Ruining a perfect season is always fun. It is especially enjoyable when it occurs to a border rival, and a trophy is on the line. Those are some of the things that factor in to the battle of two highly ranked teams between Iowa and the Wisconsin Badgers this weekend.
Much like the 2015 Hawkeyes that ended up going perfect in the regular season, and came one drive away from the College Playoff, this Wisconsin team has its similarities. Both teams have gotten heat from the college football ‘talking heads’ about a weak schedule. And, have gotten the brunt of Colin Cowherd’s idiotic ‘Fake ID’ moniker bit.
But, this is a strong Badgers team that without completely imploding in November, has locked up the West.
There are certain things that the Hawkeyes must do to get the victory, and move to 3-0 in trophy games this season.
Continuation of the Nate Stanley Legend
Last week, one of the keys that I described was the fact that Nate Stanley would have to rise to the level of JT Barrett for Iowa to win.
That level was shockingly low from the outset, as Barrett had his worst day as senior. Stanley looked like the seasoned veteran tossing five touchdown passes against Greg Schiano’s defense in the 55-24 thrashing.
Stanley is going to face his home state team for the first time. Although Stanley grew up closer to Minneapolis than he did Madison.
It is getting harder and harder to recall that the quarterback decision came down to the week before the opener against Wyoming. Stanley can continue to become a well-known name with another banner performance against a stingy Badger defense.
Don’t let Taylor Have a Saquon Day
The current and upcoming highlights played for the Heisman and NFL Draft for Saquon Barkley will feature a majority of plays against the Hawkeyes from this season. It was one of the best performances in recent college football history.
If Iowa wants to regain the Heartland Trophy, they cannot fill the Jonathan Taylor highlight reel.
Taylor is as good as it gets. Iowa doesn’t really have a comparison for a running back that came on campus, and dominated in this fashion. He seems to be a different type of running back than the constant stream of good to great backs that the Badgers produce. With the injured Nathan Bazata up the middle, players like Cedric Lattimore have to fill in, to make Josey Jewell’s life easier on Saturday.
Do That Thing You Did Against The Buckeyes
Simply put, the play calling, execution, and effort were all on another level than anything the Hawkeyes had done before this season in the win against Ohio State. Iowa earned their #20 ranking in the college football playoff poll, if not better.
They catch a Badger team at home that is looking to validate itself into the top four even before getting a win in Indianapolis. Both teams have alot on the line in this game.
Predictions
Patrick Mooney (Dear Old Gold) 54-16
Devin Keller (Dear Old Gold) 54-16
Joe Favia (Dear Old Gold) 53-17
Brendan Stiles (Hawkeye Expert) 51-19
Derrick Mitchell (Former Hawkeye RB/Incarnate Word RB) 51-19
Bryan Dietzler (Dear Old Gold) 12-7
Michigan State Spartans At Ohio State Buckeyes
Everyone- Ohio State
Rutgers Scarlet Knights At Penn State Nittany Lions
Everyone- Penn State
Indiana Hoosiers At Illinois Fighting Illini
Joe, Devin, Patrick, Brendan, Bryan- Indiana
Derrick- Illinois
Nebraska Cornhuskers At Minnesota Golden Gophers
Joe, Patrick, Bryan, Derrick- Minnesota
Devin, Brendan- Nebraska
Michigan Wolverines At Maryland Terrapins
Devin, Patrick, Brendan, Bryan, Derrick- Michigan
Joe- Maryland
Iowa Hawkeyes At Wisconsin Badgers
Joe, Patrick, Devin, Bryan- Iowa
Derrick, Brendan- Wisconsin
Purdue Boilermakers At Northwestern Wildcats