Game Preview, Prediction: NIU Dangerous Opponent for Hawkeyes

[NoBeer]

You can't really be so simplistic as to think one poorly coached game makes one a poor coach, can you (see Stoops and Peterson examples in my post above)?

ONE poorly coached game, yes, that would be obtuse. Kirk has a long track record of poorly coached games and losing to objectively less talented teams.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Things that would have to happen for a NIU win.



1. Dramatic improvement in NIU quarterback over freshman year.
- I would expect some improvement, but not so dramatic?

2. Iowa’s defensive front can’t get any pressure of NIU backfield.
- I would be surprised if three defensive ends can’t manufacture something between them.

3. Iowa’s offensive line has a great deal of trouble with NIU’s defensive front.
- Could happen

4. Iowa’s back seven has a rough time settling in.
- Not against NIU’s offense.

 

[HuckFinn]

ONE poorly coached game, yes, that would be obtuse. Kirk has a long track record of poorly coached games and losing to objectively less talented teams.

Specific Examples?

 

[NCHawker]

Each person on the starting O and D line are native Iowans.

 

[NCHawker]

https://www.thegazette.com/subject/...defensive-lines-vs-northern-illinois-20180830

 

[vork22]

The real difference that some of you are missing is that BF is calling the plays not KF. I believe BF is more aggressive in his play calling than KF ever was. The game will start out slowly but the Hawks will wear them out in the second half. Not even close.
Iowa 42 NIU 9

Did you only catch the Ohio State game last year?

 

[ModebaSan]

Did you only catch the Ohio State game last year?

I watched every game last year. Ive watched every game since 1975. Are you saying Northern Illinois is as good as Ohio St.? BF is more aggressive in his play calling than GD ever was, and that’s a good thing. At least he is willing to go vertical. Last year we had lost our 2 starting tackles and replaced them with freshmen. Our only passing threats were 2 tight ends and a transfer wr and a rb coming out if the backfield. If you remember, every team we played last year stacked the box against us save for OSU. Their own arrogance got them beat. I remember when everyone bitched and moaned about KOK’s playcalling, but I for one am glad he’s back to mentor BF. Brian is bringing the swagger back to a team that needed it.

 

[vork22]

I watched every game last year. Ive watched every game since 1975. Are you saying Northern Illinois is as good as Ohio St.? BF is more aggressive in his play calling than GD ever was, and that’s a good thing. At least he is willing to go vertical. Last year we had lost our 2 starting tackles and replaced them with freshmen. Our only passing threats were 2 tight ends and a transfer wr and a rb coming out if the backfield. If you remember, every team we played last year stacked the box against us save for OSU. Their own arrogance got them beat. I remember when everyone bitched and moaned about KOK’s playcalling, but I for one am glad he’s back to mentor BF. Brian is bringing the swagger back to a team that needed it.

I was joking because the Ohio State game was the only game that I felt Brian was truly aggressive. I just thought your score prediction was a stretch but I hope you are right.

 

[NoBeer]

Specific Examples?

Purdue and Northwestern just last year. I was at the Northwestern game. They weren't the better team. All the games where we've played 1/3 of the game "not to lose" are on the coaching staff. There are practically too many to name.

 

[Xerxes]

The real difference that some of you are missing is that BF is calling the plays not KF. I believe BF is more aggressive in his play calling than KF ever was. The game will start out slowly but the Hawks will wear them out in the second half. Not even close.
Iowa 42 NIU 9

Brian doesn't make a single offensive play call that doesn't have to get through Kirk. Kirk has said publicly that he has veto power over any play call that is made on offense or defense but he generally stays out of the defensive side.

 

[cincyhawk]

I watched every game last year. Ive watched every game since 1975. Are you saying Northern Illinois is as good as Ohio St.? BF is more aggressive in his play calling than GD ever was, and that’s a good thing. At least he is willing to go vertical. Last year we had lost our 2 starting tackles and replaced them with freshmen. Our only passing threats were 2 tight ends and a transfer wr and a rb coming out if the backfield. If you remember, every team we played last year stacked the box against us save for OSU. Their own arrogance got them beat. I remember when everyone bitched and moaned about KOK’s playcalling, but I for one am glad he’s back to mentor BF. Brian is bringing the swagger back to a team that needed it.

116th in the country! STRUT boys! You earned it!

 

[ModebaSan]

Brian doesn't make a single offensive play call that doesn't have to get through Kirk. Kirk has said publicly that he has veto power over any play call that is made on offense or defense but he generally stays out of the defensive side.

C’mon, you don’t think KF doesn’t give his own son a lot of latitude?

 

[Xerxes]

C’mon, you don’t think KF doesn’t give his own son a lot of latitude?

No I don't. Brian has the advantage of knowing he'll never be fired so he can probably voice his opinion more so that KOK or GD could, but ultimately this is Kirk's offense.

He's the one common denominator over the last 20 years. Players have come and gone. Experience, talent, schedule, injuries or lack there of, makes no difference, Iowa struggles on offense.

He's had a lot of success here, I would never take that away from him. But until I see different this will always be a program that goes only as far as the defense and SP carries them.