The Arizona team has some terrific defensive backs. One may be an all-american (Wade). This plays well against our "strength" which should be passing the ball. Hard to say id we will have a good run game this year at this point. In addition, Arizona will be a different offensive team with a different QB than the team we saw for the bulk of last years' game. I also agree with those who cite our historic rad struggles. If we win this game in any fashion, I will be very very happy.
A little update on Arizona
- Thread starter homerHAWKeye777
- Start date
IATrainMaster101
Well-Known Member
I honestly think that either McNutt or DJK are capable of going Andy Brodell on just about any All American DB at any time. I'm not saying we will tear Az DBs up but I would not be surprised to see any DB fall off the list after an outing with one of these two. Throw in Chaney and Davis (who I believe will go down as the best of the bunch) and I think we'l be ok. We have a lot of horses in this stable.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Ross was their superstar CB in 2009. Wade just picked up the torch after him.
The UA CBs will be able to play really tight and aggressive in coverage ... just as they had last year. For those who recall last year, on many occasions, it actually appeared that their secondary was often getting to the WR a bit too fast (several PI calls were completely blown). All the same, Stanzi was still able to pass for over 200 yards.
Anyhow, I expect that Iowa should be able to pass the ball. Furthermore, with new DTs and new LBs, I'm willing to bet that Iowa will try to test the interior of the UA D too. As a result, the UA D will work hard to shut down the run ... but the interesting question will be how much that will open up the passing game.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
The initial part of your post doesn't make much sense to me. Where do I claim that Arizona could score 30 points (or more) on the Hawk D?
In my prediction of a "close" game, I suggest that UA could score around 24 points. Given that Arizona arguably fields one of the more potent Os that we'll face all year ... it's not all that bad to claim that they could score 24 points on us at their own house. Furthermore, the implication isn't necessarily that their O is responsible for netting all the points either.
As another poster had mentioned, Michigan was able to score quite a few points on us ... and the '10 UA O is arguably a good bit better than the '09 Wolverine O.
jameskalina
Well-Known Member
Arizona may have the home field advantage but Iowa has the advantage in two important areas:
1. Iowa is an experienced team.
2. Iowa's defense should be one of the best in college football.
1. Iowa is an experienced team.
2. Iowa's defense should be one of the best in college football.
HawkeyeDenis
Well-Known Member
Arizona had a top notch secondary last year but most of them are gone along with all 3 of their LB's. Also last year they Nic Grigsby was the #2 rushing yards in the country when Iowa played them. Iowa shut them down.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
Actually, given the kind of summer we've had (and the way the weather is now), it may be hotter here than in Arizona. 95 degree with 90%+ humidity is crazy. Given that it will be a night game, it'll be what, maybe 80 degrees in the desert? With almost no humidity (it IS a desert, after all). That's going to feel like air conditioning compared to what the team is practicing in right now.
It's a lil cooler in Tucson than it is in Phoenix due to a slight elevation difference. With that said it's wouldn't be too unusual for it to be in the upper 80's even lower 90's at night. It's a goofy feeling when it's that hot at night. That no humidity BS is just that. Hot is hot. People are worried about the game being played at night. As far as I'm concerned we should be thankful. In the end though, I don't think weather is going to play a big factor in the game unless there's a monsoon.
imported_ankle23
Well-Known Member
yeah fizz, hot is hot. i get you on that.
but the point the guy is trying to make is rather simple.
95 degrees with a dew point of 80.
95 degrees with a dew point of 50.
Do you see that there is a difference even though the actual air temp is the same? I would agree that 95 degrees is hot either way you look at it. I know I'd rather play in the 95 with the lower dew point. When the dew point is that high, it is awful. humidity is not BS.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
Exactly. Which is why Florida is just disgusting climate-wise, and Arizona is more popular for winterbirds. Humidity is what makes a guy sweat buckets. I'm not in God-awful shape, but I'll sweat through a shirt just trying to play 9 or 18 holes of golf right now. Hot and dry is WAY better than hot and humid.
I sweat like a man twice my size no matter where I'm at during the summer so maybe my opinion doesn't carry much weight. I've lived the majority of summers in Iowa but spent the last one in Arizona. I'd rather take the Iowa summer back. It just seems that the sun beats the hell out of you in Arizona. There isn't as much cloud cover, not as much natural shade, and the wind feels like a hair dryer blowing in your face as opposed to a cool breeze.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
I might give you that a TYPICAL Iowa summer is better. But, this has been a rather wet one, so it's been much more humid, especially for this part of the summer when things usually are going dry. This year, I'd prefer the Arizona heat, especially if it's for only one night.
whammer33024
Well-Known Member
i guess i have a hard time believing a QB will throw for over 300 yards and only score 13 points. maybe that's just me
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Below is a little "historical" data from the 2009 season that is worth coloring impressions. I've focussed on the more noted passing performances against Iowa's D last year.
vs UNI
270 passing yards
38 pass attempts
SR starting QB
16 points scored (by O)
notes: Prater suspended
vs PSU
198 passing yards
32 pass attempts
3 INTs
SR starting QB
10 points scored
vs AState
216 passing yards
40 pass attempts
1 INT
SR starting QB
14 points scored
notes: Prater injured and didn't play
vs MSU
225 passing yards
32 pass attempts
SO starting QB
13 points scored
notes: Greenwood got injured in the game. Longest pass plays basically transpired at the very end of the game.
vs IU
227 passing yards
41 pass attempts
3 INTs
JR starting QB
24 points scored
notes: Greenwood out for game due to injury (he tried to play but left the game early). A 45 yard pass play contributed total passing yards.
Homer's Synopsis:
Context explains the success of UNI and AState against Iowa's D. There you had quality, veteran leading QBs who managed to exploit Prater's absence at the starting CB spot.
The more intriguing observation is the relative success that MSU's Cousins and IU's Chappell had. Of course, it is worth noting that Greenwood missed portions of each of those game, including pretty much all of the IU game.
In terms of skill, smarts, and leadership, Foles is probably most like Cousins and Chappell. Thus, Iowa fans definitely should have some concern. However, if Iowa's defensive starters are healthy, accumulated yardage need not equate to points on the board.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Another remark ....
... another factor that contributed to IU's success on O was the match-up of Saffold on Clayborn. It's not clear to me that UA has an OT that can match-up as well on Clayborn as Saffold had. There's a reason why Saffold ended up being a pretty high draft pick.
... another factor that contributed to IU's success on O was the match-up of Saffold on Clayborn. It's not clear to me that UA has an OT that can match-up as well on Clayborn as Saffold had. There's a reason why Saffold ended up being a pretty high draft pick.
racerhawk
Well-Known Member
Homer, thanks again for your thoughtful and informative posts.
My hope is that our D line can be disruptive enough this year to throw timing patterns, etc off for opposing offenses.
I'm super excited to travel to Tucson this year. I'll be yelling my head off, per usual. Can't wait.
NorthFloridaHawkeye
Well-Known Member
I don't see how anybody can predict an Iowa blowout for this game. We are on the road, late night start, new offensive line, and most importantly a conservative offensive mindset. As someone posted earlier, I will be happy with a 'W'.
burky247
Well-Known Member
I agree completely. I can't see how anyone who has followed Iowa football under Ferentz could expect a blowout on the road against a good team. The only way it's possible in my mind is if our defense and special teams score a couple of touchdowns.
I have the Arizona game down as a loss. But I could see us winning a close game. I think people's high expectations for a great year are affecting their margin of victory to a degree.
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