I couldn't agree more, but our #4 is what we are left with... He is a very talented RB... from Davenport, Iowa... defected to Nebraska... transferred to Iowa. I DO NOT expect us to have a huge rushing day, but Ferentz is an O-Line guru (coached O-Lines in the NFL), and when our (complex) zone blocking is clicking, there are some huge holes... If Iowa catches LSU blitzing and the zone blocking is working, I could run for 10 yards! BUT I am only hopeful for JUST ENOUGH running to keep you honest and set up Tate in play action in the gaps... we'll find out in 6 days... Every Iowa fan has tremendous respect for LSU, and we know we will have to execute well to win...
Make no mistake about it, both teams will have to execute to win. Our passing game execution at various points in the season has left a lot to be desired... :shock: And if there's one weakness our defense has, it's when they blitz and the opponent sends a TE or a RB in the middle of the field right behind the LB's.
Thanks for bringing up ASU... :angry: We still aren't sure what happened there... Tate only thre 1 INT against ASU, but we were inept on both sides of the ball... a total a$$-kicking. My earlier statement was a bit off... Tate has made much better decisions as the year has progressed, but his worst INT total was the last game against Wisconsin... His first 2 passes were picked off, our D held both times, and he settled down and we won 30-7... The only other game Tate thre more than one INT was against Michgan, where he had two INTs... and we fumbled 3 times... pretty much threw that game away... Tate's game by game INTs were 1-1-1-2-1-0-1-1-1-0-3 Tate is a very emotional player who has great confidence in his abilities (sometimes over-confident?) He threw for over 12,000 yards in H.S. (all-time Texas leader) and thinks he can make a play on every down... IF LSU rattles him, he can make mistakes.
The Hawks forced 26 turnovers in 8 conference games, 13 fumble recoveries and 13 interceptions... about 3 per game. We were plus 12 in turnover margin. I could find no records of how many resulted in scores. As far as our FG kicker, he became very consistent at the end of the season... Purdue was his only off day. Last two games... all attempted FG's were made: Minnesota (36),(22),(20),(38),(49) Wisconsin (31),(21),(34)
