AFAcademyHawk
Well-Known Member
Does the offense really need to open it up that much tomorrow?
I don't think so ... yes, I realize that our offense has been the cause of basically all of the Kirk Ferentz losses to NW. But in my opinion, last year' s loss came about because Stanzi tried to open it up and go for the long ball and ended up throwing a momentum shifting INT. The prior year, Stanzi got greedy and threw an interception ... then we were pinned deep in our territory on the next possession .. then Stanzi fumbled and got injured ... then on the very next possession, KOK dials up a long ball for Vandy to throw (was it even the first play?), and he throws an interception. One NW TD later, and the game is over.
We have had trouble running the ball against NW, especially in the second half ... but for god's sake, Army beat a Persa-less NW this season with only 6 yards of passing THE ENTIRE GAME. Army is not very good, trust me. Certainly, NW is a much better team with Persa than without him, but Colter's a pretty darn good QB as well.
I think it comes down to the turnover battle tomorrow ... yes, I'd like to see the Hawkeyes capitalize on big-play opportunities. But I really think they can play a FAIRLY conservative style of offense and be effective against NW if they don't turn the ball over.
As far as defense goes, I think Jon is right now--this defense isn't nearly at the level of last year's, and that defense had a nightmare defending Dan Persa in the second half. Have to create pressure, have to get turnovers.
I don't think so ... yes, I realize that our offense has been the cause of basically all of the Kirk Ferentz losses to NW. But in my opinion, last year' s loss came about because Stanzi tried to open it up and go for the long ball and ended up throwing a momentum shifting INT. The prior year, Stanzi got greedy and threw an interception ... then we were pinned deep in our territory on the next possession .. then Stanzi fumbled and got injured ... then on the very next possession, KOK dials up a long ball for Vandy to throw (was it even the first play?), and he throws an interception. One NW TD later, and the game is over.
We have had trouble running the ball against NW, especially in the second half ... but for god's sake, Army beat a Persa-less NW this season with only 6 yards of passing THE ENTIRE GAME. Army is not very good, trust me. Certainly, NW is a much better team with Persa than without him, but Colter's a pretty darn good QB as well.
I think it comes down to the turnover battle tomorrow ... yes, I'd like to see the Hawkeyes capitalize on big-play opportunities. But I really think they can play a FAIRLY conservative style of offense and be effective against NW if they don't turn the ball over.
As far as defense goes, I think Jon is right now--this defense isn't nearly at the level of last year's, and that defense had a nightmare defending Dan Persa in the second half. Have to create pressure, have to get turnovers.