Is Iowa in PSU's head?

[Jimmie Dimmick]

It seems like they're putting so much of an emphasis on this game, the likes of which I haven't seen since the '98 ISU team.

2 questions:

1. Do you believe in the 'revenge' factor, and does it matter?
2. Do you believe that Iowa has crawled into the minds of PSU players/coaches/fans, and will this give the Hawkeyes a psychological advantage on Saturday?

[scottsdalehawk]

It seems like they're putting so much of an emphasis on this game, the likes of which I haven't seen since the '98 ISU team.

2 questions:

1. Do you believe in the 'revenge' factor, and does it matter?
2. Do you believe that Iowa has crawled into the minds of PSU players/coaches/fans, and will this give the Hawkeyes a psychological advantage on Saturday?

I think the revenge factor lasts about 30 seconds.

I do not think Iowa has any sort of psychological advantage. The better team will win Saturday. If Moeaki/DJK/Bulaga all play and Stanzi has a decent-good game, that team is Iowa.

[Hawk24]

It seems like they're putting so much of an emphasis on this game, the likes of which I haven't seen since the '98 ISU team.

2 questions:

1. Do you believe in the 'revenge' factor, and does it matter?
2. Do you believe that Iowa has crawled into the minds of PSU players/coaches/fans, and will this give the Hawkeyes a psychological advantage on Saturday?

I think the revenge factor lasts about 30 seconds.

I do not think Iowa has any sort of psychological advantage. The better team will win Saturday. If Moeaki/DJK/Bulaga all play and Stanzi has a decent-good game, that team is Iowa.

I agree with this assessment. If Iowa has any sort of psychological advantage, it's simply the knowledge that traditional powerhouse PSU is certainly not invincable...Iowa matches up well and has beaten them in the past and likely won't be intimidated going into the game.

[TH1974]

It seems like they're putting so much of an emphasis on this game, the likes of which I haven't seen since the '98 ISU team.

2 questions:

1. Do you believe in the 'revenge' factor, and does it matter?
2. Do you believe that Iowa has crawled into the minds of PSU players/coaches/fans, and will this give the Hawkeyes a psychological advantage on Saturday?

1. no.
2. no, no.

[Gushawk]

I tend to think that level of emotion and state of mind matters, particularly when teams with relatively like talent are facing off.

I think PSU will come out with a ton of intensity, and that it's at least largely attributable to what happened last year. We need to weather that initial onslaught, because that level of emotion can't be maintained for a full 4 quarters, and they'll come back down to "normal" perhaps even somewhat "deflated" level of intensity. Obviously, the better it goes for the Hawks early on, the quicker that happens.

However, if we continue to hang around late into the game, I think the psychological advantage turns to Iowa. All the pressure will be PSU to not let it happen again (and at home), and I think their players, perhaps unconsciously, tighten up and/or overthink.

[PlannedSickDays]

I've been trying to remember what book I read, I think it was The Education of a Coach where Bill Belichick was asked about emotion and the Super Bowl. He believed that his players shouldn't get too amped up before the game. He didn't want them all jumping around getting pumped up. His belief, and I believe this, is that the athletes get so much adrenaline at the onset of the game that later they fatigue easier and more than if it was a regular game. Makes sense, the body is over producing adrenaline and then to get back to homeostasis produces little adrenaline.

I agree if the Hawks can do something in the early mins of the game and keep it close they will be the stronger team in the end.

[newsbreaker]

I tend to think that level of emotion and state of mind matters, particularly when teams with relatively like talent are facing off.

I think PSU will come out with a ton of intensity, and that it's at least largely attributable to what happened last year. We need to weather that initial onslaught, because that level of emotion can't be maintained for a full 4 quarters, and they'll come back down to "normal" perhaps even somewhat "deflated" level of intensity. Obviously, the better it goes for the Hawks early on, the quicker that happens.

However, if we continue to hang around late into the game, I think the psychological advantage turns to Iowa. All the pressure will be PSU to not let it happen again (and at home), and I think their players, perhaps unconsciously, tighten up and/or overthink.

+1. These games put the road/unemotional team at an immediate disadvantage, but that can be turned into a later advantage if you can get through those first few minutes.

[MickerHawk]

I tend to think that level of emotion and state of mind matters, particularly when teams with relatively like talent are facing off.

I think PSU will come out with a ton of intensity, and that it's at least largely attributable to what happened last year. We need to weather that initial onslaught, because that level of emotion can't be maintained for a full 4 quarters, and they'll come back down to "normal" perhaps even somewhat "deflated" level of intensity. Obviously, the better it goes for the Hawks early on, the quicker that happens.

However, if we continue to hang around late into the game, I think the psychological advantage turns to Iowa. All the pressure will be PSU to not let it happen again (and at home), and I think their players, perhaps unconsciously, tighten up and/or overthink.

I second all of that.

[The Tin Man]

We are their Superbowl.

[funnelcake]

Seriously, Penn St is like Wisconsin to us- we match up well with them- Penn State has had some very average QB play it seems which benefits our defensive scheme of trying to shut down one aspect and make them beat you with the other.

I'm trying to recall ever getting drilled by Penn State, the games seem to always be close

[ivan_drago]

Seriously, Penn St is like Wisconsin to us- we match up well with them- Penn State has had some very average QB play it seems which benefits our defensive scheme of trying to shut down one aspect and make them beat you with the other.

I'm trying to recall ever getting drilled by Penn State, the games seem to always be close

We got drilled the last time we played their, but that was during Jake Christensen's Heisman run.

[funnelcake]

Seriously, Penn St is like Wisconsin to us- we match up well with them- Penn State has had some very average QB play it seems which benefits our defensive scheme of trying to shut down one aspect and make them beat you with the other.

I'm trying to recall ever getting drilled by Penn State, the games seem to always be close

We got drilled the last time we played their, but that was during Jake Christensen's Heisman run.

Thanks, and LOL

[sergeanthulka]

Seriously, Penn St is like Wisconsin to us- we match up well with them- Penn State has had some very average QB play it seems which benefits our defensive scheme of trying to shut down one aspect and make them beat you with the other.

I'm trying to recall ever getting drilled by Penn State, the games seem to always be close

We got drilled the last time we played their, but that was during Jake Christensen's Heisman run.

Thanks, and LOL

And even that game was relatively competetive until the defense realized they were going to have to actually score the points for us to have a chance...

[lilzaphod]

I'm trying to recall ever getting drilled by Penn State, the games seem to always be close

You were not around for their first game in Big Ten play in Kinnick then.

I believe we got shut out and drilled by 60 some points.

[The Full Monte]

I've been trying to remember what book I read, I think it was The Education of a Coach where Bill Belichick was asked about emotion and the Super Bowl. He believed that his players shouldn't get too amped up before the game. He didn't want them all jumping around getting pumped up. His belief, and I believe this, is that the athletes get so much adrenaline at the onset of the game that later they fatigue easier and more than if it was a regular game. Makes sense, the body is over producing adrenaline and then to get back to homeostasis produces little adrenaline.

I agree if the Hawks can do something in the early mins of the game and keep it close they will be the stronger team in the end.



if we can weather the initial onslaught...I think we're in good shape to win this ball game. What I worry about is getting down early and having 100,000 fans whipped up in a frenzy

[PlannedSickDays]

we do know that fans and the environment can't will a team to victory...see OSU @ Iowa 2005

[Vepr]

I hope we are. I cannot imagine what the BWI board will be like if we beat them again this year.

[L. Wade Childress]

i think home field advantage is tremendously overrated despite what the handicappers think. even more so in the NFL.

[FMHoosier]

I'm trying to recall ever getting drilled by Penn State, the games seem to always be close

You were not around for their first game in Big Ten play in Kinnick then.

I believe we got shut out and drilled by 60 some points.


31-0 and 61-21 comes to mind

[OlePeep]

we do know that fans and the environment can't will a team to victory...see OSU @ Iowa 2005

I do not believe there was such a game.

[funnelcake]

I'm trying to recall ever getting drilled by Penn State, the games seem to always be close

You were not around for their first game in Big Ten play in Kinnick then.

I believe we got shut out and drilled by 60 some points.

well, that was early- I am talking about since we have been a decent team