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Iowa Football: Four things we want to see in Evanston

By Matt Opad

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes watches a replay during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes watches a replay during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 27: Nate Wieting #39 of the Iowa Hawkeyes recovers a fumble against Jan Johnson #36 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 27: Nate Wieting #39 of the Iowa Hawkeyes recovers a fumble against Jan Johnson #36 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

It’s The Execution

Iowa cannot afford another conference loss. Simply put, the Hawkeyes need a win in Evanston.

History shows that the team that wins the West is the one that dominates the rest of the teams in the division. With that in mind, Iowa now has no margin for error.

We all know that Northwestern beats Iowa football, even as the far inferior team. Their talent level has drastically improved over Pat Fitzgerald’s tenure in Evanston.

The margin for error in games against Northwestern has narrowed.

Look, I want to see Iowa football play with a capable and effective offense. Iowa absolutely needs a red zone threat and someone to replace the production of Brandon Smith to accomplish this.

However, if we are just talking about continuing the dream of 2019 being a special season, Iowa just needs to win in any way possible. The most commonly used excuse for a loss has been execution under Ferentz.

Execution, by Ferentz’s definition, means not turning the ball over and minimizing the penalties Iowa football commits.

As I mentioned before, the margin for error is virtually zero now, both in the season and in this game. Basically, Saturday’s result will likely come down to minimizing mistakes and taking what Northwestern gives you.

Iowa lost the turnover battle to Michigan and Penn State. The Hawkeyes lost both of these games. To just win this game will likely come down to winning the turnover battle.

Full disclosure, Iowa didn’t lose the turnover battle last season against Northwestern. In fact, Iowa lost the turnover battle in only one of the three Northwestern wins from 2016 to 2018.

In the two games that Iowa football did not lose the turnover battle, Iowa gave the ball away on a potential game-winning or game-tying drive. Ties in the turnover battle go to the team that doesn’t lose the ball during inopportune times.

As ugly as this game may be, Iowa football needs to avoid a fourth consecutive loss to Northwestern, a team Iowa football should never lose to four consecutive times.

dark. Next. Three Northwestern Wildcats to know

Not only will this keep Iowa in contention for the Big Ten West, but it will also keep the Wildcats where they belong – as just Northwestern.

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