twinhawkfans
Well-Known Member
i think we'll see a screen package coming out of the bye week......let them blitz, and Weisman will run wild in the secondary off of the screen pass!!!!
The Hawks will now surprise and surpass expectations
- Thread starter uihawk82
- Start date
i think we'll see a screen package coming out of the bye week......let them blitz, and Weisman will run wild in the secondary off of the screen pass!!!!
SheagleHawk
Well-Known Member
Not that this would mean anything as the B1G is absolutely pathetic, but what have you seen that makes you even think we're even a middle tier team in the conference, let alone "rule" the conference?
ssckelley
Well-Known Member
I am hoping Iowa can beat Penn State and @Indiana to go 5-7. It could get ugly at Michigan State, even with 2 weeks to prepare.
Iowa front 4 on defense struggles to get to the quarterback and I am afraid if they blitz it will open up some big plays. On offense you have a struggling QB who obviously is having a hard time picking up this new offense and a walk on running back. I know some of you are excited about Weisman at tailback but lets see if this line can open up those kinds of holes he has been getting against a good defensive line. It does not take a genius for an opposing defensive coordinator to know that to defend Iowa you need to stack the box and force Vandy to beat you. Unless you have a mobile QB like Ohio State, MSU is very good at stopping the run so I will be interested to see what the game plan will be. Hopefully it will be a lot of play action passes and Vandy does not air mail his throws.
Iowa front 4 on defense struggles to get to the quarterback and I am afraid if they blitz it will open up some big plays. On offense you have a struggling QB who obviously is having a hard time picking up this new offense and a walk on running back. I know some of you are excited about Weisman at tailback but lets see if this line can open up those kinds of holes he has been getting against a good defensive line. It does not take a genius for an opposing defensive coordinator to know that to defend Iowa you need to stack the box and force Vandy to beat you. Unless you have a mobile QB like Ohio State, MSU is very good at stopping the run so I will be interested to see what the game plan will be. Hopefully it will be a lot of play action passes and Vandy does not air mail his throws.
I think knowing the problems in the passing game will help to fix them and the offense can score more points. Along with the defensive line getting better I think the defense is ready to play from the first drive.
A big question is can this defense corral running QBs and can the passing game improve.
This
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
You think our passing game is bad? MSUs is even worse.
I expect a tough, hard fought game as most MSU/Iowa games are. Hopefully we can find a way to make one or two more plays than they do and steal one on the road.
I expect a tough, hard fought game as most MSU/Iowa games are. Hopefully we can find a way to make one or two more plays than they do and steal one on the road.
Despite what some people predicted the cap on this team in terms of wins at the beginning of the year was 8-4 due to a soft schedule. Unfortunately with losing to ISU and CMU that has now fallen to 6-6. Right now I am interested in seeing if some younger guys can develop. Unfortunately other than Weisman and Bullock and some of the oline I see very little to get excited about for next year either. Other than Gaglione nobody has shown any ability to rush the passer. We are now playing 3 seniors in the secondary rather than younger players. No younger Qb has taken a snap etc. Next year is going to be worse...the absolute max on wins next year is 6 unless some of the younger guys make dramatic strides and get playing time the rest of the year. Unfortunately, I don't see the talent, especially at Dend, WR and QB that even with experience they will make an impact in a years time.
HawkeyeDenis
Well-Known Member
Love the optimism, don't think Iowa will win against MSU though. Though that would be a very nice surprise. Win against MSU and then almost any game is a possibility.
NeilDiamond
Well-Known Member
Have not seen anything from this team to lead me to believe they can win a tough game on the road. MSU is not a great team and has a limited offense. Yet, we are not a great team either. I really don't understand why we can't pass the ball, but if we could, I would feel a lot better.
SheagleHawk
Well-Known Member
My issue with this is that we've known for 5 weeks now just how bad our passing game is, yet it's really hard to say there's been much improvement since week 1. On the other side of the ball, our defensive line has failed to get pressure on the qb against some of the worst teams in all of college football. Our secondary has also been owned far too many times against some of the worst teams in all of college football. I just don't see this huge improvement that others are supposedly seeing that makes me think we can compete with any decent programs.
HomerChampless
Well-Known Member
bcl20
Well-Known Member
Minnesota had 2 first downs, scored zero points and did nothing on the ground in the first half and forced turnovers as they became a one dimensional team. Iowa's defensive line controlled the game.
Iowa on offense ran the ball down Minnesota's throat, having over 100 yards rushing in the first half. Iowa's offensive line controlled the game and considering this was our latest game against a conference there is reason for optimism.
If we do the same again Michigan State (especially on defense as I don't see the offensive line dominating them) we win. Stuff the run, force an inexperienced QB to throw into a zone, which may not have too many openings because their receivers aren't good either and considering Michigan State is probably one of the better teams in the league, if you can beat them, you have to like your chances against the other teams in this league.
Iowa on offense ran the ball down Minnesota's throat, having over 100 yards rushing in the first half. Iowa's offensive line controlled the game and considering this was our latest game against a conference there is reason for optimism.
If we do the same again Michigan State (especially on defense as I don't see the offensive line dominating them) we win. Stuff the run, force an inexperienced QB to throw into a zone, which may not have too many openings because their receivers aren't good either and considering Michigan State is probably one of the better teams in the league, if you can beat them, you have to like your chances against the other teams in this league.
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
Go get a win in East Lansing and then we're in business regarding exceeded expectations. I'm not sold yet that we are witnessing the process of water turning into wine, just because of a home win against Minnesota, who was without their starting QB. As people say after an ugly loss - it's just one game. Let's string a few good ones together, then I will feel better about this team.
kicker22
Well-Known Member
Not saying we beat MSU but I haven't been impressed with them at all this year either. I love the fact that were putting "caps" on how many wins this team is capable of. I think this team will be able to compete and hang around in every game they play this season. They'll most likely win some and most likely lose some, but to say that we can't surpass a certain number of wins is a joke simply because we don't know what the season has in store for us.
So many are saying that we can't beat MSU because of their defense. What about their offense, haven't seen anything that says their ground game is unstoppable and their passing game hasn't really shocked the world either. ND and OSU did a pretty good job of shutting down Bell in the running game and if we are able to do that after a bye week I don't see why this isn't a game that we can't win.
So many are saying that we can't beat MSU because of their defense. What about their offense, haven't seen anything that says their ground game is unstoppable and their passing game hasn't really shocked the world either. ND and OSU did a pretty good job of shutting down Bell in the running game and if we are able to do that after a bye week I don't see why this isn't a game that we can't win.
nationalchamps
Well-Known Member
As the resident "True Hawk fan of the year, 2011" let me say that I agree with this statement. I have said all along that MSU is overrated and I think this is the game that will determine if we contend for a division title or not. If we win this game then look out, momentum is a scary thing. If not, look out because things could and probably will go downhill. The offense is showing signs despite VanChristiansen's deficiencies and our defense is coming along nicely. Clock management is still an issue for some reason and I'm afraid it could cost us a game still this year. All in all, the future does look bright with all of the young talent on the squad - it's just nice to see them getting some much needed experience as our schedule gets tougher the next two years. Keep your heads up!
HawkeyeDenis
Well-Known Member
To a certain extent MSU is overrated. But from Iowa's perspective, not so much. PSU, MSU, NB and Purdue are all going to be a problem for Iowa's offense. And to a lesser extent, NW.
The reason this team has caps is because we have 14 years of KF football to base it on. The pieces just aren't there for his philosophy to have great success this year. Unfortunately, I don't see how they will be there next year either.
As far as beating MSU I am not saying it is impossible but it would take JVB actually facing some pressure and making a couple plays (unlikely) and at least a +2 in the turnover battle (possible). We are not going to run wild against them. Weisman will be doing very well to get to average 4 yards a carry. I have watched MSU a lot this year and while their offense isn't good there QB isn't bad. They haven't protected him well and the WR are probably worse than ours. However, ND and OSU can get pressure with athletes on the dline and we are very unlikely to do this. I think what is more likely is that we get down by 10 points and have to make some plays in the passing game and it gets really ugly in the second half.
