Iowa could be a dog in 5 games this year

[VegasCy]

ESPN FPI win total: 7.7
Win Total over/under: 7.5

Iowa could be a dog in these 5 games:
@Wisconsin (lost 6 of 7 in series)
@Michigan
@Northwestern (lost 3 in a row in series)
@Nebraska
@ISU

Let's assume they can steal one of these and go 1-4 SU as a dog (ISU was 2-5 as a dog last year). That means they would need to sweep their homes games to go 8-4:
Miami (OH)
Rutgers
Mid Tenn St (don't sleep on this game, last losing season was 2012)
Penn St
Purdue
Minnesota
Illinois

I can see a scenario where they may lose 2 of 3 to Penn St/Purdue/Minnesota and have to beat Nebraska just to go 6-6.

By contrast, ISU may only be a dog twice, @OU and Texas. When, if ever, has that ever happened.

 

[enisthemenace]

Iowa’s defensive line will win them games. Really good.

 

[wgleason]

Aren't we dogs in Waco?

 

[Cyched]

In b4 ISR poo slinging match

 

[VegasCy]

Aren't we dogs in Waco?

Lines don't come out till game week. We could be a dog, but a win against Iowa and we will be the favorite.

 

[CyTwins]

Nebraska and their defense suck

 

[VegasCy]

Nebraska and their defense suck

I think they make a jump in year two under Scott Frost. They miss Michigan, Penn St, Mich St, so there schedule is cake. I think they win at 8-10 games in the regular season.

 

[CyTwins]

I think they make a jump in year two under Scott Frost. They miss Michigan, Penn St, Mich St, so there schedule is cake. I think they win at 8-10 games in the regular season.

Probably 8 wins due to getting to play in the Big Ten West but their defense will suck again

 

[Acylum]

They could easily win @ Wisconsin, NW, and Nebraska. All three are far from being really good FB teams.

 

[VegasCy]

Probably 8 wins due to getting to play in the Big Ten West but their defense will suck again

They get Wisconsin and tOSU at home. They could win one or both of those.There season will hinge on winning road games like @Purdue and @Minnesota. Part of me wishes they win the west and get stomped in a New Years 6 or January 1 bowl.

 

[CyTwins]

They get Wisconsin and tOSU at home. They could win one or both of those.There season will hinge on winning road games like @Purdue and @Minnesota. Part of me wishes they win the west and get stomped in a New Years 6 or January 1 bowl.

Winning at Nebraska isn't hard

 

[deadeyededric]

They will win 7 or 8 games.

 

[Aclone]

In b4 ISR poo slinging match

Needs to be moved there first.

 

[CyCloned]

Nebraska and their defense suck

Yeah, they have pretty much sucked on defense for the last decade, probably more. Until they throw something that resembles a defense out there I am not ready to crown them B10 champs.

 

[CyCloned]

Iowa’s defensive line will win them games. Really good.

They are very good, but Iowa is still going to have to score some points. A great defensive line can't always stop a great passing game.

 

[CyTwins]

Iowa’s defensive line will win them games. Really good.

Their LB's are going to be a liability

 

[VegasCy]

They could easily win @ Wisconsin, NW, and Nebraska. All three are far from being really good FB teams.

In the preseason computer rankings, these teams rank 16-40, depending where you look. My problem with Iowa is there offense. Last two games against NW, they are averaging 10 points per game. The last four games against Wis, they have averaged 11 points per game. Where is there offense coming from? Iowa used to be a program that was built on attention to detail and now for whatever reason it is not. I mean look at last year, NW, Penn St, and Purdue were all games Iowa should have won, but either there QB or coaching staff made awful calls/plays that cost them games.

 

[CyTwins]

In the preseason computer rankings, these teams rank 16-40, depending where you look. My problem with Iowa is there offense. Last two games against NW, they are averaging 10 points per game. The last four games against Wis, they have averaged 11 points per game. Where is there offense coming from? Iowa used to be a program that was built on attention to detail and now for whatever reason it is not. I mean look at last year, NW, Penn St, and Purdue were all games Iowa should have won, but either there QB or coaching staff made awful calls/plays that cost them games.

Iowa has really struggled to run the ball under Brian Ferentz and we all know their QB has his limitations. Iowa was very good in the red zone last year but that was largely due to two top 20 draft picks they would just throw it up to in the end zone

 

[enisthemenace]

They are very good, but Iowa is still going to have to score some points. A great defensive line can't always stop a great passing game.

Quick hitters, Man. Epenesa, if he remains healthy, is a freak. Good enough to disrupt a passing game by himself unless they are quick slants, etc. I’d like to see the good guys run right at him for positive yards. If we can do that, it’s a good sign. If not...trouble.

 

[VegasCy]

Quick hitters, Man. Epenesa, if he remains healthy, is a freak. Good enough to disrupt a passing game by himself unless they are quick slants, etc. I’d like to see the good guys run right at him for positive yards. If we can do that, it’s a good sign. If not...trouble.

I would love to see us take the next step this year. Think about all the heartbreak the last two years. Two years ago, 10 point fourth quarter lead against Iowa and OSU and lose, 11 point fourth quarter lead against KSU and lose, hold WV scoreless for 3 quarters and lose. Last year, hold Iowa to 13 points and lose, hold TCU to 17 points and lose, be the better team in the Alamo Bowl and lose. After game 4 we will know a ton about this team, beat Iowa and at Baylor, this team will for real and a real contender in the Big 12.