CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: Big Beef Tacosupreme on October 07, 2019, 11:11:19 AM
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It seems like Penn State always draws Iowa at Kinnick for a night game. Iowa is the toughest place to play in the B1G. That night time home field advantage is worth 14 points.
Penn State Defensive Line vs. Iowa O Line - (Where the game will be decided, IMO)
I took some time to watch the Iowa - Michigan game last night to see why Michigan was so effective at stopping the Iowa passing game. I noticed something fairly striking. From my point of view, it looked like Michigan was holding the Iowa receivers on nearly every play, and the holding got worse as the game progressed. It was as if Michigan realized the officials were going to let them get away with it, and went all in. In short, I don't think we saw an accurate representation of the Iowa passing attack. What does this have to do with the Iowa OLine? Read on.
Penn State's defense has a weakness. While they have been excellent against the run all year, there have been times in which the PSU defensive line has not been able to bring pressure. This has allowed other teams to sit back in pocket and pick apart the PSU secondary. While the PSU pass defense is excellent, they cannot be expected to cover receivers indefinitely.
Iowa gave up 8 sacks to Michigan last week. However, Penn State won't be holding the Iowa WRs on nearly every play like Michigan was. This prevented a lot of quick passes and certainly resulted in disruption of pass plays. In addition, that was the first time Iowa's O-Line had really been tested. I think the Iowa team will have learned some valuable lessons that will pay off against PSU. Keep in mind that Pitt was able to hold PSU to 2 sacks and gave Kenny Pickett all kinds of time to throw the ball.
Finally, Iowa's offensive line has been decent when running the football. Their tailbacks averaged close to 3 yards per rush against Michigan. While this isn't great, it will certainly come in useful in short yardage situations. Also, Buffalo was able to have success with runs between the tackles, something that Iowa does regularly.
Will the Iowa offensive line be able to feed off the crowd*? Will they learn from their experience against Michigan? Will they be able to run the ball in short yardage situations? Will they design plays to get rid of the ball quickly?
I think they will.
-- More to come --
*Or will the Iowa crowd steal PSU helmets off the bench during the game as per tradition? Haha
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Wisconsin laid out the blueprint to shutting down Iowa several years ago:
- Show odd fronts
- Slant hard vs the run
- Be physical with receivers
- Blitz like crazy
Michigan did all that on Saturday.
Since they've developed zero plans to deal with that over 4-5 years, I've come to realize expecting such is a lesson in futility.
I'm on mobile now, but I'll come back with some offensive (partially intentional pun) numbers vs good defenses. I don't expect much production this week.
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Wisconsin laid out the blueprint to shutting down Iowa several years ago:
- Show odd fronts
- Slant hard vs the run
- Be physical with receivers
- Blitz like crazy
Michigan did all that on Saturday.
Since they've developed zero plans to deal with that over 4-5 years, I've come to realize expecting such is a lesson in futility.
I'm on mobile now, but I'll come back with some offensive (partially intentional pun) numbers vs good defenses. I don't expect much production this week.
There's being physical with the receivers, but I think Michigan took it way too far. Penn State isn't going to do that.
It would shock me if Penn State showed an odd front. They do slant and blitz on occasion, but I wouldn't say "hard" or "like crazy."
Good news for Iowa? haha
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why in world won't PSU start out grabbing receivers if it worked last week and it's on film to see? True, playing in Kinnick they may not get away with it. Ferentz may have sent some video to the commish/Referee office this week. But it seems it would be worth a try.
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Penn State Offense vs. Iowa Defense:
Penn State's offensive line is probably the most criticized unit on their team. However, I actually think they are fairly decent. Most of the sacks allowed have been due to running backs failing to pick up a defender, and aren't really on the OLine at all. It's also much harder to protect against the RPO. I think this may go down as one of Franklin's best offensive lines.
Clifford has actually been EXCELLENT against the blitz the last two games. I actually prefer when teams blitz against Penn State, because those often result in positive plays. Purdue was able to slow down Clifford by abandoning the blitz package and pass rush and maximizing pass coverage.
Sounds good, right? Except...
Only one team has had the ability to get to Clifford consistently; Pitt. Although Pitt did blitz fairly regularly, they were able to get consistent pressure by rushing just 4 guys. Clifford was knocked to the turf early and often, and it rattled him. It was, by far, the worst game Clifford has had in his career. Iowa's defensive line is at least on par with Pitt's. PSU has not faced a player with AJ Epenesa's skill yet, and that will severely effect the PSU offense.
Penn State's offense has been racking up big numbers against inferior defenses, and only managed to score 17 against Pitt. For reference, Pitt is ranked the #27 defense overall, while Iowa is ranked #5. It is probable that Penn State will be held to 17 points or less.
The crowd noise will also be a factor. This game will be another defensive slugfest. I do think Penn State has the ability to hit a big play now and again, but will struggle to move the ball consistently.
It will probably come down to a turnover or some other big play, but I like Iowa to win a defensive battle. The home environment, the benefit of playing a similar team last week, and the huge defensive advantage will be just too much for Penn State to overcome.
Iowa 17, PSU 10
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why in world won't PSU start out grabbing receivers if it worked last week and it's on film to see? True, playing in Kinnick they may not get away with it. Ferentz may have sent some video to the commish/Referee office this week. But it seems it would be worth a try.
Franklin doesn't do that stuff. Part of his spiel is how he prepares guys for the NFL. That certainly wouldn't fly in the NFL.
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Can't wait for this game. It will be my first trip to Kinnick stadium.
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Can't wait for this game. It will be my first trip to Kinnick stadium.
Where you staying? Where you sitting? When arriving?
If no other plans you might try going to Amana about 20 miles away. There are 7-villages where a German communal religious sect settled. They abandoned the communal ways in the early 1930s. They are very productive. There is a woolen mill, furniture factories and clock making, bakery, and of course Amana Refrigeration which is a sizeable employer. They run the Amana Society farm. There are bed and breakfasts. And two great German family style restaurants, the Ox Yoke Inn, and The Ronnenberg.
The Hawkeye Beer Band will probably be wandering downtown Iowa City Friday night. I don't think in the circa 25-years PSU has been in the Big Ten they have developed a parody for the Penn State fight song, yet. But in time … they should.
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Can't wait for this game. It will be my first trip to Kinnick stadium.
Enjoy Iowa City. It's a fun place to be for a weekend, and night games don't get much better than at Kinnick.
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I am pretty excited, this being a night game, and Iowa and Penn State play hard against each other.
I'm staying about 2 hours to the east, in Galesburg. I just saw that Amana is west of Iowa City.
Any recommendations for dining to the east? I'd like to know what campus landmarks I should visit. I'm also ignorant of the parking situation for games.
As for the gme itself, I'm high up in section 102, I think that is in the visitor's section.
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Section 102 is a visitor's section. In the 80s and 90s I had similar season tickets. They are okay, just not the greatest. The stadium is compact.
I do not have a great deal of expertise on what dining is east of Iowa City. If you are all the way over in Galesburg you won't be in Iowa City on Friday night. We have a small chain restaurant called The Machine Shed with a location in Davenport which I was at probably 30-years ago. Its reputation is good. https://machineshed.com/davenport/ (https://machineshed.com/davenport/) It is near the intersection of I-80 and State Hwy. 130. If you aim for it, take the I-80 route around the Quad Cities, not the I-280 route.
Depending on your tastes, you could go to the World's Largest Truck Stop, the "Iowa 80" a bit further west along I-80 in Walcott. They even have a trucking museum. I am sure there would be plenty of food choices.
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is in West Branch, but it's probably for another day if you are traveling to and from Iowa City from Galesburg.
On campus if you were to go to one place, I would visit the Old Capitol on the Pentacrest, a series of 5-buildings which includes the Old Capitol. The four others are where liberal arts are taught to undergraduates. It was the state capitol for about 10-years in the 1840s and 50s. It serves as a museum. You could wander into MacBride Hall on the Pentacrest where the Museum of Natural History is, but you would lose some tailgating time.
Parking - depends on many factors. If you are there to see attractions such as Old Capitol on the East Campus, I would consider taking the Dubuque St Exit off I-80, and parking in one of the downtown parking ramps on the east side of downtown located probably 1.5 miles away from the stadium on the east side of downtown. I think there is a ramp on Iowa St. that is far enough away it doesn't necessarily fill up right away on game day. You can walk up Iowa St and see the capitol, Iowa City's version of Pennsylvania Ave. Downtown Iowa City has many shops, taverns and restaurants, and is worth visiting. There will be plenty of football revelers downtown.
If your focus is gameday tailgating, and you have your grille, beverages, and food, I would consider taking the 1st Avenue Coralville Exit, and then left on 2nd St. a/k/a U.S. Hwy 6, and then traveling east to either Hawkins Dr. which is about 6-lanes wide and going right up the hill, and search for parking in one of the lots near the Arena, or just a little further east there is a tiny little road unbeknownst to visitors called Newton Rd. It goes past Carver Hawkeye Arena. where you will take a right and attempt to navigate into one of the University lots if you are there early enough. You will see the dental building on the left a white cement structure shaped like someone's choppers. We used to park in that lot in the 1980s and 90s. It might possibly be reserved now, I don't know, if it is you keep going straight and there is a grass lot between the Arena and the baseball stadium.
It is a large campus by acres divided by the Iowa River. The west campus is where Kinnick Stadium, and most of the graduate school programs are located. Here is a really helpful interactive campus map, so you can click on buildings and find points of interest you might be interested in seeing. https://maps.uiowa.edu/?explore=poi (https://maps.uiowa.edu/?explore=poi)
(https://maps.uiowa.edu/?explore=poi)
Dress warmly. Temps will be in the 30s and 40s.
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Why Galesburg? Last-minute plans?
Anyway, I've stayed in Galesburg on business. There is a place called Packinghouse that was really good, and it looks like it's still there. Quite a few restaurants in downtown, actually, from my memory.
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Why Galesburg? Last-minute plans?
Anyway, I've stayed in Galesburg on business. There is a place called Packinghouse that was really good, and it looks like it's still there. Quite a few restaurants in downtown, actually, from my memory.
I'll be in New Orleans tomorrow...ya got any recommendations there? haha
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feel bad for Penn State. There isn't a bigger SON OF A BITCH place to play than Kinnick at night. Night games at Kinnick just suck ass for the visiting time. Toughest out there is in the B1G imo.
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feel bad for Penn State. There isn't a bigger SON OF A BITCH place to play than Kinnick at night. Night games at Kinnick just suck ass for the visiting time. Toughest out there is in the B1G imo.
Yep, it is going to suck.
So many talented Penn State teams have gone down at Iowa. 2008 and 2005 were both possible national championship contenders if not for that hellish place. haha
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Well, we did win there in 2017.
Staying Galesburg because I was trying to break up the drive from Nashville, TN. I'm coming in a bit late on Friday, with the family.
I'm not really planning to tailgate for this one, since it just the 4 of us, and I don't know anyone else going to the game.
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As I see it, this game will determine (at least for now) whether our league has:
- A top-2 of tOSU and UW followed by a second "tier" of PSU, M, MSU, and IA; or
- A top-3 of tOSU, UW, and PSU followed by a second "tier" of M, MSU, and IA
So far there have been three games among the top-6 in the league:
- Ohio State beat MSU by 24
- Wisconsin beat Michigan by 21
- Michigan beat Iowa by 7
Looking at those, tOSU and UW appear to have distinguished themselves while Iowa and Michigan look about equal. Penn State hasn't had the opportunity yet because their B1G opponents have been #9 Maryland and #12 Purdue.
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Well, we did win there in 2017.
Staying Galesburg because I was trying to break up the drive from Nashville, TN. I'm coming in a bit late on Friday, with the family.
I'm not really planning to tailgate for this one, since it just the 4 of us, and I don't know anyone else going to the game.
Trace McSorley is a four-letter word in Iowa City.
The kid reminds me a bit of Drew Tate - a smallish signal caller with lots of guts.
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Well, I'm about to hit my heavy travel season, I'll do my best to check in now and again. Hopefully #Geolion or someone else can step up and represent PSU in my absence. Good luck all!
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Well, I'm about to hit my heavy travel season, I'll do my best to check in now and again. Hopefully #Geolion or someone else can step up and represent PSU in my absence. Good luck all!
Got a cell phone? Laptop?
Don't be slackin' on this place.
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I'll try, but I've been swamped at work lately. I'm also getting knee replacement on the 21st. Maybe that will give me more time on here.
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I'll try, but I've been swamped at work lately. I'm also getting knee replacement on the 21st. Maybe that will give me more time on here.
Heh. Posting on Norco. What could go wrong? ;)
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I'll try, but I've been swamped at work lately. I'm also getting knee replacement on the 21st. Maybe that will give me more time on here.
Good timing. You won't wear out your new knee climbing Kinnick Stadium! You will just make the slow painful climb with your original knee, one of your last.
I hear the rolling thunder outside at Midnight, tonight. It just started. The cold front must be upon Iowa, right now. We are expecting high winds on game day/night, but night time temps have risen from the 20s to 31, so that's better for your trip.
I gave you a bit of info on the page 1 about Iowa attractions, and hope you consider it.
Like you, our family has also broken up our trips to the SE USA by overnight stays at the Best Western in Galesburg which is both nice, and relatively economical, it's a good stopover. Let us know how things go for you. We will know about the game, but I want to hear of your adventure. If you give us a Gatorama type report, all here will most likely appreciate it. God bless Gatorama.
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. . . God bless Gatorama.
Amen.
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Yep.
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Iowa at home and at night. Good luck to the Nitts.
Penn State 24
Iowa 31
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Impressive win for Nitts in Kinnick.
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Penn State clearly outplayed Iowa. It was a great win for Penn State.
Iowa's 2019 alternative uniforms have hopefully been permanently retired. Weren't they hideous?
The next Iowa QB needs to have good feet. I appreciate having a drop back passer, but when that is all he can do, or is permitted to do, in the passing game, it gives the defense a great advantage. I did see him roll out once when he was in trouble in the PSU game and get off a nice completed pass.
In this day, you can't just drop back your QB every time you pass. If you do that the defense has less ground to cover, and can focus its rush, and its blitzes in passing situations on one spot. Penn State's defense had little need to contain the QB in passing situations.
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Iowa's 2019 alternative uniforms have hopefully been permanently retired. Weren't they hideous?
Yes.
(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2019/10/13/PIHC/61244f91-2c89-43ed-a892-47eb51ecc2c3-20191012_IowaVsPennSt_5695.JPG?width=640)
Black and gold is a great color combination, but this uniform proves that it is possible to combine them in an ugly way.
Horizontal bands on jerseys and pants, a la a bumblebee, would be worse, I suppose.
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Penn State clearly outplayed Iowa. It was a great win for Penn State.
Iowa's 2019 alternative uniforms have hopefully been permanently retired. Weren't they hideous?
The next Iowa QB needs to have good feet. I appreciate having a drop back passer, but when that is all he can do, or is permitted to do, in the passing game, it gives the defense a great advantage. I did see him roll out once when he was in trouble in the PSU game and get off a nice completed pass.
In this day, you can't just drop back your QB every time you pass. If you do that the defense has less ground to cover, and can focus its rush, and its blitzes in passing situations on one spot. Penn State's defense had little need to contain the QB in passing situations.
I don't know about that. It was an up and down game for both teams. It could have gone either way.
Classic PSU / Iowa football. Met some Iowa fans in New Orleans and we were able to secure a tiny TV while virtually every other TV in the city was on the LSU / FL game. We had a great time.
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Good thing Penn State won, because it got screwed on that touchdown being called back.
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I had a great time at the game. The atmosphere in Kinnick is impressive at night.
I didn't get much time to look around, we slept in Saturday morning, since we didn't get to the hotel until after midnight. I tried parking at one of the free lots, but we got there way too late for that, the lot was packed with tailgates in progress. Ended up paying only $10 to park at an elementary school southwest of the stadium. It also made for a quick departure afte the game by going west to Mormon Trek Boulevard.
I agree the yellow unis were ugly, I'd have liked to see them in their traditional black jerseys. It also made playing "Back in Black" during their entrance rather comical.
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Just going to post this here, so I can look it up later. John O'Neil has a terrible bias against Penn State.
1. He's the only ref with more than 2 games coached against PSU to give PSU more penalty yards than opponents. PSU is typically one of the least penalized teams in CFB, so it's a couple standard deviations from the norm.
2. He has a history of bias against Penn State, once telling linebacker Michael Mauti something like "he was lucky to to be playing, since they shouldn't have a team."
3. A history of poor calls. The dropped interception against Ohio State that could not be reviewed because of "technical difficulties". The non-call of delay of game on an OSU field goal. (the play clock had been 0 for almost 6 seconds.) In the 2012 Nebraska game he overturned a TD against Penn State and ruled it a fumble. The reply clearly showed it was a PSU TD.
4. In this game alone: Iowa had one penalty for 5 yards, Penn State had penalties totalling 80 yards. This included a phantom pass interference call in which the player was only slightly in the vicinity of the receiver, and a phantom holding call that negated a touchdown. They overturned a TD in which the reply CONFIRMED the call on the field - a touchdown. How does this happen? Penn State's punter was run into twice, and was even injured on one play. No call. Penn State was called for various ticky tack holding calls, but Iowa was not called for it once, despite blatant holding on numerous occasions.
correction: 37% of Penn State's penalty yards 2017 came from the Ohio State game.
ugh.
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Good thing Penn State won, because it got screwed on that touchdown being called back.
Even I didn't see anything in that replay which would have caused the ball to come back inside the 1. It probably should have stood because there wasn't really enough evidence either way to confirm or overturn it.
Regardless of that play, it was still a frustrating game because once again, it was a case of missed opportunities. The pass protection was slightly better than it was against Michigan, but they still couldn't get much of a ground game going nor was Stanley given a ton of time to throw.
I think Iowa has the pieces to put together a strong season, but they're being underutilized, or not being used correctly at all. Let's stick Wirfs at guard as that should provide an immediate boost to the run game, and get Ragaini out as punt returner because he has proven multiple times that he can't give Iowa good field position. The only saving grace is that he hasn't turned the ball over on the return, but he nearly did so when that punt sailed past him against PSU (it barely missed him). There's a reason why Iowa is struggling on offense - too many of their drives start at the 15 or worse. Put Smith-Marsette or Kelly-Martin at PR, or even Oliver Martin. No excuse for Iowa not to start the bulk of their drives past their own 25.
Iowa's defense is good. Very good even. But it needs the offense to step it up because it can only do so much.
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Even I didn't see anything in that replay which would have caused the ball to come back inside the 1. It probably should have stood because there wasn't really enough evidence either way to confirm or overturn it.
Oh there was evidence to confirm it. Here's a screenshot:
Obviously a TD
(https://i.imgur.com/8V7WZLB.jpg)
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Michigan fans have been bitching about the O’Neil crew for years. Welcome to the club. Maybe they’ll ref Saturday night’s game in Happy Valley.
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Officiating seems to be getting worse, not better
replays don't seem to help
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Michigan fans have been bitching about the O’Neil crew for years. Welcome to the club. Maybe they’ll ref Saturday night’s game in Happy Valley.
Audibles and MGO Boards will be in meltdown mode.I hope that crew gets the gig,will be a blast reading the Boards
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Oh there was evidence to confirm it. Here's a screenshot:
Obviously a TD
(https://i.imgur.com/8V7WZLB.jpg)
In that screenshot, you could easily argue that the knee is on the ground.
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In that screenshot, you could easily argue that the knee is on the ground.
True, except that the screenshot BEFORE this is of the knee clearly NOT on the ground and the ball dead on the plane of the goal line. The show it in slow mo on the game, if you have it on tape.