Mazel Tov!
While I’m not Jewish, and pretty sure none of the Black Eyed Peas are either (Wikipedia confirmed), I can’t help myself. I anxiously wait to scream the Hebrew saying alongside debonair Will.I.Am in “I Gotta Feeling.”
A survey I conducted via text to friends concurred: “Mazel Tov” is hands down the best part of the undeniably infectious jam.
And why wouldn’t it be?
It literally means “good fortune” and is often used to express congratulations or good luck.
I thank the good people in the athletics department for taking note and playing the song numerous times during the Michigan game Oct. 10. And boy, wasn’t that 30-28 victory a great one?
Folks, I’m in my senior year. I have witnessed a fair share of some tepid Hawkeye games. How ’bout that 2007 Homecoming loss to Indiana, or gosh, remember the 21-7 Northwestern loss in 2006?
But this year? All I have to say is “MAZEL EFFIN TOV.” Iowa is 7-0 right now, No. 7 in the AP Poll, No. 6 in the BCS poll, and the only unbeaten team in the Big Ten.
I can’t help but wonder why this year — minus last season’s top college tailback Shonn Greene, ESPN All-American Mitch King, permanent captain Matt Kroul, and wideout Andy Brodell — the Hawkeyes appear to be over the hump of lackluster finishes.
Iowa even has been forced to continuously adapt following injury from key contributors (example: Jewel Hampton and Paul Chaney Jr.) and illness (I know where the thyroid is, thanks to Bryan Bulaga) and yet, the Hawkeyes look stronger and better on game days.
What is the “good fortune” this season accredited to?
Scratch your head and think. There really are a few reasons.
First, ever heard of some guy from Mentor, Ohio? Richard J. Stanzi, I believe is his name.
Yes, it’s the same Stanzi that misfired on his final four throws in last year’s Big Ten 22-17 opening loss at Kinnick to Northwestern. But did you catch the game at Madison? Trailing 10-3 by halftime, Stanzi returned to complete 11-of-13 passes for 162 yards. And that 24-yard TD pass to Tony Moeaki in the third quarter?
Im-press-ive.
Mazel Tov to Stanzi beating out Jake Christensen because, honestly, I don’t believe the former Hawkeye was the perfect fit for Iowa. He’s different from Stanzi.
By my observation, Stanzi is not just a leader. He embodies leadership as means of subsistence better than Christensen could have.
Speaking of subsistence, point numero dos — does the Iowa defense eat fire for breakfast and quarterbacks for dinner?
I’m pretty sure Pat Angerer does.
He sacked Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien for an eight-yard loss along with nine tackles and one pass breakup against the Badgers. Ouch.
Teammate Adrian Clayborn must petrify QBs in the pocket because watching him hit makes me wince.
Iowa frequently has had a reputation of having dominant defensive players. But this year … WOW.
Iowa leads the Big Ten with 15 interceptions (Tyler Sash alone has five picks for 117 yards) and is fourth in the nation with a 1.57 turnover margin.
Mazel Tov Hawkeyes. Mazel Tov.
