Illinois the trap game?

[hawkeyeguy69]

I would love nothing more than destroying Illannoy. But they have a new HC. New direction. Tough scouting that. New is everything, and still developing. And they are 4-1.

We are coming off a good road win. I just have a bad feeling about this one, as I have heard nothing but people overlooking this game looking to next week, or just writing Illinois off.

What are Illinois' strengths?

What are their weaknesses?

 

[anon_snp6dc585nnj4]

Weaknesses: they are still Illinois

 

[uniFIGHTuniFIGHT]

They have a new interim coach. They have a roster of Big Ten athletes. They're doing much better than anyone expected. We're coming off a sloppy road win. We're 2-0 in shit-shows and 3-0 in hotly contested games. I doubt the Iowa players are taking the wins for granted. We'll see on Saturday! That's the fun of it!

 

[PhantomFlyer]

It's definitely a sandwich game, so Hawks better come ready to play on Sat or they will lose. Iowa can't overlook anyone.

 

[citizenHawk]

Could be a trap game, but also could be a game where a bunch of things finally click together. Can't wait to see how the Hawkeyes play Saturday.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Could be a trap game, but also could be a game where a bunch of things finally click together. Can't wait to see how the Hawkeyes play Saturday.

This is what I am hoping for, everything to mesh at the same time.... I want to see more sttacking, that BF has been talking about all year, but escaped us last week. More plays for J Smith (that actually work). And another RB, Mitchell, in on plays that are not telegraphed to him. Sit Tevaun & Daniels this week, and hopefully they are fully healed next week.

Still I sense waay too much overconfidence. Illinois is playing well, and the interim coach that is very respected, and is probably their next HC. 4-1 is not a bad record. And they have some D1 talent. They just haven't had the HC to put it together. Hopefully they do not have one now.

 

[icu81222]

Message board fans over looking a team by talking about a potential top 20 match up the following week = big trouble for the football team!

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

The good news is that Iowa is in no position to be taking any opponent for granted, and I think the Hawks realize this. They know that Illinois is a potentially dangerous opponent. The win over Nebraska opened eyes around the B1G, and I'm sure it got the Hawks' attention. I think we see a very focused and efficient Iowa team on Saturday, and I think we take it to the Illini in convincing fashion.

 

[RMT_515]

What are their weaknesses?

This is a real stat. Seems like a perfect fit.

 

[Quintana]

Still I sense waay too much overconfidence.

from who? the fans? every single video clip that i've seen from the players (the ones who actually play the game) has been nothing but humble and workman-like. i haven't seen a hint of overconfidence from the the team itself.

fans will be fans, just thank God they don't play the game.

 

[ichawk24]

We fans better start watching film and working out! Otherwise the actual team may lose.

 

[hawks127]

Anyone know what the ticket sales are looking like for homecoming?

 

[Ray Kinsella]

The players DO NOT want to screw up their chances for a memorable season. They have absolutely nothing to focus on except the game at hand.

If Illinois somehow manages to win this game, it won't be due to lack of focus, preparation, or effort on the Hawkeyes' part. It will be because they put a Big Ten team on the field and played just as hard to win.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

Weaknesses: they are still Illinois

CORRECTION - They are still Ill-anoy.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Yes, this is a trap game. Every game from here on out is a trap game when you are undefeated.

Let's get our game faces on!

 

[Hawk-A-Doodle-Doo]

Illinois beat Nebraska. Purdue played #2 MSU to within 3 points and had the ball in hand with a chance to win or tie late in the game...IN EAST LANSING. Indiana had the ball in hand on the doorstep of the endzone with a chance to push #1 OSU into overtime. Northwestern shut down (and out) Minnesota.

Anyone formally (or informally) affiliated with the Iowa football program who thinks there are any sure things or walkovers remaining on our schedule should immediately cease what they are doing and seek professional psychiatric counseling.

 

[David1979]

The only reason I don't think it is a trap game is that Illinois is 4-1, just beat Nebraska and it is homecoming. The team will be ready. I see Purdue or Indiana as potential trap games.

 

[SoonerBeAHawk]

It's definitely a sandwich game, so Hawks better come ready to play on Sat or they will lose. Iowa can't overlook anyone.

Sandwich game? I like that.

As mentioned, Iowa is not good enough yet to take anyone for granted and I would think - hope - the team knows this. Yet, subconsciously there might be a letdown coming off at-Wisc and just before at-NU.

Might have to eschew my traditional game-day sub sandwich this week. Just doin' my part, no thanks necessary.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

The good news is that Iowa is in no position to be taking any opponent for granted.

This is the mantra for the entire season.

 

[HawktimusPrime]

What are their weaknesses?

This is a real stat. Seems like a perfect fit.

That does look tasty.

 

[HawktimusPrime]

The only reason I don't think it is a trap game is that Illinois is 4-1, just beat Nebraska and it is homecoming. The team will be ready. I see Purdue or Indiana as potential trap games.

Both of those teams have me worried, but I like that we know they're both capable of playing with the Big Boys. At least it's known they they are threats. Iowa can't take anyone for granted.

 

[LincolnHawkeye]

Iowa is 36-4 as a double digit home favorite since Ferentz took over, those 4 losses being 2006 vs. NW, 2009 vs. NW (Stanzi being hurt didn't help), 2012 vs. Central Michigan and 2014 vs. Iowa State. Only one of those losses happened against a team with a good defense (2009), and we pretty much lost that game because we had no QB for most of it.

 

[BUCKSNDUCKS]

For some reason it seems that this team comes out ready to beat down anybody in their way. There were definate things to work on this week form the wisc. game, so not sure how they could be overconfident. The defense is playing great, and I think they want to continue to show it and prove it! JMO

 

[jhawkinaz]

This is what I am hoping for, everything to mesh at the same time.... I want to see more sttacking, that BF has been talking about all year, but escaped us last week. More plays for J Smith (that actually work). And another RB, Mitchell, in on plays that are not telegraphed to him. Sit Tevaun & Daniels this week, and hopefully they are fully healed next week.

Still I sense waay too much overconfidence. Illinois is playing well, and the interim coach that is very respected, and is probably their next HC. 4-1 is not a bad record. And they have some D1 talent. They just haven't had the HC to put it together. Hopefully they do not have one now.

Where are you getting this from? I am not trying to argue, just honestly wondering what I am missing when you say Illinois is playing well? Illinois has smoked a couple of awful teams, got absolutely embarrassed in their 1 road game.....eeked a last minute win out over Middle Tennessee St., and then were terrible the whole game against a Nebby team that is REELING before pulling it out with a fortunate turn of events at the very end of the game.

I don't want to take anything for granted.....and this has all the script of a trap game......but I really think Illinois is a bad team with a 4-1 record.

 

[Suterman]

I don't think this team will take anyone for granted. The B1G is a snake pit every week and If you aren't ready to play, you will lose.

 

[yerpHAWK]

I don't see it because I really haven't seen any focus on a Northwestern Iowa matchup, that is a week away. Probably doesn't hurt that they have a big match up with Michigan this week. Iowa won't overlook Illinois, especially after they beat Nebraska, just like Iowa didn't overlook NT, on way to Wisconsin.