Brad Rogers and the Big Ten Network
I’m planning on giving weekly updates throughout the fall on high school players who have committed to Iowa. Iowa high schools don’t kick off until next week, but one Iowa commit was in action Friday night.
Brad Rogers, a 3-star running back from Toledo, Ohio, carried 15 times for 72 yards and a touchdown to help Central Catholic open its season with a 24-7 win over Bowling Green (the high school, not the college). According to Toledo Blade sports reporter Steve Junga, who covered the game, it was a hot night in Toledo and Rogers cramped up a few times. The 5-10, 230-pounder who missed half of last season because of an ankle injury carried only three times in the second half.
Interesting note on Rogers … he was supposed to be the feature back this year but now will split carries with Mike Marrow, an Alabama commit, who moved to town when his father, former NFLer Vince, joined the University of Toledo coaching staff.
Mediacom, BTN close to deal
Reports are out, citing unnamed sources, that the Big Ten Network and Mediacom, Iowa’s largest cable TV provider, have reached a deal. There has been no on-the-record confirmation from either party, but it looks like this thing is going to happen before the season kicks off Aug. 30.
If the deal does get in place, that’s great for Iowa fans, whose team is scheduled to be on the BTN at least six times this season, including the Sept. 13 matchup with Iowa State.
The deal comes a week too late for me. As I said in the live chat the other day, with football season coming, I canceled Mediacom two weeks back and switched to DirecTV. Had the BTN deal been in place, I would have stayed with cable.
That said, Mediacom customers are getting a great product. The BTN gives in-depth coverage of the conference that you simply can’t get anywhere else on TV. It’s going to be great for Iowa and Big Ten fans in the state.
Speaking of the live chat …
I want to thank everyone who checked in from 2-4 p.m. Thursday. I had planned on only going for an hour, but we had such a great turnout and so many great questions that I took it until 4. I’m planning to keep it at 2 hours as long as we have an engaged audience. So, keep the questions coming. I’ll be on live again next Thursday, Aug. 28, from 2-4 p.m.
Wegher decision coming tomorrow
Sioux City Heelan running back Brandon Wegher, as you know, is scheduled to announce his college decision at around 8:30 p.m. tomorrow after a scrimmage with his high school team. A lot of you on the live chat wanted to know about Wegher and where he’s headed. As I said in the forum, I get the sense it’s Iowa. Last word from Wegher is that his final five is Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Nebraska and Arkansas.
Most of the analysts who’ve talked to Wegher believe it’s going to come down to Iowa and Nebraska, which wants him as a safety. I get the feeling that’s going to play a big part in his decision, because I think Wegher wants his hands on the ball.
We’ll know for sure — well, as for sure as a verbal commitment can be — in less than 24 hours.
