Does anyone out there think the Hawks will win easily on Saturday?

[OLWPAORWWM]

Good post. I belive if we give them life we could get in trouble. If we can jump on them early it would be huge

Yeah, the dozens of Goofer fans in the stands after halftime will give them the boost to get over the top.

 

[FreedComanche]

I've held off weighing in on this because I really don't know which side of me is stronger right now, the side that says the WMU game is where this team finally "clicked", or the side that says WMU finally collapsed of "B1G Fatigue".

Minnesota is darn near impossible to read, as they are pretty much every year in recent memory given their lack of quality non-conference foes, save the occasional U$C/etc. For a run-dominant team, they sure don't rack up yardage like the GaTech/Air Force/Oklahoma-under-Switzer team of the past. Nor are they anywhere in Wisconsin's league. But, they ARE 4-0. We're not.

This game will be a laugher if we have the kind of success we had just about everywhere last week. But, we STILL started slow last week, at least to some degree. If, OTOH, we have turnovers and stalled drives and our O can't keep our D off the field, prepare to feel VERY "2010-2011"-ish. And it will probably be compounded by a career day for one of our RBs or Powell catching 3 TDs in a losing effort.

The biggest key right now is to make sure we don't shoot ourselves in the foot.

 

[FreedComanche]

I've held off weighing in on this because I really don't know which side of me is stronger right now, the side that says the WMU game is where this team finally "clicked", or the side that says WMU finally collapsed of "B1G Fatigue".

Minnesota is darn near impossible to read, as they are pretty much every year in recent memory given their lack of quality non-conference foes, save the occasional U$C/etc. For a run-dominant team, they sure don't rack up yardage like the GaTech/Air Force/Oklahoma-under-Switzer team of the past. Nor are they anywhere in Wisconsin's league. But, they ARE 4-0. We're not.

This game will be a laugher if we have the kind of success we had just about everywhere last week. But, we STILL started slow last week, at least to some degree. If, OTOH, we have turnovers and stalled drives and our O can't keep our D off the field, prepare to feel VERY "2010-2011"-ish. And it will probably be compounded by a career day for one of our RBs or Powell catching 3 TDs in a losing effort.

The biggest key right now is to make sure we don't shoot ourselves in the foot.

Can I call you hawkeyeboob instead? No reason really and I think your above post was good. Just kinda wanna call you hawkeyboob.

 

[HawksMN]

I can't understand why anyone thinks Minnesota has a chance.

Cause of the way we played the last two times we were up there. Goofs play out of their minds, in a frenzy. Iowa plays like they don't give a hoot. Bumblin and Stumblin. That would equal a loss.

Iowa plays clean football, they win.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

The way I see it, we are still shooting, but the foot appears to be moving faster. We still have the drops and fumbles to contend with, but it really appears to me, we are cleaning that up and Canzeri and Daniels needed that wake up last week and they picked the right week to do it. Rudock appears to have grown in regard to his pocket presence and throwing late to the flat and over the middle. I haven't seen him do it since game two. Turnovers are the key to this Iowa team...keep them in check, we should win this game in decent fashion. The reality is that the team isn't good enough to score in bunches and overcome several shots that may actually hit the foot. We need to play clean, catch the ball, and move the chains...then the game plays into our hands.

We sort of have to assume we won't see two pick-6s again this week, if for no other reason than Minnesota may not even THROW 6 passes. And you can bet they will know what to do on punt coverage, and should KMM get a decent return, they'll simply kick away or re-design their coverage the rest of the game. And our KO returns appear to have digressed from last year.

Hence, it's the mistakes I fear. If we give up an onside kick in the first half, we better forfeit on the frigging spot.

I think spreading the carries among the RBs may be the very ticket that will open up the passing lanes. It will, in the short-term, make them have to "think" about who may carry the ball, and in long-term it could give the WRs the extra foot of "space" they need to get open and/or make the "easy" catch.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

To the thread-maker's question ... Phil Steele said, "...I think Iowa wins comfortably." on Sirius 91, this morning.

I'm still not convinced it will "easily" or "comfortably". The last few days I've started to wonder if the WMU game was the Minny game of last year -- where Iowa just dominated in all phases -- only to ride a mudslide the rest of the season?

 

[David79]

If Iowa stops the run they will win. It's that simple.

 

[Clark]

To the thread-maker's question ... Phil Steele said, "...I think Iowa wins comfortably." on Sirius 91, this morning.

I'm still not convinced it will "easily" or "comfortably". The last few days I've started to wonder if the WMU game was the Minny game of last year -- where Iowa just dominated in all phases -- only to ride a mudslide the rest of the season?

If Iowa stops the run they will win. It's that simple.

it really is that simple. I feel similarly about this game as I do about the MSU game. Just don't beat yourself by giving them easy points. Make them prove they can beat you through the air consistently. Basically an old fashioned Norm Parker gameplan.

 

[DexterMorgan]

I just heard Pat Harty say he can't understand why so many Hawk fans think it will be an easy win on Saturday. If this is the case, I must be missing something. I am still seeing a "wait and see" attitude for the most part. Agree or Disagree?

No they don't

 

[wundergrape]

No they don't

Yes, they do. I do. I'm a Hawk fan.

 

[Tigerhawk222]

One lingering question this weekend might help answer: How much progress has been made in shoring up Iowa's known weaknesses?
--Unreliable receivers
--Lack of pass rush
--Inconsistent secondary play
--Inconsistent punting game
--Inability to win close games

 

[OLWPAORWWM]

Hmmm, let's see here...

Stud QB? Check
Ferocious Defensive line? Check
Defensive backs emerging? Check
Unstoppable RB? Check
Minnesota still sucks? CHECK CHECK and CHECK

Add a great WR who is on a hot streak, and honestly, I cannot fathom how Iowa loses this game. I predict they win by at least 17.

Gotta own this one guys. I predicted 17 point win, and we only won by 16.

 

[gohawkz]

Gotta own this one guys. I predicted 17 point win, and we only won by 16.

So you were wrong...

 

[OLWPAORWWM]

So you were wrong...

Well, idiots liek Hardy couldn't fathom why Iowa fans thought they would win easily last week. You know why I KNEW they would? Because they're just a much better team.