IowaHawkeyeFB
Well-Known Member
Besides crapping the bed against BYU all their losses have been quality and hard fought.
USC will be a challenge
- Thread starter IowaHawkeyeFB
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homes
Well-Known Member
Close to a home game for them. They have loads of talent, hard not to, being the top program in southern California. I think their fans aren't pleased with Helton coming back next year, but my guess is that the players like him and they'll play hard for him in this game. Iowa best be ready. Based on their performance, they appear to be a front runner. They were behind at half in 3 of their losses and tied in the other. They were behind at half in only one of their wins (Colorado). Iowa needs to get on top early.
pythagoras
Well-Known Member
Iowa will be the first real defense CheatU has seen all year.
trj
Well-Known Member
Deace is correct the game being played 2 hours away from LA doesn’t matter.
NCHawker
Well-Known Member
They will score... think of Purdue only better. The question I have is will the offense score while running the clock? No doubt the strategy is to possess the ball and limit their possessions. But can brian figure out how to move the ball and put up TDs?. I'll be delighted if they can. I'll be glum and bitch about SSDD if they cant. The D can only do so much.
1hawkeye1
Well-Known Member
I disagree. I think we roll them. Their fan base is in full revolt. They won't bring a huge crowd.
They haven't faced a pass rush or defense like the one they will see vs Iowa.
Their coach got the dreaded "vote of confidence" from the AD, so you know the players are wondering when he will be out the door.
Iowa will control the clock. So when USC gets the ball, they will be in full panic mode to strike quickly. AJ and Ojemudia will feast in this game.
Branden Smith will be back. (I hope)
Yes, I'm a homer wearing black & gold goggles.
They haven't faced a pass rush or defense like the one they will see vs Iowa.
Their coach got the dreaded "vote of confidence" from the AD, so you know the players are wondering when he will be out the door.
Iowa will control the clock. So when USC gets the ball, they will be in full panic mode to strike quickly. AJ and Ojemudia will feast in this game.
Branden Smith will be back. (I hope)
Yes, I'm a homer wearing black & gold goggles.
ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
A strong opponent means a quality bowl game. Win or lose, it is a fitting reward for the players for a very good season by Iowa. A win would mean a rare event.....winning 10 games in a season. It doesn't happen very often at Iowa.
USC has been to 2 NY6 bowls over the last 4 seasons. Saying they will be a challenge to Iowa is laughable. The last time Iowa played, they barely beat Nebraska and were largely outplayed for 3 quarters. Most P5 teams would be a challenge for Iowa.
HawkGold
Well-Known Member
Iowa will have more fans at SD. A lot more fans. Football is dying sport. That news is more apparent on the west coast.
Fighting traffic from LA can make a 2 hour trip into 5 hours without warning.
Not sure KF will prepare for the kind of speed they will encounter in the game.
Fighting traffic from LA can make a 2 hour trip into 5 hours without warning.
Not sure KF will prepare for the kind of speed they will encounter in the game.
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
We've won more games the last 5 years than all but 9 other teams. So yeah, I like our chances against anyone.
I didn't realize they gave out extra wins for style points.....
And during that same time span, a time when many think USC football is very down, USC has gone to and won a rose bowl and went to another NY6 bowl.
I like Iowa's chances against a lot of teams as well. But saying USC will be a challenge for Iowa made me laugh. Iowa will need to bring their A game to win. Just like most games Iowa plays. They're not good enough to just roll in and beat bad teams, let alone teams as good as USC.
Did Helton just get a vote of confidence or did he get a contract extension???
They are ranked in some polls and an above avg team like Iowa but they went through 2 injured QBs in the first half of the season. A tough game for the hawks but if Iowa has their offense in stride without many mistakes I think Iowa wins.
I disagree. I think we roll them. Their fan base is in full revolt. They won't bring a huge crowd.
They haven't faced a pass rush or defense like the one they will see vs Iowa.
Their coach got the dreaded "vote of confidence" from the AD, so you know the players are wondering when he will be out the door.
Iowa will control the clock. So when USC gets the ball, they will be in full panic mode to strike quickly. AJ and Ojemudia will feast in this game.
Branden Smith will be back. (I hope)
Yes, I'm a homer wearing black & gold goggles.
I havent seen much of USC but I bet their receivers havent been hit like our lbkrs and dbacks will hit.
If Helton didnt get a contract extension then he is still coaching for his job.
Well football may be a dying sport to you but there is still SOOOO MUCH talent in California it is amazing they can feed Boise ST, Utah and Utah St, all the CA teams, Oregon etc!!
They will have very good talent but not sure if they are as tough as Iowa. Smack em hard from the start and keep on pounding them and we will see what they do. I thought one thing about the 2016 Rose Bowl was that from the outset Stanford's Def and Off lines were firing off the ball faster and stronger than Iowa and it set the tone.
Now how can KF really prepare a team against better speed except to go right at them. On offense I hope we ditch the outside zone stretch and do with power inside zone and straight ahead blocking like at Nebby this year. In a month BF better find some pass routes against their defense and some blitz blocking or I will be pretty dismayed.
And on defense mix up the coverages a lot to make the qb think and get that pass rush going as I dont think they are a big running team. Need some blitzes especially right up the middle to get the QBs attention and make him tuck the ball back in and get out of rhythm.
AreWeThereYet
Well-Known Member
Utah has an elite defense and USC managed to beat them. Washington, Oregon, and Notre Dame have decent defenses. USC lost to all three.
DBAHawkFan
Well-Known Member
USC offense will be the best we have seen all year, probably since OSU in 2017....and this isn't a night game in Kinnick.
I will say that if Iowa can get some early turnovers that'll put pressure on USC to try and force bigger plays. The issue with that is, they can score from anywhere on the field. Their WR are legit. I watched some of their games this year (i live in San Diego) and it's just a different speed. Part of that is the KF style of football, but these are athletes.
I'm curious if this will be one of the games where KF allows the offense to loosen up (much like the OSU game), or if he comes out and treats it like 99.9999% of Iowa games. Run on first down, run on second, pass one yard short of the sticks, punt.
Name the last time Iowa's defense shut down a high powered offense on the West coast? I'm torn on the players getting to enjoy San Diego (if you like beer and the best looking women.....) or have them be focused. Tough to balance.
I will say that if Iowa can get some early turnovers that'll put pressure on USC to try and force bigger plays. The issue with that is, they can score from anywhere on the field. Their WR are legit. I watched some of their games this year (i live in San Diego) and it's just a different speed. Part of that is the KF style of football, but these are athletes.
I'm curious if this will be one of the games where KF allows the offense to loosen up (much like the OSU game), or if he comes out and treats it like 99.9999% of Iowa games. Run on first down, run on second, pass one yard short of the sticks, punt.
Name the last time Iowa's defense shut down a high powered offense on the West coast? I'm torn on the players getting to enjoy San Diego (if you like beer and the best looking women.....) or have them be focused. Tough to balance.
