Matchup: Northwestern Wildcats (2-3, 0-2) at Iowa Hawkeyes
(3-2, 0-1)
Date:
Saturday, 15 Oct 2011, 6 pm CDT
TV:
B1G Network
Line:
Iowa gives 6 to the ‘Cats
Recap:
As anyone who knows this writer, I am genetically programmed to despise
Michigan. I really don’t even like the
colors, let alone the helmets. To sit and
watch that game last week was heartbreaking.
To hear the announcers gushing over Robinson almost made me vomit. The kid can run, but he is not even close to
a NFL prospect. Kordell Stewart was a
better prospect than Robinson, but I digress.
The Wildcats played the first half like a team on a mission. Persa was clicking and three long scoring
drives had them on top early. The
defense was reading Robinson like a book as he threw three interceptions each
one uglier than the one prior. Up 21-14,
the last of Robinson interceptions was returned to the NU 48 and Persa was going
for the kill. 3 straight completions and
then a Persa run had the ball on the Meat Chicken 3 yard line. Pass across the middle as time dwindled down,
Lawrence is open, dropped and NU settles for a field goal and a 10 point lead.
Would a 14 point lead at half made a
difference, we will never know.
I can’t even talk about the second half. 2 turnovers and a couple of offensive
breakdowns and NU was held scoreless.
Robinson went off, 28 unanswered points later, its 42-24. Back to the drawing board for Fitz and the
coaching staff. What was so frustrating
for me was 1. The Defense’s complete
inability to stop 3rd and long.
NU’s opponents have converted third down an amazing 55% of the time and
more shockingly 70% of the time in B1G play.
This has to change. 2. Persa brings his arm and looks good throwing,
but at least two times in the second half, I felt that he could have scrambled
for a first down, but instead forced a pass.
One for an incompletion and if memory serves, one for an
interception. Clearly, Dan Persa of last
year takes off and runs. The Achilles is
coming along but is not quite right as of yet (sorry Phillie Fans but Ryan
Howard is not playing until at least June next year IMHO). As Fitz has said all week, this team is
close. Can NU go bowling once
again? It has to change this
week
Outlook: The Iowa Hawkeyes are 3-2, losing to Iowa
State in a shoot out while roaring back against a Pitt team to score a
victory. Two other cupcakes and the
Hawkeyes were at 3-1 going into B1G Play.
The trip to Happy Valley was not pleasant and the Hawkeyes couldn’t put
it together losing 13-3. This is not
your Iowa team from the past. Passing is
the norm for this team, and not bruising running back play. James Vandenberg (no not James Vanderbeek
from Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues) leads the Hawkeyes on offense. He is completing 60% of his passes with 10
touchdowns and only 3 interceptions and an overall QB rating of 142. Big playmakers Marvin McNutt and Keenan Davis
lead the team from the receiver position, while Marcus Coker is their leading
back. Vandenberg can and will throw the
ball deep on NU’s corners. The secondary has to
make a few stops
PICK:
I don’t know what it is about Iowa, the pink locker rooms, their ability to
escape NCAA scrutiny when 13 players have to go the hospital for rhabdomyolysis
(muscle breakdown) from a “voluntary” workout, who knows, but I know if you
polled 100 ‘Cat fans and asked who they would rather beat Iowa or Illinois, I bet most of them would say Iowa. Sure the Land of Lincoln and Sweet Sioux
trophies are nice, but beating Iowa is special.
I cannot stand Ferentz and his mind games. Iowa is the one team that as a NU fan, I
want to demolish every year. NU has won
3 straight, and arguably this season is on the brink if NU loses.
GUT
CHECK TIME: NU 38, Iowa 35 –reminiscent of last year’s
victory, Persa throws a touchdown late to snatch victory from the dejected
Hawkeyes
Season:
Straight up 4-1
Against
the Spread 1-4
