8 and Iowa has 33 and just put 7 FA's on camp rosters.......NWestern is NO Iowa. Yeah I get they beat us and yeah it’s frustrating, but there are anomalies in sports like that all the time. NW still has never won a bowl game……still loses countless games they shouldn’t and still puts to much emphasis on certain games. When you’re a NW that’s what you have to do…….
As for me I’m okay with being Iowa.
Chad
In '08 Iowa had something like 5 turnovers ... and still had a shot to win.
In '09 Iowa's star QB went down to injury ... and still had a shot to win (and would have won were it not for a bogus holding penalty).
That then leads to '10, where Iowa's D simply didn't have the experience and prep time to match up with Northwestern's passing attack. As it is ... if Stanzi doesn't throw
that pick OR if Persa doesn't put up such a Herculean performance ... Iowa wins. Oh yes ... and if Norm was there ... I'm inclined to give Iowa the nodd too.
Northwestern should be better on O in 2011 ... however, they may not be quite as salty on D. However, my impression is that the most important factors that COULD tip the scales in favor of Iowa are the following:
- Better chance to field a balanced attack on O ... thereby allowing us to play "keep away" from the Northwestern O
- Back 7 on D will be much more capable in coverage. Furthermore, we have personnel that should be more capable of pulling off 3-4, nickel, and dime looks ... all of which could better neutralize Northwestern's passing game.
- Norm Parker will be coaching ... and he's our X-factor.
I expect a great game ... a hard-fought game ... however, I anticipate that Iowa will get the best of the Wildcats this time.