Prediction.....

Mark it down.........If the Hawks get out of Arizona with a win, they will run the table to the Ohio State game.

The only game that concerns me moving forward to OSU is Michigan. However, the Michigan game couldn't have come at a better spot in the schedule. We get a tune up against a determined, albeit undermanned, PSU squad. We get an extra week to heal our wounds and give the Jedi Master extra time to develop the ultimate defensive gameplan against Robinson.
 


Michigan State is the game that I fear. Physical defense, balanced attack. Them mirror teams are teams that tend to play us close.
 


Mark it down.........If the Hawks get out of Arizona with a win, they will run the table to the Ohio State game.

The only game that concerns me moving forward to OSU is Michigan. However, the Michigan game couldn't have come at a better spot in the schedule. We get a tune up against a determined, albeit undermanned, PSU squad. We get an extra week to heal our wounds and give the Jedi Master extra time to develop the ultimate defensive gameplan against Robinson.

In general, I agree...though I will still worry -- even about Northwestern & Indiana...Strangely, I'm not the least bit worried about Penn State. That game doesn't scare me at all...(a freshman QB & a defense that looks soft & slow...) Crap, I'm not even super-worried about Michigan...at this point, I think their defense is (quite a bit actually) worse than last year...Notre Dame had 535 yards and only 26 minutes of possession time...UCONN had 350 yards and only 24 minutes of possession time...both also ran the ball successfully, but were forced to abandon it, somewhat due to being behind...
 


This will be a test on Saturday, but I think Iowa will come out swinging just like the last two weeks. They will jump out to a 10 - 0 lead, and then when everything looks like it is going smooth, Arizona will come up with a big play to score. After that, the game stays locked up until the fourth quarter. At the start of the fourth quarter Iowa will be leading around 21 - 17 or 24 - 17. From there, Iowa absolutely owns the fourth quarter just like all of last year. Final score - Iowa: 35-38 pts, Arizona: 17-20 pts.

After this game, Iowa will roll except for Michigan and tOSU. It worries me that were playing at the big house, this michigan team looks like the old michigan we are used to. I think Norm will find a way to stop thier only weapon in Robinson. It will be a W.

MSU doesn't worry me to much. its at home, and there is no way we will let the score stay as close as it did last year.

The only loss i see would come to tOSU or maybe Michigan(depending on if the D can stop Robinson).

No prediction for tOSU game yet. I need more time on that one
 


The games we play...

1) Arizona: Worried because it is a trip out west, and the Hawks will be facing different temps and different game time than they're used to. Not worried because I believe our defense can contain Arizona, and because I believe Ferentz and company will have the guys prepared.

2) Ball State: Worried because, well...anything can happen. Not worried because Ball State really isn't very good.

3) Penn State: Worried because they'll be playing the underdog, for once. Looking past these guys could hurt. Not worried because we've outplayed Penn State when they're good. Plus, their offense and defense didn't look as great against Alabama as they did against Youngstown State. I'd say we're a bit more like Bama than YSU.

4) Michigan: Worried because Dernard Robinson has been absolutely lights out on offense. Also, we're playing at the Big House. Not worried because the rest of the Michigan team doesn't look as good as Dernard, and I think our 22 players can out duel their 1.

5) Michigan State: Worried because they seem to have picked up a strong run game, and their pass attack can be dangerous. Plus we play these guys pretty close, and they'll be remembering that last second win we put up on them last year. Not worried because I think we're a more balanced team overall.

6) Wisconsin: Worried because of the same reasons as Michigan State. Not worried because we often outplay and outcoach the Badgers.

7) Indiana: Worried because they have a high powered pass game. Not worried because even last year's game needed a lot of mistakes by Iowa, and we still ended up crushing them in the 4th. I can't see a performance like that by the Hawks again.

8) Northwestern: Worried because they seem to have our number, often winning close games. Persa is looking pretty good, like his predecessors before him. Not worried because if we can stay healthy, I don't think Northwestern can keep up.

9) Ohio State: Worried because it's Ohio State. They're good. Not worried because the same team could keep up with OSU last year at the Shoe. Also, their special teams isn't looking too hot, though that probably will change by the time we meet them...

10) Minnesota: Worried because...well...just like Ball State, anything can happen, I suppose. Not worried because...well...Minnesota just isn't very good.
 


It's nice to speculate what could/should happen the rest of the season. The Hawks just need to concentrate on the "next" opponent.
A stone-cold beatdown of Arizona will only make things harder for Iowa.
National attention, interview requests, and Publicity will take some of the focus away from the goal. Ask Roger Maris, He started losing sleep, losing hair and couldn't eat part of the time. Pressure is a fickle beast. We'll have to see how Iowa's coaching staff and players handle it.
Don't get me wrong I as a fan enjoy the attention. I believe the attention leads to recruiting eyes being opened, that perhaps wouldn't otherwise be. I'll just keep rooting my rear off for the Hawks and hope for the best.
 




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