That "wish list" of mine or whatever is going to be cut down quite a bit.
Nebraska makes the cut though.
Iowa has won 4 straight in the series.
Last year Nebraska only lost 28-31 with total yards essentially even at Iowa. Is this version of Iowa actually any better?
I don't think they are. In fact, I can't really find a game Iowa has played in the Big Ten I am impressed with.
Iowa outgained ILL 387-336, but ILL helped them out with 3 TOs to Iowa's 1. ILL out first downed them 20-16. Double check this, ILL outrushed them 192-79 (4.9-2.5). Iowa kicked a lot of FGs ,missed two longer ones and made 3 from the RZ, so maybe those should've been TDs. Two of their FG drives were off a fumble 9p 36y and the other was when ILL was sacked on 4th down at midfield right before HT. Iowa completed one pass and made a 45y FG.
Anyway, let's move on.
Iowa did beat Minnesota. But did so while being outgained by 141 yards! Unlike ILL, Iowa did outrush the Gophers 117-63, but Minny passed all over them - second most yards Min passed for all season; 25-39-368-1-1. Iowa D had 6 sacks, and they had 3 vs ILL, so that is something.
The Iowa Wisconsin game was really not close for 3 quarters. UW was outgaining them 211-93 HT and 322-131 up until 2min left in the 3rd Q. Then Iowa got their yards and their scores taking what was a one-sided 24-6 game to a 24-22 F.
Iowa only had 12-13 FG advantage at Northwestern? 20-0 shutout win is good and all, but only scoring 20pts on just 302 yards of O. Again with the Iowa sacks, 5 of them here.
Beat Purdue 26-20, eh, I guess Iowa did lead by 12 and 13, yards were even 362-360. Purdue fumbled twice in Iowa territory, once at the I09. PU did get a free FG out of the lone Iowa TO.
Then we are on the Penn State game, Michigan game, all that seems like forever ago.
I'm just not impressed with Iowa. I don't fear them like one might when you go against say a Wisconsin, or one of the other better teams in the B1G. They are just average, solid in some spots, solidly average in a good way. Nothing to get to excited or fearful about.
Now Nebraska, brutal.
I think people have probably made up their minds on Nebraska and with good reason, they have sucked against other average-ish or below average/bad teams (IU, PU, NW). So I guess it should be the same this week.
The Maryland game? Can't take anything from that. Other than I will say this. I do think a game like that can give the kids a little confidence back. You hit the punching bag, you execute like you are supposed to and you finally, finally see some fruits of your labor, it helps mentally.
After that, they are still the team with OL issues, QB decision making issues, kicking issues, defense issues, hanging their heads when it don't go right.
I just have some faith in this game, that it will go right. That's what you say when you can't provide any facts or figures to support a claim right? Faith.
Faith that Nebraska has some talent that can make plays, faith they have the will and the support at home. Faith they are healthier now than they have been (which is probably more fact). And faith in my judgement that Iowa isn't going to do anything that Nebraska can't handle. Other than the pass rush, that is going to be tough and if that happens often enough consistently enough, that can lead to some problems.
The Nebraska game 2 weeks ago against Wisconsin - sure Wisconsin is by far the better team. Badgers were when they played Iowa too. Against Iowa, Hawks were able to get their final score to make a once lopsided game not so lopsided. Against Nebraska, Huskers were stopped at the goal line to make the score a little more respectable (lost 21-37 instead of 28-37). Neb was actually SOD twice in the RZ and a total of 3x in Wisc territory and also missed a FG from the 34 (lots of missed FGs this year). Wisconsin ran for 320 against Nebraska, but how about Neb running for 270? Neb outgained them 493-482 (8.2-7.3). Neb was 50% 3rd down to Wisk's 33%. Wisc got 4 sacks, yup, that is going to be a problem. Wisc did ret KO for TD and kicked 2 FGs from RZ.
I think I have seen a little more of the offensive potential out of Nebraska since their late season bye week. They might not have all their goals left to play for, but they have one more left and after not going to a bowl game in '17 or '18, they are hungry for this one. That alone won't make it easy, but faith tells me they will have a shot. GBR