re: My Final Take on the Outback Bowl

I'm still waiting for an Iowa fan to explain how stopping our QB is going to win them the game. They think they win the game because of their strong running attack.

LSU's 2 RB's have 70 less carries than Iowa's, for about 330 more yards, and 14 more touchdowns.

And the post about Iowa having clear advantages on the OLine, DLine, LB, TE, and special teams? Wow.

In terms of All-Purpose yards Beckahm is #2 in the nation. Jeremy Hill is even #40. Iowa doesn't have a player in the Top 50. Not counting how good our kicking has been this year. Though you can expect Keehn to choke one punt a game.

La'El Collins was the #1 OT in his class. And rated as the #8 OT in the NFL Draft this year. In our loss to Ole Miss this year on the final drive we lost Collins, and I think 2 more of our lineman to injury as well as our FB Copeland. As long as our Oline stays healthy we have the advantage there.

Ego Ferguson is rated as the #5 DT in the NFL class and Anthony Johnson is rated as the #10 DT in the NFL class. And they've had a bad year even. They can play at a higher level.

I'll give you TE. Fiedorowicz is pretty good. Don't sleep on Jennings passing to Dickson and Smith. Mettenberger never realized the TE could catch a ball it seemed like.

Barrow is rated as the #8 ILB on the NFL class. Iowa's Morris is #14. Kirksey for Iowa is the #14 OLB. 2 of the bigger LSU LB's are Debo and Kwon both are sophomores. Welter is gonna Welter though. I'd say this is about a push.

Edit: CO_Hawk calling people out about sentence structure? Wow as well.

Ferentz on LSU

I know Iowa's defensive approach has been picked over a little bit in this thread. Considering that this will be Jenning's first start, conventional wisdom would dictate that they stack the box early and try to force him to make plays. That seems to be the safest choice.

However, looking back over the rest of the season, LSU fans know that this approach didn't work out well for those who tried it, thanks to Mettenberger's improved passing and Cam's gameplanning. The LSU offense did stop themselves at times with penalties and turnovers, but there were really only two defenses that slowed them down significantly.

First, Ole Miss made an interesting move that really paid off. Instead of stacking the box to bolster their banged up front 7, they played back and focused on keeping a safety deep in pass coverage to prevent big plays. Mett kept forcing the ball, resulting in 3 picks, and a lot of frustration. Cam didn't really adjust the gameplan until halftime, already down 10-0. Mett got on track in the second half, taking what the D gave him, but unfortunately, it was too little, too late. It was a smart, if unconventional move from the Ole Miss staff. I really don't think Cam and co expected it.

The second was obviously Bama, especially in the second half. After Mett was effective in the 2nd half, Saban dialed up the pressure and it killed us. The O-Line alone couldn't absorb the extra pressure, and 2 man routes weren't enough against their secondary using max protect. The young Tiger line wore down in the 3rd quarter, and that was it.

The interesting thing about the Outback Bowl is that, neither of the formulas that worked during the season are real options for Iowa. I don't think there is another D in college football except maybe Michigan State that is solid enough across the board to make Bama's gameplan work against our offense. Even UF couldn't pull it off, even though we went more conservative on O against them. I seriously doubt Iowa will. Plus, Jennings' mobility makes this strategy more risky.

As for Ole Miss' strategy, it doesn't seem like the smartest play, either. If Iowa doesn't play one safety up in the box, the Tigers will pound the rock on them until they do. We all know Les Miles. We kept getting greedy against Ole Miss, going for big plays with play action, but that probably won't happen this time out. It will be like the UF game. Pound, pound, and pound some more. Safe passes when necessary. With a healthy line, and a healthy Copeland for the first time in a LONG time, I would be shocked if iowa could stop this consistently playing the run straight up.

But again, with Jennings making his first start, I would bet that Iowa puts 8 or 9 in the box and dares him to make plays. There is certainly more danger for LSU in that strategy. However, we've all seen the circus catches that Landry and Beckham have made this year. I really hope that Cam and the staff are preparing the young man to stretch this defense and keep them honest. If Iowa wants to make LSU one-dimensional, the Tigers have to find a way to turn that against them. I would love to see some zone read, and if Jennings is up to it, a healthy dose of hurry up early to limit substitutions and wear the defense down.

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Sentence structure and reading comprehension are two totally different things, not that I'd expect you to understand.

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Dude, your in Iowa...

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Would any other school in the top 15 for NFL player production be laughed at and called blatantly untalented? And Iowa fans are idiotic to take the least bit of umbrage?

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When they are winning college games at the pace Iowa has been I don't think anyone would be afraid of their "talent". They may have produced a good bit of NFL players, but when your lingering around the 8-4 mark ( didn't look up records, just going off a guess here) for the past 10 years I don't think programs like LSU will be afraid by any means

ETA: not trying to bash on Iowa or anything, but some of their guys on here act like they've been playing for national championships and shite like that with how confident they are

True. And it is your board. And many have acted like twats. And the SEC does have 7 straight MNCs. So I can understand why many fans would be like, frick it, I don't need to listen to this. But Iowa has had 4 10+ win seasons since 2002, I think. Then there's a 9 win season, a couple 8s, 7s and 6s, and a 4, or something like that. Not amazing but certainly better than Cal, who's also on the NFL producer list but who (before their recent melt down) would never have been simply laughed off the board as untalented stiffs who will lose by 28 if LSU bothers to show up.

ETA: Forget Cal, think of all the 8-4 type SEC teams that come nipping at LSU's heels every year, most of whom don't come close to producing NFL players like Iowa. Are they just shown the exit and told, "Lol. 28 point victory if we try."

Not being a dick (and I'm rooting for Iowa in this one) but if the Hawkeyes stay within 10 of LSU I would be shocked. They will have to play perfect football and LSU needs to play like total dogshit for them to have a chance. By dogshit I mean 3 or 4 turnovers and giving up a few big plays...maybe a special teams TD and a pick 6.

Like I said, not being a dick but I've seen Iowa play several times this year and I just don't see them competing on this one. I hope I'm wrong though.

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Dude, your in Iowa...

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Dude, no I'm not. Neither is half of the Iowa fans on this board. We live all across the country, and outnumber most in the SEC.

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We live all across the country, and outnumber most in the SEC.

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You should define that last comment. How do you figure you outnumber SEC schools? In total graduates? In fanbase? Considering your stadium would currently be the 11th largest in the SEC, I'd say you are a little off base if that's what you meant.

I take it back. You weren't the Iowa fan making the accusation that Iowa had clear advantages at offensive line, defensive line, line backers, tight ends, and special teams. It was DesMoinesHawk.

Here's a question for you:
Do you think LSU or Iowa will have more yards on the ground by the end of the game?