Big ten visit

[Zstatman]

I thought the BTN show was overall positive.

The O has lots of weapons, the QB won't have to carry this team, just not have turnovers.

The D will be tough.

This never seems to get much press, but it is my biggest concern, punting and field goal kicking. Two untested positions that are key. If either doesn't come thru, we'll being having meltdowns her in HN.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Punting will be fine. Frankly, it was not exceptional last year. It just needs to be average and consistent. We should be able to figure that out.

FG is just going to be an adventure outside of 40 ish yards. I do think we will see KF go for it more around the 30 yard line. I suspect Lester will factor that into play calling in marginal field goal range. Who knows. Maybe that kid from ND was just off on kids day and will be fine. The kid hit 16 of 18 last year for the Bison. If there is one football skill that should translate from lower levels its FG. Its the same width!

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Going into the BTN interviews, Lester stated that they track a number of practice stats for each QB in practice, and that as of that moment both QBs had exactly the same # of turnovers. Interesting.

 

[Hawkboys]

Punting will be fine. Frankly, it was not exceptional last year. It just needs to be average and consistent. We should be able to figure that out.

FG is just going to be an adventure outside of 40 ish yards. I do think we will see KF go for it more around the 30 yard line. I suspect Lester will factor that into play calling in marginal field goal range. Who knows. Maybe that kid from ND was just off on kids day and will be fine. The kid hit 16 of 18 last year for the Bison. If there is one football skill that should translate from lower levels its FG. Its the same width!

Let's just not punt anymore. Problem solved.

 

[kicker22]

I don't think the QB has to carry the team, but there's very little time for a learning curve. Our schedule gets nasty weeks 4-6 and we've got to be able to depend on something other then our ground game to move the sticks. We're going to have to be able to throw the ball against Michigan, OSU, and Washington. If we can't and our running game can't get going those games were going to be 0-3 before we know it.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Punting will be fine. Frankly, it was not exceptional last year. It just needs to be average and consistent. We should be able to figure that out.

FG is just going to be an adventure outside of 40 ish yards. I do think we will see KF go for it more around the 30 yard line. I suspect Lester will factor that into play calling in marginal field goal range. Who knows. Maybe that kid from ND was just off on kids day and will be fine. The kid hit 16 of 18 last year for the Bison. If there is one football skill that should translate from lower levels its FG. Its the same width!

But no where near the same atmospheres.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I don't think the QB has to carry the team, but there's very little time for a learning curve. Our schedule gets nasty weeks 4-6 and we've got to be able to depend on something other then our ground game to move the sticks. We're going to have to be able to throw the ball against Michigan, OSU, and Washington. If we can't and our running game can't get going those games were going to be 0-3 before we know it.

The offense doesn't have to be designed for the QB to carry the team. Problem is with this years team, there are so many unkns and places to fill, especially ST. All that combined means that Iowa will have to score into at least the lower 30's and the QB may have to bring the team back in the later game in some games. That's my concern.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

But no where near the same atmospheres.

The Fargo Dome holds close to 20k and they are usually full for home games. They also made the playoffs and I am sure some of the kid's kicks were under pressure. Is it the same as Kinick? No. But, is it kicking FGs at Urbandale? No. I think once you get a big crowd and pressure situations, the difference between 20k and 70k is not going to impact you that much. Its not like Hickory going to Indianapolis.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

The Fargo Dome holds close to 20k and they are usually full for home games. They also made the playoffs and I am sure some of the kid's kicks were under pressure. Is it the same as Kinick? No. But, is it kicking FGs at Urbandale? No. I think once you get a big crowd and pressure situations, the difference between 20k and 70k is not going to impact you that much. Its not like Hickory going to Indianapolis.

You forgot to add in the wind factor or other late season weather factors. But, I do hope he can be consistent.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

You forgot to add in the wind factor or other late season weather factors. But, I do hope he can be consistent.

The kid grew up outside of Kansas City and then spent 3 years in North Dakota. I am pretty sure he has experienced upper midwestern wind and winters even if most of his kicking was done indoors at NDSU. Its not like the kid came from Australia and has never suited up for an American football game or experienced winter. That would be scary. Oh wait......

 

[kicker22]

The offense doesn't have to be designed for the QB to carry the team. Problem is with this years team, there are so many unkns and places to fill, especially ST. All that combined means that Iowa will have to score into at least the lower 30's and the QB may have to bring the team back in the later game in some games. That's my concern.

I don't disagree that the the QB doesn't have to carry the team, but at the same time we can't be solely dependent on our running game and have to continue to make strides in the passing game like we'd made the last few years or at the very least get someone under center that has the ability to stretch the field and make plays with his legs to open up the play book and give our offense another dimension. Those first 3 games of conference play aren't going to be games where we can simply pound the rock all day without being able to stretch the field or show a different look.

 

[kicker22]

They interviewed Tim Lester. Love that guy. He didn't seem concerned at all.

We will go as far as our OLine takes us on the offensive side. We have excellent running backs and ELITE tight ends.

I hear what your saying about going as far as the Oline takes us, but how many times have we been stacked at the OLine, RB and TE position and came up short because we couldn't move the chains on anything other then 3rd and short. I just feel like this scenario has played out a number of times with a much stronger defense and always came back to bite us or left us asking "what if". That's not saying I'm pessimistic going into the season, but I'm usually much more optimistic then I am a realist.