Enemy Recon: What Illinois State Fans are Saying About Iowa

JonDMiller

JonDMiller

Publisher/Founder
HN Contributor Sean Nuegent took a stroll through Illinois State fan boards to find out what the enemy is talking about this week. Here is some of what he saw from the other ‘ISU’ fans.

1. THE WEATHER: It’s supposed to be 91 degrees on Saturday. Redbird fans are nervous about their depth as an FCS school compared to a Big Ten school. They think it will be a good game, but that a deeper Iowa team would pull away late and that the weather would drain their players. Although some fans pointed out the black jerseys for Iowa and white jerseys and pants for the Redbirds and how that will keep them cooler.

2. SPECIAL TEAMS: They worried about the Redbirds special teams – they have a new kicker, punter and long snapper. Many think it will come down to special teams and that there will be a few gaffes on their part.

3. OFFENSIVE CONCERNS? They are concerned about the offense and how it could struggle with three new lineman and drop off at wide receiver, but everyone was very confident that their defense could at least keep them in it.

4. OUTCOME: Many fans either thought if they did win it would be by three or so, but if they lost it would likely be by a couple touchdowns.

5. RESPECT: They are very confident in their team, but know they are facing very stiff competition in a league that’s above them. That said, nobody thinks they’ll be embarrassed.

Note from Ill St Writer: LINK
 
RECON!!!!!!

Hot Weather should not be a factor. Get fans, get water, dress as cool as possible, play ball. Done deal. Now cold....that's another story
 
A prediction from their boards..

"ISU 38 - 27 Birds have a better one two punch, dont underestimate the OL line. The DL will make the UI QB have to move and scramble. not his game. On what a Roberson does in the open field will be the make or break the pace of the ISU attack. It could and most likely a 600 yrd day for the Birds. Once the Iowa can't try to blitz every down, all gold for ISU, So ISU has to hit hard fast and often."
 
Another one for fun

"#84 Illinois State Redbirds ---- 35 FCS National Championship Runner Up


#43 Iowa Hawkeyes ---- 20 Losers of the Taxslayer Bowl


Offense - Tre Roberson and Marshaun Coprich are the 2 best players on the field and will have the pedal to the floor from the opening snap. WR Warrum has the experience and now will be getting the reps along with Jon Marc and Christian Gibbs to shine from the dimes from Tre. Roberson also takes to this year knowing the offense and plays a level higher than he did the 2nd half of last year. Finally, Beathard is a better coach then his nephew is a QB.

**Side Note** NDSU QB Carson Wentz is a Top 10 QB prospect for the NFL...I'd take Tre Roberson every single time on Saturday's. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/pros ... gs/2016/QB

Defense - Wood Shed Time from whoever you want to put in the game. People keep saying we are deeper and better than we have ever been in ISU history, but we will still get tired. Either we are Deep and Great...or we are just OK. Iowa can have more scholarship players but that doesn't mean they are good or better than our guys to wear us down.

Special Teams - Our redshirted Aussie rugby kicker Reece Attard pins a couple deep if needed, C.J. Laros style. We don't try any field goals because we won't attempt any so I think we make 5 extra points.

Head Coaches - Brock Spack goes for a couple 4th and shorts and continues the ISU momentum. Kirk Ferentz puts the nail in his own coffin in front of 35,000 fans.


FWIW, If IOWA gives up in the 4th quarter I think the score is 42-17 Redbirds."
 
hawkfan1319 said:
A prediction from their boards..

"ISU 38 - 27 Birds have a better one two punch, dont underestimate the OL line. The DL will make the UI QB have to move and scramble. not his game. On what a Roberson does in the open field will be the make or break the pace of the ISU attack. It could and most likely a 600 yrd day for the Birds. Once the Iowa can't try to blitz every down, all gold for ISU, So ISU has to hit hard fast and often."
Click to expand...

True, ISU is absolutely right, CJB has no mobility. He basically pulls up a chair and throws just from the arm. I predict he gets sacked 50 times in the game because he's so immobile.
 
hawkfan1319 said:
Another one for fun

"#84 Illinois State Redbirds ---- 35 FCS National Championship Runner Up


#43 Iowa Hawkeyes ---- 20 Losers of the Taxslayer Bowl


Offense - Tre Roberson and Marshaun Coprich are the 2 best players on the field and will have the pedal to the floor from the opening snap. WR Warrum has the experience and now will be getting the reps along with Jon Marc and Christian Gibbs to shine from the dimes from Tre. Roberson also takes to this year knowing the offense and plays a level higher than he did the 2nd half of last year. Finally, Beathard is a better coach then his nephew is a QB.

**Side Note** NDSU QB Carson Wentz is a Top 10 QB prospect for the NFL...I'd take Tre Roberson every single time on Saturday's. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/pros ... gs/2016/QB

Defense - Wood Shed Time from whoever you want to put in the game. People keep saying we are deeper and better than we have ever been in ISU history, but we will still get tired. Either we are Deep and Great...or we are just OK. Iowa can have more scholarship players but that doesn't mean they are good or better than our guys to wear us down.

Special Teams - Our redshirted Aussie rugby kicker Reece Attard pins a couple deep if needed, C.J. Laros style. We don't try any field goals because we won't attempt any so I think we make 5 extra points.

Head Coaches - Brock Spack goes for a couple 4th and shorts and continues the ISU momentum. Kirk Ferentz puts the nail in his own coffin in front of 35,000 fans.


FWIW, If IOWA gives up in the 4th quarter I think the score is 42-17 Redbirds."
Click to expand...

Only 35,000 fans on opening day home game? Hmm, things must be worse than I thought...
 
A lot of those Illinois State fans seem to be very out of touch. I look forward to Iowa giving them a dose of reality. Some are right on one point, Iowa's size and, strength and depth will wear them down. Also they are right to be worried about there offensive line. Ott and Meier will be in the wrecking havoc!
 
Hawknick said:
A lot of those Illinois State fans seem to be very out of touch. I look forward to Iowa giving them a dose of reality. Some are right on one point, Iowa's size and, strength and depth will wear them down. Also they are right to be worried about there offensive line. Ott and Meier will be in the wrecking havoc!
Click to expand...

Speaking of out of touch...
 
Meh, talk is talk. I remember the TN forums talking about the butt whoopin they were gonna put on Iowa. Turns out they were right.

But I also remember the Davidson bb boards talking the same crap. Turns out they were not so right.
 
Oh, my issue was less with their predictions, but the completely unrealistic hyperboles about CJB's mobility and attendance of 35,000.

But true, words are just that, the only thing that matters is the game itself at this point.
 
Hawknick said:
A lot of those Illinois State fans seem to be very out of touch. I look forward to Iowa giving them a dose of reality. Some are right on one point, Iowa's size and, strength and depth will wear them down. Also they are right to be worried about there offensive line. Ott and Meier will be in the wrecking havoc!
Click to expand...

and if Illinois State boards were looking for crazy Iowa fan posts.... you're that guy.
 
Hawknick said:
A lot of those Illinois State fans seem to be very out of touch. I look forward to Iowa giving them a dose of reality. Some are right on one point, Iowa's size and, strength and depth will wear them down. Also they are right to be worried about there offensive line. Ott and Meier will be in the wrecking havoc!
Click to expand...

Pot...meet kettle.
 
From what I have seen on Illinois state, this is going to be a tough game. The one advantage I give us, is inside the trenches. Hopefully our Oline can give CJ the time to throw and get him and our team some confidence.
 
Every fan base has it's share of morons. Some more so than others. The only other board I view occasionally is CyFan and that place is crawling with mental midget rejects who truly believe Iowa State is on its way to becoming the premier University in our state with the most fans.
 
hawkfan1319 said:
A prediction from their boards..

"ISU 38 - 27 Birds have a better one two punch, dont underestimate the OL line. The DL will make the UI QB have to move and scramble. not his game. On what a Roberson does in the open field will be the make or break the pace of the ISU attack. It could and most likely a 600 yrd day for the Birds. Once the Iowa can't try to blitz every down, all gold for ISU, So ISU has to hit hard fast and often."
Click to expand...

hawkfan1319 said:
Another one for fun

"#84 Illinois State Redbirds ---- 35 FCS National Championship Runner Up


#43 Iowa Hawkeyes ---- 20 Losers of the Taxslayer Bowl


Offense - Tre Roberson and Marshaun Coprich are the 2 best players on the field and will have the pedal to the floor from the opening snap. WR Warrum has the experience and now will be getting the reps along with Jon Marc and Christian Gibbs to shine from the dimes from Tre. Roberson also takes to this year knowing the offense and plays a level higher than he did the 2nd half of last year. Finally, Beathard is a better coach then his nephew is a QB.

**Side Note** NDSU QB Carson Wentz is a Top 10 QB prospect for the NFL...I'd take Tre Roberson every single time on Saturday's. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/pros ... gs/2016/QB

Defense - Wood Shed Time from whoever you want to put in the game. People keep saying we are deeper and better than we have ever been in ISU history, but we will still get tired. Either we are Deep and Great...or we are just OK. Iowa can have more scholarship players but that doesn't mean they are good or better than our guys to wear us down.

Special Teams - Our redshirted Aussie rugby kicker Reece Attard pins a couple deep if needed, C.J. Laros style. We don't try any field goals because we won't attempt any so I think we make 5 extra points.

Head Coaches - Brock Spack goes for a couple 4th and shorts and continues the ISU momentum. Kirk Ferentz puts the nail in his own coffin in front of 35,000 fans.


FWIW, If IOWA gives up in the 4th quarter I think the score is 42-17 Redbirds."
Click to expand...


Which one had the handle "RedbirdNick"?
 
Hello Hawkeye nation- Member of the "enemy" here.

I think any forum is going to have a certain amount of jackassery to it. This is the internet, after all. I think my prediction for the game is pretty fair.

I have equated top FCS programs (NDSU, UNI, ISU, Montana, SDSU, New Hampshire, EWU) to teams that would be top 2 or 3 in some of your standard non-BCS conferences (SunBelt, CUSA, AAC and MAC). So when I look at this game, I look at it not as "an FCS" team coming to play in Iowa City, but a team that would probably be a bowl eligible FBS team in any of those previously mentioned conferences. Labeling teams like ISU, UNI and NDSU as "just FCS teams" really gives your fanbase the wrong impression. You are absolutely right- there are some hot garbage FCS teams in the division that could pretty easily be beaten by some DII or even DIII teams, but this team you are seeing on Saturday is not one of them.

Everyone keeps talking about Roberson and Coprich because they will probably be 2 of the 5 finalists for the Walter Payton award (FCS Heisman) at the end of the year. Everyone has picked those guys to death. Our two teams have similar concerns with O-Line unknowns, so lets call that a wash. I think that Iowa will face its biggest challenge against the best ISU defensive front seven in the recent history of the program. You have very experienced high level athletes that know how to get off a block and tackle. The linebackers are solid and are very disciplined.

My concern is the secondary. Full of FBS transfers and incredible athletes, they might be a little undisciplined in their coverages and may be weak against the deep ball. I know your QB can get the ball down field if he has time, so that will be where Iowa, I think, gets its points.

we have a new kicker, new punter and new long snapper. While the Hawkeyes may struggle against the 1-2 offensive punch or the front seven of ISU, they should DOMINATE against the special teams. FCS schools can't carry nearly as many scholarships for special teams players, so kick coverages and punt situations tend to be extremely dangerous for teams at this level- even the ones with an experienced core.

I originally had Iowa winning this game by 6 or 7 (I think I originally said ISU 21, Iowa 28), but then the weather forecast came out and I 100% seriously think the black uniforms end up costing the Hawkeyes 3-4 points if not more.

Overall, I just think the jump in weight class will be a little tricky for ISU to overcome.

ISU- 23
Iowa- 27

* Everyone who is going to the game, stay safe- it is looking like it will be just flat dangerous out there. We want everyone either in red or yellow to walk out of the stadium without heat stroke.
 
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