This Game Will Come Down To Linebacker Play.

MelroseHawkins

MelroseHawkins

Well-Known Member
Whoever wins the Iowa vs Wisconsin game tomorrow will have to have the better LB play. The teams are so similar to each other with physical fronts and running game. I think the team that has the better LB play tomorrow will come out on top.

The LB play will dictate who can stop the running games and who can cover the opponents TE's and receivers better. To me, this is the group on the field that will dictate who wins and loses.

Discussion?
 
Last edited:
MelroseHawkins said:
Whoever wins the Iowa vs Wisconsin game tomorrow will have to have the better LB play. The teams are so similar to each other with physical fronts and running game. I think the team that has the better LB play tomorrow will come out on top.

The LB play will dictate who can stop the running games and who can cover the opponents TE's and receivers better. To me, this is the group on the field that will dictate who wins or not.

Discussion?
Click to expand...

I think line play will be huge. If Wisconsin has to send two of their LBs on a consistent basis to get pressure, it bodes well for the Iowa offense. If Iowa's defense doesn't need DBs in the box for run support, that will help greatly.
 
Well if our defensive line can't occupy their huge offensive line and they consistently get to the second level...it doesn't matter how good your linebackers are. The OL doesn't even need to get a great block at the second level, just get in the way a bit...and Taylor gets by you or gets 6-7 yards. I think the DL is more important from my perspective...they absolutely have got to occupy people or it doesn't allow the linebackers to play downhill.
 
Niemann really showed something when he replaced JJ. I wish for this game that the coaches would flip Niemann and Bower. Bower is going to be rolled by UWs OL. Niemann is head and shoulders more athletic and could use his agility to disrupt UWs run game. But i know that it won’t happen and Niemann will spend most of the day chasing a slot receiver on the opposite side of the field from where the Badgers will run.
 
Two of the four WI LB's are out with injuries. That helps. I am more worried about stopping, or at least slowing down, WI's run game. (duh)
 
WinOneThisCentury said:
Well if our defensive line can't occupy their huge offensive line and they consistently get to the second level...it doesn't matter how good your linebackers are. The OL doesn't even need to get a great block at the second level, just get in the way a bit...and Taylor gets by you or gets 6-7 yards. I think the DL is more important from my perspective...they absolutely have got to occupy people or it doesn't allow the linebackers to play downhill.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I agree. I guess what I am saying that if it is a push on the lines, then the LB's will play into the success or non-success of the opposing team as they will be on run support and have to cover the TE's/receivers if either team has to go that route.
 
HuckFinn said:
Two of the four WI LB's are out with injuries. That helps. I am more worried about stopping, or at least slowing down, WI's run game. (duh)
Click to expand...


Iowa typically does well against pro-style I-back running formations. That's why line play could be a push. Obviously the key will be controlling that. Didn't think I needed to state the obvious. I'm just saying the LB's will also have to play a big roll in controlling the running game as well and stopping big plays controlling that 2nd layer in defense.
 
It is going to be a fun and interesting game to watch. One of, if not, my favorite game to watch each season. Just luv the Iowa vs Wisky game. To me, it is Iowa's biggest rival. I guess that's a whole other thread.
 
Defense won't be a problem if the offensive game plan is similar to the OSU game plan (keep'em guessing on when we throw, utilizing the 3-step drop, throw in an occasional exotic, staying aggressive even when we have the lead). My worry is that Brian was able to convince his dad that no lead is too great against OSU. A lot harder to make that case given the type of offense that Wisconsin runs and the scores of recent IA-WI games. My worry is that the offensive game plan will be similar to the PSU and NW games and try to sneak out of there with a "hard fought victory". From my perspective, we can win easily if we use the OSU game plan.
 
MWS604 said:
Defense won't be a problem if the offensive game plan is similar to the OSU game plan (keep'em guessing on when we throw, utilizing the 3-step drop, throw in an occasional exotic, staying aggressive even when we have the lead). My worry is that Brian was able to convince his dad that no lead is too great against OSU. A lot harder to make that case given the type of offense that Wisconsin runs and the scores of recent IA-WI games. My worry is that the offensive game plan will be similar to the PSU and NW games and try to sneak out of there with a "hard fought victory". From my perspective, we can win easily if we use the OSU game plan.
Click to expand...

Those 3 step drops and quick throws was quite different and benefited Stanley and the passing game. I do hope they continue with that & not give Wisky the time to key off on Stanley. I think that was huge with Iowa's game plan against Ohio St.
 
Wisconsin is 2nd in Rush Offense so far. Here is the Rush Defense rankings of the teams they've played.
NW - 4th (held Taylor to 80 yards on 19 carries)
Neb - 11th
Purdue - 7th
Maryland - 10th
Illinois - 13th
Indiana - 9th

Iowa is ranked 8th.

Wisconsin is 2nd in Rush Defense. The Rush Offense of their opponents
NW - 9th
Neb - 13th
Purdue - 5th
Maryland - 7th
Illinois - 12th
Indiana - 14th

Iowa is 10th. They'll need to do a better job this week running the ball, maybe they learned something against OSU


Numbers don't tell everything, but Wisconsin has not been up against the most stingy run defenses this year so far, nor have they been up against the most potent run offenses. But, Iowa's numbers on rushing aren't great, either. Iowa will have to step up their game this week, no friendly crowd this week. I think they will.
 
I agree that the line play may be a push and the weather may not be conducive to a bunch of passing plays. I am not one bit worried about our defense (rose-colored glasses anyone). What I am hoping for is that we take the ball first and score on the first possession.
 
MWS604 said:
Defense won't be a problem if the offensive game plan is similar to the OSU game plan (keep'em guessing on when we throw, utilizing the 3-step drop, throw in an occasional exotic, staying aggressive even when we have the lead). My worry is that Brian was able to convince his dad that no lead is too great against OSU. A lot harder to make that case given the type of offense that Wisconsin runs and the scores of recent IA-WI games. My worry is that the offensive game plan will be similar to the PSU and NW games and try to sneak out of there with a "hard fought victory". From my perspective, we can win easily if we use the OSU game plan.
Click to expand...

I am in the camp that thinks the OSU game-plan was not really that different from what we have seen the rest of the year. It has been a constant evolution, but what they rolled out against Minn the week before was very similar to what they did against OSU (until 4th quarter of Minn game when it was obvious the Gophs could do little against the Iowa D). But against OSU, Iowa didn't make mistakes (aided by an OSU gameplan light on aggression), and the OSU defense made a ton.

I think Iowa's O will be much less effective in this game; I am going to go out on a limb and predict they don't score 48 points.But I don't think it will be a reversion to "same ol' Kirk," I think it will be a combination of Wisc pressure forcing errors and Wisc's D not making the same glaring coverage mistakes that OSU's did. I think Iowa finally needs to connect on a deep shot to one of their WRs, and I think Wadley needs to do some Wadley things. If they can do that, hopefully that gives them a good shot.

My call for the "exotic?" Running-back pass in the redzone. I would have guessed Butler before the injury 'cause that guy has a cannon (from the training camp vids), but now I think we will see what Wadley can do throwing.
 
homes said:
Wisconsin is 2nd in Rush Offense so far. Here is the Rush Defense rankings of the teams they've played.
NW - 4th (held Taylor to 80 yards on 19 carries)
Neb - 11th
Purdue - 7th
Maryland - 10th
Illinois - 13th
Indiana - 9th

Iowa is ranked 8th.

Wisconsin is 2nd in Rush Defense. The Rush Offense of their opponents
NW - 9th
Neb - 13th
Purdue - 5th
Maryland - 7th
Illinois - 12th
Indiana - 14th

Iowa is 10th. They'll need to do a better job this week running the ball, maybe they learned something against OSU


Numbers don't tell everything, but Wisconsin has not been up against the most stingy run defenses this year so far, nor have they been up against the most potent run offenses. But, Iowa's numbers on rushing aren't great, either. Iowa will have to step up their game this week, no friendly crowd this week. I think they will.
Click to expand...


Good stuff. Thanks. Yes, I think SOS plays into it a bit. Hopefully Wisky is not up to par secondary to not playing the toughest competition and Iowa can benefit. I think now that Iowa broke tendencies and passing more on first down that will help open up the run a little more, at least to a point where Wisky doesn't get Iowa by that much more or the running game is a push.
 
CP87 said:
I am in the camp that thinks the OSU game-plan was not really that different from what we have seen the rest of the year. It has been a constant evolution, but what they rolled out against Minn the week before was very similar to what they did against OSU (until 4th quarter of Minn game when it was obvious the Gophs could do little against the Iowa D). But against OSU, Iowa didn't make mistakes (aided by an OSU gameplan light on aggression), and the OSU defense made a ton.

I think Iowa's O will be much less effective in this game; I am going to go out on a limb and predict they don't score 48 points.But I don't think it will be a reversion to "same ol' Kirk," I think it will be a combination of Wisc pressure forcing errors and Wisc's D not making the same glaring coverage mistakes that OSU's did. I think Iowa finally needs to connect on a deep shot to one of their WRs, and I think Wadley needs to do some Wadley things. If they can do that, hopefully that gives them a good shot.

My call for the "exotic?" Running-back pass in the redzone. I would have guessed Butler before the injury 'cause that guy has a cannon (from the training camp vids), but now I think we will see what Wadley can do throwing.
Click to expand...

Nice post.
 
this game will (or should) come down to Stanley's right arm. There are very, very few back 7's in the B1G that can smother a passing game where the qb is very accurate and the wr's don't drop passes. we could steamroll WUs just like OSU if we full-throttle our offense via Stanley's right arm, again. Throw on first down and keep WUs' defense on their heels and backs turned to the LOS. We simply can't forget how well our game plan worked last week.
 
WinOneThisCentury said:
Well if our defensive line can't occupy their huge offensive line and they consistently get to the second level...it doesn't matter how good your linebackers are. The OL doesn't even need to get a great block at the second level, just get in the way a bit...and Taylor gets by you or gets 6-7 yards. I think the DL is more important from my perspective...they absolutely have got to occupy people or it doesn't allow the linebackers to play downhill.
Click to expand...


Absolutely. This is totally about our D line stopping their 900 pound linemen. It's also about our young Offensive Tackles doing a great job like they did last week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top