Wisconsin winning the West

[NikeHawk21]

Unless Michigan State develops an offense they won't stand a chance against Wisconsin. It's going to be offense against defense. Wisconsin has a better offense. Both teams have decent defenses.

Michigan State scored 31 points at NW and Wisconsin only scored 24 at home against NW (two defensive TDs). In football anything can happen on any given day.

Michigan State is a formidable opponent. I’m not saying they will win at UW but you are just arguing for the sake of arguing.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

what does NW do that we don’t?

The previous poster was referring to scouting a team and then game planning to exploit their weaknesses. Iowa rarely adjusts the game plan based on an opponent's strengths or weaknesses.

 

[DDThompson]

The previous poster was referring to scouting a team and then game planning to exploit their weaknesses. Iowa rarely adjusts the game play based on an opponent's strengths or weaknesses.

Okay. Gotchya.
I agree.

Iowa’s defensive philosophy doesn’t change unless they are forced to. I would like to see different packages earlier in some games and some situations (like 3rd and 8 is an Achilles heel in Iowa’s philosophy instead of the opponent’s weakness).

Offensively they seem to be changing — slowly — to a scratch where it itches mindset but always have the rushing attack as a foundation.

 

[Xerxes]

Michigan State went to the wire with Indiana. Hardly a powerhouse. I would put MSU 4th or 5th in the East. After OSU, Penn State, Michigan

Indiana is better than a lot of people are giving them credit for. They did get smoked by Ohio St without their starting QB. But most teams are going to get smoked by Ohio St even with their starting QB. They had him back for the MSU game and it showed. That kid can play.

 

[SteveGarvey1]

Northwestern has the best coach in the division, though. If Northwestern had a QB, they would have won that game going away.

The luster wore off a bit for me with Fitzerald. His decision to go for two twice in a row vs. Wisconsin was head-scratching, particular the last one. Down 24-9, score a TD, then go for 2 with only a few minutes left in the game. Reminds me a bit what Kirk did vs. Purdue a few years ago in a somewhat similar situation.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

Michigan State scored 31 points at NW and Wisconsin only scored 24 at home against NW (two defensive TDs). In football anything can happen on any given day.

Michigan State is a formidable opponent. I’m not saying they will win at UW but you are just arguing for the sake of arguing.

At best MSU is probably the 4th best in the East. Behind Ohio State, PSU Michigan. You can make a good argument that they are better than Michigan. Which would make them 3rd best in the East. And if Wisconsin, Iowa are factored in that puts Michigan State 5th or 6th in the conference.

Michigan State is starting the rough part of their schedule. @Ohio State, @Wisconsin, Penn State.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

Is it most likely Wisconsin will win? Yes. BUT every week is a challenge for Iowa and wisky. I mean, they struggled against northwestern. Had to score defensively to get points. I could see the badgers losing to Minnesota, Michigan state or even Nebraska.

It's always possible that the Badgers could lose to Minny, MSU or Nebraska, but I wouldn't bet too heavy on that happening.

It's also possible that an undefeated Iowa could meet an undefeated Wisconsin. Possible. Not probable.

I don't think Wisconsin is as good as the pundits have been saying they are but their schedule is favorable for them to have a very good year. Until proven otherwise they are the second best team in the B1G.

 

[NikeHawk21]

It's always possible that the Badgers could lose to Minny, MSU or Nebraska, but I wouldn't bet too heavy on that happening.

It's also possible that an undefeated Iowa could meet an undefeated Wisconsin. Possible. Not probable.

I don't think Wisconsin is as good as the pundits have been saying they are but their schedule is favorable for them to have a very good year. Until proven otherwise they are the second best team in the B1G.

Wisconsin plays three of the consensus top 4 teams in the B1G East including at Ohio State. The only thing favorable about their schedule was a lot of their big games were at home.

 

[uihawk82]

The luster wore off a bit for me with Fitzerald. His decision to go for two twice in a row vs. Wisconsin was head-scratching, particular the last one. Down 24-9, score a TD, then go for 2 with only a few minutes left in the game. Reminds me a bit what Kirk did vs. Purdue a few years ago in a somewhat similar situation.

Yes, totally bizarre decision to go for 2 points there. even if you make it you are down 24-11 and still need a TD and 2 field goals or 2 tds.

 

[uihawk82]

what does NW do that we don’t?

Every time Iowa plays NW they not only have 8 in the box sometimes but they have their Lbkrs sticking their noses in closer to the LOS in gaps so that Iowa and other teams cant get the running game going.

Fitz will put is corners and safeties in man to man sometimes and roll the dice you dont go over the top or burn them. If Fitz has a real good pass rushing front 4 like some years past then he will drop into zone coverage more like Iowa in long yardage. And his players are just smart about their system and they rally to the ball.

As I have said Fitz doesnt want to give up an extra inch.

Look at the trouble they give the hawks like last year and Brian F called a game of basic runs and short passes that fell right into Fitz's plans. In 2009 before Stanzi got hurt the hawks had burned NW for 2 long passes and a 10-0 lead. You need to sting them with some big plays on offense.

This year Fitz doesnt have the top QB. When Thorsen and some of their QBs are young or inexperienced the hawks can rattle them. In 2015 Thorsen was a frosh and the hawks blitzed and took care of him but then he won 3 in a row with his feet and just cool play.

 

[SpiderRico]

It looks like unless Iowa beats Wisconsin, Wisconsin will win the West.

The only challenge on Wisconsin's schedule other than Iowa is Ohio State. Iowa has three tough games to play. Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin. Not to mention the other teams that can bite Iowa in the backside if they have a good day.

Wisconsin winning the West?! Shit, that sucks! I thought we were only 1 game into the conference season, but apparently we've already played the whole damn thing!

 

[DBAHawkFan]

Wisconsin is where they are because they beat the teams they should consistently. That gets them to the Big10 Championship game more times than not, and they always have a decent chance with their defense. Not sure it'll matter this year with how loaded OSU is, but it goes to show what can happen when you pound the crap out of the lesser teams.

Iowa could have been (or could rise to that level) if they wouldn't play so conservative or nice guy football against the lower teams.

This could be a great year with UM, NW, and NE being down. PSU and WI are our toughest games and if we can play smart, or don't have a ton of injuries the Hawks always have a chance.

 

[ICHawk24]

what does NW do that we don’t?

Paddy Fisher.

 

[Fryowa]

Paddy Fisher.

Fatty Pisher

 

[ChosenChildren]

Michigan State went to the wire with Indiana. Hardly a powerhouse. I would put MSU 4th or 5th in the East. After OSU, Penn State, Michigan

Indiana might be better than you think. Their QB is a stud (he played against MSU after sitting out a couple of games due to injury)

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

Wisconsin plays three of the consensus top 4 teams in the B1G East including at Ohio State. The only thing favorable about their schedule was a lot of their big games were at home.

Yes very true. They have 2 tough games left. Michigan State and Ohio State. If they host an undefeated Iowa with one loss they would have to beat Iowa to win the West.

 

[atomicblue224]

Fatty Pisher

I know you like to eat shit, Fatty

 

[DDThompson]

Paddy Fisher.

He’s human. I watched the wisky game. Meh.

If KF gets blamed for not recruiting then so does the Fish

 

[kicker22]

Not sure who wins the west this year as time will tell, but I'm pretty sure OSU just scored on Nebby again!!!

 

[SCHawkeye2]

The next two games will tell us where we stand in the B10 hierarchy.
If we win both, we would likely be considered among the top 4 teams.