I realize a Hawkeye fan coming to a Cyclone board starting a thread about predicting the upcoming game is just begging to get trashed on, but I thought I'd try it anyway.
I am looking to see what your guys' genuine thoughts are on what you think the outcome of the game with be. Over the last 5+ years, I have gone into every single ISU-Iowa game very nervous and very uptight with the thought that it was going to be a close, close game... anything but a sure thing for either team. I remember watching the '02 with a bunch of ISU friends in Cincinnati, we went outside at halftime and they asked my feelings on the game. I could only say that I didn't think Iowa was going to hold on and that Seneca was going to eat up the Hawks in the 2nd half. Ouch. Did he ever.
I can't stand the "ISU Superbowl" argument that fans give out. As a fan, I care about the ISU-Iowa as much, if not more, than any other game on the schedule. It's circled once the schedule comes out and once this week gets here, it's officially ISU Week... the slowest workweek of the year. I love this week. I love rivalry. I even love the smack talk, when done the right way.
So anyway, I am looking to see who you honestly think is going to come out on top and if it will be close as some people think (or not, as the initial spread shows). I know loyalty comes into play when making the pick, and I understand how most people will be biased in their predictions. I am not really looking for a final score, just trying to gauge everyone's expectations of the game.
That said, here's mine. I understand if I am crucified after posting this (I would do the same to a Clone coming on an Iowa board). I really think that the attitude has pulled a 180 in Iowa City. The team has been waiting for this game all year and has been preparing for it during practice even before ISU week. I see the fire back in the Iowa team that has been gone for 2+ years. Like I said earlier, every year I have thought the game would be close (and some years I have predicted ISU to win). This year, I see Iowa winning, and winning big. I like our front four on D and their ability to control whomever they want. Kroul and King inside are going to have their way, and our D ends are extremely quick and athletic. Our LBs are very skilled and I think if our front 7 can do their job, ISU will find it hard to get into the endzone. ISU might be able to move the ball a fair amount, but I don't see many trips into the endzone. Iowa has proven they can stop the dual threat QB (see Juice Williams vs. Iowa), but that will the challenge in this game. I am not worried at all about ISU's run game, conversely I think Iowa is going to be able to run at will with Greene off-tackle. Getting Moeaki back is going to let us do a lot of things up the middle on pass plays. Myers has shown just how good he is, so putting those two out on the field should give Iowa a good advantage and offer some mismatches. The key with be Ricky Roll Stanzi. If he can't handle his first, big start, Iowa could be in deep trouble if the Clones bring 8 or even 9 in the box. Moeaki should help him out, though.
I think Iowa wins, and they win big. I don't know how big, but I don't see it staying in single-digits.
We have the rest of the week to talk trash, hopefully this is the one thread where we can talk some serious football (and maybe a LITTLE trash thrown in). :smile:
I understand if you want to take shots at me after posting my thoughts, but I thought I'd see what you guys think about this game.
I am looking to see what your guys' genuine thoughts are on what you think the outcome of the game with be. Over the last 5+ years, I have gone into every single ISU-Iowa game very nervous and very uptight with the thought that it was going to be a close, close game... anything but a sure thing for either team. I remember watching the '02 with a bunch of ISU friends in Cincinnati, we went outside at halftime and they asked my feelings on the game. I could only say that I didn't think Iowa was going to hold on and that Seneca was going to eat up the Hawks in the 2nd half. Ouch. Did he ever.
I can't stand the "ISU Superbowl" argument that fans give out. As a fan, I care about the ISU-Iowa as much, if not more, than any other game on the schedule. It's circled once the schedule comes out and once this week gets here, it's officially ISU Week... the slowest workweek of the year. I love this week. I love rivalry. I even love the smack talk, when done the right way.
So anyway, I am looking to see who you honestly think is going to come out on top and if it will be close as some people think (or not, as the initial spread shows). I know loyalty comes into play when making the pick, and I understand how most people will be biased in their predictions. I am not really looking for a final score, just trying to gauge everyone's expectations of the game.
That said, here's mine. I understand if I am crucified after posting this (I would do the same to a Clone coming on an Iowa board). I really think that the attitude has pulled a 180 in Iowa City. The team has been waiting for this game all year and has been preparing for it during practice even before ISU week. I see the fire back in the Iowa team that has been gone for 2+ years. Like I said earlier, every year I have thought the game would be close (and some years I have predicted ISU to win). This year, I see Iowa winning, and winning big. I like our front four on D and their ability to control whomever they want. Kroul and King inside are going to have their way, and our D ends are extremely quick and athletic. Our LBs are very skilled and I think if our front 7 can do their job, ISU will find it hard to get into the endzone. ISU might be able to move the ball a fair amount, but I don't see many trips into the endzone. Iowa has proven they can stop the dual threat QB (see Juice Williams vs. Iowa), but that will the challenge in this game. I am not worried at all about ISU's run game, conversely I think Iowa is going to be able to run at will with Greene off-tackle. Getting Moeaki back is going to let us do a lot of things up the middle on pass plays. Myers has shown just how good he is, so putting those two out on the field should give Iowa a good advantage and offer some mismatches. The key with be Ricky Roll Stanzi. If he can't handle his first, big start, Iowa could be in deep trouble if the Clones bring 8 or even 9 in the box. Moeaki should help him out, though.
I think Iowa wins, and they win big. I don't know how big, but I don't see it staying in single-digits.
We have the rest of the week to talk trash, hopefully this is the one thread where we can talk some serious football (and maybe a LITTLE trash thrown in). :smile:
I understand if you want to take shots at me after posting my thoughts, but I thought I'd see what you guys think about this game.
