What will it take?

[Khan4Cats]

Okay, the first Iowa thread has slipped off into some other realms. Figured I would start a thread where maybe we could talk about what it will take for UNI to beat Iowa.

First the obvious:

1) Show up.
2) Score more points.

Okay, now a little more serious:

Defense: I think if our front 7 can hold their own against the rushing attack that Iowa will likely try to ram down our throats, it will be a question of how well our DB's can read play action. I think if we can stop the run as per our usual defensive strategy, Iowa is not a pass-happy offense and we will not excel if forced into that one dimension-and I think our D-Line will get pressure on Stanzi if we do stuff the run. I think we will acquit ourselves well, though Iowa will still get their rushing yards.

The biggest question for defense: Will our new safeties be able to read an play a fricking flea-flicker!

Offense: Can we move the ball enough on the ground to keep Iowa honest and keep our whole offensive playbook available, or will Iowa make us one-dimensional. A key to that balance will also be will our RB's be effective out of the backfield as receivers? That is the element I think we will miss most from Corey Lewis-his receiving ability.

Special Teams: We have got to be better early in the year with kick coverage. It burned us at BYU and SIU badly last year. Our new punter, whoever that might be, will have to get us out of trouble when called on. Our long snapper had better be settled down to give Billy Hallgren a fair chance when he's called on (it was really inconsistent last year and that caused Billy fits all year). I think we'll be fine on kick returns, depending on who goes back with Herring, if they kick it Jared, he'll set us up nicely.

Intangibles: Other keys are common for any game, more so in big games. Turnovers have to be kept to a minimum and we have to force some from Iowa. Dumb mental errors also have to be at a minimum, even if it is the first game.

Biggest intangible to me is the weather. Hot and muggy plays into Iowa's hand due to their depth advantage. I think rainy also benefits Iowa as our offense likes to be more diversified and Iowa would be much more content to just grind it out, or at least try to. We will need to mix it up for success-this isn't Western Illinois, Indiana State or Missouri State.

thoughts?

[achrist70]

Re: What will it take?

I think that showing up and acting like that they belong is essential, especially for the younger players that will have to contribute to the team. Other than that our strengths have to shine. O-line has to win the war (this is every game). We also need to be aggressive on defense. Iowa shouldn't be opening up the playbook a lot taking advantage of this is key. Finally stop the run, we did this last year we need to do it again. Stanzi might be good, but he is no Max Hall. A all air Iowa is a good thing for us even with our young secondary.

[SteinPizza]

Re: What will it take?

For the most part, I agree with all of the above. A couple more things:

Either Lane or Kinney must find a way to penetrate and make plays in the backfield. That's something Everette was able to do, especially in the last half of the year. Iowa will have 4 new faces against us on the O Line, but two of those four have started their share of games (Richardson and Eubanks). The unknowns for Iowa will be whoever plays for Vandevelde (hurt) at the other Guard, and their Right Tackle (Calloway is suspended).

Whoever plays the DE opposite Ruffin has to make plays.

Having 4 new starters in the secondary scares me, regardless of the hype here about athleticism, blind optimism, whatever. Iowa doesn't have anywhere near the Receivers and Tight End that BYU had last year, and Stanzi isn't near as good as Max Hall. That said, these are still capable Big Ten players vs. an MVFC secondary starting four new guys. For those dual fans who will try to shove Moeaki at me...save it. He's not even close to the player Pitta was for BYU, or at least he hasn't shown it yet.

On offense, Iowa will be tough to move the ball against. We have to find someone to run other than Derrick Law, who's too slow to break anything. That same person has to know his protections and pick up blitzes too.

[panthertrack]

Re: What will it take?



That should piss some of you off.

[BCPanther]

Re: What will it take?

A phenomenal start.

The reason Appy beat Michigan is they scored early and put all the pressure on them.

We would need something like taking the ball and scoring, getting a turnover and scoring again. For us to have a chance we have to have a minimum 10-0 lead to start, if not 14-0... We would have to put the heat on the Hawks...

[06panther10]

Re: What will it take?

1. A good start
2. Win the turnover battle
3. Make a huge play (block a kick, retun TD, etc.).
4. We have to be able to run the ball. If they force us to pass every down, we are done.
5. Manage the Iowa running game. If Iowa can run the ball at will we are done. If we can force them to pass more than they want to, we can make some plays.

[Purrrrrfect]

Re: What will it take?

UNI is not typically a Score early and win team (See @UNH 2005 up 21-0, or the Richmond game, or SIU last year)....we aren't as good hanging on to leads as we are playing from behind. And we are a 2nd half team, so in essence, any first half TDs is just a bonus.

[Cat80]

Re: What will it take?

That should piss some of you off.

Not really. ISU fans say the same thing every time UNI plays at Ames. I understand the mentality, just don't agree with it.

[SteinPizza]

Re: What will it take?

4. We have to be able to run the ball. If they force us to pass every down, we are done.
5. Manage the Iowa running game. If Iowa can run the ball at will we are done. If we can force them to pass more than they want to, we can make some plays.

Well said. I think #5 is more doable. Neither will be easy, but #5 above is the more realistic of the two.

[TH1974]

Re: What will it take?

1. A good start.

2. A good middle.

3. Good finish.

[DomeRanger Posse]

Re: What will it take?

Agree on the conditioning. Unfortunately, I think Iowa has more depth than we have, so we've got to be in great shape when we hit the field. Iowa can just keep rotating bodies in, but we're at a disadvantage there. I'm no great football mind, but we need to win the battle up front. If we can control the line on either side of the ball, that's going to a big thing in our favor.

[Trapped in California]

Re: What will it take?

What is the thought on playing jewell if he is a gametoime decision? Does Ferentz think he has enough horsepower to sit Jewel if his knee is questionable? (I think the knee has more problems than the public knows or that guy has some seriously bad luck).

I think Ferentz tries to sit Jewell, keeping him out of the game unless looks like Iowa is on the wrong side of the score. That is based solely off what I have read to date. Thoughts?

[Panthers to the Bone]

Re: What will it take?

I could be wrong, but I don't think Ferentz is the type that would use Jewel if he was not ready to be used as a starter. I could be wrong, but Ferentz (despite my dislike of the Hawks) doesn't seem to be that kind of guy. He's pretty straight forward X's and O's....same with announced suspensions. He won't move suspensions around his easy games just to get the key guys in the games he needs them to play in.

[FOTY]

Re: What will it take?

I'm no great football mind, but we need to win the battle up front. If we can control the line on either side of the ball, that's going to a big thing in our favor.

Totall agreement here. If we can stop their running attack (whether it be Jewell or anyone else) and get ours going, we have a shot. IMO, even with 11 on the field, it starts and ends with the lines up front.

[SteinPizza]

Re: What will it take?

What is the thought on playing jewell if he is a gametoime decision? Does Ferentz think he has enough horsepower to sit Jewel if his knee is questionable? (I think the knee has more problems than the public knows or that guy has some seriously bad luck).

I think Ferentz tries to sit Jewell, keeping him out of the game unless looks like Iowa is on the wrong side of the score. That is based solely off what I have read to date. Thoughts?

Hampton won't, and shouldn't play, unless absolutely necessary. At least that's my thought. Like UNI, Ferentz has bigger fish to fry, meaning the conference season. There's no way he should risk a season ending injury to one of his horses if he can avoid it. Same with Farley.