Miller's Final Picks are Interesting

[AIRHAWK]

If we lose at Purdue we don't win in Lincoln on Thanksgiving Day. I'm not buying what your selling.

Not possible for us to lose in Lincoln on Thanksgiving Day

 

[JonDMiller]

Jon you feel better about the possibility but still think we will lose to Purdue and Nebraska? I don't get that.

Iowa has not won on the road this year, Vandenberg has never won on the road as a starter and it's been more than a year since the Iowa football program won a road game.

Call me crazy, but until I see it, as well as basing my thoughts on how this team has played on the road this year (not good in any instance) I am not overly optimistic.

 

[SDK46]

This is correct, which is why I say that loss at Minnesota was a backbreaker.

Not disagreeing, however, if we had eeked out that win, I wonder if we would have showed up with the same degree of intensity and beaten scUM.

 

[TheAvernus]

Iowa has not won on the road this year, Vandenberg has never won on the road as a starter and it's been more than a year since the Iowa football program won a road game.

Call me crazy, but until I see it, as well as basing my thoughts on how this team has played on the road this year (not good in any instance) I am not overly optimistic.

Ok ok I can see your point and thats been echoing in the back of my mind. Heres how I am looking at it, we are due on the road. I like these next two games for us though. A tough one at home and then go to Purdue and get that road monkey off our back. I havent seen much Purdue football this year but we should be able to match up. We had a road win in MN and I cant see the team allowing that to happen again. Purdue are not going to be slouches and we will need a good strong game all around. I do however think NE is beatable in Lincoln. Bo has done a pretty good job there and they have been in a league that is used to fighting for a trip to a championship game. I still think Bo will underestimate Iowa and give us all the opportunities we need. We will just have to capitalize on them.

 

[JonDMiller]

This is just how I see it this week...with the bowl projection stuff, it changes week to week. If Iowa comes out and lays a can of you know what on MSU, and if Purdue is hapless this week at OSU, then who knows...I doubt the former will happen...MSU is gonna blitz Iowa more than any team has this year...gonna be an interesting chess match in Kinnick

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

We will definately need the 12th man this weekend.

 

[olddude]

This is just how I see it this week...with the bowl projection stuff, it changes week to week. If Iowa comes out and lays a can of you know what on MSU, and if Purdue is hapless this week at OSU, then who knows...I doubt the former will happen...MSU is gonna blitz Iowa more than any team has this year...gonna be an interesting chess match in Kinnick

Thats what worries me to Jon. They are going to go all out. I think, no I hope what happens is our D can contain their run AND (here is the key) cover their receivers. Then we have to ram it right down their throats. We are not pretty this year, no reason to act like it. Their D has practiced against Cousins and guess what he aint bad. We have to be VERY physical, play the pass to set up the run. BUT most of all we have to COVER their passing game. It also wouldnt hurt for Norm to dial up some well timed blitzes, just to keep Cousins guessing. He is a sr and has played our D before.

 

[TylerSash]

Cousins is not a good QB.

At all.

He is also prone to making really stupid decisions and throwing the ball completely up for grabs.

MSU's offense completely blows. If Iowa wins the TO battle, they win the game.

 

[JHHawk]

MSU has the best defense in the league,along with PSU. We saw what PSU did to our offense. Now,in Kinnick we have much better shot,but MSU is ranked 13th in the country for good reason. Cousins is a senior QB who will be on an NFL roster next year...Landy has him as the #6 draftable prospect in the Big Ten. He is a pocket passer,who we must pressure,unlike D-Rob.

As for Purdue, they have OSU this week,which makes it a gauntlet for them of PSU,Ill,Mich,Wis,OSU the last 5 weeks. I think by the time Iowa hits town,they will be softened up,and banged up. Wisky just ran the ball right at them all day. OSU will do the same....and Iowa should do the same. Yes,it is a road game,but I like Iowa's chances...much more than vs MSU or Neb. If Iowa can get to 5-2 going to Black Friday, who knows? Nebraska did not bring it yesterday,but every saturday is a new game...and on senior day,Nebraska will be fired up. So will Purdue for Senior day...as will Iowa this week for senior day.

 

[NewMexHawk]

Iowa is Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde = playing at home and playing on the road. Iowa simply is a terrible team on the road. Are they suddenly going to play on the road like they have been at home the last two games of the year? Iowa is suddenly going to go to Purdue where they have historically had tough times and win and then go to Nebraska, a very difficult place to play, and win? Not sure I can drink that kool-aid this year.

Beating #13 Michigan at home was great. We now know that Iowa can beat good teams. But we also know when they go on the road, they cannot beat very bad teams and that Iowa is only about .500 against very bad teams.

It would not surprise me this year to watch Iowa beat MSU (at home), get everyone excited about potential B1G outcomes and then watch them fall flat on their face against Purdue, and then Nebraska.

 

[TheAvernus]

I agree its not easy to think we magically have our road woes under control. 2 big wins at home hopefully will help. We showed we can lead for 3 qtrs on the road so maybe were getting closer and closer The Nebraska game if we roll in there winning 3 straight doesnt scare me as much, but if we lose to Purdue going to Lincoln scares the wee wee out of me. Still we need to TCB with MSU before seriously worrying about all that road stuff anyway.