Drugs...and Insight

The Insight Bowl

The Insight Bowl features the Missouri Tigers (10-2) and the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5). The Tigers won their last three and are looking to record their eleventh victory for only their third time in the school's history. The Hawkeyes lost their last three...and then the shit really hit the fan.

Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was a great story. After being abandoned by his teen mother, he was adopted by one of his friend's parents. He went on to be a star wide receiver at Iowa, the Hawkeyes version of The Blind Side. November 20 was Senior Day at Kinnick Stadium and Lauren and Anthonly Koulianos embraced their son at midfield. Tears from the parents and the first team All-Big Ten receiver and future NFL star.

Tears flowed again December 7. DJK was arrested on drug charges. This wasn't smoking a blunt in an SUV. This was the real deal. Hardcore pharmaceutical drugs along with a small amount of pot and some cocaine residue were found in his house. He agreed to take a urine test (why?) and reportedly tested positive for marijuana and cocaine. Seven drug-related charges and national headlines about running a drug house were the result. He was immediately suspended from the team.

Six days later Coach Kirk Ferentz announced that sophomore running back Adam Robinson would not play in the bowl game for failing to comply with team expectations and policies. Last night Robinson, who lead the team with 941 yards and ten TDs, was charged possession of marijuana when a car in which he was a passenger was pulled over.

Not having DJK or Robinson is going to make it tougher for Iowa to score on a Mizzou defense that allowed the sixth fewest points in the FBS. But the reality is that Iowa's defense is much better than Missouri's and Ricky Stanzi is a better college quarterback than his counterpart Blaine Gabbert. (Two of the best names in college football, btw.) The Hawkeyes are going to control both lines in this game, run the ball effectively and I expect Stanzi to make some big plays.

I love the Hawkeyes tonight. They are my lock of the Bowl season. Take the 2.5 or 3 points that Iowa is getting and get on the money line as well. Look for Iowa to win this one outright.