BleedGopher
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per ESPN's Q&A:
@jkhawkeye71: @BennettESPN now that Iowas WR Corp took a huge hit, are they really a favorite in the West?
Brian Bennett: The loss of Matt VandeBerg to a foot injury is a big hit. He has been the team's leading receiver since the start of last season and is the go-to guy for C.J. Beathard. Without him, the Hawkeyes are going to have to find other ways to move the ball, which they haven't had much success doing since halftime of the North Dakota State game. They simply have to get the running game going.
Like many, I picked Iowa to win the West Division before the preseason, but it's pretty clear to me that Wisconsin and Nebraska are better right now. And Minnesota, my sleeper pick, is lurking. Here's the thing, though: The Badgers and Cornhuskers must come to Iowa City and Iowa's toughest crossover game -- Michigan -- is also at Kinnick Stadium. Meanwhile, Wisconsin plays at Michigan and vs. Ohio State its next two games, and Nebraska still has to go to Columbus.
So there's a long way to go, and Iowa still has several advantages in this race. It just has to get back to playing Iowa football.
@BM_Ahmed: @BennettESPN let's get crazy Gophers run the table are they playoff worthy?
Brian Bennett: Any Big Ten team that goes undefeated will make the playoff, regardless of schedule. See: Iowa 2015.
But, yeah, that's crazy.
http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/pos...ite-curtis-samuel-1k1k-wisconsin-room-to-grow
Go Gophers!!
@jkhawkeye71: @BennettESPN now that Iowas WR Corp took a huge hit, are they really a favorite in the West?
Brian Bennett: The loss of Matt VandeBerg to a foot injury is a big hit. He has been the team's leading receiver since the start of last season and is the go-to guy for C.J. Beathard. Without him, the Hawkeyes are going to have to find other ways to move the ball, which they haven't had much success doing since halftime of the North Dakota State game. They simply have to get the running game going.
Like many, I picked Iowa to win the West Division before the preseason, but it's pretty clear to me that Wisconsin and Nebraska are better right now. And Minnesota, my sleeper pick, is lurking. Here's the thing, though: The Badgers and Cornhuskers must come to Iowa City and Iowa's toughest crossover game -- Michigan -- is also at Kinnick Stadium. Meanwhile, Wisconsin plays at Michigan and vs. Ohio State its next two games, and Nebraska still has to go to Columbus.
So there's a long way to go, and Iowa still has several advantages in this race. It just has to get back to playing Iowa football.
@BM_Ahmed: @BennettESPN let's get crazy Gophers run the table are they playoff worthy?
Brian Bennett: Any Big Ten team that goes undefeated will make the playoff, regardless of schedule. See: Iowa 2015.
But, yeah, that's crazy.
http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/pos...ite-curtis-samuel-1k1k-wisconsin-room-to-grow
Go Gophers!!
