The Illinois Game

[dbrocket]

Looking at the schedule, this is much more important than I would have thought Friday morning. Why? Because Tevaun Smith is injured, LeShun Daniels is still tentative with that ankle, and we've got our biggest remaining test the following week at Northwestern.

The way I see it, we need to find an offensive identity without these guys before we head to another very good defense the following week. Whether that means CJ and Jerminic Smith getting on the same page, or our TEs becoming a bigger part of the passing game, or Jacob Hillyer getting open more, or finding another running back we can trust, who really has his legs under him, we need something.

Could we beat NW 10-6, the way we did Wisconsin? Sure. But we could lose 13-10, too. And, if I had to guess, I'd say NW's defense isn't quite as tough as Wisconsin, whatever the stats are. And their offense is probably not very good. But the defense IS tough and we need to be on our game.

 

[HerkysDad]

Let's worry about beating Illinois before we worry about Northwestern.

 

[soybean]

Illinois is a BIG10 team and they can be dangerous. But when you take a cold hard look at the two teams an objective observer would likely conclude that the Hawkeyes are at least a 10 point better team than the Illini...even taking the injuries into account.

There will probably be a lot of angst and hand wringing about a "let down" or a "trap game" this week amongst some of the worry-warts in our fan base, but I won't be one of them.

 

[soybean]

Let's worry about beating Illinois before we worry about Northwestern.

Exactly. And this week is when its good to have the steady hand of a 17 year veteran at the helm.

 

[Packer54]

I love our team but No game is safe this year. Look at Indiana. Look at Purdue. Need to lace em up tight every week. Go Hawks. Great road win.

 

[nu2u]

Wes Lunt is a dangerous passer if he has time to throw ....even though his receivers have been average at best. The main objective this game will be to pressure Lunt early and often. if Illinois is going to make this game close, Wes Lunt will need to have a big day because Iowa should be able to score against the Illini D on most of its possessions.

The Illinois defense is nowhere close to what the Hawkeye offense saw from Wisconsin or Pittsburgh. I anticipate around 450-500 yards of offense for Iowa if the weather is decent and Iowa suffers no more major injuries, with at least 200 on the ground. If Iowa scores less than 28 against Illinois it will be because of turnovers and/or red zone FGs instead of TDs.

 

[LuteHawk]

Illinois QB Lunt is a gunslinger with some good receivers.
Desmond King will have another opportunity to make some
big plays and shut down the Illinois passing attack. We will
also need a pass rush from our defensive ends to get in the
mix.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

We should handle Illinois. As stated earlier, by any objective measure, Iowa is superior in all aspects. Illinois looked like absolute crap in their only road game this year, and their comeback Sat vs. Nebby I think is much more a product of another Husker choke and not any kind of resilience. The offensive difficulties Iowa had against Wisky were due a lot more to a terrific Wisky D and some lousy weather, and not so much due to sudden offensive ineptness on our part. The Hawks' confidence has to be sky high, and at the same time, no player on this team has had enough success to take any opponent lightly (A problem OSU and MSU are clearly having this season). The Illini haven't been to Kinnick since '07, and this is going to be the most exciting homecoming since Michigan '09. I think we'll be seeing the Hawks flex their muscles and putting the Illini back where they belong as also-rans.

 

[Jonesingforhawkeyes]

I agree with you soybean about many of the HAKEYE fan base thinking this game to be a "trap game" especially with illini winning against a very bad nebby team. Like you I am also confident that the HAWKS will come away with the W next weekend. HAWKS offense is far better then the illini O and our defense is hands down way better (WOOOO......love me some HAWKEYE D) then the illini D.

I also agree with other posters who say that if Daniels is hurt way not rest him until he can contribute at 100%. HAWKS need to find somebody to help take the load off Canzeri and I truly believe that person to be Wadley. Even with his fumbling issues Wadley has to get reps to get better. Why keep playing Daniels and getting dinged for 1 or 2 yrd gains. I noticed yesterday on Daniels last carry he was noticeably limping off the field.

 

[TankHawk]

The Hawks are playing for bowl eligibility. Who would have guessed that was going to happen by October 10th?

 

[cedarvalleykid14]

Lunt and the Illini offense have potential, absolutely, BUT the fact is Illinois trailed Nebraska yesterday in Champaign 13-0. That's right. The Illini, playing at home, mustered nary a point against the Huskers through three quarters of football.

It's also true that Lunt is a drop back passer not known for his fancy scrambling, so again, yes, Iowa has to respect everyone every week. BUT I don't believe this Iowa team will overlook anyone. This team set its goals of winning the West and the Big Ten title well before the season started. This is a team that's not only on a mission, but it has a plan on how to turn that mission into reality.

Pity the Illini coming into Iowa City thinking they may have a shot. CJ and the offense will shoot holes in that dream in a hurry: Iowa 48, Illinois 6

BTW: Illinois lost @ North Carolina a couple weeks ago, 48-14.

 

[Murk 4 Kirk]

The line opened at -10. The Hawks are 4-1 ATS (not covering against Pitt). While I think we cover against Illinois, it'd be hard to see us losing as a 10 pt favor.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Iowa has no trap games. They cant overlook anyone

 

[ichawk24]

I do not worry about this team overlooking anyone. They are focused on the task at hand, and this week the task is beating Illinois.

 

[citizenHawk]

Best thing to come out of an ugly game? Don't think any player or coach is bound to relax or be content going through the week into the Illinois game. Coaches have a full chalkboard this week.

 

[Rocky Johnson]

Could we beat NW 10-6, the way we did Wisconsin? Sure. But we could lose 13-10, too. And, if I had to guess, I'd say NW's defense isn't quite as tough as Wisconsin, whatever the stats are. And their offense is probably not very good. But the defense IS tough and we need to be on our game.

I'm not so sure about that. I'd take Bucky's D coordinator over just about anyone, and their 3-4 scheme is unique and difficult to play against, but I think NW probably has better individual talent than Wisco at several positions. Their MLB Walker has been every bit as impressive as Schobert has this year. Outside of Schobert, Biegel, and Caputo, Bucky doesn't really have anyone that wows you from a physical or talent standpoint. Just a bunch of solid, high-motor, well-coached players. NW has Lowry, VanHoose, and Igwebuike in addition to Walker, who are all flat-out studs. It's close, but I think I'd give a slight edge to NW on talent. The B1G is loaded with awesome defenses this year (Mich, OSU, PSU, ours).

 

[dbrocket]

I haven't seen them play. So, grain of salt. But, I just don't see them playing as tough as Wisconsin did.

 

[delmond]

I love our team but No game is safe this year. Look at Indiana. Look at Purdue. Need to lace em up tight every week. Go Hawks. Great road win.

THIS +1000

 

[Rocky Johnson]

I haven't seen them play. So, grain of salt. But, I just don't see them playing as tough as Wisconsin did.

And you're going to be wrong about that. They lead the country in scoring D, and have played 3 Power 5 opponents in their first 5 games, including Stanford who has been lighting up the scoreboard on everyone since they lost to NW.

 

[GolfHacker1]

There is a lot to be concerned about in every game. The one thing Iowa can control is cleaning up some things, and things need to be cleaned up. We have an o line that still needs to improve. We have one side of our pass defense that needs improvement. Our deep threat which helps the rushing game immensely is out. I could go on.

Having said this, it does remind me a lot of 2009. I came away from every game in 2009 wondering how we were winning. I also went to Madison and sat in a shaded portion of their stadium. Was chilly in 09, was chilly yesterday. I'm superstitious, so there is that going for us I guess.

Every game this year I mention Desmond King shouldn't be returning kicks as it increases injury chances. Every game people around me look at me funny. Every game we keep winning. Every game I'll keep saying this and getting strange looks from those nearby.

It is good in a way. There hasn't been a game this year where there isn't a lot, and I mean a lot to work on after watching film. I think this keeps players more focused. We are guaranteed 12 games a year. Every game is big, and you can't get to 6-0 by overlooking the 6th game.

 

[Cougar63]

Honest question, how do Wisconsin and Illinois compare?

 

[citizenHawk]

King is going to return a kick or two before it's all done. And it very well could be the difference in a game. Not a plug and play poistion--good return guys have a special ability.