THE HAWKEYES HUNG TOUGH BUT NOT FOR LONG ENOUGH. Kirk Ferentz talked about his team's performance after the game with Ohio State.
THE OFFENSE WAS A SURPRISE. Here's Iowa's longest touchdown reception from a tight end since Dallas Clark in 2002.
"@BigTenNetwork: VIDEO: @HawkeyeFootball's Jake Duzey goes for big-time 85-yard touchdown WATCH - http://t.co/DSuEM2SGpJ" #GoHawks#Swarm2013
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) October 20, 2013
BUT IT WASN'T TO BE. LET'S GET RECAP-Y. Iowa's defense didn't have an answer for Braxton Miller's feet. They coudn't stop Carlos Hyde in the second half either. The Hawks held a halftime lead, like every game of the 2013 season. The score was tied at 24 heading into the fourth quarter. Iowa's defense couldn't hold and the Buckeyes escape with a 10 point win.
THERE'S PLAYER VIDEO. Hawkeye Drive has various videos from the post-game locker room at Ohio State. Marc Morehouse also has James Morris, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Damon Bullock. Louis Trinca-Pasat, B.J. Lowery, Tanner Miller and Jake Duzey on his On Iowa Blog.
LET'S LOOK AT SOME UPDATED NCAA STATS. Mark Weisman was once in the top five in rushing. He's since dropped to 27th with 676 total yards carrying the ball. Jake Rudock is tied for 23rd for points responsible for. He now has 11 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns on the season. Rudock is 50th in the nation with 1447 total passing yards but ranks 71st in passing efficiency (128.8). Those fourth quarter interceptions are killing him here.
As a team, Iowa's offense continues to fall in the rankings despite a strong performance in Columbus. Iowa ranks 69th in total offense with 410 yards per game. The defense is ranked 12th nationally, allowing 319 yards per game. Iowa's rush defense is ranked 16th and scoring defense ranked 19th.
MOVING FORWARD. Let's hope the Hawkeyes can quickly flush this loss at Columbus and turn their focus to the jNorthwestern Wildcats. jNorthwestern lost their third straight Big Ten game Saturday at home to Minnesota. Their offense is struggling without Venric Mark and Kain Colter. Both could be back for the game against Iowa. There's still a lot o play for, particularly six wins and a bowl berth.
IF YOU RECALL LINKS FROM THE SUMMER. Iowa was at one time a 17.5 point underdog to jNorthwestern. The line for this week's game opened yesterday with Iowa as a three point favorite. It's since moved to Iowa at a four point favorite (vegas insider might be NSFW) for Saturday with the early money going to Iowa.
THE BCS STANDINGS WERE RELEASED LAST EVENING. Iowa didn't make it in the Top 25. Two of Iowa's losses came from teams in the Top 25 list. Ohio State is ranked #4 and Northern Illinois ranked #18. Michigan State isn't ranked but some projections have them just on the fringe between 26 and 30th. Those three teams are a combined 20-1 on the season.
Future opponents Michigan (#22) and Nebraska (#24) made the cut. Wisconsin, like Michigan State, is thought to be near the Top 25 too. CBS Sports' Jerry Palm put Iowa at 53rd in his BCS predictions yesterday. Northwestern is 60th and Purdue 107th.
Iowa's four wins have come against FCS, #118 ranked Western Michigan, #99 Iowa State and #46 Minnesota. Iowa will again be favored against Purdue but underdogs versus Wisconsin, Michigan and Nebraska. Win the two they are supposed to, jNW and Purdue, and we're going bowling and ranked around 45th. Get an upset in there and Iowa is looking at 40th for the season. And a better bowl too.
Last season, Iowa was the 75th best team or worse. Finishing in the top 40 is a nice improvement and perhaps exceeds preseason expectations. Lose to jNW and we're running in place. Lose out and fire everybody.
HOOPS. Iowa basketball is a hot ticket. The Hawkeyes sold out this season's game with Michigan. A handful of other marquee home games are nearing sell-out status as well. Mad again, indeed.
I'VE GOT SPIRIT, YES I DO.
Iowa bringing football's Black and Gold spirit Gane concept to Carver-Hawkeye for Jan. 28 game against Sparty.
— Rick Brown (@ByRickBrown) October 19, 2013
OTHER LINKS:
- Iowa's Upset Bid Falls Short in Columbus
- Miscues and big plays hamper Iowa's chances at an upset
- McCabe trades fast food for faster feet
- Iowa's Depth, Underrated Opener & More
- ESPN.com's midseason All-Big Ten team
- Hawkeyes have 2 commitments, looking for more
- Sunday conversation with Kirk Ferentz
- Hawkeyes attempt to learn from loss at Ohio State
- Iowa makes a living off of TEs and RBs
- Hlog's goofy weekly power rankings
- Field Hockey continues to win
- Miller's Scramble the Key Play in Iowa's Loss at Ohio State
- SBNation's Bowl predictions
- Jake Duzey produces
- What we learned in the Big Ten: Week 8
- The 3-TE set has a crazy nickname
- OSU's Roby wears a controversial target