It's all about catching Wisconsin

[Fryowa]

I disagree to a degree. First, I did predict the win or at least a very good showing. I based it on the following.

1. KF knows how to "do it" win the chips are down.

2. Something like 4 promising NFL players. Jewell, Wadley and Jackson were the real deals plus a QB that was highly efficient.

3. OSU complacency plus the fact they didn't have much of a road resume..... They also are a bit like Iowa in that they generally don't do much different in games they don't think the have to deviate from the course.

4. Iowa over time does quite well against such qbs.

I think the better question is "why didn't Iowa have a better season?" That obviousness you are right on.

KF is maddening.

The reasons Iowa beat OSU had nothing to do with KF/BF's scheme (coaching) in my opinion. They didn't blitz or cover our tight ends (two things that teams Iowa lost to did effectively, especially blitzing which the Hawks couldn't handle in any way all year long), and Josh Jackson had a monster game.

Look at the Purdue and MSU games. Two teams way below OSU in talent but they beat us by shutting down the Hawks' tight ends and getting to Stanley. MSU had 3 sacks and Purdue 6. Fant and Hockenson had a combined 59 yds against Purdue and 66 against MSU.

Wisconsin held Hockenson to 6 yds and had 4 sacks & 4 hurries. The key to beating Iowa was staring OSU in the face and they didn't capitalize on it.

No one can tell me that Ohio State's DL and LB squads aren't as good as Michigan State and Purdue's...they gave that game away by not doing the obvious things that other teams had done to beat the Hawks. Wisconsin won't next year.

 

[HawkGold]

The reasons Iowa beat OSU had nothing to do with KF/BF's scheme (coaching) in my opinion. They didn't blitz or cover our tight ends (two things that teams Iowa lost to did effectively, especially blitzing which the Hawks couldn't handle in any way all year long), and Josh Jackson had a monster game.

Look at the Purdue and MSU games. Two teams way below OSU in talent but they beat us by shutting down the Hawks' tight ends and getting to Stanley. MSU had 3 sacks and Purdue 6. Fant and Hockenson had a combined 59 yds against Purdue and 66 against MSU.

Wisconsin held Hockenson to 6 yds and had 4 sacks & 4 hurries. The key to beating Iowa was staring OSU in the face and they didn't capitalize on it.

No one can tell me that Ohio State's DL and LB squads aren't as good as Michigan State and Purdue's...they gave that game away by not doing the obvious things that other teams had done to beat the Hawks. Wisconsin won't next year.

Well, KF would have never brought in a different and youthful QB like Alabama did last night. Could you imagine trying to cover Alabama and then they do that?

 

[homes]

Well, KF would have never brought in a different and youthful QB like Alabama did last night. Could you imagine trying to cover Alabama and then they do that?

Saban has the luxury of swapping one stud QB for another, and that goes for about every other position on the field. But, I know what you're saying - if given that luxury, would Kirk have employed it? Most likely he would not, at least not during the course of the game. He did it with Stanzi over Christensen, but that took several games. He did it with Beathard over Rudock, but that took an entire season.

 

[westender]

Flukes happen from time to time. Anyone saying the Hawks were going to beat OSU beforehand was hoping they were going to win, not basing it on anything.

Until the Ferentz & Son Midnight Special shows they can 1) pick up blitzes, 2) stop shooting a 185 lb running back up the gut three times in a row, and 3) complete passes, there’s no logical reason to think Wisconsin will lose. Akrum Wadley and Josh Jackson saved Kirk and Brian from a losing season, not the other way around.

You can hope all you want (which I do), but there’s a snowball’s chance in hell of it.

I'd say the QB position turned out one heck of a lot better than anyone expected and yes he needs more consistency than huge numbers in one game and not so huge in the next, and our O line worse and a lot due to Boettger and Myers being out at Tackle spots. we got about what we expected out of the WR position which was not a lot. Probably a bit better at TE than expected, although I don't know if I know how they graded out at run blocking.

The two gents you mentioned were both were minimally recruited so have to give them credit for finding those two guys and getting them signed up.

Barring injuries I'd take the Hawks right now over the team Wisconsin will field. Hope our LBs are ready to go after taylor if he gets through. Another year for Epenesa and Anthony nelson going after Hornibrook and Nixon plugging the middle. I like those chances.

 

[revkev73]

Iowa has no WR options that will hurt you...cover them casually...tight coverage on TEs...stack the box and make sure to cover those 40 off tackle plays...and invite Stanley to beat you with the pass...of course...he has no one open to throw to and in the unlikely event it hits them in the hands...often dropped...

Put these into the game plan...Iowa...rendered helpless...and don't worry...KF won't change things up at the half...use that time to rest up a bit and re-hydrate...

 

[skinnykilmer17]

The reasons Iowa beat OSU had nothing to do with KF/BF's scheme (coaching) in my opinion. They didn't blitz or cover our tight ends (two things that teams Iowa lost to did effectively, especially blitzing which the Hawks couldn't handle in any way all year long), and Josh Jackson had a monster game.

Look at the Purdue and MSU games. Two teams way below OSU in talent but they beat us by shutting down the Hawks' tight ends and getting to Stanley. MSU had 3 sacks and Purdue 6. Fant and Hockenson had a combined 59 yds against Purdue and 66 against MSU.

Wisconsin held Hockenson to 6 yds and had 4 sacks & 4 hurries. The key to beating Iowa was staring OSU in the face and they didn't capitalize on it.

No one can tell me that Ohio State's DL and LB squads aren't as good as Michigan State and Purdue's...they gave that game away by not doing the obvious things that other teams had done to beat the Hawks. Wisconsin won't next year.

Dang. Excellent post. And don't forget the alt uniforms. We were like in disguise.

 

[Fryowa]

Iowa can definitely beat Wisci at home next season. They can beat anyone at home, they've proven that... will they? that's the question. But to act like it can't happen is silly.

I didn't say it can't. I said it won't.

 

[hawkfan2679]

Since the start of divisions in the Big Ten, Wisconsin has won 5 of 7 division titles, and finished 2nd in the other 2 years. Their overall record in that time period is 73-23.

Iowa has won 1 title, and 1 2nd place. Their overall record is 54-37.

Nebraska has won 1 title, and 3 2nd places. Their overall record is 56-35

Northwestern hasn't won a title, and 2 2nd places. Their overall record is 53-26.

The preceding 3 years 2008-2010 - Iowa and Wisconsin had identical records, 28-11, but Wisconsin had 1 title in 2010 (oh, we remember what happened that year, but it won't be mentioned).

Nothing earth shattering here, but I guess I didn't realize just how much better they've been. They have a right to be arrogant, they've clearly dominated. It sucks, but it's true.

Just as startling looking at B10 records over that same time period.

Wisconsin - 47-16, 2 CCG wins, 3 CCG losses (Avg regular season record 6.4-1.9)
Nebraska - 34-25, 1 CCG loss (Avg regular season record 4.9-3.4)
Iowa - 33-26, 1 CCG loss (Avg regular season record 4.7-3.6)
Northwestern - 30-28 (Avg regular season record 4.3-4)

The Badgers are at least game and a half better per year than any other challenger in the B1G West. In an 8 (now 9) game season that's huge.