It’s been a weird 5-0
It’s hard to know what to make of Iowa’s 24-21 victory over Arkansas State on Saturday. This had a slightly different feel than the narrow escape over Northern Iowa in the season opener. In that one, the Hawkeyes really were outplayed most of the day.
On Saturday, they played very well at times but did it in spurts. They jumped to the big lead, then put it in cruise control. After Arkansas Stare scored to close the gap, they kicked into gear again. In the end, they did enough to win.
The outcome was similar, but you never had the feeling that Arkansas State measured up physically. The Hawks just seemed to fade in and out mentally.
In any case, it has been a pretty bizarre 5-0 start for Iowa. The two closest games were both at home against the two teams you figured they had the best chance of beating. The two most lopsided games score-wise have been the two road games, one of those against a team few people thought they would beat. Go figure.
This team seems to have a remarkable ability to play up or down to its level of opposition, which might be a good thing now that they’re down to just Big Ten games.
October 4th, 2009 at 9:23 am
It looked to me that the Hawks on both sides of the ball were either trying new schemes to ’show’ Michigan, or actually use against Michigan. For example, the deep pass play which has not really been a factor in the first four games.
Not sure how Bulaga really did - is he ready for Michigan?
Prediction - if one of our tailbacks gains over 100 yards vs Michigan, the Hawks will win.
Thoughts?
October 7th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
The play that caught my eye was the reverse pass with ex-quarterback Marvin McNutt throwing the ball. Why run that against Arkansas State unless they’re setting up future opponents? The next time McNutt gets the ball on a reverse you might see the opposing defense falling back into coverage instead of rushing up to tackle him.
I like Iowa’s chances any time they have a back rush for 100 yards. But I think the bigger factor in this — or almost any — game is turnovers. If the Hawks don’t give Michigan any easy touchdowns, they win.