What game

[olddude]

What game is the one?
#1 We have Penn at Happy Valley. Penn should not be good enough to beat us (I hope).
#2 Got NU at home. They seem to have had our number. Can we get over it? (Both Penn and NU are early in the season, lots of health?).
#3 Mich, again they come here, but they only face MSU, ND and NU for competition before coming here. (Healthy Dennard?)
#4 MSU? We get them at home as well and they have OSU, Mich, Wisky and Nebby, before coming here. A few L's for them by then?
#5 Nebby. We all know what they should be looking like by the time we travel west. Would a couple early L's take the wind out of thier sails? Can thier LB's go the whole season (not alot of depth or true LB play experience there?) (T-mart healthy?) (Coker healthy?) Could this game mean Indy?
I know we need to win them all, but which one seems to carry the season, so to speaak?
I think if we can come out strong in Penn and NU, we should be ok. I am starting to think the better we do in those games, will give a good indication of the season.

 

[goods10]

IF we beat Northwestern I will start to think something is brewing for this season. If we lose to Northwestern it will be an average year by Iowa.

 

[kicker22]

Based on recent years our margin of error will be limited if we are to win any week regardless of who we are playing. I truly feel that we can't value one game over any others to have a successful season because we need to bring our "A" game every Saturday. No game trumps any others, because as close as our games seem to play out, and as many as we've had that have literally been won and lost in the final drive, there simply is no game that's more important than any others.

 

[olddude]

Based on recent years our margin of error will be limited if we are to win any week regardless of who we are playing. I truly feel that we can't value one game over any others to have a successful season because we need to bring our "A" game every Saturday. No game trumps any others, because as close as our games seem to play out, and as many as we've had that have literally been won and lost in the final drive, there simply is no game that's more important than any others.

I agree, I was just seeing at what point the excitment builds. Like I said I feel like if we have very good outings at Penn and hosting NU, with both games early on, I think everyone sits up and takes notice. But yes I agree we need to play hard and show up week in and week out or else it wont mean anything.

 

[kicker22]

I agree, I was just seeing at what point the excitment builds. Like I said I feel like if we have very good outings at Penn and hosting NU, with both games early on, I think everyone sits up and takes notice. But yes I agree we need to play hard and show up week in and week out or else it wont mean anything.

IMO I think the ooc games are huge. Not necessarily win-loss based, but unlike last year we need to get our second and third stringers in and game tested and that's hard to do when you can't maintain a comfortable lead. We've got a few positions that are inexperienced and the backups need some battle testing.

 

[DesMoinesHawki]

I think the early season will help dictate what type of season we have. I think the Pitt game has huge implications on the season. Yes, Pitt has a new staff but they do have a lot of talent and are expected to be pretty good this season. This game makes me nervous, even though we are playing at home. Boy, it really is tough to say because so many important games. In years past, Iowa normally progresses as the season wears on. Last year we went in the opposite direction. I think we need to have early season success - especially with so many new faces in the lineup. If I had to nail it down, I would say the Pitt and Northwestern games will tell us a lot. We have to beat Northwestern. Who ever would have thought the day would come where Northwestern would have our number?

 

[olddude]

I think the early season will help dictate what type of season we have. I think the Pitt game has huge implications on the season. Yes, Pitt has a new staff but they do have a lot of talent and are expected to be pretty good this season. This game makes me nervous, even though we are playing at home. Boy, it really is tough to say because so many important games. In years past, Iowa normally progresses as the season wears on. Last year we went in the opposite direction. I think we need to have early season success - especially with so many new faces in the lineup. If I had to nail it down, I would say the Pitt and Northwestern games will tell us a lot. We have to beat Northwestern. Who ever would have thought the day would come where Northwestern would have our number?

No kidding. I still go by, if we represent well when we host them and when we go to happy valley, I will start to think I know what I am talking about. It wont be easy, that early on, but I think we have a "team" this year. I think the D gets us by in both games. If that happens, I will start getting "excited".

 

[Gooch]

IMO, If we win the Northwestern game we've got a good chance and a spectacular season, if we lose it, any momentum will be gone and it'll be just like last year, losing games we should have no problem winning.