I think hawks beat NIU by 10 or more.

[uihawk82]

I see from the prediction thread that a lot of people pick NIU to win the opener.

I think the hawks have a very known quantity in their running game going against a lot of newcomers in the NIU front 7 and this could/should let Iowa run well and control the game and field position. I think the hawk passing game will be ready to move the chains and maybe break some big plays.

The hawk defense held their own last year against Lynch and what was if I remember a young NIU offensive line. But I think the hawks will be much better in the dline with more known quantities in Davis and LTP. The NIU line will be good but the Iowa Dline will be improved.

Now Lynch really didnt pass the ball that well in last years game and maybe he improved alot thru the year so that is an unknown quantity (sort of like the Iowa passing game). But the hawks will be pumped as will the crowd. I pick the hawks 27-17. What say you?

 

[clim]

Ill take any win. 21-17

 

[Sirhouseman]

I have to agree. Like the Kinnick factor here.

 

[NCHawker]

i think the stadium will go apeshit on the first 1st down by the hawks

 

[FreedomHawk]

I have to agree. Like the Kinnick factor here.

Just like last year's Central Michigan game, right? I see a double digit NIU win in a revenge game for them.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

I would expect the Hawks to control this game from the outset. Iowa was very young last year, now they are larger and stronger. Obviously Iowa can't look past this game or any game. They don't have much of a margin for error.

 

[Cyhawk]

Hawks 24 - 9

 

[hawkfan2679]

What worries me is that last year NIU started a new QB in Lynch, 5 new offensive lineman, a new RB, and a new WR. So clearly we got them at the best time of the year, before they had the chance to turn into the juggernaut that they were until they ran into FSU in the Orange (?) Bowl. However, their defense, which was certainly the better half of the ball in our game with them last year, loses quite a bit, which theoretically means we make more headway on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively we really need those big fellas on the DL to get it figured out early and often.

I really don't care all that much how many we score...as long as it's at least one more than they do.

 

[HawkeyeMcNutt]

This implies Iowa scores at least 27-31 points..

 

[SamsonHawk515]

QB play and Dline play the keys to Iowa's 2013 season. If both aspects can be just above average Iowa wins more games then not. Iowa will win against NIU week one, too much experience on D to lose.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

I don't have a problem taking the Hawks with this game being played in Kinnick, but I'm thinking the score will be close, more to the tune of 17-14 or 21-17, much like last year's game.

Until Iowa comes out and proves that they can move the ball and score points and that it isn't "last year" anymore, I don't feel comfortable taking Iowa by 10+ over much of anybody, except Missouri St and maybe W. Michigan. I'm basically in "show me" mode.

N. Illinois has a good program and I expect them to come in and give us a game. A loss wouldn't shock me in the least, although that's not my official prediction.

 

[FreedComanche]

This implies Iowa scores at least 27-31 points..

Yes, because NIU has almost all of their o line plus Jordan Lynch back. They will score well on the hawks' D I think.

This game so not a for sure thing. I won't be surprised if Iowa is favored in the game, but there is no reason they should be.

FreedComanche

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

At home we win

 

[DrKnipe]

Can I have some of what you guys are drinking?

 

[hawkinn3]

We won by one last year and NIU will be better on offense and worse on defense. We will be better on defense but offense is a big question mark.

If our offense is good then there is a very good chance of a blow out. However, this is Iowa and if we are up by a TD in the 3rd we will go into a shell and run the ball.

Iowa 24
NIU 20

 

[Sirhouseman]

Just like last year's Central Michigan game, right? I see a double digit NIU win in a revenge game for them.

Yep because how Iowa fared against a completely different team last year has any baring. ???

 

[Eda]

Yep because how Iowa fared against a completely different team last year has any baring. ???

Pluuuuuuuuuuuus 1

 

[FreedomHawk]

Yep because how Iowa fared against a completely different team last year has any baring. ???

Yep, a far inferior team compared to the one we're about to play. Furthermore, it does not call into question Iowa's homefield advantage at all versus MAC teams (Western Michigan, anyone). In summation, you're an idiot.

 

[deanvogs]

Yep, a far inferior team compared to the one we're about to play. Furthermore, it does not call into question Iowa's homefield advantage at all versus MAC teams (Western Michigan, anyone). In summation, you're an idiot.

Joined Feb. and is calling out others as idiots inside of 50 posts.....not to mention is the author of one of the all time idiotic rants on KF and his salary. I smell troll, probably a formerly banned troll at that.

 

[hawkfan340]

Yep because how Iowa fared against a completely different team last year has any baring. ???

There is some relevance in that Iowa controlled much of the CMU game but CMU caught some breaks in the last 90 seconds and stole the game.

Similarly, even if Iowa plays very well and thoroughly controls the LOS (which I believe will be our game plan), this game will likely be very close in the 4th Q. If NIU catches some breaks late, we could easily lose this game even if it feels like one we should have ran away with.

Such is the nature of our generally tight, conservative game plan under KF. It plays well when we are underdogs, but also keeps physically outclassed opponents within striking distance. The outcome is always one mistake/big play/strange bounce from turning the other way.

I think this aids NIU in a similar manner as it helped CMU last year.