Schwartz: Game of the Season is Upon Us
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
I can't believe I'm going to defend Iowa State, but writing them off as not a measure of where Iowa is, is pretty stupid in my opinion. They played the #4 team (Oklahoma) in the country pretty damn well...and were in the game. Considering Murray is all world in my opinion at QB...and I would say that is saying something. Murray is flat out special. He doesn't make the plays he did in that game...and I think ISU may have won that game. He was on the money with everything. You can't blitz him, because he's elusive and when you play coverage...he just throws ropes.
NIU is another one. They took Utah into the fourth quarter. Utah is a pretty good team.
I think Iowa's non-conference was tougher (aside from UNI) than people realize. When you also consider that Iowa isn't exactly opening things up in these games. Ferentz spent the first two weeks working on the running game...and it was frustrating to watch, but that is exactly what it is...work.
NIU is another one. They took Utah into the fourth quarter. Utah is a pretty good team.
I think Iowa's non-conference was tougher (aside from UNI) than people realize. When you also consider that Iowa isn't exactly opening things up in these games. Ferentz spent the first two weeks working on the running game...and it was frustrating to watch, but that is exactly what it is...work.
I actually think Iowa's schedule has been tougher than Wisconsin's so far. NIU, ISU and UNI are ranked 78, 50 and 86 and WKU, NM and BYU are ranked 114, 110 and 61. That being said, all of our opponents have a combined 1 win but they have also played some tough games in Oklahoma and Utah (other than the Iowa game). BYU did beat Arizona but AZ got blown out by Houston the next week. Wiscy was only beating NM 10-7 at half.
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pythagoras
Well-Known Member
University of Northern Iowa is and always has been UNI
True, nice proofread.
HawkGold
Well-Known Member
NDSU I'm inclined to agree on. Iowa State had a huge disadvantage having not really played a game to get the wrinkles out. A good game managing coaching staff can overcome some of that by later in the 1st half, Iowa on the other hand likely would not in reverse. It really puts a team behind until the 3rd game.
HawkeyeWalker
Well-Known Member
This is a great point. well played per usual. I keep hearing how bad Iowa's OCC schedule is every year, but anytime you beat your OCC, they always will look worse. It would suck if the 3 teams we have already played were 7-0.... but dang our SOS would be spectacular.
Yep, the other loss was UNI to Montana but according to Sagarin even UNI is better than NM and WKU.
homes
Well-Known Member
And another certain W was taken away from ISU due to the storm. That was a bit of a misleading statement by him if the intention was to characterize Iowa's opponents to date as being weak. No one felt that way before the No. Illinois or ISU games.
The thing I was trying to compare from what I watched of that game was how ISU's Oline looked against their D. Because we destroyed them quite frankly yet against OU they played much better and moved the ball on them. That was the type of measuring stick I was looking for. Yes that Murray kid is a freak. He reminds me of Antwaan Randle-El with a better arm and receivers to throw to/team around him.
Knight78
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry, Rob. But when Schwartz refers to UNI as a Division II school, he loses any other points he might make. UNI is NOT a Division II school. They are an FCS school; Division I. As an example, a Division II school here in the state of Iowa is Upper Iowa University. And when I went to Wartburg, UIU was routinely the whipping boy of the Iowa (now American Rivers) Conference. (Not to mention any team who's mascot is the Peacock..... well, you get my drift).
But really, David needs to do just a small bit of research before publishing.
But really, David needs to do just a small bit of research before publishing.
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
more great writing... and Rob wonders why Schwartz draws the criticism he does.
HawkeyeTech
Well-Known Member
I've seen a lot of posts disrespecting Schwartz's articles. After reading this one I understand why.
SteveGarvey1
Well-Known Member
I still refer to UNI as a Division II school, even though I know they are now officially an FCS school. It's what they used to be known as and I like it better than "FCS". Perhaps Schwartz feels the same way.
mopkins
King Kong
kids today cant handle not being told they're #1. so being "division 2" would hurt their feelings. Hence, FCS
Fryowa
Administrator
He’s just not a sports guy whatsoever. His stuff resembles what would happen if I had to write articles about auto mechanics. I know just enough to write totally vague google regurgitation that would sound passable enough until a group of mechanics read it, and then they’d correctly peg me as a phony from a mile away. Same situation here.
I guess if I had to describe it in a simpler way he’s like the Captain Obvious guy from those hotel commercials.
Guys like Emmert, Liestikow, Morehouse, Dochterman, Jon, Rob...you might not always agree with what they write, but you have to respect and acknowledge the fact that they know the Hawkeye sports programs up and down, as well as the actual sports themselves. It’s what makes their stuff fun to read...there’s a lot of knowledge and facts mixed with their opinions, and it’s up to the reader to digest it and decide if the agree with them. With Schwartz there’s just none of that there.
Those guys have all paid their dues on the Hawkeye beat to varying degrees, and know what they’re talking about. They also don’t usually try to inject politics into their articles, which might be Schwartz’s way of trying to distract from him not knowing what the hell he’s talking about..I don’t know...
Either way, he must generate tons of clicks.I suspect it’s the car accident effect rather than intriguing Hawkeye writing, though. You just can’t look away from a ten car pileup.
BigD
Well-Known Member
Actually I think it was Rob or Jon that said he gets the most reads out of all the ones you listed.
After the Wisconsin game we will know a lot more about the Iowa team. Win the game and we will suddenly be considered the favorites of the West. Two losses by Wisconsin will likely mean no possibility of a final four championship series regardless of whether they win out and finish 11-2. So this game is huge for them. It’s a must win for them. It would be a huge win for us and put us in the drivers seat.
Lose and it’s just another 8-4 or 7-5 season for Iowa. Oh yeah, beat the OOC teams, three inferior conference teams and upset one of the upper level conference teams. Where have I seen this before? Ground Hawk Day (not a typo) over and over and over again.
Kirk is due and it’s time for one of those great seasons and it all starts or ends on Saturday.
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thedukeofearl
Well-Known Member
I like Schwartz's articles. He does manage to attract attention and does present a different point of view.....
HuckFinn
Well-Known Member
I just do not buy into Iowa's season dropping off the radar if they lose to Wisconsin. We have a schedule where we can expect Iowa to be evenly matched or slight favorites. I guess you can consider PSU an exception, though our history with them is pretty good. Will a loss end our shot at a West championship? Probably, but not for sure.
