(This is for NewEngland_Gold)
Written from a Hawkeye perspective:
I see a number of match up problem for my squad and my main concern is Gray. If Brewster is smart, he will maximize him in the offense because Iowa has trouble with mobile quarterbacks who run. (Forcier/Robinson, Clark to some extent) That being said, Iowa's defensive weakness may be the run. Our secondary and linebackers are very good but for some reason we haven't stopped the run this year like we have in the past. Now, for the Gophers to be successful they MUST take what Iowa gives them. If our cornerback, Prater, gives Stoudemaire 5 yards Weber better take those five yards. Iowa feeds on teams that try to go for the home run whenever possible, that's why we have so many INT'S. Weber may have a tough day because our d-lineman are very physical and they do get a lot of pressure and quite a few sacks. On defense Minnesota must try and stop the run. Wegher is good but he can be tentative hitting the holes. I anticipate us throwing the ball quite a bit especially after watching Cousins. Stanzi makes mistakes but he can just as easily come back on the next two drives and throw two bombs while controlling the offense. The Gophers must make Iowa one dimensional if they want to win. Either make Iowa throw every down or make them run. Stanzi is most effective when the running game is because he has a mean play fake.
All this being said, I fully expect Iowa to win by at least two touchdowns. I don't think Weber will be able to stand too many Adrian Clayborn hits. If Gray is successful right away Iowa could be in trouble. Even if Iowa plays a poor first half, which they very well could, Iowa is VERY good at making adjustments. Stanzi seems to bounce back well so I'm optimistic about his play. Finally, not too many teams come into Kinnick and play well. It's a tough place to play and this very well could be the B10 title clincher which means Kinnick will be rockin. All in all, good luck the rest of the way and maybe I'll see you for the game. I'm always up for a free beer, just ask the 40 ear olds last week, I barely made it into the game after playing pong with them.
Written from a Hawkeye perspective:
I see a number of match up problem for my squad and my main concern is Gray. If Brewster is smart, he will maximize him in the offense because Iowa has trouble with mobile quarterbacks who run. (Forcier/Robinson, Clark to some extent) That being said, Iowa's defensive weakness may be the run. Our secondary and linebackers are very good but for some reason we haven't stopped the run this year like we have in the past. Now, for the Gophers to be successful they MUST take what Iowa gives them. If our cornerback, Prater, gives Stoudemaire 5 yards Weber better take those five yards. Iowa feeds on teams that try to go for the home run whenever possible, that's why we have so many INT'S. Weber may have a tough day because our d-lineman are very physical and they do get a lot of pressure and quite a few sacks. On defense Minnesota must try and stop the run. Wegher is good but he can be tentative hitting the holes. I anticipate us throwing the ball quite a bit especially after watching Cousins. Stanzi makes mistakes but he can just as easily come back on the next two drives and throw two bombs while controlling the offense. The Gophers must make Iowa one dimensional if they want to win. Either make Iowa throw every down or make them run. Stanzi is most effective when the running game is because he has a mean play fake.
All this being said, I fully expect Iowa to win by at least two touchdowns. I don't think Weber will be able to stand too many Adrian Clayborn hits. If Gray is successful right away Iowa could be in trouble. Even if Iowa plays a poor first half, which they very well could, Iowa is VERY good at making adjustments. Stanzi seems to bounce back well so I'm optimistic about his play. Finally, not too many teams come into Kinnick and play well. It's a tough place to play and this very well could be the B10 title clincher which means Kinnick will be rockin. All in all, good luck the rest of the way and maybe I'll see you for the game. I'm always up for a free beer, just ask the 40 ear olds last week, I barely made it into the game after playing pong with them.
