Concerns for Saturday...

loesshillshawk

Well-Known Member
Experienced QB, a very outstanding running game, a defense that seems to be rounding in to form, a coach who really wants this game. Their running game scares me to death, I know we have a strong defense but I think they are capable of a couple sustained drives on our defense. Play action passing game off those RB's is something we struggle with too. I just hope we can keep the ball away from them. What changed from their first games where they admittedly struggled to playing like they did Saturday???
 




Keeping them to 3rd and long is key. Going to be tough with their running game to get them further than 3rd and 5.....but like last year we went up there and took their punch to the mouth and adjusted at halftime (also helped Clay got injured).

I believe our staff is the best at making adjustments after halftime, so if we can have the lead or be within 7-10 points we'll be in good shape.

On offense we need those ISU type drives where we control the clock and put 7 points up.
 


Have you seen Wisky's Red Zone stats? With Iowa's conservative defense, the red zone is where they earn their keep. Something has to give. Last week it was Iowa's defense. Lets hope it was just the spread passing attack that killed us last weekend.

If Iowa puts up 28 and mostly keeps Wisky in between the 20's, Hawks by 10+
 


Wisconsin looked like a different team. (it's clear that the buckeyes don't play well from behind.) One thing different is that I think Wisconsin finally got their special teams shored up. I think both Arizona State and Michigan State ran kicks back on them.

If our tackles can neutralize JJ Watt, I think there will be some opportunity in the passing game. I just hope Ricky comes out slinging it so that we can get a lead and run later....
 




I see our tight ends having a big game, much like Moeaki last year. I think we need to come out passing, in order to open up a small running game in order to keep everyone honest. We need to not come out and try to establish a running game first. If Wisky is down, their running game will be too time consuming and they will be forced to throw the ball. Tolzien(?) threw 3 INT last year.
 


Classic smashmouth game.
Hawks let em move between the 20's, allow FGs. Dont make any foolish TO's and play relatively penalty free and I think we come out of this good. White actually scares me more than Clay. Long down and distance situations, a few good hits on Tolzein and he will start flinging it around.
Hawks 27
Badgers 13
 


I think having Daniels in the D-Line rotation will help a lot this year. They were moving the ball very effectively last year (until Clay got hurt), which I partially attribute to our D-Line getting somewhat worn out by their big O-Line. Moving guys around and rotating "fresh" players should help contain their running attack.
 


I think it's important for Iowa to get out to an early lead and make them throw the ball. 7 guys in the box to minimize Clay pounding on the D-backs.
Iowa -9
Go Hawks!
 


Wisconsin looked like a different team. (it's clear that the buckeyes don't play well from behind.) One thing different is that I think Wisconsin finally got their special teams shored up. I think both Arizona State and Michigan State ran kicks back on them.

If our tackles can neutralize JJ Watt, I think there will be some opportunity in the passing game. I just hope Ricky comes out slinging it so that we can get a lead and run later....

ASU had two big kickoff returns, one that scored and one that was stopped at the 1 yard line. They gave up a punt return against MSU.

My number one concern, is their run game, and more specifically, the depth and talent at their RB position. Last two years, we've either not had to play against Clay, or have taken out Clay before the half (last year). They weren't able to run much after, and once we took the lead, we forced them to throw against our very good pass defense. Tolzien threw picks and that was that. This year, we'll need to neutralize their run game early on, and force Tolzien into making bad throws. If we destabilize that offense, we should be good to go.

On offense, I think we need to work on picking up the pressure and giving Stanzi time to make smart decisions.

Finally, we just can't fall behind like we did against Arizona, or like tOSU did against Wisky last week. Can't give up big plays, and we need to be able to grind it out on offense. Because you know Wisconsin is going to try and do the same to us.

This will be a tough couple weeks for the Hawkeyes. I just hope the team is going to be ready, and most importantly, stay healthy.
 


Two HUGE things that Wisconsin won't have the way that they had last week:

EMOTION
and
EMOTION

I think that emotion leading up to a game wears off after the first couple series of a game and that is were Wisconsin won the game. They will not have that same emotional high to carry them through because we are not #1, we are not OSU, and the game is not in Wisconsin.

I think this game will come down to the same thing that Iowa-Wisc always does, who plays their "way" better, and I like our chances on that.
 


So let me guess, you will have concerns next week as well right:

http://www.hawkeyenation.com/forum/football/17766-i-one-have-some-concerns-michigan.html

Seriously, stop worrying and just enjoy the season, you don't think the coaching staff knows these things and won't have a game plan in place?
I have total faith in the coaching staff...thought this was a message board, a place to put down your thoughts. Didn't realize I needed your ok to post my thoughts...I enjoy the game alot..right Seth???? :cool:
 






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