All joking aside, I think the UNI game is much more important than the Iowa game. That has not always been the case, but I think the script has flipped.
In the past, a win versus Iowa was huge for perception and team chemistry in the Big 12. The last two years have proven that it isn't the case. Instead, Coach has used the came to propel changes that resulted in better than expected Big 12 performances. Make no mistake, he wants to win that game, but I think the key is a solidified pounding of UNI heading in to a preparatory bye week.
Outside of
I think with a guy like Downing that it is realistic to expect him to be a significant player this year based on his preparation at the prep level. He is strong and has made an impact.
Ramos is a year behind but has an excellent grasp of the power position and will be ready to fill in if needed. He looks like he needs another year to me, but his footwork and base technique is solid. That is the key.
I had a long off-the-record conversation with Knipfel this summer. The things he was working on and that we discussed were exactly right and based on level 1 power position technique and footwork. By all reports he has improved in those areas and will be worth watching this year. With that type of leadership for the younger guys, it is reasonable to expect an impact at a rotational level.
I don't know who you were answering in the bolded above but I really like the concepts.