***Iowa Pregame Thread***

[7Got6]

The talk all offseason was how is Iowa State going to replace 2 NFL wide receivers, but didn’t hear how Iowa is going to replace 2 All-Americans in K. Johnson and J. Higgins.

There’s been a lot of talk about how do you replace KJ2, like all of it ha. But I do agree on Higgins and Jackson.

 

[enisthemenace]

The tough thing about Brahmer is that there’s Burkle running around as well. How many teams have two guys that can cover pass catching TEs? As long as they stay healthy, it’ll be a big year for them.

Don’t forget about Moore. I know it’s early, but he has been used a lot so far too. Huge game last week. Maybe the most production I’ve seen from him his entire career in just that one game.

 

[7Got6]

I saw a stat somewhere that through 2 games, Iowa State has run only 4 plays with less than 2 Tight Ends. With Noel and Higgins are gone, ISU is modifying their offense to use their strengths. The offense will have a different feel than prior years. It will be interesting to see how Iowa defense responds as the quarters defense really doesn't bode well for a TE seam passing game

I think they’ll let them do what they want until they get to the redzone and then bracket Brahmer down there. That leaves Burkle though in a 1 x1 with ideally Sharar.

Just can’t give up any deep shots to your WRs like last year if you’re Iowa.

 

[Letterkenny]

I understand the sentiment about Nwampka. It’s why I have “who should be a stud anyway” in parenthesis.

What about their LBs though? Seems like a potentially huge mismatch in our favor.

Their LBs are old, but they haven't played much. Iowa is infamous for basically not rotating guys out at all other than maybe the DL. Hard to know how good they are, but I'm guessing it's a step back from what they had last year.

Their DL should be really good.

The only thing that worries me is if we can't stop the run and they just push us down the field killing clock over and over. Last year was the only recent game they ran the ball well against us, and they have most of their OL back, although no Kaleb Johnson.

 

[Cyfan1965]

Flush em!

 

[cyphoon]

I love this quote on their QB:

“just let the game come to him a little bit instead of trying to force things”

He wasn't forcing things. He was gun shy and hesitant.

H

 

[Cyhig]

Their LBs are old, but they haven't played much. Iowa is infamous for basically not rotating guys out at all other than maybe the DL. Hard to know how good they are, but I'm guessing it's a step back from what they had last year.

Their DL should be really good.

The only thing that worries me is if we can't stop the run and they just push us down the field killing clock over and over. Last year was the only recent game they ran the ball well against us, and they have most of their OL back, although no Kaleb Johnson.

I thought ISU did a great job stopping the run after the score was 19-7. Kaleb had a couple big runs that inflated his stats, but Iowa couldn't sustain a drive at all the final 1.5 quarters. Here were Iowa drives after the score was 19-7 with 4:47 left in the 3rd quarter

3 plays, 3 yards
3 plays, -2 yards
3 plays, 0 yards
7 plays, 14 yards (2 first downs)
6 plays, 8 yards (1 first down)

Summary
5 drives for 3 first downs and 23 yards.

 

[cyphoon]

“Not putting stuff on tape” has to be the dumbest excuse for playing poorly and the most overrated coaching tactic out there.

I would love to be inside a coaches meeting to see if this tactic is actually used. Seems to me like it is more important to exercise your playbook.

H

 

[CascadeClone]

I think their entire back 7 is down compared to what they’re used to.

I'm sure the offense will improve enough that the defense taking a step back won't be a problem.

 

[purpleclone]

I saw a stat somewhere that through 2 games, Iowa State has run only 4 plays with less than 2 Tight Ends. With Noel and Higgins are gone, ISU is modifying their offense to use their strengths. The offense will have a different feel than prior years. It will be interesting to see how Iowa defense responds as the quarters defense really doesn't bode well for a TE seam passing game

I wonder how many are true 12 personal with both TE’s attached. I would guess around a 1/3 of them have one of Brahmer/Burkle split out.

 

[EnkAMania]

He wasn't forcing things. He was gun shy and hesitant.

H

I agree. How is throwing the ball into the ground when the guy is wide open in the end zone forcing it?

 

[Cyhig]

I wonder how many are true 12 personal with both TE’s attached. I would guess around a 1/3 of them have one of Brahmer/Burkle split out.

I believe they said around 70% of the plays were in a 12 personnel, which at that pace would be the highest percentage in college football compared to 2024. Iowa was #1 last year

 

[Kinch]

I don’t think Iowa can appreciate how bad Gary Barta was at AD during his tenure. According to Wikipedia, in Barta’s first decade as AD, he ranked dead last or next to last in the Big Ten’s “director’s cup” eight of those 10 years.

 

[Pope]

I thought ISU did a great job stopping the run after the score was 19-7. Kaleb had a couple big runs that inflated his stats, but Iowa couldn't sustain a drive at all the final 1.5 quarters. Here were Iowa drives after the score was 19-7 with 4:47 left in the 3rd quarter

3 plays, 3 yards
3 plays, -2 yards
3 plays, 0 yards
7 plays, 14 yards (2 first downs)
6 plays, 8 yards (1 first down)

Summary
5 drives for 3 first downs and 23 yards.

The question for me is can we play that kind of defense in the FIRST quarter? Not nearly as worried about the second, third, and fourth quarter defense.

 

[Acylum]

They will turn on Free Rents in a New York minute, thinking the game has passed him by, he got his win and its time for hm to retire. Amazing that they do not know their own head coach, he will put his foot down to any talk of retiring, and EIU cannot afford to pony up the cash to buyout his contract. He is going to bury the program before he is forced out. Which will be great to watch.

I was stunned when Leistikow(I think) put Kurt’s retirement O/U at 4.5 years.

 

[Kinch]

According to AI, Granowski made over a $1 million NIL when he signed at Iowa.

 

[NWICY]

Hawkeye Reggie must have some really good weed

 

[CyCity]

According to AI, Granowski made over a $1 million NIL when he signed at Iowa.

He got $2 million. He should have plenty of money to buy anxiety meds before Saturday.

 

[NWICY]

Not gonna lie, I had those thoughts for a bit when watching Rocco and Brahmer shred SD. Then I saw Utah and Tech and TCU and ASU and I realized this league is going to be brutal.

Yep, I was feeling pretty good then watched Utah and TCU and realized we aren't the only pretty good team.

 

[Acylum]

He got $2 million.

I think that’s the source of the pressure he’s feeling more than anything else.