The odd positives about our '18 OOC slate

[ghostOfHomer777]

Many folks might look at Iowa's out-of-conference slate and say "meh" ... however, I honestly believe that it might prove to be a really nice build-up to the Wisconsin game.

• The initial two teams that the Hawks have faced feature surprisingly good defenses. We know that Wisconsin will have a good D ... so its good to have our O challenged ahead of time.
• Even against UNI, they're particularly good at stopping the run. Thus, quite apart from what some Hawk fans might expect ... the sledding will be tough for the Hawks against UNI. Again, this is great prep for our OL, because it will continue to force them to improve.
• Iowa State featured an odd-man front ... which is good prep for the Badgers.
• NIU has a speedy edge rusher in Smith ... that is good prep for a speedy guy like Van Ginkel for the Badgers.
• NIU and UNI have semi-mobile QBs who can make plays when things break down in the pocket ... that is decent prep for Hornibrook, because he too is a bit of a "gamer."
• NIU features an offensive scheme that centers around its running game ... and its a power running game that also involves the QB. This was a crash course for the Iowa LBs in being gap-sound.
• ISU obviously features a very talented RB in Montgomery. While Montgomery isn't quite the elite talent that Taylor is ... he's a darn impressive RB. Again, the prep the Iowa D had for Montgomery was valuable ... because they're going to have to play really solid team ball to slow Taylor too.
• NIU and UNI both rely a lot upon scheme and being "multiple" to find mismatches against the opposing D. This is valuable, because it really puts pressure on our D to understand their respective jobs and execute very well. It really will help our LB development down the road.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Some good points. The one thing that's hard to duplicate is Wisconsin's huge O Line. It's gonna be damn physical in the trenches on 9/22.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Some good points. The one thing that's hard to duplicate is Wisconsin's huge O Line. It's gonna be damn physical in the trenches on 9/22.

You're absolutely correct. Wisconsin almost always seems to have an "above-average" sized O-line. For their power-running game ... it obviously helps them. However, sometimes there can be tradeoffs as it relates to pass-pro ... quick D-linemen CAN get penetration and pressure the passer.

While Iowa's DL obviously will not have faced an O-line as good or as experienced as Wisconsin's OL ... they at least have the depth to rotate guys ... so that our DL won't get ground-down too much.

 

[blackandgoldPT]

Quite possible NIU 0-3 ISU 0-2 and UNI 0-2 after this week. Not a great look

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Quite possible NIU 0-3 ISU 0-2 and UNI 0-2 after this week. Not a great look

And yet does it really matter? NIU would have lost to Iowa, Utah, and Florida State. ISU would have lost to Iowa and Oklahoma. Lastly, UNI would have lost to Montana (a traditional FCS power) and Iowa.

Irrespective of that snapshot of their records, it doesn't diminish the quality of teams that the Hawks faced. Besides, their records necessarily would be marred by playing Iowa!

 

[nu2u]

• NIU and UNI have semi-mobile QBs who can make plays when things break down in the pocket ... that is decent prep for Hornibrook, because he too is a bit of a "gamer."

Hornibrook wears cement boots. He is even less mobile than Stanley and that's saying something. His career rushing yards are around -200. That stat includes sacks, of course, but it gives you an idea of his ability to scramble and run for a positive gain. UNI and NIU QBs are not just another level, they are another orbit.

… now watch Horny break loose for a couple long gainers against Iowa.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Hornibrook wears cement boots. He is even less mobile than Stanley and that's saying something. His career rushing yards are around -200. That stat includes sacks, of course, but it gives you an idea of his ability to scramble and run for a positive gain. UNI and NIU QBs are not just another level, they are another orbit.

… now watch Horny break loose for a couple long gainers against Iowa.

I'm not saying that Hornibrook will run down-field ... however, he's escaped from the pocket and used the extra time to pass the ball down-field.

 

[TKingpin]

We haven’t faced an OLine like Wisconsin. No question about that.

But they haven’t faced a DLine like the Iowa Hawkeyes DLine, either.

New Mexico kept it to 10-7 at half.

 

[nu2u]

I'm not saying that Hornibrook will run down-field ... however, he's escaped from the pocket and used the extra time to pass the ball down-field.

Yeah, he can slip into open space but it is my impression that he is far less accurate throwing on the run. I don't have the stats, just my observations over time. I can live with Hornibook running away from the pocket. The WI OL vs. Iowa DL is going to be an epic battle. Hopefully, Iowa's pass rush restricts Horny's escape hatch from the pocket mostly to be the back side.

 

[Slappy Pappy]

Yeah, he can slip into open space but it is my impression that he is far less accurate throwing on the run. I don't have the stats, just my observations over time. I can live with Hornibook running away from the pocket. The WI OL vs. Iowa DL is going to be an epic battle. Hopefully, Iowa's pass rush restricts Horny's escape hatch from the pocket mostly to be the back side.

Our coaches better get in the refs ear early and often about how those big cows on Wiscy's oline hold as a standard practice. They do that thing where they try to spin and release the hold right after the play has passed. They coach it that way up there but shouldn't be getting away with it. They'll be doing it nearly every play with our quicker dline.

 

[kceasthawk]

Quite possible NIU 0-3 ISU 0-2 and UNI 0-2 after this week. Not a great look

True, buts its early in the season and we did give each of them one of those losses. Well not to jump the gun, the first two anyway.....

 

[kceasthawk]

We haven’t faced an OLine like Wisconsin. No question about that.

But they haven’t faced a DLine like the Iowa Hawkeyes DLine, either.

New Mexico kept it to 10-7 at half.

Mostly off of badger turnovers. Once they settled down, it was no contest, as you would have expected.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Mostly off of badger turnovers. Once they settled down, it was no contest, as you would have expected.

Of course, New Mexico moved the ball best when they had their top QB in the game. He got injured or something ... and their O could pose the same threat for the entire rest of the game. Part of the advantage of having the starting QB was that the New Mexico O was able to threaten more balance on O ... and that is what made them harder to defend.

 

[mikesright]

Iowa was able to force a stalemate last year at the LOS vs Wisconsin’s offense. However you just can’t be as inept on offense as we were in that game and win - only 1 first down thru 3Q had us losing the field position battle badly (D lost any margin for error) and we eventually started turning the ball over repeatedly too. That became a recipe for a blowout. Winning or losing will be based on how the offense performs.

Fun fact - Josh Jackson was the leading wide receiver for Wisconsin in that game - had more INT return yards than the Wisconsin offense had passing yards - 95 INT ret yds vs 90 yds passing for Hornibrook.

 

[rchawk]

Bucky's OL is very, very good and I don't care what hey did against New Mexico. They will be ready to play when they come to Kinnick.

Iowa's DEs should at least hold their own and get a decent pass rush. On contain that is Parker Hesse and Anthony Nelson. Got to stop Taylor.

Inside I think Matt Nelson is playing really well. The Hawks still have to stop all that beef and Jack Hockaday better be ready.

 

[Hawkeyeinsoutherncalifornia]

Agree however these big fat cheese eating giants can be had.. need our quick D’ends to just make them look silly by faking and going right around the lumberjacks



QUOTE="HawkIDrummer, post: 5683810, member: 87224"]Some good points. The one thing that's hard to duplicate is Wisconsin's huge O Line. It's gonna be damn physical in the trenches on 9/22.[/QUOTE]