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Northern Iowa (0-0) at Iowa (0-0),12:05 EST, Saturday, September 5
Why to watch: Iowa is going for the State Champion status with its date with FCS powerhouse UNI this week and at Iowa State for the annual rivalry game next week, and while it might seem like these should be layups, they could be tough for a team limping into the season. The hopes are high for the Hawkeyes with a not-that-bad schedule and a veteran team coming off a breakthrough season, but there were so many key injuries in practices and so much sudden turnover that this game might suddenly be interesting. UNI has a nasty defense and a high-powered offense that almost turned out to be enough to win the national championship, losing to Richmond in a 21-20 playoff thriller. If the Panthers were ever going to come up with the monster upset, this might be the time because …
Why Northern Iowa might win: … the Hawkeyes are scrambling a bit on offense. Jewel Hampton was supposed to be the team’s new rushing star to replace Shonn Greene, but he suffered a torn up knee and is out for the year. Making matters worse are the issues on the O line with expected starting left guard Julian Vandervelde out, needing time to recover from an offseason surgery, and with starting right tackle Kyle Calloway missing the game after being suspended for an offseason DUI. UNI, led by pass rushing star James Ruffin, could be disruptive all game long.
Why Iowa might win: Iowa destroys inferior non-conference opponents in home openers. In the last six opening days in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes won by massive blowouts over Maine (46-3), Syracuse (35-0), Montana (41-7), Ball State (56-0), Kent State (39-7), and Miami University (21-3). Akron scored 21 points in the 2002 opener and was still blown away by 36 points. Western Michigan, in 2000, was the last team to beat Iowa in a home opener, but this Northern Iowa team isn’t as good as that Bronco squad. Yes, the Iowa offense might be having problems, but the defense is more than fine and should keep the UNI offense under wraps.
Who to watch: With the loss of Hampton, the spotlight is on junior Paki O’Meara to take over the running game. While he has been a practice star, his production hasn’t translated to the field in game action and he’s nowhere near the talent that Hampton was. That means more will be on the shoulders of QB Ricky Stanzi, a caretaker for the offense last year, he spent the season handing off to Greene, but now he’ll be asked to make more things happen downfield. If practices were any indication, he should be ready.
What will happen: Northern Iowa will provide a push for about a quarter, but this is Iowa in a home opener. It’s going to come up with several long home runs while the defense is going to stuff the Panthers cold time and again to make this a late blowout.
CFN Prediction: Iowa 38 … Northern Iowa 7 ... Line: No Line
Why to watch: Iowa is going for the State Champion status with its date with FCS powerhouse UNI this week and at Iowa State for the annual rivalry game next week, and while it might seem like these should be layups, they could be tough for a team limping into the season. The hopes are high for the Hawkeyes with a not-that-bad schedule and a veteran team coming off a breakthrough season, but there were so many key injuries in practices and so much sudden turnover that this game might suddenly be interesting. UNI has a nasty defense and a high-powered offense that almost turned out to be enough to win the national championship, losing to Richmond in a 21-20 playoff thriller. If the Panthers were ever going to come up with the monster upset, this might be the time because …
Why Northern Iowa might win: … the Hawkeyes are scrambling a bit on offense. Jewel Hampton was supposed to be the team’s new rushing star to replace Shonn Greene, but he suffered a torn up knee and is out for the year. Making matters worse are the issues on the O line with expected starting left guard Julian Vandervelde out, needing time to recover from an offseason surgery, and with starting right tackle Kyle Calloway missing the game after being suspended for an offseason DUI. UNI, led by pass rushing star James Ruffin, could be disruptive all game long.
Why Iowa might win: Iowa destroys inferior non-conference opponents in home openers. In the last six opening days in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes won by massive blowouts over Maine (46-3), Syracuse (35-0), Montana (41-7), Ball State (56-0), Kent State (39-7), and Miami University (21-3). Akron scored 21 points in the 2002 opener and was still blown away by 36 points. Western Michigan, in 2000, was the last team to beat Iowa in a home opener, but this Northern Iowa team isn’t as good as that Bronco squad. Yes, the Iowa offense might be having problems, but the defense is more than fine and should keep the UNI offense under wraps.
Who to watch: With the loss of Hampton, the spotlight is on junior Paki O’Meara to take over the running game. While he has been a practice star, his production hasn’t translated to the field in game action and he’s nowhere near the talent that Hampton was. That means more will be on the shoulders of QB Ricky Stanzi, a caretaker for the offense last year, he spent the season handing off to Greene, but now he’ll be asked to make more things happen downfield. If practices were any indication, he should be ready.
What will happen: Northern Iowa will provide a push for about a quarter, but this is Iowa in a home opener. It’s going to come up with several long home runs while the defense is going to stuff the Panthers cold time and again to make this a late blowout.
CFN Prediction: Iowa 38 … Northern Iowa 7 ... Line: No Line
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