There is a lot of optimism with Tim Lester taking over the offense. He has a track record of turning offenses around. Iowa is a 22.5-point favorite over Illinois State but there are a few reasons why it could easily be a low scoring game. One, the Hawkeyes have had to learn an all new offense in a short amount of time. Lester acknowledges that the scheme can be complicated to learn completely and he emphasized that he would be implementing his system in chunks, concentrating on perfecting a little at a time. Second, Ferentz’s MO has always been to get a lead and then run the clock. That means hanging on to the ball and executing time consuming drives by running the ball. That means less opportunities to score. Third, we have the Clowns next week and if the Hawks get a two-plus touchdown lead, they will play it close to the vest. I am thinking, in light of these reasons, that a realistic score might be in the neighborhood of 24-6. Let’s get this win in the books and get ready to stomp the Clowns!
Don’t be surprised if Ill State is a low scoring game
- Thread starter HawkNorth
- Start date
Lester better drop 60-100 points in game one. If not, he better hire a food taster.
Admittedly, less than 30 points against this FCS opponent probably won't be a great omen to begin the season.
It will be due to no budmayr on the sideline!!!
These are the games where your offense is supposed to come out and dominate, giving your backups a chance to play in the second half. Illinois state was 4-8 last year.
30 points should be the floor
30 points should be the floor
And... we won't be showing a lot if we don't have to.
Honestly, if we throw quick screens to WRs and a few balls to the RBs in the flat it will be a step up.
Honestly, if we throw quick screens to WRs and a few balls to the RBs in the flat it will be a step up.
I think the idea of holding things back as some sort of element of surprise is way overstated. Better to execute and have some success. Make them scout everything.
Last edited:
"Holding things back, not showing much, etc." is something that fans came up with. I've never heard a player or coach talk about how they're dumbing down a playbook for one opponent for the sole purpose of not showing a future opponent what they might do.
So every year we have this “learning the new offense” (or playbook) or something around those lines as a reason for not performing. No.
Block your guy. Throw semi-accurately. Catch. Run fast. Score the damn football. We shouldn’t need anything close to perfect execution to crush a team like this.
If the OL isn’t dominant on Saturday, George can start looking for a job at the Division II level.
Block your guy. Throw semi-accurately. Catch. Run fast. Score the damn football. We shouldn’t need anything close to perfect execution to crush a team like this.
If the OL isn’t dominant on Saturday, George can start looking for a job at the Division II level.
We can’t rule it out.
Either way, if the offense isn’t running all cylinders in the first quarter Saturday, Lester has to be sacrificed.
I agree. It’s a dumb thing that gets brought by every fanbase/media member for every game against an inferior opponent early in the season for every team.
There’s also the idea that the more you show, the more future opponents need to prepare for, but it never seems to be considered.
More likely, teams don’t show as much early in the season, because they’re still working on becoming a functional unit.
It better be low scoring for Ill State. Hawks 35-6
Looking forward to the Hawks moving the ball in the air and on the ground behind solid blocking and picking up first downs when needed. Few penalties. Solid as usual defense. Good special teams play. No fumbles or dropped (catchable) passes and 2 or 3 highlight film plays. Would like to see a couple of players stand out on offense/special teams. No injuries. Don't care what the winning score is.
Adding things off of established tendencies as the season progresses happens. But teams usually do what they can. Iowas problem has been… that’s usually not much early on so the O line better dominate.
It would be interesting to see an average score stat to see if week one games are typically lower scoring than those later in the season.
How refreshing would it be to see the oline not be outmatched by an FCS/mid-major type school? That's all I'm hoping for. The rest should take care of itself.
I bet we see less zone blocking and that's a good thing
I would just love to see offensive lineman engage with somebody instead of standing out there looking around
I have. They talk about that for early season games but don't think they necessarily should.
I think we may see an entirely different blocking scheme a more man to man straight up down field push. At least I hope so
Illinois State was 6-5 last year with losses to SD State, #25 Youngstown ST by 3, #25 UNI by 3, and #13 ND by 1.
I apologize I’m not on the site as much as I used to, who has Iowa announced as the starting qb? Only ask bc I bet on Ceasars and this game is not even available to bet
Haven't looked, but both Kirk and Cade in pressers said they were 6-5 last year, (missing a game somewhere) and 4 of those losses were by a total of 8 points! So they may not be that big a push over. Add to that the HC was the DC I believe at Purdue under Joe Tiller when they were pretty good, so he's very aware of Iowa and has coached in Kinnick numerous times.
It does make for an interesting dynamic that Lester‘s first game will not have a head coach next to him on the sidelines
Yes, they were six and five last season. I’m still fixated on Colorado. Nonetheless, you should take care of an average FCS team on your home field. It shouldn’t be close.
Yes, they were six and five last season. I’m still fixated on Colorado. Nonetheless, you should take care of an average FCS team on your home field. It shouldn’t be close.
Last edited:
D2 might be setting the bar a bit high..........maybe middle school
I am interested in seeing how many penalties we have on offense. How will the line do with the new system. False starts. Sounds like we will have more going in motion on plays. No expert on OL play. What do you experts think?
Lester will set the tone for the season: 400 yards of offense and 40 points.
Exactly… Tired of some fans coming up with this. Our offense hasn’t changed from game 1 to game 12 since Ferentz has been coach. Iowa does not hold anything back offensively. They can’t afford to.
The only thing that has happened is that we throw in one wrinkle on offense, in one game maybe once every couple years, and then we never see it again. It’s not even remotely the same thing.
Not an "average" FCS team. They are ranked I believe. Just sayin'
No doubt Iowa should always beat an FCS team - but they haven't.
The opening games the past couple of seasons have really been an omen for how effective or ineffective the offense is going to be. Defenses basically loaded the LOS, played man coverage underneath and had safety help over the top and there was nothing that BF could do to combat that. Now, with a mobile QB and doesn't matter which one, a versatile TE like Lachey who can line up wide, and speed at the skill positions I am looking forward to TL being able to lighten the box. I want to see who good this OL is and the running game in a fair fight. Then the real question is if ISU brings their safeties down can we beat them over the top.
At this point, the ranking means nothing they were six and five last year. Crush their souls.
and will we try?
Iowa should be able to beat a team like Illinois State short, middle, and over the top with ease. Get it done.
