Preview, Prediction: Iowa-Wisconsin Pivotal Matchup

Anytime Howe picks Iowa to win when they are a road dog, well that means something.

This game could be challenging to watch. I am betting that the first team to 10 wins. I have to believe both HCs are preaching that even one turnover is too many. The punters will star in this show.....
 
It's only Wed and I'm already queasy about this game. Hoping that karmically translates into a surprising, dbl-digit Hawk W. Of course, will have to go through it again against the biggest of all frickin' nemisis, next week ;-)

SO MUCH to accomplish if the Hawks take care of their business. Hoping they don't go "Iowa" and squander their potential season.
 
I hope we can pull this off, but in my weekly ESPN picks I had to go with Wisky. After the Purdue games with Hawks and Wisky I can't wrap my head around the Hawks going into Camp Randall and winning with our offense. I think we always have a chance against other teams if they can't hang onto the ball. If it's a clean game both ways I think we go to 6-2.
 
Pretty hard to change a poor offense and offensive line during a bye week. Penn State sure didn't improve during their week off!!!
I expect Iowa to do the same stuff and probably add to their nation leading plays for losses with a bunch of threes and out. I expect our defense and a mediocre Wisconsin offense to keep it close into the third quarter when Wisconsin line will wear us out and the running game will end it. I expect 27-10 Wisconsin
On the bright side I think we have a good chance in the last 4 games. Hopefully Nebraska which I worry about the most will be down and out by the time we get to them
 
longtimer said:
Pretty hard to change a poor offense and offensive line during a bye week. Penn State sure didn't improve during their week off!!!
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I have a feeling that PSU's Iowa loss really gutted them. Lots of injuries and lots of deflation on their end. Some losses are like 2 or 3 losses. Good revenge for a few tough losses against them the last few years.
 
The last few weeks have proved exactly how hard it is to win this conference. Even shitty teams like Illinois and Purdue can jump up and bite a contender, even when the contender is at home. This conference doesn't have cupcakes, but there are bad teams that can have a great game. With the exception of OSU, no one has the sheer talent just to beat a bad team even when having an offgame.
 
longtimer said:
Pretty hard to change a poor offense and offensive line during a bye week. Penn State sure didn't improve during their week off!!!
I expect Iowa to do the same stuff and probably add to their nation leading plays for losses with a bunch of threes and out. I expect our defense and a mediocre Wisconsin offense to keep it close into the third quarter when Wisconsin line will wear us out and the running game will end it. I expect 27-10 Wisconsin
On the bright side I think we have a good chance in the last 4 games. Hopefully Nebraska which I worry about the most will be down and out by the time we get to them
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Call me absolutely crazy, but I'm not worried about Nebby. They've got OSU and Wiscy the two weeks before us and I don't see them coming out to play regardless of how big of a game it is for us or them.
 
longtimer said:
Pretty hard to change a poor offense and offensive line during a bye week. Penn State sure didn't improve during their week off!!!
I expect Iowa to do the same stuff and probably add to their nation leading plays for losses with a bunch of threes and out. I expect our defense and a mediocre Wisconsin offense to keep it close into the third quarter when Wisconsin line will wear us out and the running game will end it. I expect 27-10 Wisconsin
On the bright side I think we have a good chance in the last 4 games. Hopefully Nebraska which I worry about the most will be down and out by the time we get to them
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I've always chuckled when Iowa made a bowl at 7-5 or 6-6.....the party line was the "extra practices" are going to help.

Help what exactly? Help a 7-5 team play like supermen all of a sudden? Nahh....seniors have probably most likely checked out and the extra practices are for developing for the next year....but does it really matter when there's several weeks/months after the extra practices and the start of spring ball?

Sorry for the ramble.
 
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Seth53 said:
I've always chuckled when Iowa made a bowl at 7-5 or 6-6.....the party line was the "extra practices" are going to help.

Help what exactly? Help a 7-5 team play like supermen all of a sudden? Nahh....seniors have probably most likely checked out and the extra practices are for developing for the next year....but does it really matter when there's several weeks/months after the extra practices and the start of spring ball?

Sorry for the ramble.
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It would help a bad program like Nebraska if they could somehow make a bowl. Those extra practices don't help the 6-6 season, but they can build depth and cohesive going into the next season.
 
Seth53 said:
I've always chuckled when Iowa made a bowl at 7-5 or 6-6.....the party line was the "extra practices" are going to help.

Help what exactly? Help a 7-5 team play like supermen all of a sudden? Nahh....seniors have probably most likely checked out and the extra practices are for developing for the next year....but does it really matter when there's several weeks/months after the extra practices and the start of spring ball?

Sorry for the ramble.
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I am not sure totally about NCAA practice rules but I do not think there are any rules against let's say offensive linemen getting together on their own and practicing firing off the ball, pulling to block, etc etc. practicing their footwork . Same with QBs and receivers that can go into a building in the winter, not sure if they can use the Football Practice Facilty, and run routes and get their timing down.

I was amazed at how well CJBethard and Vandeberg became in 2015 and '16 with the timing and back shoulder throws along the sidelines and in open zones. I would guess they played a little catch and the same goes for Tevaun Smith and McCarron. That TD pass CJB threw to McCarron mid 4th qtr in the 2015 ISU game was just a hard angle and everything made it not easy but they made it look easy with CJB rolling to his left and McCarron doing a slight angle fade to the back pylon.
 
If Whisky continues to pay out T/O's like a slot machine, Iowa could steal this game. It's number one in forcing T/O's against worst in D1 in making them. Somethings gotta give. I don't know if those stats are still in affect after Purdue games for both teams, but I'm guessing these trends just don't stop. I think Whisky had several bobbles in the running and punting game they recovered themselves. Hawks not gonna let that happen two weeks in a row.
 
dahlhawk said:
If Whisky continues to pay out T/O's like a slot machine, Iowa could steal this game. It's number one in forcing T/O's against worst in D1 in making them. Somethings gotta give. I don't know if those stats are still in affect after Purdue games for both teams, but I'm guessing these trends just don't stop. I think Whisky had several bobbles in the running and punting game they recovered themselves. Hawks not gonna let that happen two weeks in a row.
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Thanks for the info as I didnt know wisky was a turnover machine. I know Mertz threw some INTs against NDame as they got behind. If Iowa can really slow down their run game and make them throw then maybe some INTs will happen. But it is still hard to intercept a pass as so much real estate is involved and those balls move really fast
 
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