*Iowa @ Northwestern Predictions*
- Thread starter IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life
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20-10 Hawks (Same score as Iowa's 7th game in 09')
Iowa holds Jackson under 100 yds. Their freshman QB if you look at his stats has struggled throwing against teams not named Ball St and completes less than 50%.
Iowa holds Jackson under 100 yds. Their freshman QB if you look at his stats has struggled throwing against teams not named Ball St and completes less than 50%.
Is it Mathew Harris? According to FloridaAlum, he is their stud corner. Unfortunate if true, but it might be the kind of break our team needs to catch (pardon the pun).
FloridAlum, just one "a" in the middle, not two. Unfortunately, it is Harris out with facial fractures . I said that I think he is our best cornerback. However, the other cornerback, , VanHoose, is very good, and the two back up corners, Watkins and McShepard, have played well this year. Watkins will probably get the start. Cornerback is maybe our deepest position right now after having several years where it was probably our weakest spot.
Echo this. Watkins and McShepard are battle tested and good players, but Harris was special. Harris (along with VanHoose at the other corner) have been dominant and have allowed NU to play a lot of man press coverage (and blitz whenever they want without anxiety). His loss could mean less of that. Harris' dominant lockdown play had been one of several reasons why NU has had outstanding 3rd down defense this year.
However, unlike a year ago at this time, NU is a fairly health team physically. The injuries that have happened have been largely relegated to the places with the greatest quality depth so far, but that doesn't mean there won't be drop off especially from the DB unit that has been dominant thus far. The good news (for NU) is that NU plays quality players into the 3 deep at DT and 2 deep at DE and have been able to get after and impact QBs when rushing only 4.
From what I've seen so far, Beathard has done a terrific job of scrambling, buying time and mitigating the impact of inconsistent Iowa OL pass blocking. He will be pressured a lot, but unfortunately (for NU) he isn't a statue back there like most of Iowa's QBs the last decade.
I am just an average fan, but MRCat95 knows what he is talking about.He is a former All Big Ten player for the Wildcats. Hope he does not get pissed that I mention that.
On offense I would like to see Smith, Hillyer and Vandy on the field together a bunch. Keep the DMs from creeping in especially now that their #1 DB is out. Use the formation with a TE in motion and a pulling guard to pound the rock and help set up play action. We are going to need to be able to throw the ball when CJ is under center and not just under obvious situations when he is in the shotgun. Run for 200...pass for 250...good guys win. (I think). Defense...press coverage until the QB shows he can beat you and make 'em run. I do not want to see a death by paper cuts with a constant series of 5 to 7 yd pass plays because we play soft. Lastly it would be a good time for DK to break a return.....
I think this may be another low-scoring affair, 10-6, 14-9 or something like that...hope the Hawks can find the end-zone...I think 2 touchdowns will win the game.
With recent news I don't see Iowa winning. The only hope is that Iowa can run the ball on Northwestern like Michigan did. It is positive that they ran the ball well without Boettger. Sounds like they are going to use either Wadley or Mitchell as a second back to get more carries this week. I bet its Mitchell. Iowa has to get healthy to win the division. They need the bye week pretty bad.
Northwestern 9 Iowa 6.
Northwestern 9 Iowa 6.
Iowa 20
NW 17
I think its a back and forth battle. Iowa is really banged up right now and NW is coming off a blow-out loss to Michigan. Normally this game would be a set up for a blowout, but I think the hawks will be able to run the ball and control the clock. NW offense isn't as scary as it used to be. Their QB is good, but he is a freshman and we need to get pressure on him. Hit him hard and hit him early.
Also Iowa's secondary is pretty good. Be ready for a lot of Bend but don't break football. Im sure NW will move the ball, but the hawks will have to keep them out of the end zone if they want to win this one.
I will say this I think we see the emergence of Jerminic this weekend. The kid is a special talent and can make plays.
NW 17
I think its a back and forth battle. Iowa is really banged up right now and NW is coming off a blow-out loss to Michigan. Normally this game would be a set up for a blowout, but I think the hawks will be able to run the ball and control the clock. NW offense isn't as scary as it used to be. Their QB is good, but he is a freshman and we need to get pressure on him. Hit him hard and hit him early.
Also Iowa's secondary is pretty good. Be ready for a lot of Bend but don't break football. Im sure NW will move the ball, but the hawks will have to keep them out of the end zone if they want to win this one.
I will say this I think we see the emergence of Jerminic this weekend. The kid is a special talent and can make plays.
Okay, I can see folks predicting a loss in this game, but that's just ridiculous. How do you see northwestern scoring 41 on the Hawks???
they are not over hyped. they beat Stanford and duke. that is the only loss for those 2 teams. Stanford has scored big on everybody else.
I realize that NW played Stanford at the beginning of the year (1st game). I can't remember a team playing a "great" first game. Boise State used to make a living playing rated teams the first week of the season. It gave them all off-season to prepare and they usually knocked off the team and won out.
NW did beat Stanford, but that might of been the worst game Stanford has played in the last 5 years. They couldn't catch, throw, or run the ball at all. They had a lot of issues that game, but they seemed to work the kinks out and are firing on all cylinders.
I think this game will be a battle, now that Iowa is racking up the injuries. Need some of the younger players to step up and play BIG in this game.
NU is the real deal and our toughest game all season.. I hope the beat down that Michigan gave them creates enough let down to help the Hawks this week. The Hawks seem to find a way to win. Might be turnovers or just plain luck. I'm not good at predictions, but I see a close Hawkeye victory over the REAL NU.
ya I was just saying I don't think they were overrated. Stanford not being able to run or pass the ball but now they have that worked out. yea they worked it out by not playing a defense like nw. they haven't played a decent defense since that game. nw and iowa are rated close to each other so like you said it will be a battle.
Yes it will be. Stanford has gotten A LOT better since that game. Their QB was looking Jake Christensen like with some of his throws going WAY over the WR or bouncing it to them. It was a poor performance by Stanford all the way around. They have improved and gotten better.
NW defense is good, but it sounds like their secondary is banged up which could help the hawks this weekend. Get the passing game going and that will open up some holes for the run game.
I just couldn't believe that Michigan was 38pts better than NW. That score shocked me.
Iowa 24
Northwestern 10
Bonus prediction: Commissioner Jim Delaney will be on hand to make a special presentation after the game. A little-know codicil in the B1G bylaws grants an award to any team defeating Ill and NW in consecutive weeks.
IOWA WILL TAKE HOME THE LAND OF LINCOLN TROPHY!!!
Northwestern 10
Bonus prediction: Commissioner Jim Delaney will be on hand to make a special presentation after the game. A little-know codicil in the B1G bylaws grants an award to any team defeating Ill and NW in consecutive weeks.
IOWA WILL TAKE HOME THE LAND OF LINCOLN TROPHY!!!
Since 16-6 is taken already, and given the wildcards with injuries . . . I still don't know.
Everything says to expect Iowa to lose. But I've said since August I had a sneaking suspicion this team was special. I've gone against my head all year and it hasn't failed us yet. Screw it.
Iowa 7
Northwestern 0
To match our record coming out of it!
Everything says to expect Iowa to lose. But I've said since August I had a sneaking suspicion this team was special. I've gone against my head all year and it hasn't failed us yet. Screw it.
Iowa 7
Northwestern 0
To match our record coming out of it!
