Outback it is. #TeamBloominOnion

[Trojanbulldog19]

Iowa has the #8 total defense in the country. Allowing 102 YPG rushing. State allows 104 just FYI.

Tough matchup

After watching Michigan's number 1 defense get absolutely get destroyed by an offense with a pulse. I would say I don't put a lot of weight into Big 10 defenses ranked very high.

However, our offense hasn't performed very well against defense that are that great. I expect them to be a lot like TAMU and Auburn on Defense. Probably not near as good. We should move the ball fine.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

I guess I understand the angst by some on this board regarding the Outback bowl and the snub from 20 years ago but ESPN2 at noon on NYD isn't that exciting. I also don't think our fanbase will travel well to Tampa. I do like the opponent.

Playing on New Year's Day in Florida is a big deal. Sure it's not a NY6 or the Citrus but it's better than Gator/Belk/Music City. Best we could have hoped for after the train wreck 2 weeks against KY and Florida.

 

[campshelbydog842003]

Iowa is a solid program, a lot like us. Gritty, blue collar, and physical. We are playing the Big 10 version of us

We are playing the Big 10 version of LSU with worse players.

 

[JoMo MoJo]

#toldyall

 

[mcdawg22]

Well no one will have to take the chance of being raped and murdered in Memphis.**

Why? Is Bob Saget there?

 

[HawkDawg]

Iowa's defense (from a Hawk fan point of view) can be extremely hard on the old ticker. They have been up and down this year, some games looking like world-beaters and other games watching teams move up and down the field. Traditionally, it is a bend-don't-break defense, allowing the short passing game to move between the 20's and then locking down in the red-zone, which has led to more wins than losses. I haven't seen enough of State this year to get a good feel for your team, so not making any predictions here, but unless you have a really good run game, the Hawks will take that off the table, forcing a one-dimensional game. They are pretty good about containing mobile quarterbacks as well. Our d-backs (young) can get burned frequently, but they tend to have a real knack for being in the right place at the right time for an interception or two each game (which always seem to be at critical times). A lot of talk right now about Noah Fant leaving for the NFL and not playing in the game, but what I haven't seen mentioned a lot is that our "other" tight end (Hockenson) is actually a better over-all package (and likely to win the Mackey award this year). Run game is average, and passing game is hit and miss this year. Depends on which Nate Stanley (QB) shows up for the game.

 

[Ranchdawg]

Iowa's defense (from a Hawk fan point of view) can be extremely hard on the old ticker. They have been up and down this year, some games looking like world-beaters and other games watching teams move up and down the field. Traditionally, it is a bend-don't-break defense, allowing the short passing game to move between the 20's and then locking down in the red-zone, which has led to more wins than losses. I haven't seen enough of State this year to get a good feel for your team, so not making any predictions here, but unless you have a really good run game, the Hawks will take that off the table, forcing a one-dimensional game. They are pretty good about containing mobile quarterbacks as well. Our d-backs (young) can get burned frequently, but they tend to have a real knack for being in the right place at the right time for an interception or two each game (which always seem to be at critical times). A lot of talk right now about Noah Fant leaving for the NFL and not playing in the game, but what I haven't seen mentioned a lot is that our "other" tight end (Hockenson) is actually a better over-all package (and likely to win the Mackey award this year). Run game is average, and passing game is hit and miss this year. Depends on which Nate Stanley (QB) shows up for the game.

Hey Hawk, thanks for dropping by. Game looks like it may be a low scoring affair. Y'all have the edge on us passing. We're 111 while y'all are sitting at 68. We have the edge in rushing with y'all at 77 and we are at 21. Both defenses are stout. It looks like it will be a grind it out game which we are used to in the SEC. Our QB broke the career rushing record in the SEC this season passing Tim Tebow. Our offense has been slowly transitioning to the RPO that our new coach installed earlier this year. Slower than a lot of our fans would have liked with the talent on our team. It sounds like Stanley and Fitzgerald will determine who wins the game because like Stanley it depends on which Fitzgerald shows up for the game.

 

[mstateglfr]

Our SoS = 5. Iowa = 34.

Highlight of their season is beating 4-8 Nebraska

Not the ranked Iowa State team?