Northwestern

[DDThompson]

Watched 2nd half of their game with Mich. Northwestern defense was relentless - constant blitzing. But it was 31-0. so not sure how 1st half looked. Iowa OL is going to be tested . I would guess we would see 3 TE sets and some quick passes. Mich scored on ko return and int return for tds. Northwestern QB looks decent, going to have to play tighter man coverage then we did yesterday. I think Iowa's defense will have to get a lot of pressure on him.

When you're down 31-0 it's pretty easy to call rush blitz every down. You want to make the other team to throw and make mistakes. Nothing to lose. I like the idea of going heavy and smashing them in the mouth. NW is probably going to come out mad/inspired since the West is still obtainable. Iowa needs to smash them in the mouth so they know they are in another slugfest.

In fact, some Hawkeye college students should tweet NW's QB, RBs, WRs some of the brutal hits Iowa's DEF put on Illinois. Just as a future FYI for them.

 

[SnapBack2]

As long as CJ can get protection ... and in the game ... Hawks are the better team and should win, something like, 23 - 17 / 26 - 20.

Fixed it for you ... really need the OT's back

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Success with a power run game early will pay dividends later. I also agree, screen and slant game needs to be on point.

 

[brhawks18]

We have shown the answer...we just haven't used it. We need to be screen heavy at jNW. I mean screen heavy. I agree that jNW is going to blitz like crazy because it minimizes the time CJ has to look deep. J. Smith is coming on and is now, at least, a legit deep threat.

In speaking this weekend with 2 former college QB's, your statement above is correct on 2 fronts. 1. Iowa has shown the answer before and 2. they haven't used it much.

These gentlemen also said draw plays and quick slants across the middle are usually the best way to beat the blitz and loosen up the D. They also said the deep pass plays will not work. Takes to much time to develop. I know all the things above have been said several times by those of us who are not experts. It's nice to hear when it comes from guys who've experienced it though.

I have little faith Iowa's OC will run any of these plays on a consistent basis however. But make no mistake. Any of us that have watched NW this year knows they will blitz like there's no tomorrow. They also have watched Pitt, Wisconsin and Illinois blitz us and hit our QB several times. CJB is overthrowing several receivers in the past few games. Is he gun shy in the pocket right now? If so who can blame.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Two crucial things from here on out. The offense needs to find CJB more time somehow, even if it is an extra half second. The offensive tackles are inexperienced and are getting abused by opposing defenses. They need some help, either a fullback in the I, multiple tight ends in the heavy package, draws and slant patterns, and if all else fails pass from the shotgun to buy CJB time.

Also, the blocking of the inside zone running has been good this year even with the backups in. You can't live and die by it though and Iowa needs to mix in some misdirection and outside sweep plays in a little earlier in the game rather than wait until the fourth quarter.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

I think Iowa wins this game. Northwestern has a decent defense. Not the best that Iowa has faced, but decent. Both teams have decent defenses. Iowa has a better offense with an experienced QB.

Michigan totally dismantled them so they are looking to regroup so we can expect them to be focused when Iowa shows up in Evanston. Iowa knows this is the key game to the B1G west so they will be motivated, but NW can't stop the run without giving up a pass or two. CJ and Canzeri will be too tough for them. Iowa goes 7-0.

 

[PhoenixHawk]

Michigan's O only scored 17 pts on the kitties.

Obviously they weren't really trying to score in the second half, but we can't count on pick 6s and kick return TDs Saturday.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

Michigan's O only scored 17 pts on the kitties.

Obviously they weren't really trying to score in the second half, but we can't count on pick 6s and kick return TDs Saturday.

'Hence the word; Dismantled. 17 points will probably win the game Saturday. They also gave up 19 points to Ball State.

 

[Billso]

Northwestern's defense is okay, but they are dinged up

Who's hurt? Did Michigan soften them up further?

Separately, for those worried about the long passes taken away... remember CJ's arm is a weapon for us not just on long balls, but strong throws into tight spaces. Those early passes to Vandeburg at Wiscy were amazing.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

Who's hurt? Did Michigan soften them up further?

Separately, for those worried about the long passes taken away... remember CJ's arm is a weapon for us not just on long balls, but strong throws into tight spaces. Those early passes to Vandeburg at Wiscy were amazing.

Agreed. It's not only the long passes, it's all the other things CJ does that makes him an awesome weapon for us. All the things that Ruddock didn't bring to the game. The decision making is a step up this year too. For all the talk of Ruddock's intelligence, CJ has shown he is a step ahead. CJ was the one who checked out of the play to the run that Canzeri went for 73 yards on.

As for those talking about the blitz's that NW uses, don't forget that blitz's are often used when your line isn't getting the job done. NW blitz's, CJ will exploit some of those. Maybe some blitz's will cause problems, but a good solid running game will nullify a lot of their effectiveness.

 

[Seth53]

We haven't won @ NU since 2007.

Just sayn.

 

[FCAS]

If you blitz a lot, then generally your DB's are playing man-to-man, and likely do not have their eyes on the QB. There will be opportunities for CJB to have some good runs.

 

[ClintonIAfan]

The key to this game will be the Iowa tight ends, they are a mismatch for the mildcat D. In both blocking and receiving keep them in 2 or 3 at a time. This is more than the mildcats could handle.

 

[NCHawker]

CJ taking way too many hits. I see NW pressing and trying to play on our side of the line of scrimmage. Passing deep will be tough. They'll be coming at him.

 

[Omaherky]

The key to this game will be the Iowa tight ends, they are a mismatch for the mildcat D. In both blocking and receiving keep them in 2 or 3 at a time. This is more than the mildcats could handle.

WHAT ARE TIGHT ENDS?

 

[okeefe4prez]

We haven't won @ NU since 2007.

Just sayn.

If I'm not mistaken, we've only played them twice because we had back-to-back home games in '08-'09 and '13-'14. The game in '10 was inexplicable. We were the much better team, but Persa looked like Elway (until he ruined his career during a celebration) and Stanzi was arm punting into a 20 mph wind, which turned out to be a disaster. The game in '12 was understandable because NU had a markedly better team than we had. I expect 15-20,000 Hawk fans to be at the game.

 

[ClintonIAfan]

At Northwestern Iowa is 21-16-3 all time. Iowa still has an overall advantage there. First off Iowa fans travel there well being that the distance is low. Second it is not an intimidating environment. It does not bother me that Iowa plays them on the road.

 

[blubberhawk]

Iowa would still have a shot to win the west, but Wisconsin's win yesterday gives Iowa little room for error. A loss to NW, and Iowa probably has to win out.

Iowa can at least afford a loss.
Wisconsin can't.