Indiana scores more points on average than Iowa (33.1-32.6) outgains the Hawkeyes on offense (467-405) and is going to score at least 45 points. Kickoff is 3:30pm Eastern time on ESPN, with Mike Patrick and Ed Cunningham in the booth and Dr. Jerry Punch on the sidelines. Then, two 1-0 wins against Michigan and Wisconsin respectively got the Hoosiers back to. Iowa is led by its defense, which ranks sixth in the nation in scoring (15.2 ppg) and seventh in yards allowed (287.6 ypg). “That’s a testament to our football team”. Iowa has won five of its last six against Indiana, but the Hoosiers are 3-1 against the spread in the last four games of this series.
Advertisement
I had this week circled as a possible trap game since Iowa beat Wisconsin in the season opener. The Hoosiers are about to face a defense that is ranked in the top 10 nationally against the run, in points allowed, time of possession and in the red zone. Indiana’s passing attack matches up sort of well against the Hawks. Iowa counters with an aggressive secondary led by CB Desmond King, who is tied for the NCAA lead with seven interceptions. “I think that’s a credit to him”. The Linebackers will be tested… they’ll pass! Iowa gets criticized for their strength of schedule, but it’s actually not bad, and you can still be a good team, even if you aren’t playing SEC West teams every week.
Right now, I’d say yes. Ferentz will probably keep it simple and play the ball control game to avoid getting in an offensive shootout. The Hawkeyes aren’t flashy, they’re just effective. “Games like this show how we’re still a young and naive team and we need to mature a lot before we go somewhere, but hopefully we can pick our game up before heading to the Big Ten Tournament”. “We’re always competing with each other”.
“I’m so shocked we played like that”, IU Coach Sherry Dunbar-Kruzan said. “We’re going to try to get that done”.
-RB Akrum Wadley led Iowa for the second straight game in rushing, picking up 67 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries last week against Maryland in his first career start.
Iowa Fun Facts and Notable Alumni: Can be found in last year’s preview. “We just need to go back to simple volleyball and play the game the way we know how to play it. I think our preparation was good but I don’t know if we executed the game plan”.
My Prediction: Iowa is the stronger team here by far. Simmons has 55 tackles on the year, tied for second on the team and good for 17th in the Big Ten. All of that said, there’s one thing that has pretty much eluded the football Hoosiers forever: an upset at home of a top tier team. So if you’re like me and haven’t been up to speed on what the team has done this year, now is the time to catch up, because things could get fun really soon.
Advertisement
Next Week: Senior Day for the Hoosiers as the Fighting Harbaughs come to town.
