jameskalina
Well-Known Member
Last night on Sound Off I head people calling in saying Iowa still has a chance to win the Big Ten. Some folks believe the Hawks will win the Big Ten.
There's a mathematical chance that Iowa can win the Big Ten. But, realistically, I'm saying it's not probable. Here's why.
For one Iowa's special teams have shown some weakness and have been taken advantage of by some of the opposition. Against good teams this has resulted in and will likely result in loss(es). By now in late October a team is who it is. I do not see any quick fixes in the special teams play. We will probably have to live with this for the rest of the season.
As for the faked punt the way Iowa lined up I saw it coming. I kept yelling watch out for the fake! So much for yelling "watch out for the fake".
Clock management is another concern that was revealed yesterday. It clearly needs work. With three tough games yet to play this could be a factor again.
Looking ahead I see three teams that can beat the Hawks and may even be favored, these teams are Michigan State, Northwestern and Ohio State. On the other hand Iowa could beat any one or all three of these teams. But the margin of error is very, very thin.
Michigan State is on a roll and it will take an equivalent effort as yesterday to stay with the Spartans plus clean special teams play to beat them.
Northwestern took MSU to the wire yesterday and probably should have won the game. Think Iowa going to Evanston is going to be easy? Iowa can't beat the Wildcats in Kinnick. How difficult will it be to get a win at Northwestern?
How often does Iowa beat Ohio State anywhere? No one can reasonably say the Hawks should beat OSU in Kinnick. It's probably a toss up, at best.
Based on what I have seen up to now, I think it's going to be very difficult for Iowa to finish at 10-2. A more realistic record will be 8-4 or maybe 9-3.
I just don't see Iowa wining the Big Ten. I also don't see Iowa going to a BCS game. The Hawks are just not good enough this year to win the Big Ten or go to a BCS game. The Hawks are not good enough, simply put because they are their own worst enemy.
There's a mathematical chance that Iowa can win the Big Ten. But, realistically, I'm saying it's not probable. Here's why.
For one Iowa's special teams have shown some weakness and have been taken advantage of by some of the opposition. Against good teams this has resulted in and will likely result in loss(es). By now in late October a team is who it is. I do not see any quick fixes in the special teams play. We will probably have to live with this for the rest of the season.
As for the faked punt the way Iowa lined up I saw it coming. I kept yelling watch out for the fake! So much for yelling "watch out for the fake".
Clock management is another concern that was revealed yesterday. It clearly needs work. With three tough games yet to play this could be a factor again.
Looking ahead I see three teams that can beat the Hawks and may even be favored, these teams are Michigan State, Northwestern and Ohio State. On the other hand Iowa could beat any one or all three of these teams. But the margin of error is very, very thin.
Michigan State is on a roll and it will take an equivalent effort as yesterday to stay with the Spartans plus clean special teams play to beat them.
Northwestern took MSU to the wire yesterday and probably should have won the game. Think Iowa going to Evanston is going to be easy? Iowa can't beat the Wildcats in Kinnick. How difficult will it be to get a win at Northwestern?
How often does Iowa beat Ohio State anywhere? No one can reasonably say the Hawks should beat OSU in Kinnick. It's probably a toss up, at best.
Based on what I have seen up to now, I think it's going to be very difficult for Iowa to finish at 10-2. A more realistic record will be 8-4 or maybe 9-3.
I just don't see Iowa wining the Big Ten. I also don't see Iowa going to a BCS game. The Hawks are just not good enough this year to win the Big Ten or go to a BCS game. The Hawks are not good enough, simply put because they are their own worst enemy.
