It’s not often these days that a Big ten team is ranked #1 in the nation. When it does happen, it’s usually Ohio State. But there was a time when Hayden Fry had the Iowa program on top of the rankings and his quarterback, Chuck Long, was at the top of the list of Heisman Trophy hopefuls. But on a rainy November evening in Columbus in 1985, Long and the Hawkeyes came down to earth in a big way thanks to a ferocious Ohio State defense.

Iowa had started the 1985 season ranked #5 and had ascended to the top ranking in week 3. the lofty status was mainly due to the decision by Long to come back to Iowa for a 5th year of eligibility (he had red-shirted as a freshman). Long had a tremendous season in 1984, capped off by an MVP performance in the Freedom Bowl in which he completed 29 of 39 passes for a bowl-record 461 yards and 6 TD’s as Iowa crushed the Texas Longhorns 55-17.

When Long declared that he would return for one more season, he became an instant Heisman front-runner for 1985. Joining him on the powerful Hawkeye offense was running back Ronnie Harmon, a versatile player who was as good a pass receiver as he was a runner. Anchoring the Iowa defense was standout linebacker Larry Station.

The Hawkeyes had worn the #1 ranking rather uneasily since they attained it, pulling out a come-from-behind victory in a home game against Michigan State and then looking shaky on offense in a 23-13 victory at Wisconsin. the #2 Michigan Wolverines rolled into Kinnick Stadium in game 6 and Iowa again looked shaky against the tough UM defense. But the defense kept Michigan from running away with the game and eventually Iowa mustered 4 field goals, one coming in the final seconds, to pull out another come-from-behind win. They were now 7-0 and still the top-ranked team, but they appeared to be vulnerable heading into the showdown with Ohio State.

The Buckeyes had entered fall practice in 1985 with their own Heisman front-runner, RB Keith Byars. Byars also had a tremendous season in 1984, but he broke his foot prior to the season and was never healthy the rest of the year. the doctors cleared him to play when OSU traveled to Minnesota, but after a few plays he re-injured the foot and was doubtful for the Iowa game. the Iowa coaches were uncertain as to whether Byars would play, but OSU coach Earle Bruce held him out and went with reserves John Wooldridge and Vince Workman at RB. in fact, Byars missed the rest of the regular season and returned only briefly in the bowl game before injuring the foot yet again.

With their top RB out of the game and with a forecast of hard rain that could start at any moment, Bruce decided to go with the passing game early and try to get out to a quick lead. the strategy seemed to work initially as QB Jim Karsatos hit WR’s Cris Carter and Mike Lanese repeatedly for first downs as the team moved down the field. But the lack of a strong runner showed in the red zone, and OSU was forced to settle for field goal attempts on their first two possessions. Old-fashioned straight-on kicker Rich Spangler made the first but missed the second and OSU led 3-0 midway through the 1st quarter.

There had been rain off and on during the day, but the conditions were mostly dry in the first quarter. But Long was already having trouble moving the ball through the air, mostly because the deep drops of OSU linebackers into coverage. the Buckeyes’ stalwart LB corps was led by veteran senior captain Pepper Johnson and the fiery sophomore Chris Spielman. former LB Larry Kolic had switched to nose-guard and Ohio State employed a 3-4 defense that often looked more like a 2-5 because Kolic often dropped into the short zone for coverage on passing plays. After OSU missed the FG that would have put them up 6-0, Iowa was starting to drive. But as Long dropped back to pass, he didn’t see Spielman drop deep into coverage. Long attempted a deep curl on the right side but Spielman stepped in front and picked it off.

Ohio State immediately attempted to capitalize on the turnover by going deep down the field, but Iowa was ready with a deep zone and they intercepted the Karsatos pass to get the ball right back. however, the exchange cost them quite a bit in field position, and after OSU forced a 3-and-out, Iowa had to punt from their own end zone. Bruce called for the all-out rush and safety Sonny Gordon streaked in and blocked the punt right out of the end zone on a fly. the safety put OSU up by the odd score of 5-0, but it turned momentum in the Buckeyes’ favor and excited the home crowd. After another Long interception (this one by William White), OSU RB John Wooldridge burst through a hole on the left side and ran 57 yards for a TD to put OSU up 12-0. OSU CB Greg Rogan then picked off another Long pass and the Buckeyes drove to another Spangler FG to go up 15-0. at that point, the rain began in earnest.

Bruce’s strategy of trying to get a quick lead before the rain came was looking brilliant at this point. Although Iowa scored before halftime to cut the lead to 15-7, OSU was clearly in control and the defense was stifling Iowa at nearly every turn. the 3rd quarter was scoreless, and it seemed that the rain was going to prevent any further fireworks. But in the 4th quarter, Iowa’s Jay Norvell intercepted a Karsatos pass and returned it all the way to the OSU 19. the play put the Hawkeyes in good shape to cut their deficit or possibly tie the game. But the Buckeye defense rose up and forced Iowa coach Hayden Fry to make a decision on 4th-and-1 at the 10. Never one to shy away from a gamble, Fry called for a dive play to get the first down. But as Ronnie Harmon leaped in the air he was met by Spielman and driven back 3 yards. OSU regained possession and the rain-soaked crowd went crazy. Harmon was shaken up and did not return to the game.

On the next Iowa possession, OSU safety Terry White forced a fumble and put the Buckeye offense in good position. this time they took advantage and Vince Workman scored to put OSU up 22-7. With only 11 minutes left in the game, Iowa began to rally back, scoring from 3 yards out to cut the lead to 22-13. Fry elected to go for 2, but back-up RB Kevin Harmon was stopped for a loss by Gordon and the OSU faithful could sense the upset was imminent. When Iowa’s normally-reliable kicker Rob Houghtlin missed a FG on their next possession, Ohio State was able to run some time off the clock, giving the ball back to Iowa with less than 2 minutes left. Long attempted to rally the troops again, but Spielman capped a terrific performance with his second interception and the crowd began to celebrate the victory.

Spielman finished with 19 tackles to go with his 2 interceptions, the first of several epic games he would have during his time at OSU. Karsatos passed for 151 yards in very difficult conditions, and fullback George Cooper rushed for 104 yards on 17 carries to lead the Buckeyes on the ground. But the stars were the defense, the weather, and the raucous OSU crowd. I was part of the crowd that day, and armed with an old poncho I stayed until then end. I don’t remember ever having as much fun at a football game as I did at that one. Iowa would eventually win the Big ten championship, and Long would finish 2nd in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Bo Jackson. Ohio State finished the season in mediocre fashion, losing at home to Wisconsin and on the road to that School up North. But they defeated BYU in the Citrus Bowl 10-7, thus setting the stage for a better season in 1986. But despite the losses, the 1985 team will always be special because of that one Saturday when they humbled the nation’s top-ranked team in a downpour.

SAN DIEGO — Chargers center Nick Hardwick will not play against the Broncos on Sunday in the showdown between AFC West leaders at Invesco Field at Mile High.

Hardwick, out since having ankle surgery following the season opener, missed practice Thursday. The former Pro Bowler returned to practice four weeks ago but he hasn’t practiced since a setback last Wednesday.

Several players returned to practice, including tight end Antonio Gates and linebackers Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman.

Offensive tackle Jeromey Clary hasn’t practiced since leaving Sunday’s victory against Philadelphia because of an ankle injury. Coach Norv Turner said Clary might work out Saturday.

Shanahan not in Bills’ plans

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Firing coach Dick Jauron on Tuesday was merely the start of a major overhaul Bills owner Ralph Wilson is prepared to conduct this offseason in order to make his team a contender.

Wilson said he’s open to going after a high-profile coach, is willing to hire a general manager with a football background, and warned that no position on his team is safe.

“I tell you, we have a lot of work to do,” Wilson said. “We’ve got to revamp and take a look at the whole operation and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Wilson discounted reports the team is interested in interviewing former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan.

“I don’t know anything about him,” Wilson said, adding defensive coordinator Perry Fewell will finish the season as interim coach.

• The Bills signed quarterback Brian Brohm off the Packers’ practice squad.

Bush misses practice

METAIRIE, La. — Reggie Bush has missed two practices this week as the Saints try to rest their running back’s left knee.

It’s the same knee Bush had surgery on last December to repair cartilage.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Bush has had some swelling in the knee and is getting some rest. Payton would not say what Bush’s chances of playing are Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Stefanie Spielman dies at 42

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Stefanie Spielman, the wife of former NFL and Ohio State linebacker Chris Spielman who led a public fight against breast cancer, died after a lengthy battle with the disease. She was 42.

“Stefanie has gone home to be with the Lord,” Chris Spielman said in a statement. “For that, we celebrate, but with broken hearts. I want to thank everyone for their support over the last 12 years. together, with your help, hopefully we made a difference in this fight.”

Stefanie Spielman was 30 years old and three months pregnant in 1998 when she detected a lump in her breast. She later miscarried and discovered she had cancer. She survived four bouts with cancer before a fifth recurrence in March.

The Spielmans raised more than $6 million for breast cancer research at Ohio State through the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.

Footnotes.

Rams defensive end C.J. Ah you is lost for the remainder of the season because of a knee injury.

• after missing the first nine games of the season with a severe hamstring strain, Giants cornerback Aaron Ross is ready to make his 2009 debut Sunday against the Falcons.

The Associated Press

You’ve seen the Sporting News Top 25 Football Broadcasters list, compiled by a group of knowledgeable and well respected members of the football media.

We wanted to do a rebuttal with the list’s glaring omissions, but frankly, there aren’t many, if any. so we thought it best to add a few more names — we’ll call it also Receiving Votes — that should be part of the football booth conversation.

First, we do have some quibbles with the order in which the panel of Sporting News and SportsBusiness Journal/SportsBusiness Daily editors and writers, ranked their names. Cris Collinsworth (2), Phil Simms (4) and Troy Aikman (6) are all listed ahead of their play-by-play counterparts. some might say, especially in the case of Aikman, that their partners make them as good as they are. the panel did put Mike Tirico (11) ahead of his booth partners, but inexplicably put Jon Gruden (14) ahead of Ron Jaworski (16).

This media fascination with Gruden confounds me. He’s great in the booth for a coach who recently got fired and spends a few quarters joking around because he’s at the game and wants some face time on national TV. But as a member of the media calling a game? There’s no way Gruden should be on this list, let alone in the top 15, ahead of Jaws. Besides, he’s had half a season for his coachspeak and other mannerisms to grate on people. some of these other names have been annoying us for 20 years.

I understand our colleagues at ESPN pumping Gruden up after every game because he’s wearing their blazer. But for non-partisan writers to put Gruden ahead of analysts like Dan Fouts or Daryl Johnston, who is forced to call a game with Tony Siragusa stealing his time, is nothing more than stirring the pot. Gruden may eventually be better than some of the people on the list, but at this point, he seems rather mediocre.

Now, here’s a list of names that should be mentioned as well — our ARV:

1. Craig James/Jesse Palmer
Clearly the panel doesn’t watch much Thursday night football on ESPN because there is no way that Chris Fowler should be ranked as low as 23. sure Fowler is a better in the studio (or on campus), but he’s still very good in the booth. so, too, are his partners Craig James and Jesse Palmer. Palmer, in just a few years, has really proven to be a rising star for ESPN’s college coverage. James has been a solid analyst at CBS, ABC and ESPN for almost 20 years.

James does seem a bit cocksure in the booth, but he’s proven that in most cases he knows of what he speaks. And besides, any guy who covers two nationally-televised college games in three days deserves some recognition.

2. Kenny Albert/Ian Eagle
Let’s call this pairing the Disciples of Marv. There’s nobody better in a booth than Marv Albert and it’s a shame that he and Boomer Esiason, who call nearly every Monday Night Football game on radio, weren’t eligible for the list (on TV announcers were considered). that pairing is as good as it gets. so, somewhat in tribute to Marv, and somewhat on their own merit, we recognize the duo of Kenny Albert and Ian Eagle.

Albert used to have a much more pronounced caricature of his father’s voice when he first started in the business, but as his career has grown, so has his quality in the booth. He’s definitely developed his own voice, and deservedly has become one of FOX’s lead announcers. Eagle, connected to Marv in that he fills in for MNF radio calls and works with the Hall of Famer on New Jersey Nets broadcasts, is of the school of play-by-play men that gives us down-and-distance and gets out of the way. It’s never about Eagle. He lets the play on the field, and the analysis of his partner, tell the story. There is something to be said for that.

3. Brian Billick
I haven’t had much opportunity to listen to Billick call a game since FOX buries him down the roster, but if any recently-fired coach turned game analyst should be getting more attention, it’s Billick. He is a very intelligent guy and has become an equally intelligent analyst, yet he manages to call the game without seeming arrogant, something he was unable to do as a coach. the panel can have Gruden, I’ll take Billick.

4. Bob Griese/Brian Griese
One of the names I was surprised not to see on the list was Bob Griese, who has been calling games for ABC and ESPN forever. I still remember his call of the 1998 Rose Bowl when he was in the booth for his son Brian’s last game. it reminded me of when Dale Jarrett won Daytona in ‘93 with his father Ned on the call. Moments like that, you don’t forget. And Griese has been solid ever since. It’d be a shame if one bad joke about a taco tarnishes his legacy this much.

Here’s the thing about Brian Griese — he is just starting out in the business but already sounds just like his dad … and not in the Kenny Albert-trying-to-sound-like-his- dad way, either. I watched the first game Griese called in the booth, and while he was nervous early on, he gained composure throughout the game. by the fourth quarter, I had forgotten it wasn’t Bob. give him some time, and he could be moving up the list quickly.

5. Pam Ward
Let’s start by saying this: Pam Ward does not belong on a list of the Top 25 football broadcasters. some might say that if we were voting on the worst announcers in the booth, she’d be on every single ballot. she wasn’t the first woman to do football play-by-play and hopefully won’t be the last, but right now she’s all we got. And that has to count for something.

Football has long been a sport where men are in the booth and women troll — perhaps the word I’m looking for is patrol — the sidelines, getting maybe two or three minutes of air the entire game, while the men get to spend three hours yapping upstairs. Ward has managed to infiltrate the old boy’s club and does, most weeks, a solid job covering the game. Let’s be clear — if she is ARV, she’s in no way in danger of cracking the Top 25. Ward is like the FCS team that gets the occasional vote just to remind people not to forget about the little guy, or in this case, gal. We have her on our list in hopes that her career inspires other women to break through the ‘good ol’ boys’ glass ceiling. As you can see by the list, we could use some fresh faces.

ARV of ARV
Mark Jones, Kevin Harlan, Dan Dierdorf, Matt Millen, Dave Pasch, Solomon Wilcots, Tom Hammond, Dave Ryan, Chris Spielman, Steve Tasker, Dick Stockton.