**Official Illinois vs. Iowa Football Thread - 11am - BTN**

[L. Wade Childress]

In a game full of stupid coaching, Lovie’s dead clock time out left me speechless.

until I can grow that beard I can’t say a damn fucking thing.

 

[foxhawks]

I’m an idiot

 

[FLhawk]

I like that somehow Illinois had a small chance of winning the West and now their chance was ruined by the hawks

 

[Revolver]

I cannot recall a game where the run blocking and pass pro has been so night and day. The pass protection was outstanding and the run blocking was abhorrent.

Granted, I realize that they were stacking the box on running downs.

 

[Geese]

I cannot recall a game where the run blocking and pass pro has been so night and day. The pass protection was outstanding and the run blocking was abhorrent.

I can. It happened just today.

 

[douglasbader]

I cannot recall a game where the run blocking and pass pro has been so night and day. The pass protection was outstanding and the run blocking was abhorrent.

Granted, I realize that they were stacking the box on running downs.

I just don't know what we expect the line to do after watching some of the running plays again.

Nearly every single running play the line all takes a step in one direction and the entire Illinios team reads it and is slanting and flying into the gaps to blow it up.

All I know is that whenever this team runs a sneak they blow people off the ball 99% of the time. They seem to be far better when getting off the ball straight up the field and putting guys on their ass.

Kirk didn't forget how to coach line play all of a sudden after 40 years. Iowa doesn't lack talent on the line. The only explanation it can be at this point (and watching the game pretty much confirms it) is that other teams have found a way to defend the scheme and defenses overall are much quicker than even 10 years ago.

 

[Stu Beagle]

Our running game sucks. But once we get close to the red zone our lack of running game really hurts us, thus we constantly have to settle for 3

 

[Revolver]

I cannot recall a game where the run blocking and pass pro has been so night and day. The pass protection was outstanding and the run blocking was abhorrent.

I can. It happened just today.

 

[BluesHawk]

Perspective

Good kid.

Good quarterback too, just not great.

 

[douglasbader]

Watch the first Iowa possession of the second half. Multiple running plays with a talented quick back like Goodson and he has no chance.

Every single time the ball snaps, Iowa linemen in unison take a step at the same time in the same direction, the defenders see it and overplay and scream to the gaps. They aren't even trying to watch the ball or the running back, just watching the linemen for which way they are stepping so they can blow it up.

Iowa should be punishing teams over and over for playing like this against them. They should fucking play action / counter / RPO it every time until they stop doing it, but Iowa seems content to continue to slam their head into a brick wall as if it will magically change and the clock will turn back to 2008 and their zone scheme will beat up antiquated defenses.

 

[Fair and Balanced]

So Iowa kicked a FG on 4th and 1 inside the 10 to make it a "2 score game" with over 14 minutes left to go.

Then, with under 3 minutes to go, when a run play would force Lovie to use a TO and a FG would make it a "2 score game" anyway, they throw a fade out the back of the end zone.

Kirk Ferentz will kill me some day.

It was the right decision.

No it was not.

Two score game.

 

[Shawneemicks]

Shawnee believes that Friday's opponent has one of those antiquated defenses that is very susceptible to having their shit pushed in.

They are called the Nebrantska Cornhuskers

 

[thrawn]

Looks like the first sub-60k crowd for a Big Ten team since 2000.

 

[Stu Beagle]

Doug rips Iowa for never changing than picks Iowa to go off for 40 next week

 

[douglasbader]

Doug rips Iowa for never changing than picks Iowa to go off for 40 next week

No I don't.

 

[douglasbader]

Well, they are playing Nebrantska....

 

[douglasbader]

Illinois is a dirty fucking defense and they loved to talk shit all game. Slamming players, late hits, constantly going for the kill shot and yapping the whole time.

 

[Stu Beagle]

After Wisconsin you said they would light it up last 3 weeks

 

[douglasbader]

After Wisconsin you said they would light it up last 3 weeks

RATT

 

[douglasbader]

It was a joke @HiawathaHawk , I even put a smiley post right after.

 

[UnKnOwN_SeRb]

It was the right decision.

No it was not.

Two score game.

Td + fg and we lose.

 

[Fair and Balanced]

No it was not.

Two score game.

Td + fg and we lose.

Correct. Two scores.

 

[Fair and Balanced]

Doug rips Iowa for never changing than picks Iowa to go off for 40 next week

* then.

 

[The Full Monte]

I saw on Twitter that his parents decided they would rather go to the bowl game than senior day.

This type of shit is why the NCAA is a crock of shit. The university should be able to pay for his parents to fly here and back for his senior day.

Ferentz loves Young and I’m sure he would’ve loved to throw him some cash to help his parents be able to come to his senior day. Not that we needed further proof that Iowa is clean, but here it is

With the relatively inconsequential punishments handed out by the NCAA lately....the big dick move here would be for the school to fly his parents out, self report the violation with a “yeah, we broke the rules. With good reason, for a great kid. Suck it. We’ll take the penalty.”

 

[HiawathaHawk]

Probably a dumb analogy to many here but I kind of look at Nate similar to the Uthoff/Woodbury/Gesell era in basketball. High expectations, some moments of greatness, some dud performances in big spots with lots on the line, some big wins. Great kid(s) and representatives, good overall careers and more good than bad, but a step short of hopes. By the end you can appreciate their careers and like them but be ready to turn the page.

 

[Soda Popinski]

Nate drove me fucking crazy for 3 years but he was a great QB, great kid, and repped Iowa well. I wish him the best .

 

[douglasbader]

Probably a dumb analogy to many here but I kind of look at Nate similar to the Uthoff/Woodbury/Gesell era in basketball. High expectations, some moments of greatness, some dud performances in big spots with lots on the line, some big wins. Great kid(s) and representatives, good overall careers and more good than bad, but a step short of hopes. By the end you can appreciate their careers and like them but be ready to turn the page.

That is actually the best analogy you can make and hadn't thought of him like that. Solid player with a really solid career and a great kid everyone can be proud of.

I still think he has a chance to go out as on top as possible. Beat Nebrantska and win a bowl game against USC for 10 wins and a Top 15 ranking is really good.

 

[HiawathaHawk]

Not that it's anything new but talked to a few people down there today and it's all the same stuff about Nate as a kid, worker and team guy. Not a ton of stars in this senior class but a lot of cool stories and high character guys.

 

[douglasbader]

Not that it's anything new but talked to a few people down there today and it's all the same stuff about Nate as a kid, worker and team guy. Not a ton of stars in this senior class but a lot of cool stories and high character guys.

Their class has had a really good run. 12 wins, 7 wins, 8 wins, 9 wins and maybe 10 wins.

They helped raise the floor. Can't ask for much more than that.

 

[Renegade_ofFunk]

I’m going to let the season play out but I will say that any Iowa fans that would be pissed about 10-3 with this schedule and rash of injuries are complete fucking idiots.

 

[Tugboat]

Welch has played his ass off all year.

 

[HiawathaHawk]

Not that it's anything new but talked to a few people down there today and it's all the same stuff about Nate as a kid, worker and team guy. Not a ton of stars in this senior class but a lot of cool stories and high character guys.

Their class has had a really good run. 12 wins, 7 wins, 8 wins, 9 wins and maybe 10 wins.

They helped raise the floor. Can't ask for much more than that.

And if they beat Nebrantska, they have an awesome record in the trophy/rivalry games despite fucking Wisconsin.

 

[The Full Monte]

I’m going to let the season play out but I will say that any Iowa fans that would be pissed about 10-3 with this schedule and rash of injuries are complete fucking idiots.

I think you can be plenty pleased with 10-3 and simultaneously wonder “what if we had a dominant running game?”

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Probably a dumb analogy to many here but I kind of look at Nate similar to the Uthoff/Woodbury/Gesell era in basketball. High expectations, some moments of greatness, some dud performances in big spots with lots on the line, some big wins. Great kid(s) and representatives, good overall careers and more good than bad, but a step short of hopes. By the end you can appreciate their careers and like them but be ready to turn the page.

Also all white

 

[Stu Beagle]

Win Friday and this class will have dominated its rivals minus Wisconsin

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Stroke. Still alive.

 

[UnKnOwN_SeRb]

Two score game.

Td + fg and we lose.

Correct. Two scores.

You make a fg and you win if they score td + fg

 

[Wanderer]

https://allhawkeyes.com/pages/story/details/3364

 

[Wanderer]

How many sacks did Iowa have?

I’m seeing 3.

That’s what I’m hearing.

 

[rodg12]

Welch has played his ass off all year.

We beat Wisconsin if he plays. No doubt in my mind.

 

[Thanksgiving Dinner]

Not that it's anything new but talked to a few people down there today and it's all the same stuff about Nate as a kid, worker and team guy. Not a ton of stars in this senior class but a lot of cool stories and high character guys.

Their class has had a really good run. 12 wins, 7 wins, 8 wins, 9 wins and maybe 10 wins.

They helped raise the floor. Can't ask for much more than that.

The 2016 team had 8 wins.

 

[douglasbader]

Not that it's anything new but talked to a few people down there today and it's all the same stuff about Nate as a kid, worker and team guy. Not a ton of stars in this senior class but a lot of cool stories and high character guys.

Their class has had a really good run. 12 wins, 7 wins, 8 wins, 9 wins and maybe 10 wins.

They helped raise the floor. Can't ask for much more than that.

The 2016 team had 8 wins.

Sorry, that is correct.

12, 8, 8, 9 and maybe 10.

 

[Wanderer]

Has the fight happened yet?

 

[hawkimike]

Has the fight happened yet?

Doug is posting so we know who won

 

[douglasbader]

Has the fight happened yet?

Oh yeah. I beat the fuck out of him.

 

[Fritz Fequiere]

So Iowa kicked a FG on 4th and 1 inside the 10 to make it a "2 score game" with over 14 minutes left to go.

Then, with under 3 minutes to go, when a run play would force Lovie to use a TO and a FG would make it a "2 score game" anyway, they throw a fade out the back of the end zone.

Kirk Ferentz will kill me some day.

Of course this is a popular sentiment here, but it’s actually dumb.

Going up two scores took on a different meaning once there was under three minutes left. At that point it’s going to take an onside either way so there’s much better value in trying to make them have to get two TDs.

 

[CamelTones]

So Iowa kicked a FG on 4th and 1 inside the 10 to make it a "2 score game" with over 14 minutes left to go.

Then, with under 3 minutes to go, when a run play would force Lovie to use a TO and a FG would make it a "2 score game" anyway, they throw a fade out the back of the end zone.

Kirk Ferentz will kill me some day.

Of course this is a popular sentiment here, but it’s actually dumb.

Going up two scores took on a different meaning once there was under three minutes left. At that point it’s going to take an onside either way so there’s much better value in trying to make them have to get two TDs.

Yeah I don’t understand the logic people are throwing around there. The fade was the safest throw to avoid a turnover. Yes a FG makes it a 2 score game but you’d still rather have a TD. Plus the FG isn’t a given, they botched a damn extra point last week and shit like that sticks in coaches minds.

Don’t forget last year Iowa ran a fake against Nebrantska when they could have kicked a field goal to go up 3 scores early in the 4th quarter at Nebrantska’s 3 yard line. They didn’t get it and it almost cost them the game.

 

[26.2]

Has the fight happened yet?

Oh yeah. I beat the fuck out of him.

I actually beat someone else up that I thought was you. Oops.

 

[Rolo Tomassi]

I like that somehow Illinois had a small chance of winning the West and now their chance was ruined by the hawks

And Minnesota had a great chance of winning the West, and now their chance might have been ruined by the Hawks.

 

[MikeyJoe]

So Iowa kicked a FG on 4th and 1 inside the 10 to make it a "2 score game" with over 14 minutes left to go.

Then, with under 3 minutes to go, when a run play would force Lovie to use a TO and a FG would make it a "2 score game" anyway, they throw a fade out the back of the end zone.

Kirk Ferentz will kill me some day.

Of course this is a popular sentiment here, but it’s actually dumb.

Going up two scores took on a different meaning once there was under three minutes left. At that point it’s going to take an onside either way so there’s much better value in trying to make them have to get two TDs.

Yeah I don’t understand the logic people are throwing around there. The fade was the safest throw to avoid a turnover. Yes a FG makes it a 2 score game but you’d still rather have a TD. Plus the FG isn’t a given, they botched a damn extra point last week and shit like that sticks in coaches minds.

Don’t forget last year Iowa ran a fake against Nebrantska when they could have kicked a field goal to go up 3 scores early in the 4th quarter at Nebrantska’s 3 yard line. They didn’t get it and it almost cost them the game.

It’s not really about TD/FG (I mean obviously you’d naturally always prefer a TD), it’s that there’s way more value in burning clock or forcing Illinois to use a TO at that stage of the game.

And in terms of the earlier call, I know listening to announcers has conditioned everyone to always think of these things in terms of X score game, but that’s only a meaningful decision point when the number of possessions left in the game is meaningful in relation to the number of differential possessions the score is. Less than a minute into the fourth quarter, two possessions isn’t remotely meaningful. I’m actually not saying going for it was a no brainer decision, what I’m saying is that with that much time left in the game, you should make what you feel is the best decision, and making it a “2 score game” isn’t some strategic trump card.