caught at the end of the season, it becomes an even bigger deal.

Majors – Until the salaries are adjusted, the players will continue to keep skirting the rules. It's all about the benjamins

Silker – 50 games is a big hit. I think that is a good punishment. However if he is found guilty of making the fake website, then a larger suspension should be in order. As strong of a penalty as ESPN analysts are saying with deportation, I think this is a bit harsh.

2. Chad Johnson was cut by the Dolphins last week after an arrest.  TO is currently buried on the Seahawks depth chart.  The best WR in the game are very quiet in Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson.  Is the NFL Diva WR dying out? 

Matt – Larry Fitzgerald, Jerry Rice, Calvin Johnson—these guys are the model WR.  TO and CJ acted like they just spent a season at the U with Michael Irvin.  I hope the diva player is dying out and knowing they can get cut. 

Wendt – Having confidence is great but over the line "hey look at me" stuff just never seems to work. I like my players being confident until it turns into "look at me"

Painter – It was a fad and just like every fad it will die and then come back.  I think there are still some diva WR but the top players are doing it the right way (letting their play speak for them).  I gotta admit it was kind of fun when CJ and TO were performing well and performing their stunts.

Blake – I hope so.  A very similar thing happened in the NBA.  A lot of the diva players (think Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson) fizzled out, and were replaced by more humble stars (yes, LBJ and even the Dwightmare are more humble than the aforementioned).

BSox – Na, there will always be those dudes, it just happens to be the Chad and TO got old, but at least at some point they backed up all the hype.

Majors – No, you still have Dez Bryant who is banned from the Dallas area malls, you have Titus Young, you have Santonio Holmes, you have Plexi-glass, you have Crabtree. The number of them may be a little smaller, but they are still there

Silker – I hope so. These "Divas" are actors who play football. We shouldn't give them the time.

Ok, College football is damn near here; TIME FOR PREDICTIONS!

3.  Who wins the faces off in the Big Ten title game in Indy and who raises the Stagg Trophy as Big Ten Champion?

Matt – Wisconsin over Nebraska.  There will be a bit of Red in Indy. 

Wendt – Wisconsin vs Michigan State with Sparty pulling the upset

Painter – Wisconsin vs Michigan with Michigan going to the Rose Bowl.

Blake – I'll take Wisconsin and Michigan, and Wisconsin hoists the Trophy.  That said, it's Football and strange things happen

BSox – I’d love to say Iowa, but I don’t think it will happen. I gotta believe that Wisconsin will be one of the teams simply because there isn’t a better choice in the leaders because of Penn St and Ohio St banned from post season. Right now, I’m going to go with Michigan from the Legends. Nebraska could make it, but Michigan looks like a better bet at the moment.

Zach –

Majors – I'm going with Wisconsin & Michigan, ugh. I say the Sconnies take the title

Silker – Unfortunately I have to say Michigan wins it all. I dislike them as a team but they have all the weapons to be a title contender

4.  Who wins the Big XII conference?  Will a newbie in TCU or West Virginia topple Texas or Oklahoma?

Matt – Boomer Sooner.  Though I think Texas, West Virginia and K-State could pull off a surprise here.

Wendt – I'll take the safe pick with Oklahoma

Painter – I'll take the powerhouse that is Oklahoma 

Blake – Don't forget K-State either.  They have the potential to be a big time spoiler if those other teams stumble.  I don't see Texas winning the league, and think it's mostly between Oklahoma and West Virginia.  

BSox – West Virginia might have a chance, but I’m going with Oklahoma…until they stumble for whatever reason like past years

Majors – I think OU is still tough, they will take it this year

Silker – Oklahoma continues its winning ways. TCU starts strong but is not a big enough power house yet.

5.  Who wins the second to last BCS Championship game?  Does the SEC make it 7 in a row?

Matt – I’m taking USC to end the SEC streak over the Georgia Bulldogs

Wendt – USC vs LSU and I'll take USC as BCS National Champions

Painter – Against my best judgement I'm going with USC. 

Blake – First time I can ever say this, but if it's not a Big 10 team, I'm rooting for USC.

BSox – USC or Bama. I’m leaning SEC though

Majors – Man, tough to count out the SEC. I think the lack of depth will hurt USC, plus they have to play Oregon twice more than likely. I am going to go with a little long shot, though. How about them Dawgs? Let's see if UGA can pull off an upset

Silker – I hope someone other than the SEC. However I will take a Bama repeat before a trojan win. I hope lane kiffin never wins it with the Trojans

6.  Politics and the 2012 election are taking over commercials, social media and seem like daily phone calls.  Is there anything worse than the last few months of the election?

Matt – I’m really tired that it’s all negative.  I don’t see it getting any better.  First you cut down your own party members, and then you try to work with them.  And really do they need to waste this much money?  Think of where that money could be going.  Sad thing is after November it’s going to ramp up to midterm and 2016 too.  Our political system is really messed up

Wendt – The only thing that is worse is watching politicians say something stupid and thinking to yourself "this guy wants to help run the country?" SMH

Painter – The only thing that can come close is the month or two before the Presidential caucuses.

Blake – This year is worst than most.  The negativity, fear mongering, and over the top politics are making me sick.  The worst part is, we will only have a couple months off, and then the politicking for the mid-terms will start.  Ugh

BSox – I’d love to say yes, but I have to go with no. I hate when people are republican or democrat, and they have no real reason as to why they are. The last election drove me crazy because people didn’t vote for Obama because of his ideas, they voted for him because it was the popular thing to do. My biggest thing is just for people to read and research before they vote.  

Majors – Yes. The Iowa State Cyclones

Silker – Does dancing with the stars count? I agree though each year the election period gets longer and longer and worse and worse for negative campaigns. This year is bad with the super pacs being able to buy their own advertising without the campaign endorsement. 

Friday 6 Pack

1. The 30^th Olympics are over, what is your lasting image from the London Games?

Matt – Usain Bolt easing his way to a 100M and 200M repeat and Misty May and Kerry Walsh’s 3 peat in the sand and Oscar Pistorius.

Wendt – Michael Phelps

Painter – U.S. dominating the final medal count

Blake – I'm something of an Olympic junkie so I have a few.  Aly Raisman breaking down just before the end of her Team Gold medal clinching floor routine.  Michael Phelps rebounding after a tough start and just looking pissed off at the world that you knew the world was going to be in trouble, and the sight of Usain Bolt getting the baton behind the American's on the 4x100M relay, and taking about 3 steps to not just catch up, but leave the field in the dust.

BSox – How much of a dumbass fatboy slim looks like at the closing ceremony. Horrible. Spice girls though…AWESOME!

Majors – I enjoyed the Olympics this year. There seemed to be a lot of intensity, the coverage in social media was excellent as well, especially Twitter. WInning 2 Golds in wrestling was awesome!

Zach – My lasting image is the look on the faces of the women's gymnastics team after winning team final.

2. Now that the Olympics are over football is right around the corner, and high school games begin TONIGHT!  Open up your crystal ball, any school any class – what is one headline the state will see this year in IA HS FB?

Matt – GMG will not go 0fer.  They haven’t won a game in over 20 games or so (that’s like 2 full seasons +) but Wendt has assured me that one of the teams on the Wolverines schedule sucks worse this year.

Wendt – Class A football will be extremely watered down this fall (lots of teams dropping to 8man) Class 4A will dominate the headlines because it always does

Painter – I don't care much about high school football unless I'm helping out Mr Wendt.

Blake – That it will take me the entire year to fully remember there is no more CIML

BSox – I really don’t know. I haven’t paid much attention to high school games since my brother played at north polk. However, I live in Johnston now, and I’ve always wanted to head over for a game…maybe this is the year!

Majors – Ummm, no clue. So I will go with Boone & Ogden! Go Toreadors!!!

Zach – The fact that Valley vs. Dowling late in the season adds a new element of drama.

3. College football starts in 2 weeks.  Next week we’ll get to Big Ten/Big XII/ BCS predictions.  This week – Who is your Heisman pick?

Matt – Last year I picked Landry Jones and was off.  This year I’m going to go with Matt Barkley at USC. 

Wendt – Montee Ball-Wisconsin

Painter – Sadly I have to say Denard Robinson

Blake – Well, Honey Badger is out.  I'll take Matt Barkley

BSox – Probably what’s his name from USC. Will he get it is debatable, but he has to be the front runner right?

Majors – Well it won't be the Honey Badger. I think Montee Ball has a good shot, especially if he puts up numbers like he did last year. But the B1G bias will always come out, so the voters will forget about him
Zach – I'll take a layup here and go with Matt Barkley at So Cal.

4. The Iowa Speedway had its second Nationwide race a couple weeks ago.  Rusty Wallace on KXNO was talking more and more that Iowa is a great spot for a NASCAR race and maybe in the next 5 years.  Would this be the biggest sports stage to hit central Iowa? 

Matt – I think the only thing that could top it would be the NCAA 1^st & 2^nd round games if they come to the Well, though the NCAA Wrestling Championships I think will be HUGE here in March.  Those might be the only 2 things.  But no question about it a Sprint Cup race would be AMAZING here.

Wendt – I'd be shocked if Newton ever holds a Sprint Cup race but if they do, more power to em

Painter – While a Sprint Cup race would be huge for Iowa it may not be the biggest sports stage, although it would generate the most interest within any given fan base

Blake – I'm not sure it's ahead of the NCAA Women's basketball tournament or the wrestling tournament, or even the US Senior Open.  But hey, it's good for sports in Iowa to be shown on National TV as much as possible.

BSox – Part of me says yes, but part of me says no. this is still a college football/basketball state. While Jack Trice or Kinnick doesn’t always hold as many as the speedway, the speed way doesn’t have people fighting for a tv to watch an Iowa/Iowa St game every single weekend. Speedway can’t say the same. Speedway has big crowds, not near as many people following at home.

Majors – I think it is pretty cool that there is so much racing up there. You have Knoxville, Boone, plus others I don't know about I'm sure

Zach – Football, both high school and college, will always take the big stage. NASCAR will provide to set up the big "audition" for Des Moines to host other major events and not just NCAA based events.

5. The Expendables 2 opens up this week.  Which of these stars is your favorite and which one is truly Expendable and needs to hang it up?

Matt – Bruce Willis as John McClane is a bad ass!  I think it’s time for Arnold to hang it up, he shouldn’t be coming back, he old.

Wendt – Jason Statham is actually pretty solid, and I always enjoy Chuck Norris. Stallone needs to go away

Painter – Tough question.  I've liked Stallone and Willis but I also think their times have passed.

Blake – I just borrowed a buddies copy of the first Expendables since I hadn't seen it yet.  Let me just say this, I love the old school action stars, but Hollywood hasn't developed any new ones worth a damn for about 30 years.

BSox – I don’t think any of them need to. This is such a throwback to 80s action movies that it makes me warm and fuzzy. I want 47 more movies like this.

Majors – Hmmm, Sly is getting up there, along with Mr. Van Damme. I have always liked Jet Li

Zach – While they all probably need to hang it up, Willis is my favorite. "Die Hard" will always live easy with me.

6.  A 24 hour wedding chapel opened in a Las Vegas Denny’s.  What’s the menu item you are saying “I DO” to after getting hitched?

Matt – You gotta go with the Grand Slam breakfast since later after the I DO’s  and flapjacks you going to most likely hit a home run at the hotel.

Wendt – French Toast Slam (mmmmmm mmmm good)

Painter – A Grand Slam of course

Blake – I'd say chilli cheese dogs with a side of baked beans.  Gotta break her into a new reality quickly.  

BSox – Corn beefed hash…by the gallons.

Majors – A beer...or shot. My last marriage ended in a ball of flames, hopefully I will have better luck next time, haha!!!

Zach – Champagne. And maybe a waffle.