NU @Io_a Prediction Thread

rmndcat

Junior
Sep 4, 2009
2,805
234
63
Wednesday means prognostication....less fraught than the Nate Silver kind.

Purple Cats 31
Pink walls 27
 

zeek55

Junior
Nov 21, 2010
3,651
277
83
If we lock up AJ Epenesa and keep their DL in check:


NU 27
Iowa 21


[Not giving the alternative (would be ugly); have to have a great game by the OL and CT.]
 
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GECat2

Sophomore
Oct 8, 2012
1,927
174
63
Cats: 24
Fans who have nothing to live for except their college football team: 21
 

LACatFan

Freshman
May 29, 2001
2,842
96
48
Heart has High Hopes. But my gut says that the Hogeyes humble our Cats. The quest for the West title will have to wait.

Iowa - 27
NU - 17
 

mikewebb68

Senior
Oct 24, 2009
9,811
501
113
Toughest one of the yeae to predict for me since ot is tough to know if Io_a will bring their A gsme after being essentially eliminated from the title game last week..

I''ll guess:

Us 20
Them 17
 

Skolcat

Redshirt
Oct 22, 2016
100
10
0
NU 14
UI 13

They have more yards etc and 3 scores v 2, yet we hold on for W somehow.
 

stpaulcat

Senior
May 29, 2001
35,302
873
113
We have been too erratic this year. Almost beating teams we shouldn't, beating teams we weren't expected to, beating teams who already had us beat, and losing to teams we shouldn't, the latter being what I believe will happen this week, because when it really comes down to it we can't beat the teams we really need to, even though we may be capable.

IO 27
NU13
 
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GreenBayCat

Redshirt
Apr 25, 2005
865
14
0
Major challenge here. Our somewhat sputtering in crunch time and Q3 offense against a good defense. Three really good tight ends to cover. Those Iowa tight ends can burn you, and sometimes they grow up to be the Acting Attorney General.

A win pretty much locks up a trip to Indy. Why expect us to make things simple and easy? So not Northwestern.

I’ll respect the line here.

Iowa 35
Northwestern 24
 

CatFanEd

Redshirt
Jun 8, 2001
1,151
34
48
We have been too erratic this year. Almost beating teams we shouldn't, beating teams we weren't expected to, beating teams who already had us beat, and losing to teams we shouldn't, the latter being what I believe will happen this week, because when it really come down to it we can't beat the teams we really need to, even though we may be capable.

IO 27
NU13
Cats 24
Hawks 14
 

nu greek

Freshman
Nov 11, 2001
3,145
95
38
Hawks have to win. TE'S are amazing and get open. This is a tough one.
Io_a 45
NU 14
 

chrisnw

Redshirt
Jun 11, 2010
10
8
0
After the last two weeks, I think Iowa will be out for blood. Especially with this game at home. Plus, I do not see them dropping three in a row.
Iowa 35
NU 7
 

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
25,621
2,028
113
After the last two weeks, I think Iowa will be out for blood. Especially with this game at home. Plus, I do not see them dropping three in a row.
Iowa 35
NU 7

So, you created a new account just to predict a NW (sic) loss? Nice.
 

corbi2961

Senior
Sep 9, 2005
30,524
786
0
Everytime I pick the cats to lose they win so therefore Iowa 28th Northwestern 21

That’s the spirit Chuckster. Find a silver lining in your negativity. I like it.

I do agree this will a very difficult game for NU. Iowa is desperate for a win and their fans will be jacked. Thorson and the Cats will need to play one of their better games to prevail.
 

StreamCat

Sophomore
May 29, 2001
11,781
132
0
Oh no! A sarcastic zinger from an anonymous person! However will I sleep tonight?!?!
Yep, it will very slowly eat at you, gnawing and clawing at your psyche until you break down into a steaming puddle of tears.
 

JoeWildcat

Sophomore
Jul 31, 2001
2,720
130
46
Not very optimistic about this game, but if NU doesn't lose the turnover battle, I think they pull it out late: NU 21, Iowa 20.
 

AtlantaCat

Sophomore
May 29, 2001
13,567
170
63
In assessing the Iowa game, I predict we will beat Minnesota and Illinois. I am optimistic like that.
 
Jan 19, 2015
2,659
248
63
Outside of —some—of our NU fan base, nobody is picking the ‘Cats to win this game. Previous “good” wins are seen as due to propitious timing ( PU early before they locked in ), good ongoing karma ( MSU ) , or beating an opponent who simply is not enjoying a vintage year ( Wisc. ). Zero respect. Fitz ought to have the team jacked for this game. Agree, still a very tough game in a tough place. And CT has to be much better this week. But I’m going with my heart on this one. ‘Cats win and announce arrival as B1G West winners.
 

eastbaycat99

Sophomore
Mar 7, 2009
2,523
182
48
Iowa 28 NU 20. Cats’ will miss injured DBacks a lot unfortunately. I am pinning my hopes on Thorson snapping out of it and having a very good game. The Iowa defensive schemes suit his strengths, and if he can find a rhythm to execute possession passes, the score above would change to a 24-21 Cats’ win. Either way, I would be surprised to see these two teams, which are both methodical, possession based offenses score more than 50 combined.
 

mikewebb68

Senior
Oct 24, 2009
9,811
501
113
Can some of rhe posters who are predicting that we will be blown out here provide some sort of rationale? we haven't been blown put in a long, long time, not even by two of the top four teams in the country! So why are we getting blown out in THIS game? One reason that was given is that this is a must-win for Iowa, but that is not the case; last week was a must-win for them, and they didn't do it; this week's game merely affects their bowl placing, as they are toast in the BIG West race...
 

EvanstonCat

Senior
May 29, 2001
50,767
767
73
Iowa 28 NU 20. Cats’ will miss injured DBacks a lot unfortunately. I am pinning my hopes on Thorson snapping out of it and having a very good game. The Iowa defensive schemes suit his strengths, and if he can find a rhythm to execute possession passes, the score above would change to a 24-21 Cats’ win. Either way, I would be surprised to see these two teams, which are both methodical, possession based offenses score more than 50 combined.

I'm not following the logic. If Thorson finds a rhythm and plays better we score 1 more point and Iowa scores 4 less? I guess you may be factoring in field position working in our favour to limit Iowa to two FGs instead of a TD (doesn't make sense, but whatever), the ability for us to punch in a TD instead of FGs (again doesn't really make sense, but whatever) and less turnovers or something.
 

zeek55

Junior
Nov 21, 2010
3,651
277
83
Can some of rhe posters who are predicting that we will be blown out here provide some sort of rationale? we haven't been blown put in a long, long time, not even by two of the top four teams in the country! So why are we getting blown out in THIS game? One reason that was given is that this is a must-win for Iowa, but that is not the case; last week was a must-win for them, and they didn't do it; this week's game merely affects their bowl placing, as they are toast in the BIG West race...
People who are predicting an Iowa blowout are probably guessing that our OL gets completely outplayed which basically ruins our offense. And that Stanley and the Iowa offense (their TEs especially) have a big day against our secondary.


I find it hard to believe there's any other obvious scenario that would lead to a big Iowa beatdown on us.


This game is very simple: if our OL keeps Epenesa/Nelson/Hesse away from CT, and our defensive coverage is reasonably good, we can get Iowa into a 3-6 point game that's winnable.


If the opposite? Iowa crushes us.
 

eastbaycat99

Sophomore
Mar 7, 2009
2,523
182
48
I'm not following the logic. If Thorson finds a rhythm and plays better we score 1 more point and Iowa scores 4 less? I guess you may be factoring in field position working in our favour to limit Iowa to two FGs instead of a TD (doesn't make sense, but whatever), the ability for us to punch in a TD instead of FGs (again doesn't really make sense, but whatever) and less turnovers or something.

Logic is that if Thorson can control through a short passing game, it reduces the number of possessions each team has because of the long drives. If not, the Cats fall behind and have to push the ball downfield. They score some points but give Iowa more possessions.