Predictions for Minny?

I'm predicting the secondary gets things figured out and our special teams get back to their old ways as Dakin gets more lift out of his punts and gets the hangtime back where it should be. Offense takes a step back from recent numbers but continues to show improvement. I'm thinking Hawks by 10 at 24-14.
 
We will be up by 9 at half (16-7) and then do virtually nothing during the second half. Minnesota will score 7 (16-14) and we will have a 2 point lead and the ball with 2 minutes left and not achieve a first down. We will then punt it back to Minnesota with 1:45 left on the clock and then watch with a feeling of great dismay as they drive down needing only a field goal to win. If our defense stops them, we win 16-14. If they do not, we lose 16-17. I'm feeling optimistic, so I'm going with Iowa wins 16-14.
 
Bordone said:
If the o line shows up and we win the turn over battle we win if not we lose.
Click to expand...
This isn’t aimed at you at all, but the turnover battle thing always bugs me. It’s like saying if we score more points we’re going to win. Turnovers are tied to an almost infinite number of different situations by offense, defense and special teams that you can’t really tie it to any phase of the game. Turnovers lead to points in an equal myriad of ways which usually means winning.

Side note to go along with it—since 2017 Iowa football is number 2 in the nation in turnover margin. This team is FAR from the #2 team in college football since then. Which means Iowa is likely the one of, if not the worst team in college football in converting the TO margin into victories. I’d say this is head-scratching, but…you know, offense…
 
Fryowa said:
This isn’t aimed at you at all, but the turnover battle thing always bugs me. It’s like saying if we score more points we’re going to win. Turnovers are tied to an almost infinite number of different situations by offense, defense and special teams that you can’t really tie it to any phase of the game. Turnovers lead to points in an equal myriad of ways which usually means winning.

Side note to go along with it—since 2017 Iowa football is number 2 in the nation in turnover margin. This team is FAR from the #2 team in college football since then. Which means Iowa is likely the one of, if not the worst team in college football in converting the TO margin into victories. I’d say this is head-scratching, but…you know, offense…
Click to expand...
Complimentary Football?
 
Fryowa said:
This isn’t aimed at you at all, but the turnover battle thing always bugs me. It’s like saying if we score more points we’re going to win. Turnovers are tied to an almost infinite number of different situations by offense, defense and special teams that you can’t really tie it to any phase of the game. Turnovers lead to points in an equal myriad of ways which usually means winning.

Side note to go along with it—since 2017 Iowa football is number 2 in the nation in turnover margin. This team is FAR from the #2 team in college football since then. Which means Iowa is likely the one of, if not the worst team in college football in converting the TO margin into victories. I’d say this is head-scratching, but…you know, offense…
Click to expand...

As a counterpoint, last year Iowa was negative in TO difference, and they won 10 games.
 
Fryowa said:
This isn’t aimed at you at all, but the turnover battle thing always bugs me. It’s like saying if we score more points we’re going to win. Turnovers are tied to an almost infinite number of different situations by offense, defense and special teams that you can’t really tie it to any phase of the game. Turnovers lead to points in an equal myriad of ways which usually means winning.

Side note to go along with it—since 2017 Iowa football is number 2 in the nation in turnover margin. This team is FAR from the #2 team in college football since then. Which means Iowa is likely the one of, if not the worst team in college football in converting the TO margin into victories. I’d say this is head-scratching, but…you know, offense…
Click to expand...
I agree that turnovers don't mean everything, but its damn important.

I did not know that stat, but it does not surprise me. My reaction to that is that it partially explains why Iowa football overachieves. Iowa is a Top 20 football program over the last decade. Probably 15-20 range. But, its recruiting prowess is usually in the 30s or 40s. Iowa under KF has always fought above its weight class in terms of talent coming in versus the competition. One way to explain that is excellent coaching, and part of that coaching is the philosophy of protecting the ball on offense (often times to a fault) and playing great ball hawking defense.

So, I don't have a problem saying that if we win the turnover battle Saturday, our chances of winning go up significantly because that is Iowa's DNA.
 
ISU gave up a lot of run yardage in their first game and against Iowa. I expect that running on Minnesota will be different than what we've seen so far. we'll need to stay off the ledge and be patient
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top