Football reporters Danny Payne and Charlie Green list four things Iowa must do in order to beat No. 19 Wisconsin.
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MADISON, Wisconsin — Good morning from Camp Randall Stadium. This place is awesome and it should be a fun one. Iowa is without a few key players, so that’s something to watch.
The following players will not play today: WR Tevaun Smith, OL Boone Myers, RB Derrick Mitchell. #Hawkeyes
— HawkeyeFBNotes (@HawkeyeFBNotes) October 3, 2015
Junior Cole Croston and freshman Jerminic Smith should get some time today, in case you’re wondering. We could see Akrum Wadley, too.
Without further ado, your exams:
Establish the run
It’s really tough to stress the importance of this, especially given Iowa is without Tevaun Smith, its most explosive receiver, and Boone Myers, its left tackle. Wisconsin will be keying in on the run because of this.
Anyways, Jordan Canzeri will have to make things happen on the ground, with LeShun Daniels, Jr. likely not being at 100 percent. It could be a long day if Iowa isn’t able to keep the Badgers honest.
Grade: B+. Although there were no rushing touchdowns, Jordan Canzeri went for 125 yards. Iowa totaled 140 on the day against a strong pass defense. Good job.
Make Wisconsin feel the heat
With the above players out, Iowa has to make Joel Stave, as well as running back Taiwan Deal feel uncomfortable from the get-go. It can’t afford to let the Badgers get in a rhythm on offense, and a few early tackles for loss should do that.
Saturday would be a good time for Drew Ott to return to form after injury.
Grade: A. Stave didn’t look comfortable all day, and Iowa allowed only 86 rushing yards. The Hawkeyes totaled six TFLs.
Get off the field on 3rd down
It figures to be a physical, ground-and-pound game today in Madison. While Wisconsin as reliant on the run as it was in 2014, it’s not completely one-dimensional.
That said, the Badgers won’t hesitate to run three or four times just to move the chains. They are going to try and wear down the Hawkeyes’ front seven and eat as much clock as possible.
To pressure the Badgers into diverting from their commitment to the run, it’s imperative Iowa’s defense gets off the field on third and short, medium, and long situations.
Grade: A. Wisconsin went 4-of-13 on third downs on the afternoon, not to mention failing on its lone 4th down attempt late in the fourth quarter, which sealed the game for the Hawks.
Shut down Alex Erickson
Stave has one premier target in the passing game — receiver Alex Erickson. The senior has 320 reception entering Saturday’s action. The next leading receiver is Robert Wheelwright, who has 147 yards.
The Hawkeyes have options to shut him down, whether it’s Desmond King or Greg Mabin. Whoever covers him will have his hands full. But if the secondary can neutralize him, it could be a long day for Stave.
Grade: Incomplete. Erickson left the game early after catching 3 passes for 30 yards. Stave struggled without his top target.
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