Finebaum: I was an idiot, Iowa is for real

[BigHawksFan]

Did anyone catch this earlier on ESPN? Wow, I can finally respect him now. Never saw that coming. He took back his criticisms of Iowa all season long. He actually used the word "idiotic" to describe his criticism. That made me smile.

After last night's game, he finally respects us. Maybe because he actually watched us?

And, I recorded it.

 

[hawkeye54545]

Was? As in only past tense? You are getting warmer Paul but try again.

 

[Kinnick4Ever]

Maybe the Hawkeyes finally EARNED his respect. Viewed dispassionately, this team hadn't yet earned their stripes in the bright lights of the big time ... until last night.

 

[herecomethehawkeyes]

Did anyone catch this earlier on ESPN? Wow, I can finally respect him now. Never saw that coming. He took back his criticisms of Iowa all season long. He actually used the word "idiotic" to describe his criticism. That made me smile.

After last night's game, he finally respects us. Maybe because he actually watched us?

Screw him. Had he looked at anything more than a box score and some ESPN game recaps of an Iowa game, he would've come to this realization a lot sooner than today

 

[sford07]

I agree, here. But I will put him above cowherd simply because he was man enough to admit his mistakes and own up when he's wrong, something I'll never expect Colin to do.

 

[vgshwk]

What these media types did is the equivalent of hitting you in the mouth for no reason then saying they are sorry you don't forget it or forgive them.

 

[dekhawk]

Oh how nice. He an Herbstreit love us now. They can all kiss my a@#... We lost which is what they all wanted, trying to be nice now to avoid crap from fans.

 

[BigHawksFan]

Screw him. Had he looked at anything more than a box score and some ESPN game recaps of an Iowa game, he would've come to this realization a lot sooner than today

Oh how nice. He an Herbstreit love us know. They can all kiss my a@#... We lost which is what they all wanted, trying to be nice know to avoid crap from fans.

True, but he killed two birds (non-hawks obviously) with one stone here:

1. Calling himself an idiot, which was nice.
2. Admitting Iowa was as good as supporters have said all season long.

I'm going to play it again later, just to enjoy it all over again.

 

[vgshwk]

You do know he is only saying it to get future ratings?

 

[BigHawksFan]

You do know he is only saying it to get future ratings?

Probably, but he still said it. That's worth something. It was nice watching him say it.

 

[Cushawk]

I didn't hear that however I did hear him say in a segment earlier today that he admits the B1G is the best conference this year. And he admitted that being an SEC guy at it hurts to admit that.

 

[BigHawksFan]

Don't know why it would hurt to say that.

 

[ANYCHawk]

Don't know why it would hurt to say that.

You don't get why an SEC fan wouldn't like to say their conference isn't the best?

 

[hoffhawk]

You do know he is only saying it to get future ratings?

But at least he said it. There were a LOT of pundits predicting a 14 - 21 plus point spread - saying Iowa gets beat solidly and big. I watched those same guys talk about the result and be like "Iowa is a great team - I've said so a along" etc etc etc. Some even on BTN. (if these people have since recanted, I missed it and take back my criticism)

 

[GPRHAWK]

His comments and reasons for not respecting Iowa this year were certainly frustrating. Our bowl loss last year? Really? In general I do like him though. He at least admits to being an SEC guy. He also said this morning " I hate to admit it, but the big ten was clearly better than the SEC this year. " Cowherd on the other hand is a prick and a hack. Nothing more than a shock jock with his stupid Schtick.

 

[Hawks_Rock_12]

Did anyone catch this earlier on ESPN? Wow, I can finally respect him now. Never saw that coming. He took back his criticisms of Iowa all season long. He actually used the word "idiotic" to describe his criticism. That made me smile.

After last night's game, he finally respects us. Maybe because he actually watched us?

And, I recorded it.

Awesome ! Now you can stop being so insecure...smh

 

[BigHawksFan]

Awesome ! Now you can stop being so insecure...smh

Did reading this really cause you to smack yourself? Just curious.

 

[Hawks_Rock_12]

Did reading this really cause you to smack yourself? Just curious.

Nah, I am just sick of see multiple threads about what the media thinks of Iowa. In the end we're still playing in the Rose Bowl. Why do you care what Finebuam thinks ? Just curious.

 

[BigHawksFan]

Nah, I am just sick of see multiple threads about what the media thinks of Iowa. In the end we're still playing in the Rose Bowl. Why do you care what Finebuam thinks ? Just curious.

Agreed. I guess I'm getting sick of it, too. But it's natural if you're undefeated and no one respects you. About Finebaum, I don't care what he thinks. I just wanted to point out two things:

1. That he owned up to his criticism.
2. I know he's unpopular with some people, and some people might not have known he said this.

 

[b10fn]

His comments and reasons for not respecting Iowa this year were certainly frustrating. Our bowl loss last year? Really? In general I do like him though. He at least admits to being an SEC guy. He also said this morning " I hate to admit it, but the big ten was clearly better than the SEC this year. " Cowherd on the other hand is a prick and a hack. Nothing more than a shock jock with his stupid Schtick.

Why is getting plunked by Tennessee and playing a relatively soft schedule make us an obvious choice for national recognition when it comes to picking the final 4. As a lifelong Iowa fan, I agreed with the pundits and was proven wrong last night. I still have philosophical issues with Kirk but tip my cap to the job he did this year. I also remember past years and this doesn't erase them but certainly earns back a high degree of confidence. I think that is fair coming from a blue collar guy that isn't given anything in life.

 

[pkaul666]

Did anyone catch this earlier on ESPN? Wow, I can finally respect him now. Never saw that coming. He took back his criticisms of Iowa all season long. He actually used the word "idiotic" to describe his criticism. That made me smile.

After last night's game, he finally respects us. Maybe because he actually watched us?

And, I recorded it.

I think Iowa proved something to most Iowa fans. I myself was hoping for a win but thinking we wouldn't. That's why it hurts so damn much to get so close to glory. I forgive Paul and herbie. I heard lots of ESPN analysts give major props to Iowa. Can't help but elevate the program.

 

[timinatoria]

Why is getting plunked by Tennessee and playing a relatively soft schedule make us an obvious choice for national recognition when it comes to picking the final 4. As a lifelong Iowa fan, I agreed with the pundits and was proven wrong last night. I still have philosophical issues with Kirk but tip my cap to the job he did this year. I also remember past years and this doesn't erase them but certainly earns back a high degree of confidence. I think that is fair coming from a blue collar guy that isn't given anything in life.

What does the last sentence have to do with the rest of your post?

 

[unoHawkeye]

I'm under the belief that neither Finebaum nor Cowherd actually believed what they were saying about Iowa, and that it was all a ploy to increase ratings.

It's also possible that now that the there is no worry that Iowa makes it into the top 4, ESPN doesn't have a need to try to swing an anti-Hawkeyes agenda.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

You have to earn respect in this world, and the Hawks certainly did that on Saturday.

 

[HASTHAWK]

This is entertainment guys. Nothing more. These guys are actors role playing. I'm sure they often believe what they say but certainly not always. Once you accept that it's all comedy.

Paul is a sharp guy. If you watch some of his Iowa tirades carefully you can actually see him wince when he's asked to defend an almost indefensible position. His role was to ignite both the SEC and Big Ten crowds with extreme comments. The problem is when they are as extreme as he was he risks losing credibility which diminishes his long term value. Either he or they knew that which is why the mea culpa.

It's the same thing with the cow guy. Hell, his assistant was even pushing our buttons by posting on websites about how outrageous he was being to light the match.

Now, the Nebbie fans that call Iowa pretenders, I think some of them may actually be true believers. Either that or they have some personality defect where they need to be part of the conversation and derogation of others makes them feel better about their miserable situation.

 

[RockEyeState]

I agree, here. But I will put him above cowherd simply because he was man enough to admit his mistakes and own up when he's wrong, something I'll never expect Colin to do.

Finebaum probably had to change his Depends, several times during the Big10 Championship game and that IOWA performance changed his little mind. Very big of him, though, for coming out and saying he was wrong.

#goHawks