Indiana game....
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There hasn't been a game on the schedule for the last 30 years that I didn't think the Hawks could lose. Not one.
I am the same way, but on the other hand there has not been a game where I did not think Iowa could win either....that is why Saturdays are so exciting for me
IowaFBnBB4life has his concerns about this one.
Heck, I could see the Hawks dropping three of the next five: Maryland, Indiana and Nebraska. I've had that old rug pulled out from underneath me far too many times before.
Yes I do, I also have concerns with Maryland and since that is who Iowa faces on Saturday then lets focus on them.
What would really bum me out is losing two of the next five, watching Wisconsin go to the CCG and Iowa ends up playing in the Nobody Cares Toilet Bowl because there are teams like MSU, Michigan, Wisconsin and Penn State that have comparable records. I doubt that a two loss Iowa team falls too far down the bowl list, but I feel pretty comfortable assuming that a 9 & 3 Michigan jumps Iowa in the selection process.
The Conspiracy Theorist in me also thinks it's possible that Iowa could very shortly be on the short stick of some questionable officiating very soon. Just kidding. But not really.
The Conspiracy Theorist in me also thinks it's possible that Iowa could very shortly be on the short stick of some questionable officiating very soon. Just kidding. But not really.
I don't play on the team, so I'm pretty sure whether I'm focused on Maryland or not will have zero impact on the outcome of the game.
Could the Hawks lose any game left on the schedule? Sure, but if they play well there is no reason to think they should lose to Maryland. I prefer to just enjoy the ride and let others do the worrying.
The truth is - this game is definitely going to be one of the toughest match-ups for our D.
Ferentz is telling the complete truth in stating that essentially every game is BOTH "winnable" and "losable." The margin of error is further reduced against Indiana because even if we can hold them to under they're season scoring average ... that puts more pressure on our O to produce. If you have turnovers or give up big plays ... then the law of averages no longer works for you. All of a sudden, the fluctuations can take over ... and then it's anybody's game.
Ferentz is telling the complete truth in stating that essentially every game is BOTH "winnable" and "losable." The margin of error is further reduced against Indiana because even if we can hold them to under they're season scoring average ... that puts more pressure on our O to produce. If you have turnovers or give up big plays ... then the law of averages no longer works for you. All of a sudden, the fluctuations can take over ... and then it's anybody's game.
Indiana's passing game scares me. Sudfeld is the real deal. However, Indiana also gives up 4.6 yards per rush (second worst in the Big 10) and also gives up 342 passing yards per game. Their defense is awful. Iowa should be able to move the ball at will. As good as Sudfeld is, I don't think he is good enough to beat us by himself if we shut down their running game.
We certainly could lose, especially if we lose the turnover battle by more than two. But make no mistake about this game - Iowa should win.
We certainly could lose, especially if we lose the turnover battle by more than two. But make no mistake about this game - Iowa should win.
Indiana hung right with OSU (within 1 TD most of the game); if they play like they did that weekend, it could be a dogfight for us.
I certainly hope we unleash on them, though....
I certainly hope we unleash on them, though....
Yeah, my hope is that we'll be able to play "keep-away" from the Indiana O. I look for Iowa trying to call an efficient ball-control game-plan ... so that we both possess the ball AND score TDs. The fresher we can keep our D ... the better we can BOTH limit their running game AND make Sudfeld feel some pressure.
I'm to the point now where I'm superstitious about the whole "sure win, should win" philosophy. Last season I was certain that there was no way Iowa would lose to Iowa State. Iowa was better in every measurable way, yet still found a way to lose the game. I've given up on predicting wins and losses.
The Ohio State offense was terribly inconsistent in that game AND they also gave up 3 turnovers to 0 turnovers for Indiana. Most of their O came on big runs by Elliot.
If the Iowa O continues to be as balanced and consistent as it has been, then the Indiana O won't have the same sort of opportunities against Iowa that they had against Ohio State.
Yeah, it was shocking how poorly our DL played against Iowa State in that game. Also, I know that Scherff was not 100% ... but our pass-pro wasn't its usual self in that game either. You walk into a game insufficiently prepared (that's more on the players) - then you're going to be more susceptible to get knocked out when the opponent comes out swinging.
The bye week thing makes this very tricky. On the one hand they could come out rested and highly motivated, or the week off could make them a little rusty. Weather could also play into it. If the weather is crummy we have a much better chance to keep their passing game in check and I like our chances vs their running game and us ramping up ours vs their D.....Alot of variables but bottom line i like the mindset of the Hawks...one game at a time....
It would be the easiest to swallow, that's for sure. I would hate for them to lose any of the other four.
I agree, but also think that was the sleepwalking / tinkering with lineups OSU team that several teams played tight for a good portion of their games. I could be wrong, but I'm thinking those teams that think they're going to get that OSU team as we move later in the season are going to be in for a rude awakening. Just too much talent there.
We have every chance in the world to beat Indiana. They are atrocious on Defense. HORRIBLE! Yes they can score but if we keep their offense off the field with long drives, they can't score near as much. I will be very surprised if we lose to Indiana.
Teams like Iowa, Minnesota, NW, and other running teams match up best against Indiana.....we will control time of possession and keep their offense off the field. They are horrible in their rush defense and we will have about 40 minutes of possession in the game....it could end up being like 56-35 though
Why do you think we are going to lose? I always think we are going to win. Go Hawks!
Why do you think we are going to lose? I always think we are going to win. Go Hawks!
I would say Iowa might not get calls, but I don't see them being on the short stick of any calls. The B1G would look at it like this. An undefeated Iowa vs undefeated MSU/OSU virtually assures a playoff team from the B1G. While a team from the west with a loss or more could beat an undefeated MSU/OSU and the B1G is left out.
I'm hoping that they re-watch their game with Rutgers multiple times during the next 2 weeks to demoralize themselves before they enter the game next Saturday. That would be nice. No sense in playing a hyped up Indiana team that's gonna sell out to beat "big, bad" Iowa (because by default they're the only big game left on the schedule that can give the Hoosiers a truly feel-good, hang-your-hat win......I also half-wonder if Purdue and Indiana stopped caring about their football rivalry anymore.)
Basically, I want Iowa to win, so I can point my e-finger directly in front of a certain couple of people's faces (not from this board) and laugh.
If Iowa plays good, smart, tough, violent D ... and has very few coverage breakdowns ... they will force Indiana to EARN every point they score. This doesn't mean that Indiana won't move the ball. They will ... and they'll score too. However, it will force them to sustain drives and eat clock.
If Iowa also plays its brand of O and can do so cleanly, without giving away turnovers - then we should be able to either score OR, at least, control field position. Thus, the Indiana O will be forced to drive on long fields.
Should all of the above occur ... then it will probably be hard for Indiana to get to 30 points.
Then, the question still remains ... will Iowa be able to score more points? I think so ... but it still should be a tough game.
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