re: My Final Take on the Outback Bowl

quote:

---

Thanks for taking the time to offer your take on the matchup. I think it should be a good game. Personally, I think the Tigers will be more motivated than most Tiger fans seem to be, especially after last year's loss. But we'll see....

I agree that Iowa's run game and our ability to deal with it is one of the big keys to the game. Given the fact that we have struggled this year with teams that feature a power running game (Bama, Georgia...especially before Gurley got hurt, and Arkansas), I think we might be in for a real battle.

Your comments on the solid fundamental play of Iowa's O linemen rings true, and is echoed by what I've read in some of the predictions for the game. And, yes, it does seem to me that most of the players Iowa sends to the League are linemen.

I don't know what to expect from Jennings. He was great at the end of the Arky game, and he certainly brings another dimension to our offense with his mobility, but we'll obviously be missing Mett's maturity and experience. I agree with some other posters who have pointed out that if Jennings passes for something like 300 yards, we'll be in good shape.

---

This is the most level-headed post I've seen from an LSU fan since I've been on the board since the bowl game was announced (there have been some other good ones as well).

Thank you (you can make your 4 TD victory prediction now ).

Good info. Response to a couple of points you made for sake of arguement.

You talked about the battle in the trenches and I agree that Iowa probably has some good folks in there. What I see is the LSU OL winning this war simply becaue they are very good run blockers and pretty good pass protecters this year and they will not be outsized or over matched. On DL we were not bad - we struggled at the LB play which has improved but is lower than LSU historical standard. Even with that this squad ranked pretty good on SEC rushing defense this year. We were able to hold Auburn to under 300 - they put >500 yds rushing on Bama.

QB play is the other. There again I agree Jennings is a question mark due to lack of experience but he has been here since last Jan and has been the #2 since Spring Practice. He has a very good arm but more importantly he has excellent "touch." The big issue here though is that you can throw out about 80% of the film study you have on us with Mett because he will run a different play set for his talents. He is much more mobile than Mett ever was.

JMHO

This is a pipe dream . We can run and pass pal . Iowas offense will be just slow enough for our D to look like it has in past years . LSU 38 - Iowa 2

I see no scenario where Iowa wins big . I can see how either team can win . Iowa is a good football team and they do not suck . But , I do not see where they win big .

quote:

---

Not if we limit you to under 100 yards on the ground (now you can really start arrogantly laughing).

---

I won't laugh, but 5.1ypc and 200ypg are rof.
Iowa lost to every ranked opp faced and only have a decent avg rush ypg from the 6 mid majors/FCS faced, while LSU exceeded avg ypg vs 2 ranked foes.
If LSU stays dedicated and has 40+ rush att as I expcect, Iowa won't survive it.

quote:

---

Ain't gonna do it. I've been watching this sport long enough to know that you can rarely predict how a game is going to play out with any confidence, unless one team is clearly superior in almost every way. I can see scenarios in which either team could win big, but I think it will be fairly close...I would say within 10 points either way, depending especially on who does a better job in the run game. I do think that our offense will be a bit more effective than you seem to believe, but a lot of that depends on how Jennings does.

---

If I were Cam, I would bring Jennings out with a bunch of quick routes to the perimter, because I think we'll be playing pretty soft on the edges to start the game. This will build confidence and establish a rhythm.

LSU may also very well come out and try to pound the ball down Iowa's throat. If they're able to do this the Hawks are in a world of hurt. I think (hope) that Iowa's run D will be up to the task, which will put the burden on Jennings to play well.

I think we're on the same page, just different endings to the story.

You guys are definitely an assembly line of talent going to the NFL.

quote:

---

So Iowa is going to reach a point total they've only hit 3 times this year and once was against Western Michigan. And they're going to do it against a team who has only given up that total twice all season?

Add to that they're going to hold LSU to under 24 points which has only happened once all season?

Okay. Good luck.

---

The only thing I have to go on is that we've been a better team each and every game we've played this year. I think that will be the case again after three weeks of preparation.

You can't go by the entire season,because we're a totally different team than we were at the start. This is an Iowa team that, barring injuries, was going to improve dramatically due to increased experience for young talent. This is what gives me even more confidence for success next year.

You're playing against a team that could very well be a top ten team next year. There's no shame in losing to a team like that

quote:

---

You guys are definitely an assembly line of talent going to the NFL.

---

90% (106 of 119) of senior starters under Ferentz signed an NFL contract (draft or free agent). I would say that's pretty damn good for the "crappy talent" we get to Iowa City.

And your team will be beaten by a team that WILL be a top 10 team next year.
Keep yapping....