We have Wisky right where we want them...

[HaydenHawk56]

The one thing I'm hoping is the case that Nebraska is not very good and Wisco had their way with them. Nebraksa almost got beat by an FCS team and needed a

miracle at the last second to win (that sounds familar).

Their best win is probably Miami and the rest of their wins are not that impressive (with Northwestern being their 2nd best win).

 

[83Hawk]

If somehow we can work CJ in the game early and limit Wiesman to 2 carries in the first half we then stand a chance, all be it a slim one. Otherwise if we think for one minute that we are going to beat them straight up with our lumbering fullback and happy footed quarterback we are fooling ourselves. We also need to bank on a high ankle sprain to Gordon or this game gets out of hand fast. I would love to see us take the ball first and take a long deliberate 80 touchdown drive to get the fans involved. If Wisky gets the ball on the opening possession and drives it right down our throats then the thought of the minnesota game creaps into our psyche and that will snowball out of control.

Agree CJ either needs to start, or play early and often. Wisconsin is going to load the box and dare Jake to throw the ball. They will be throwing the kitchen sink at Jake. Iowa won't be able to run, and Jake doesn't have the patience...or ability...to make them pay by throwing downfield.

With CJ, it forces Wisconsin to respect the pass, which will open up the running game....then the play action.

One thing is certain....Iowa CANNOT afford to get down more than one score. If they do...that's all she wrote. Jake is not a come from behind QB (against a legitimate team...Ball State doesn't count).

 

[ArvadaHawk]

Wisconsin was unstoppable in 2004 as well. Highly ranked and obliterating their opponents. Iowa killed them.

Gordon won't be stopped, but he can be slowed. Hold them to field goals and win the turnover battle. The defense will need their best game of the season. That is Iowa's only hope.

If old man Ferentz is serious about playing for another championship in the twilight of his career, then he had better have his best week of preparation ever. No room for mismanaging the clock this week. All hands on deck.

I just don't think we have the players on defense to accomplish this using our base defense. we need to run blitz every damn down, if need be, to force WUs to have to pass.

 

[HawgEyeState]

Everyone will be talking about Wisky and Gordon's record setting performance and no one will be giving us a chance. This is typically where KFs teams thrive.

Can't wait for Sat!

I'm with SpiderRico !! In fact, at Church this morning, I said the same thing to a friend of mine.

Bring it on Bucky !!! GO HAWKS !

 

[thetrza]

I think we get Nebraska right where we want them, you don't want a team the week after they get embarrassed on national television.

 

[Sooby]

Last year, our offense couldn't do squat against Wisconsin.
Our offense feels worse this year (although, statistically, it may be better) and Wisconsin's defense still seems stout.

I was happy that we were able to stop the jet sweep against Illannoy, but Illannoy is no Wisconsin.

Hopefully, the schooling we got at Minnesota will prepare us for this game.

 

[blubberhawk]

Ah, I think not. They just obliterated Nebby and we will be lucky to stop Melvin to half the yards he had yesterday! Unless we get one of our games that we just can do no wrong (NW) I don't see a shot in the dark to stop that horse. I want to be wrong but lets get real, wisky and in particular Gordon is going to outclass us and we will be b****ing about missed tackling and poor angles from the lb among others.

So you think Gordon will run for 800+ yards this coming weekend? I will bet you any amount of money he does not get close to 400.

 

[Hawk1960]

Wisconsin is a very good football team in Camp Randall. On the road it's a different story and they are less than stellar. The past 4 years their combined record on the road is 9 - 9, including 2 - 2 this year. Gordon going for 400+ and all the Heisman hype it will generate this week is the perfect distraction. I agree with the OP, we have them right were we want them.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

I think we need to play Hardy in the game over Meier. Nate's going to have a really tough time in this game. Wisky is huge at the tackle position and once they get their hands on you...it's all over. I have to tell you Wisconsin got away with a lot of holding in the Nebraska game...they were letting them play on the interior...and Wisky's OLine just dominated.

I certainly hope Phil can come up with a few wrinkles to stack the box and secure the edge. At least for the first time I think we have two corners that can play in man all day and be successful. That helps the running game defense immensely. Our safeties have to tackle period and can't miss completely. It's the big time runs (see Coleman) that kill you...the ones they house.

At least they don't have two weeks to prepare for us like the last four opponents. Then again, with Wisky, they are going to do what they do. We will see a ton of McEvoy in the zone read this week. The are going to line it up and use the Minnesota model on us. Power football with a running QB.

 

[SpecialKHawk]

Gordon is going to get his yards. We have to limit TD's forcing FG's instead. I am not sure this D is capable of doing this but this is PUT UP OR SHUT UP time. There is no more need for one week at a time, that week is now. I do worry about Meier holding up being so small and think Hardy may need to see more reps.

I worry a lot about Jake. Wisky plays a lot of small LB 's and they take a lot of risks by blitzing backers and corners/safeties a ton to create pressure. We have to make them pay by hitting them for big plays down the field. The problem is if the pressure gets to Jake he will get happy feet and start going all check-down. That will be a disaster. They made him super uncomfortable last year. This is a game where we really, really need what CJ brings but you know with KF that will not happen.

 

[HawksMN]

You do realize Wisky has the #1 ranked defense and #3 ranked scoring defense don't you? We will be lucky to get 100 yards against them. Weisman won't make it back to the line of scrimmage. Their lines will push us around the entire day, as there have only been 2 games all year that they haven't been shoved around(NW and Ill). Pretty much their whole team outclasses us. Actually our best qb(CJ) outclasses Stave, but he won't see the field as we get to watch Rudock crap his pants all day.

You are being a little dramatic. 100 yards? I'll bet closer to 300 for the Hawks.
And Gordon aint gonna put up no 300 in Kinnick. We may make Stave look like Captain America but we aint gonna allow MG to play hero again.
Man you guys are debbiedowners.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Sell out on the run, man to man with one safety. D-ends and LBS CANNOT get caught in the wash (it's happened all year).

Gotta win turnover battle and put scores up when inside their 30.

Almost every single big run Gordon had was up the sideline.

I am nervous but what do we have to lose, run blitz and go for broke...

 

[acharipar35]

Sell out on the run, man to man with one safety. D-ends and LBS CANNOT get caught in the wash (it's happened all year).

Gotta win turnover battle and put scores up when inside their 30.

Almost every single big run Gordon had was up the sideline.

I am nervous but what do we have to lose, run blitz and go for broke...

It will be interesting to see if Iowa decides to use Hardy more than Meier to help set the edge. I hate to say it, but Meier will get toss around like a rag doll against those huge OL for Wisconsin. Our DE's must set the edge or it will be a long game.

 

[Hawk1960]

It will be interesting to see if Iowa decides to use Hardy more than Meier to help set the edge. I hate to say it, but Meier will get toss around like a rag doll against those huge OL for Wisconsin. Our DE's must set the edge or it will be a long game.

I'd go 5-3 alignment on them. We have the horses up front to do it and gives you a much better chance to take away the edge.

 

[HawgEyeState]

Actually, I now like the rotation of Nate Meier and Mike Hardy (who happens to be from Wisconsin)....
Generally, in run situation, maybe Hardy a little more, but Nate Meier is really, really coming on and he is one tough kid. I think the Hawkeye Defense will be just fine.

If the offense can score and not settle for FGs, IOWA Wins

 

[Gibsonian]

Actually, I now like the rotation of Nate Meier and Mike Hardy (who happens to be from Wisconsin)....
Generally, in run situation, maybe Hardy a little more, but Nate Meier is really, really coming on and he is one tough kid. I think the Hawkeye Defense will be just fine.

If the offense can score and not settle for FGs, IOWA Wins

Yep my concern is with the offense. Think the d will do a serviceable job.

 

[GrandpaHawk]

Gordon's good but Neb. Missed a lot of tackles. There def. Shut down Neb. off. big time,were gonna need all hands on deck.

 

[Caddy]

Gordon's good but Neb. Missed a lot of tackles. There def. Shut down Neb. off. big time,were gonna need all hands on deck.

I recall seeing our defense miss a lot of tackles this year in nearly every game as well.

 

[Caddy]

You are being a little dramatic. 100 yards? I'll bet closer to 300 for the Hawks.
And Gordon aint gonna put up no 300 in Kinnick. We may make Stave look like Captain America but we aint gonna allow MG to play hero again.
Man you guys are debbiedowners.

No not really. How many yards did Jake have against Minny? He didn't even have 100. Weisman had what? 21 yards. This game will look a lot like that one, probably worse.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Wisconsin is a very good football team in Camp Randall. On the road it's a different story and they are less than stellar. The past 4 years their combined record on the road is 9 - 9, including 2 - 2 this year. Gordon going for 400+ and all the Heisman hype it will generate this week is the perfect distraction. I agree with the OP, we have them right were we want them.

Then you haven't been watching, because aside from the Northwestern game this is false. They looked damn good against LSU this season.

Oh and as for that 9-9 record that really isn't a very good comparison at all. Here are those 9 losses. LSU(28-24)-Ohio State x2 (33-29) (31-24)-Arizona State (32-30)- Oregon State(10-7) Nebraska(30-27)- Penn State (24-21 OT)- Michigan State (37-31)- Northwestern (20-14) .. Nice Try! Reinforces my thoughts on how much of a challenge this game will be..