Knight78
Well-Known Member
Yeah. I think jNW and Kansas would be a close game.
At this point, 2 games that give me the most concern for the rest of this regular season
- Thread starter HaydenHawk56
- Start date
Yeah. I think jNW and Kansas would be a close game.
Luftgekuehlt67
Well-Known Member
I will be annoying and take a liberal interpretation of "concern" here.
Really, the only team that causes real concern the rest of the way is PSU. They are much better than anyone we have or will play this year.
I doubt anyone other than the most ardent Iowa or PSU fans thought this would be essentially a mid-season CFP elimination game, but here we are.
From my perspective, this game is pure gravy. I want to win BAD. But if we lose? Eh, we are probably out over our skis a bit too far anyways. I'm concerned from the standpoint that I don't want to get blown out with the eyes of the CFB world upon us, but I don't see that as a likely outcome.
So my two games that do concern me, in order:
1) Nebraska. It's at their shithole for one thing and, for another thing, outside of PSU I think they are probably the best team we'll play from here on out. We've just barely squeaked by them the last three years. They want to beat us bad anyways, but there is an excellent possibility we'll come into that game in the top 10 while they are on 5 wins and trying to get to a bowl. I don't like it, not one bit.
2) Wisconsin. Again, it's at their shithole, so I never like that. Wisconsin is definitely not themselves this year, but they are always well coached and tough.
Win or lose against PSU, we'll have a big old target on our backs the rest of the way out. Every team we play will be looking to make their season by beating us, but the two I mentioned above have the best shot at pulling it off I think.
Really, the only team that causes real concern the rest of the way is PSU. They are much better than anyone we have or will play this year.
I doubt anyone other than the most ardent Iowa or PSU fans thought this would be essentially a mid-season CFP elimination game, but here we are.
From my perspective, this game is pure gravy. I want to win BAD. But if we lose? Eh, we are probably out over our skis a bit too far anyways. I'm concerned from the standpoint that I don't want to get blown out with the eyes of the CFB world upon us, but I don't see that as a likely outcome.
So my two games that do concern me, in order:
1) Nebraska. It's at their shithole for one thing and, for another thing, outside of PSU I think they are probably the best team we'll play from here on out. We've just barely squeaked by them the last three years. They want to beat us bad anyways, but there is an excellent possibility we'll come into that game in the top 10 while they are on 5 wins and trying to get to a bowl. I don't like it, not one bit.
2) Wisconsin. Again, it's at their shithole, so I never like that. Wisconsin is definitely not themselves this year, but they are always well coached and tough.
Win or lose against PSU, we'll have a big old target on our backs the rest of the way out. Every team we play will be looking to make their season by beating us, but the two I mentioned above have the best shot at pulling it off I think.
Man, there is some wacky stuff on this thread: "MSU wore out Nebraska's defense." Huh? Sparty had a total of 5 yds of offense the 2nd half vs the Huskers. Egads, how dumb do you think people are on this site??
I agree with the original post that PSU and Nebraska will be the toughest remaining games. The Nits for obvious reasons, and the Huskers because of their improved defense, and because Martinez (if he can stay uninjured until the last game of the season) is a special player. They could easily beat Michigan this Saturday.
I'd put Wisconsin as a very close 3rd: they've proven that even tho their offense sucks this year, their stout defense will likely keep them in every game -- at least until the 4th quarter. Purdue has the best WR in the BTen and will cause problems, per usual, but I believe this Iowa offense can outscore them.
MN and ILL do not scare me at all at this point.
I agree with the original post that PSU and Nebraska will be the toughest remaining games. The Nits for obvious reasons, and the Huskers because of their improved defense, and because Martinez (if he can stay uninjured until the last game of the season) is a special player. They could easily beat Michigan this Saturday.
I'd put Wisconsin as a very close 3rd: they've proven that even tho their offense sucks this year, their stout defense will likely keep them in every game -- at least until the 4th quarter. Purdue has the best WR in the BTen and will cause problems, per usual, but I believe this Iowa offense can outscore them.
MN and ILL do not scare me at all at this point.
JoeyLabasForPresident
Well-Known Member
Thank god they let an average quarterback walk and went with the worst one in the league instead. Whether that league is the Big Ten or the FBS is TBD.
loesshillshawk
Well-Known Member
Obviously you must be one of them...did you watch that game? MSU wore them out early and in OT it showed big time. You seriously think Michigan will be intimidated going to Lincoln? Have you seen Michigan's D, and they can hurt Nebraska playing complementary football. Did you watch Illinois vs Nebraska? Have you seen Oklahoma? MSU barely beat WKU...Nebraska is a pretender...and no depth on either side of the ball, including QB. I assume you have seen their special teams, their punter? You surely have noticed their inability to coach during the game, and at half time. I stick by my comments. Wisconsin is in trouble, Mertz out, offense sucks. The only team capable of beating us is PSU, and Iowa. Keep the dumb comments yourself...this is a freaking message board.
JoeyLabasForPresident
Well-Known Member
Wisky might actually be improved with Mertz out. Time will tell. It doesn't get much worse than Mertz, as in he was probably in the bottom five starters in the league. And by the league, I mean the FBS, not the B1G.
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
I ain't writing the Badgers off yet. Yes, they are 1-3, but they have played PSU, Michigan and Notre Dame. That is a brutal way to start back after a weird season last year.
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
Moderators - can you please take this down? Whenever any poster besides me starts telling people to book tickets to Indy, Iowa has ALWAYS shit the bed. The jury is still out IMHO. Nebraska looks much improved, Wisconsin is not dead and out, Bielema will have this game circled and Ferentz's recent records against Fitz and Brohm speak for themselves. And oh by the way we still have to play PSU. If we shit truck PSU, and I mean absolutely shit truck them, then you can think about maybe possibly buying tickets to Indy, the bad vibes you clowns have thrust upon the world by starting this thread sent a shiver up my back.
Fryowa
Administrator
I don't think I'd start counting any chickens yet. Beat Penn State and things are looking better.
All of you guys ocunting out Wisconsin, Nebraska, Purdue, and Minnesota are playing with fire. Here's the B1G West standings right now...
Minnesota 1-0
Illinois 1-1
Nebraska 1-1
Purdue 1-1
Northwestern 0-1
Iowa 0-0
Wisconsin 0-0
Remember, this is the level of hype where Iowa typically has explosive diarrhea where it sleeps. I don't think it's going to be a meltdown (hopefully), but at some point we are going to trip up and the B1G West is completely up for grabs.
All of you guys ocunting out Wisconsin, Nebraska, Purdue, and Minnesota are playing with fire. Here's the B1G West standings right now...
Minnesota 1-0
Illinois 1-1
Nebraska 1-1
Purdue 1-1
Northwestern 0-1
Iowa 0-0
Wisconsin 0-0
Remember, this is the level of hype where Iowa typically has explosive diarrhea where it sleeps. I don't think it's going to be a meltdown (hopefully), but at some point we are going to trip up and the B1G West is completely up for grabs.
Fryowa
Administrator
Dumb comments are what message boards are all about.
And speaking of dumb comments, I remember you've told all of us right around 78 times that you're a "hall of fame" high school coach in Iowa. All 78 of them unnecessarily.
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
The conference games are aggregated, bud, so Wisconsin is 0-2 and Minnesota has that blemish from OSU in week 1. Northwestern also lost to Sparty. Our side has gotten utterly shit trucked by the east other than Iowa (so far) which is good, but it definitely helps Iowa when Wisconsin gets a tough draw on the other side.
Even if we beat PSU, this team could still easily lose 3 games on our side. Easily.
loesshillshawk
Well-Known Member
Love you too...
HaydenHawk56
Well-Known Member
That is why I made sure to say all of the game are important. But, I picked the two games I think could be the most troublesome for Iowa moving forward......Penn St and Nebraska.
ssckelley
Well-Known Member
Nah, shit being said on here makes zero difference on the field. I know some of us are superstitious, I'm guilty of this too with my prediction BS, but none of this really matters. I think it's only natural to look at the schedule and feel like Iowa has a really good shot at winning a down West after what they've accomplished already. Heck outside of here people are talking about Iowa being a CFP team, I feel like we are doing a good job on here tempering that level of craziness. It's been a while since I've seen this level of excitement for the football program, let's enjoy it a little. If Iowa shits the bed then we will have a whole different discussion on here. You and O'keefe can do your 'I told you so's' and then we get to fighting the 'FIRE FERENTZ' trolls or 'I think it's time we had an honest discussion about the coaching staff'.
BTW, why are you leaving the cross over games off your standings? Those games could wind up being huge for Iowa, good chance Iowa might be the only one with a winning record against the East. Gives Iowa more room for error.
Nebraska is not that different from us.
Since 2015...
Iowa is 58-21 (73.4%, 8th best among P5)
Nebraska is 34-42 (44.7%, 50th among P5)
but if you take the 4 years before that (Nebbie's first 4 in the B1G)...
Iowa is 26-25 (51.0%)
Nebraska is 37-16 (69.8%)
It is not that hard to imagine things flipping back again. We have the secret sauce (stability) that they have lacked. I think Frost is a long way from Ferentz, but he is likely not a complete idiot. If they gave him more time, upgraded coaches around him, he could definitely improve. But I think he would absolutely have to break through this year. Let me explain.
Nebraska has a bunch of super-seniors on defense (5), plus a few regular seniors. That has been the better side of the ball for them for a couple years.
Offense is clicking right now, but it is being buoyed by really good play by senior-QB Martinez (a tough, talented player that Frost has done no favors), a grad transfer WR (Toure), and a senior TE (Allen).
But if Nebraska craters (some embarrassing losses to the big dogs, upset by at least one little dog), they become a dumpster fire. Their D would suffer major losses at all levels (5 super-seniors for sure, as many as 3 regular seniors). Their offense would no longer be lifted up by talent at QB (maybe Smothers is as good as Martinez, but I doubt it). They still have OK on their schedule, and while their cross-overs get easier next year, they still have Michigan. It could be the worst Frost season yet. And then they go back to drawing board with a new coach, and the cycle of futility continues.
Since 2015...
Iowa is 58-21 (73.4%, 8th best among P5)
Nebraska is 34-42 (44.7%, 50th among P5)
but if you take the 4 years before that (Nebbie's first 4 in the B1G)...
Iowa is 26-25 (51.0%)
Nebraska is 37-16 (69.8%)
It is not that hard to imagine things flipping back again. We have the secret sauce (stability) that they have lacked. I think Frost is a long way from Ferentz, but he is likely not a complete idiot. If they gave him more time, upgraded coaches around him, he could definitely improve. But I think he would absolutely have to break through this year. Let me explain.
Nebraska has a bunch of super-seniors on defense (5), plus a few regular seniors. That has been the better side of the ball for them for a couple years.
Offense is clicking right now, but it is being buoyed by really good play by senior-QB Martinez (a tough, talented player that Frost has done no favors), a grad transfer WR (Toure), and a senior TE (Allen).
As an aside, I think it is interesting that Nebraska lists their player eligibility with the free COVID year added in. It is like they are saying to themselves, "Who wouldn't want to stay in Nebraska as long as possible?"
If Nebraska has some success this year, which I would define as beating the non-elite teams from here on out, winning one of Mich/Wisc/Iowa/OSU, and winning a bowl game, they might get a bunch of super-seniors back for next year, convince some good recruits to hop on board, and actually build something.
But if Nebraska craters (some embarrassing losses to the big dogs, upset by at least one little dog), they become a dumpster fire. Their D would suffer major losses at all levels (5 super-seniors for sure, as many as 3 regular seniors). Their offense would no longer be lifted up by talent at QB (maybe Smothers is as good as Martinez, but I doubt it). They still have OK on their schedule, and while their cross-overs get easier next year, they still have Michigan. It could be the worst Frost season yet. And then they go back to drawing board with a new coach, and the cycle of futility continues.
ssckelley
Well-Known Member
Iowa is totally winning the National Championship this year! Alabama and Georgia will get steam rolled by our Hawkeyes.
Drink the kool-aid Keefe.....DRINK IT!!!!!!
