And fewer points surrendered.
The jury is still out on which defense is better, but if we are going to make comparisons we should include all relevant information.
Iowa-Michigan game is really quite simple
- Thread starter SteveDeace
- Start date
The jury is still out on which defense is better, but if we are going to make comparisons we should include all relevant information.
ShadasRevenge
Well-Known Member
Not as a passer, he's not, especially on deep balls. He's obviously a better runner, and on his feet in the only area where he is a consistent threat.
ShadasRevenge
Well-Known Member
So what? Iowa only beat UNI and Ark. St. by a combined four points. That's something a Cyclone fan would say.
Iowa played down to their opposition at home last year; that's no secret. But they kicked *** and took names on the road.
In addition to staving off the big play early, I'd like to see Iowa jump out to a lead. After last week, I think falling in the hole early could really destroy any confidence left over from Denard's post game speech. Plus, did you see what Michigan looked like playing from behind in the second half against MSU?
Rawkhawk73
Banned
I think that's more of a reflection of the teams we've played than anything. UNI was a lot better than E. Illinois and Ark State was a lot better than Ball State. Also, last year PSU was a top 5-10 team.....this year, not so much.
HawkeyeDenis
Well-Known Member
Iowa has a steller defense and as most of us are aware of Michigan doesn't. However, to qualify that, Michigan does have a lot of blue chip talent on defense, offense and on the bench. There are intangibles, but Iowa shouldn't have any trouble.
I think the defense will contain Denard Robinson. If he is contained and on the bench then Iowa's offense will tire out Michigan's defense.
I think the defense will contain Denard Robinson. If he is contained and on the bench then Iowa's offense will tire out Michigan's defense.
Oh please, he's a better thrower than he was last year. Anyway, it doesn't matter if he has struggled with the deep ball. He will throw it. If he will throw it that mean you have to defend it. If you don't he will hit it at least once like he did twice last week. He had one dropped and had one caught. If you guys want to go into a cover 0 I am sure Michigan will be more than happy to take a chance with their poor throwing QB, but I would suggest you don't do that. You can look up his accuracy on the deep ball too, it's really not that bad.
imported_ankle23
Well-Known Member
exactly.
kicker22
Well-Known Member
I think the questions as to whether or not DR is the real deal are definitely legit, however that same logic can also be applied to us. I'm as big a believer as anyone that this team is special, however it also became clear to me last week that our biggest win so far this season, doesn't seem so big after PSU got dismantled by Illinois. IMO we can't take anything for granted and can only hope we're ready to play on Saturday.
racerhawk
Well-Known Member
I agree. Lots of folks dismiss Michigan because...I'm not sure. Because MSU beat them? First of all, I think Iowa fans, for the most part, do not give MSU enough credit. They are a good team. Michigan almost beat Iowa last year, and if it wasn't for Dennard's pick, they were moving down the field nicely with him at the end of the game. I'll be very happy with a victory. I'll be thrilled if it is as easy as some here say it will be.
I'll also only get cocky about this years team if they win the next three in a row.
DodgerHawki
Well-Known Member
Defense has been good....
but Hawks' biggest challenges are ahead of them. Eastern Illinois - bad. Iowa State - bad. Ball State - bad. Penn State offense - not good.
Michigan/MSU/OSU/Northwestern/Indiana all have good offensive teams. Only Minnesota does not of the remaining teams on the schedule. The Iowa defense is good, but I would be shocked if we finish the year No. 1 in scoring defense, just because the offenses we are facing will be much better.
but Hawks' biggest challenges are ahead of them. Eastern Illinois - bad. Iowa State - bad. Ball State - bad. Penn State offense - not good.
Michigan/MSU/OSU/Northwestern/Indiana all have good offensive teams. Only Minnesota does not of the remaining teams on the schedule. The Iowa defense is good, but I would be shocked if we finish the year No. 1 in scoring defense, just because the offenses we are facing will be much better.
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
I am not worried about that. The Michigan offense is not the Penn State offense. Iowa knew PSU wasn't going to be a threat to consistently put drives together and score touchdowns. Michigan can do that on one snap.
goods10
Well-Known Member
I don't think you can compare last year to this year. Iowa didn't fully prepare for Robinson because it was Forcier (sp) who was the starting QB at Michigan when Iowa played them. I really think it would have been different if Iowa fully prepared for Robinson.
D
DDThompson
Guest
Iowa 35 Michigan 24
Close, hard-fought game. But Michigan kicks FGs after getting in the red zone. Iowa scores TDs.
Close, hard-fought game. But Michigan kicks FGs after getting in the red zone. Iowa scores TDs.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
I agree that the PSU squad is not as good this year as last. However, Iowa fans have to remember that Iowa faced a much better PSU squad than the one that Illinois faced. For goodness sakes, through much of the Illinois game, the PSU D was playing without 4 of their regular starters on the FRONT SEVEN alone. When you also take in account Sukay's injury ... they then lost a key DB in the game too.
Then you have to ask yourself what is the strength of the Illini's O? It's their running game. PSU was basically forced to try to stop a pretty good rushing attack with their 2nd team D. That isn't an easy chore ... especially when you're own O is facing off against a pretty decent attacking D and your QB is a TR FR.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
I think that that is part of the story. I also think that another part of it is that the Iowa D was basically playing it ultra conservative against the Michigan O when Denard was at the helm ... because they didn't want to give up a quick score. The philosophy there was to make sure that they kept ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING in front of them. As a result, Denard DID drive the Wolverines down the field ... but they also bled-out the clock in so doing.
The 2010 installment of Denard poses more "issues" because he's a much better passer. However, I also think that the Iowa DL is a much more powerful unit than it was last year. As a result, I think that the Michigan OL won't have quite as much luck blocking our guys. Mind you, that won't be a given ... however, I trust that our DL will work their behinds off to make sure that they do their respective jobs. They're a unit that is capable of being very disciplined while still being very disruptive.
Also, I'm a little disturbed by all the "poor mouthing" of Iowa's LBs. While it's true that Iowa doesn't have a Greg Jones ... I wouldn't exactly scoff at what Nielsen and Hunter bring to the table. And Johnson has seen a lot of action and has played really well for us before too.
