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Which Of The Big 3 Early B!G Games Will Iowa Win and Why?

B

BigDelHawk

Redshirt
Jan 9, 2004
45
38
18
My Prediction

Iowa beats Michigan. Michigan had 30 portal transfers and has yet another head coach, Kyle Wittingham. They will not have gelled yet. They will also have played against Oklahoma. Iowa will have much better film to view regarding Michigan's tendencies, they will be more exposed. Iowa will see more of their playbook than Iowa will have shown. ISU being down this year will allow Iowa to not have to dig deep into the playbook to win.
.
Michigan Offensive Changes
    • Base Offense: Transitioning to a spread offense utilizing 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three receivers) as its foundational look.
    • Coordinator: Led by offensive coordinator Jason Beck, bringing elements from his previous effective stops. [1, 2]

Michigan Defensive Changes

  • Base Defense: Implementing a 4-2-5 nickel base scheme (four-down lineman, two linebackers, five defensive backs) that shifts to a traditional 4-3 against heavier 12 personnel looks. [1]
    • Coordinator: Run by new defensive coordinator Jay Hill (formerly of BYU), focusing heavily on an attacking style, pressure packages, and man coverage

Less Certain is Ohio State. Iowa City at night is a big boost for Iowa. Both Iowa and Ohio State run a Shanahan Style of Offense. So both defenses will be running downhill as they see these looks every day in practice. Ohio State lost 35 to the portal, and are bringing in 17. Again, loss of depth and continuity that you cannot replace easily. Their full playbook will likely not be ready. This game is going to be tighter than the national pundits think. I call Iowa beats Ohio State by four.

Washington? That game is a loss, the West Coast jinx continues.
 
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MeetTheFerentzes

MeetTheFerentzes

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G

Grayhair1981

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Sep 3, 2006
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BigDelHawk said:
My Prediction

Iowa beats Michigan Michigan had 30 portal transfers and has yet another head coach, Kyle Wittingham. They will not have gelled yet. They will also have played against Oklahoma. Iowa will have much better film to view regarding Michigan's tendencies, they will be more exposed. Iowa will see more of their playbook than Iowa will have shown. ISU being down this year will allow Iowa to not have to dig deep into the playbook to win.
.
Michigan Offensive Changes
    • Base Offense: Transitioning to a spread offense utilizing 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three receivers) as its foundational look.
    • Coordinator: Led by offensive coordinator Jason Beck, bringing elements from his previous effective stops. [1, 2]

Michigan Defensive Changes

  • Base Defense: Implementing a 4-2-5 nickel base scheme (four-down lineman, two linebackers, five defensive backs) that shifts to a traditional 4-3 against heavier 12 personnel looks. [1]
    • Coordinator: Run by new defensive coordinator Jay Hill (formerly of BYU), focusing heavily on an attacking style, pressure packages, and man coverage

Less Certain is Ohio State. Iowa City at night is a big boost for Iowa. Both Iowa and Ohio State run a Shanahan Style of Offense. So both defenses will be running downhill as they see these looks every day in practice. Ohio State lost 35 to the portal, and are brining in 17. Again, loss of depth and continuity that you cannot replace easily. Their full playbook will likely not be ready. This game is going to be tighter than the national pundits think. I call Iowa beats Ohio State by four.

Washington? That game is a loss, the West Coast jinx continues.
Click to expand...
I have no idea whether the Hawks will beat Michigan but the "spread offense" tag should not lead anyone to think Utah was soft. They ran the ball 60% of the time under Whittingham. This is not the new Wisconsin offense. They have 6 defensive tackles over 300 lbs
They will be a challenge physically.
 
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B

BigDelHawk

Redshirt
Jan 9, 2004
45
38
18
Grayhair1981 said:
I have no idea whether the Hawks will beat Michigan but the "spread offense" tag should not lead anyone to think Utah was soft. They ran the ball 60% of the time under Whittingham. This is not the new Wisconsin offense. They have 6 defensive tackles over 300 lbs
They will be a challenge physically.
Click to expand...
Big linemen like that will tire once Lester gets them running the wrong direction and they have to adjust. Lester is a very good Offensive Coordinator. Watch the ANF podcasts on You Tube.
 
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W

WeBeHerkin

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Aug 5, 2016
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Michigan game will go back and forth and be close. If only we had them at our place. Kirk always has them ready in Ann Arbor.

we get beat by Ohio State. We got no one that can cover Smith.

I think we beat the Huskies as long as we win the turnover battle. I would guess in this game we will be about 66% rush and just wear them out.
 
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rchawk

rchawk

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Oct 27, 2001
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I have faith in the football smarts of Kirk Ferentz, Phil Parker, Tim Lester, the position coaches, to analyze why Iowa has trouble out west.

The Hawks fly as far as Rutgers and Maryland. What is it with Washington, California, and Arizona?

Maybe it's just plain bad luck.
 
B

BigDelHawk

Redshirt
Jan 9, 2004
45
38
18
WeBeHerkin said:
Michigan game will go back and forth and be close. If only we had them at our place. Kirk always has them ready in Ann Arbor.

we get beat by Ohio State. We got no one that can cover Smith.

I think we beat the Huskies as long as we win the turnover battle. I would guess in this game we will be about 66% rush and just wear them out.
Click to expand...
I hope you are right about the Huskies. Short week to recover has me worried.
 
H

HawksRule73

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I think Michigan is the most likely win. New coach, early in the year, tons of transfers, and KF always plays Michigan tough.

OSU is OSU. Don't see us winning, although I do think we keep it close. I think it'll closely mirror the Indiana and Oregon games from last year.

I think we've got a real shot against Washington, but with it being out West, I just don't see us pulling that one out.
 
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B

BigDelHawk

Redshirt
Jan 9, 2004
45
38
18
WeBeHerkin said:
Michigan game will go back and forth and be close. If only we had them at our place. Kirk always has them ready in Ann Arbor.

we get beat by Ohio State. We got no one that can cover Smith.

I think we beat the Huskies as long as we win the turnover battle. I would guess in this game we will be about 66% rush and just wear them out.
Click to expand...
Rectus Femorus injury for Smith last year has a high recurrence rate. We will see how healthy he can stay.
 
JerseyCityHawk

JerseyCityHawk

All-Conference
Jul 6, 2025
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BigDelHawk said:
My Prediction

Iowa beats Michigan. Michigan had 30 portal transfers and has yet another head coach, Kyle Wittingham. They will not have gelled yet. They will also have played against Oklahoma. Iowa will have much better film to view regarding Michigan's tendencies, they will be more exposed. Iowa will see more of their playbook than Iowa will have shown. ISU being down this year will allow Iowa to not have to dig deep into the playbook to win.
.
Michigan Offensive Changes
    • Base Offense: Transitioning to a spread offense utilizing 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three receivers) as its foundational look.
    • Coordinator: Led by offensive coordinator Jason Beck, bringing elements from his previous effective stops. [1, 2]

Michigan Defensive Changes

  • Base Defense: Implementing a 4-2-5 nickel base scheme (four-down lineman, two linebackers, five defensive backs) that shifts to a traditional 4-3 against heavier 12 personnel looks. [1]
    • Coordinator: Run by new defensive coordinator Jay Hill (formerly of BYU), focusing heavily on an attacking style, pressure packages, and man coverage

Less Certain is Ohio State. Iowa City at night is a big boost for Iowa. Both Iowa and Ohio State run a Shanahan Style of Offense. So both defenses will be running downhill as they see these looks every day in practice. Ohio State lost 35 to the portal, and are bringing in 17. Again, loss of depth and continuity that you cannot replace easily. Their full playbook will likely not be ready. This game is going to be tighter than the national pundits think. I call Iowa beats Ohio State by four.

Washington? That game is a loss, the West Coast jinx continues.
Click to expand...
I think they can beat Michigan and Washington
 
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JerseyCityHawk

JerseyCityHawk

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Jul 6, 2025
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BigDelHawk said:
My Prediction

Iowa beats Michigan. Michigan had 30 portal transfers and has yet another head coach, Kyle Wittingham. They will not have gelled yet. They will also have played against Oklahoma. Iowa will have much better film to view regarding Michigan's tendencies, they will be more exposed. Iowa will see more of their playbook than Iowa will have shown. ISU being down this year will allow Iowa to not have to dig deep into the playbook to win.
.
Michigan Offensive Changes
    • Base Offense: Transitioning to a spread offense utilizing 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three receivers) as its foundational look.
    • Coordinator: Led by offensive coordinator Jason Beck, bringing elements from his previous effective stops. [1, 2]

Michigan Defensive Changes

  • Base Defense: Implementing a 4-2-5 nickel base scheme (four-down lineman, two linebackers, five defensive backs) that shifts to a traditional 4-3 against heavier 12 personnel looks. [1]
    • Coordinator: Run by new defensive coordinator Jay Hill (formerly of BYU), focusing heavily on an attacking style, pressure packages, and man coverage

Less Certain is Ohio State. Iowa City at night is a big boost for Iowa. Both Iowa and Ohio State run a Shanahan Style of Offense. So both defenses will be running downhill as they see these looks every day in practice. Ohio State lost 35 to the portal, and are bringing in 17. Again, loss of depth and continuity that you cannot replace easily. Their full playbook will likely not be ready. This game is going to be tighter than the national pundits think. I call Iowa beats Ohio State by four.

Washington? That game is a loss, the West Coast jinx continues.
Click to expand...
That was a great write up by you and not being sarcastic whatsoever… great stuff and post more as I appreciate it at least
 
JerseyCityHawk

JerseyCityHawk

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Jul 6, 2025
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WeBeHerkin said:
Michigan game will go back and forth and be close. If only we had them at our place. Kirk always has them ready in Ann Arbor.

we get beat by Ohio State. We got no one that can cover Smith.

I think we beat the Huskies as long as we win the turnover battle. I would guess in this game we will be about 66% rush and just wear them out.
Click to expand...
Well said I agree.
 
r_desihawk

r_desihawk

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Jul 3, 2025
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my prediction is that zebras will determine whether iowa has a shot before these games even begin
 
PinkShizzle

PinkShizzle

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TheGreatDivider101 said:
It was here. The West Coast teams haven't been in the league long enough to play the long term members twice at home or on the road.
Click to expand...
Correct, I was just saying when the last time was that we beat Washington and didn't read closely enough about home vs away.
 
2D

2D

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Oct 8, 2013
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Hawks lose all three. Michigan is the most winnable, but the inexperience of the team will sadly be its downfall for these tough games. But it will be good experience as they have much easier games in the latter half of the season. Hawks will be rolling by November, and we'll all be psyched for 2027.
 
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JerseyCityHawk

JerseyCityHawk

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2D said:
Hawks lose all three. Michigan is the most winnable, but the inexperience of the team will sadly be its downfall for these tough games. But it will be good experience as they have much easier games in the latter half of the season. Hawks will be rolling by November, and we'll all be psyched for 2027.
Click to expand...
Come on man have some faith! But you probably or maybe right but hope you’re wrong!
 
JerseyCityHawk

JerseyCityHawk

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herkhatescy2 said:
Yes, I know that one but I could have sworn that I watch the game at Washington. Oh well. I'm old and can't remember crap and what I do remember ain't true..:ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
Join the club! All good… I am not sure if Iowa has ever played in Husky Stadium? I know it’s extremely LOUD …
 
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