Out of Towner: Hawkeyes No. 6 in BCS
The Iowa Hawkeys rolled through the Wisconsin Badgers Saturday with a 20-10 victory that sent them rocketing up the standings to the number 6 team in the country with an undefeated record of 7-0. And that's not even the most amazing story... Ricky Stanzi did it folks! He actually, honest-to-God made it an entire game without throwing an interception. And he looked good the whole game. All of it. I for one am happy to eat crow on this issue. I honestly didn't think he could do it. I really didn't think he could do it against a defense that controlled the front line and got pressure on him, which Wisconsin was able to do the entire first half. But he proved me wrong and I say "Way to go Ricky!"
Stanzi finished the game 17 -of-23 for 218 yards and 1 TD and, let me say this again, NO interceptions. He managed the game well and made good decisions throughout the entirety of the game. Thsi is exactly what Hawkeye fans and players have been waiting for all season. Could this mean the start of things to come from Stanzi. Let's hope so because the games are not going to get any easier.
As great as I felt after the game, the first half was a bit nerve-racking. Iowa came out lethargic and, as I mentioned above, was completing dominated up front; on both sides of the ball. Iowa gained only 79 yards of total offense in the first 30 minutes of play, while giving up 89 yards yards just on the ground to the Badgers. This resulted in a 10-3 halftime lead for Wisconsin.
The second half of the game however showed the country and the hapless Badgers why the Hawkeyes are the real deal. Shortly in to the second half Spievey picked off QB Scott Tolzien for the first of 3 total Hawkeye picks on the afternoon. This led the way for a Stanzi to (who else?) Moeaki TD from 24 yards out. Not long after that a superd drive fueled by a an efficient passing game, resulted in a 10 yard scoring rush by fresman Adam Robinson. Iowa's Defense shut down Wisconsin the remainder of the game before and after Murray kicked a career long 48 yard field goal with 5:17 left to cement the game.
Whatever Ferentz said to that defensive unit during halftime seemed to do the trick. After giving up 89 yards on the ground the first half, the Badgers finished the game with a total of just 87 yards. Tolzien, on top of his 3 picks was sacked 4 times and had no answer for Iowa's secondary.
Offensively in the second half, Iowa looked tough to beat. The front five controlled the line of scrimmage, Stanzi utilized his offensive weapons very efficiently (Johnson-Koulianos 8 for 113yds), and in case I didn't mention it, threw NO interceptions.
I've been putting this next section off purposely all season long but I can no longer contain the beast. It's time to talk about the possibility of playing for a national title. The Hawkeyes have two tough games coming up, both of which I am extremely confident that we can win. Michigan State is another tough game on the road next week but haven't the Hawkeyes shown how well they play on the road.
Still, gonna be another true test. And Ohio State showed us Saturday that they were slightly overrated. We have the talent and the ability to win out the rest of our games this season. That being said, what needs to happen for Iowa to get a shot at the BCS title game. Well, the toughest is going to be for either Texas or Florida to get beat. This we have no control over so no sense in worrying too much about.
Just remember who you are not rooting for on Saturdays from here on out. Next, I think the Hawkeyes must win the games not mentioned above in a convincing fashion. Kind of like the beatdown we laid on Minnesota the last game of the season last year. This is going to shut up the naysayers by showing that Iowa's team has continued to improve over the year and is not the same team that barely squeaked by UNI in week 1. Do these things, win out and hope to not get screwed by a BCS system that routinely screws less storied programs and I just may be heading to SoCal in January.
Some of you more well-read fans may be thinking, "what about Boise State?" Don't worry about Boise State. There is a reason they haven't made it before and won't make it again this year. The remainder of their schedule is just not tough enough. That's the true genious of Iowa's schedule this year, which most people thought was suicidal. Tough teams, on the road. Simple as that and impossible to ignore.
Whew! It was good to get that out. I feel about 10 pounds lighter now.
All I can do now is cross my fingers, hope for the best, and of course, not forget to wear my lucky Hawkeyes underwear every Saturday. Log in Friday for your official unofficial preview of Saturday's big matchup against the Michigan State Spartans. Until then enjoy flying high with the Hawkeyes!
Questions, comments, and fan pics can be directed to pixleyjackson@yahoo.com.. Seriously, don't be afraid. I might actually care what you think. Maybe...
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