Is Oregon Going To Take Iowa Seriously?

[Fryowa]

This is what I was going to bring up. Most of their players are from warmer and dryer climates. And they are a young team. I agree it won't decide the game but I could see this being a factor.

As a fan, I hate rainy game days.

I always did until I spent the money on decent rain gear.

This weekend I'm wearing Striker ice bibs and boots, and a heavy duty rain trench coat over top of my hoodie. I have a buddy who's a millwright and he works in the rain under rough use conditions a lot so I asked him what they wear. It was like $30 for the trench coat style one and it's been through hell. No way I'm paying $150 for a rain jacket from Columbia and always worry about ripping it or wearing it out. Got a 3XL so it'll fit over a coat if I need it to.

If you ever want good advice on outdoor gear that performs well ask someone who's does manual labor in it for a living.

Ice fishing bibs sound overkill but it'll be close to the 30s by the end of the game and it can get chilly standing in one place. Those and the boots are 100% waterproof and my gloves are too, so I should be totally dry. Hate being wet even if it's warm out.

 

[CP87]

I think the bad weather debate is always moot. It's funny how the home team or any team for that manner ALWAYS thinks the aberrant weather will favor their team. Let's look at this objectively. Oregon is from the NW. It's gets just as cold in the NW and they even prob play in rainy clammy weather more often.

In addition, why would this effect Oregon's players, like WR's more, and not Iowa's defenders?? In bad weather, I always give the offense of either team the advantage. They know what the play is and don't have to react to the play like the D does. Maybe we get an uptick/advantage with our punt or kickoff return game.

Also, in general, wouldn't a team who have perceived better, quicker or more athletic players have the advantage in a bad weather game? I just think the whole bad weather talk for the most part is overrated.

I chuckle when I think that all fans think it is always better for their team to play in it.

I will give you a counterpoint. I played football in the old IIAC, and we played Upper Iowa U one year in some dicey weather (upper 20s, windy, light snow). A large proportion of their players, and almost all of their skill position players, were from Florida, Texas, California, Hawaii, or American Samoa. They were a better team than us, but we thumped them pretty good because they did not want to be there. When they were not in the game, their skill position guys were huddled on the bench in enormous parkas. When they were in the game, they were dropping balls left and right and shying away from contact.

I would assume the Oregon players have a bit more mental toughness than the 1998 UIU Peacocks. That said, it is just a little harder to convince your brain to run full speed into another human when you are cold. Having a little experience doing such a thing could be an advantage. I would guess that across their roster, they have a lot less experience with that sort of thing than Iowa (I don't really think it will be getting cold enough for this to be a factor this Saturday).

Beyond that, I would just say the harder it is to throw the ball, the better for us. We are good at running and stopping the run. Oregon is good at running, stopping the run, AND passing. If neither team is able to pass because of the elements, that could level things out a bit.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

I see the elements as a factor, but not a huge one by any stretch.

As pointed out, it sounds like this Saturday's weather conditions will be very similar to typical NW weather this time of year. No one on their team is cold/wet weather "naive."

If the weather is miserable for the crowd, that definitely favors Oregon, especially if they jump out to a 14 or more point lead.

Rainy conditions typically favor the offense. Offensive players know where they are going to go, defensive players have to react. I played in poor weather numerous times on both sides of the ball, and I can tell you, slipping and losing footing is much more likely to occur when reacting to a cutting RB or a WR's route change, as opposed to when you are the one making those cuts.

The key to getting the advantage with bad weather is embracing it. It will be on the coaches and the player leaders to help the team see it as fun. Go out there with a, "Yes! I love this! attitude.