What position group are you most concerned with going into the Iowa Game?

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gopherdudepart2

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Make no mistake about it, we will get the Iowa Hawkeyes best game of the season this weekend. As determined to
defend the Pig as the Gophers will be the Hawkeyes will be just as keen to steal it away. There has been a lot of talk about the linebacking group but with there experience level against Iowa I'm not as concerned.

For being concerned, for me it is a toss up between the offensive line and the QB. This will only be Max Shortells 3rd or 4th road game as the starter and only his second conference game. As good as Max Shortell has looked he is still relatively inexperienced. Kinnick is one loud place, there going to have to be prepared for the type of noise we had Saturday against CUSE. I know we had a lot of injury's going into the Michigan game last year, but I still have visions of Max getting sacked a lot in that game and would be a lot more confident going into this Iowa game with Marquies Gray as the QB. With Gray's escapability and intuition to avoid the rush and pick up tough yards, I'm a little concerned that Shortell will get sacked a lot this weekend. One thing Max will have to do is if he feels the rush coming in on him, either get rid of the ball or he will have to take off and run as I don't think Iowa is going to account for the QB in those situations getting free. I think this will work to Max's advantage that he is a little better in the run game then they will anticipate. Let's hope Max can handle the pressure and the noise.

Max will have to feel free to take off and run this weekend. The other part that concerns me is the offensive line, we have struggled at times this season to sustain drives and stall out at mid field or in plus territory a little to often. I know some of this has to do with being banged up at center and guard and the Injury bug, but some of it is we get predictable in our run game and the D-line is keying off our O-line. That and Iowa's defensive line is traditionally strong and stout up front,
We seem better at pass protection than the running game right now, if we can nullify there rush and give Max time I think we win the game and put up some or a lot of points. I feel good about the Gophers chances but with the game at Kinnick over ther years not exactly a lot of success there. Thoughts?
 

My #1 concern heading into this game is our rush defense. It's easily been the weakest part of our D this year and Weisman and Iowa's rushing attack is pretty good right now.
 

For the most part I think Max did a good job of feeling the pressure and moving in the pocket during the Syracuse game.
 

beatles said:
My #1 concern heading into this game is our rush defense. It's easily been the weakest part of our D this year and Weisman and Iowa's rushing attack is pretty good right now.
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My main worry is the front 7 on defense as well. We have shown we can get pressure and contain a passing attack but we have not faced a quality rushing team yet and we didn't hold up the greatest when Western Michigan decided to run the ball. Iowa is very beatable right now but as I and others have stated includeing the OP we are going to see the best of whatever Iowa has on Saturday as this game is massive for them.
 

This will actually be Shortell's 3rd conference start. He started at Michigan and at Purdue last year. For this reason, I will go with QB as my biggest concern.
 


Front 7. Weiswhatever is a huge back. Kill prefers speed over size, which I like. But with this RB, I hope we can bring him down. Need to fly to the ball and gang tackle!!
 

Linebackers. Play Beal in the middle and we are much more physical upfront instantaneously.
 

For me, a toss-up between QB and LB. I lean more towards QB because I think we and our defense all know that Iowa is going to run the football first. So, for me, it is going to be how Max handles the crowd noise and everything that goes with it.

But, don't get me wrong, LB is also a extreme concern. Basically the front 7 in general against the run. :(
 

Kicker. This game could very easily come down to a missed FG or two. I may consider driving to Iowa City and choking Wettstein with my bare hands if he misses another XP-distance FG.
 



It looks like I'm in the minority, but I'd like to see the offensive line play better.
 

dpodoll68 said:
Kicker. This game could very easily come down to a missed FG or two. I may consider driving to Iowa City and choking Wettstein with my bare hands if he misses another XP-distance FG.
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UGH! Hasn't that been incredibly frustrating as well?!?!
 

lb easily. if we can stop this rushing attack iowa won't be able to move the ball. our offense will do just fine and get the job done if the d can get off the field in a timely manner
 

We have to be able to score points!

So, to me the biggest concern is the offense. Does Max melt down? Does the offensive line
pass protect, open holes, eliminate the penalties? In the same light we can't miss "easy" field goals. Most important, we can't turn the ball over.

I'm confident our defense will keep Iowa under 20 and hopefully under 15 but will we have 20 plus? Maybe we get some defensive touchdowns on Saturday. IMO our linebackers will be able to be more aware of the run versus Iowa and be in a better position to stop the running attack
than versus previous opponents.

I agree Iowa will be stoked! Pretty "darn" confident we will be too! And we are better than Iowa!
 





50PoundHead said:
It looks like I'm in the minority, but I'd like to see the offensive line play better.
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I agree 50poundHead. The only time Kirkwood made consistent yardage was when the went double
TE/ unbalanced line. I thought both Tommy and Ed Olson would be our best OL linemen.
Hasn't been. Ed has been pushed around like a rag doll.
 

offensive line is my big concern......i just don't think they are that good.....we need to run the ball efficiently

i think we can man up on their receivers and put another guy in the box.......i am thinking we do ok against their run
 


Offensive line. With injuries at the center and guard positions I'm concerned about our depth there. Seeing Christenson getting beat badly on that touchdown that was called back worries me. I'd be surprised if Olson will be able to play on that bad ankle of his. That said, I'm still optimistic they'll do fine and will be hoisting Floyd once again!
 

I'm concerned with:
OLine
LB's
DLine (vs rush...they tend to bull rush and allow rushing lanes to open up)
Kickers

To pick the one I'm most concerned with...I'll say DLine. They need to find a way to get consistent pressure on JVB yet still stay true to their lanes and bottle up Weisman before he even gets to the LBs. He's not shifty, he's a bruiser. So if you keep him contained and don't allow him to get his momentum down you can contain him to short yards. If you allow him to get full speed by the line of scrimmage he can bowl over a guy or two on his way to a big gain.
 

Kickers - I think Wettstein will have opportunities Saturday and he's got to capitalize so I'll agree with dpodoll68's (and others) assessments.

Also concerned about special teams return / punt block unit. I think we've been close on a few this year but just haven't found a way to get a TD return or a game changing block.
 

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