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Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Three bold predictions for Iowa’s meeting with North Dakota State
When a top-15 team in the nation takes on a FCS team there isn’t much talk or hype surrounding the game. It’s different when the FCS team is North Dakota State, though. They’re the cream of the crop and have separated themselves from the rest of the FCS, easily becoming the best team in Division I-A over the past five years.
They’ve proven over the past five years that they can hang, and beat, FBS competition. Not only FBS competition, but also power five conference teams. The Bison won their last meeting against a Big Ten opponent in 2011 when they defeated Minnesota, however the Iowa Hawkeyes will be their hardest test yet.
For Iowa, they scheduled their toughest game of the early season right before conference play kicks off. While most games against FCS teams would warrant crazy bold predictions like Nate Stanley coming in and throwing a couple of touchdowns in garbage time, it’s different when it comes to North Dakota State.
If the Hawkeyes aren’t careful then they’ll be on upset alert very quickly. That being said, the Hawkeyes have had a lot of big plays and have put up gaudy numbers through the first two weeks. It’s very plausible to think that the Hawkeyes will do the same this week, as well.
Here’s a look at three bold predictions for when the Hawkeyes take on the Bison tomorrow.
Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Game Will Go To Overtime
Iowa has yet to play in a game decided by fewer than 20 points. Their ability to put teams away early has been impressive early in the season, as Iowa has outscored their opponents 35-3 in the first quarter. Although, as we’ve heard all week, North Dakota State has a chance to give the Hawkeyes a run for their money.
If Iowa establishes a run game early and scores in the first quarter, they have a chance to run away with this game. As good of a team as North Dakota State is, the Hawkeyes still are the #13 team in the nation. The Bison might put up a fight, however Iowa is still the more talented team and should win.
That being said, the Bison have gone to overtime in each of their first two games. King Frazier and Lance Dunn both quickly ended the games with a 25-yard touchdown run on the Bison’s first offensive play in back-to-back weeks. Their defense has yet to allow a point in overtime and the Bison were able to showcase their fantastic and explosive running back duo.
While overtime has been a recurring theme for North Dakota State, the Hawkeyes have not gone to overtime since the last week of the regular season in 2014. The Hawkeyes lost 37-34 to Nebraska. Ironically, it was also the last time the Hawkeyes lost a regular season game.
It’s near impossible to predict if a game will go to overtime, however this is a game that has the potential too. No one is expecting this game to be high-scoring, and North Dakota State has proven that they’re not afraid to go to overtime rather than trying to hit a home run and take the lead.
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
C.J. Beathard Throws 4 TDs, 0 INT
Nothing seems to faze C.J. Beathard this season. He’s gotten off to an even better start in 2016 and looks to lead the Hawkeyes to another historic season. After only throwing for 192 yards and a touchdown in week one, Beathard shined against rival Iowa State under the lights.
He threw for 235 yards and a career-high three passing touchdown, as well as adding one on the ground. It was only the third time in his career that Beathard passed for three touchdowns in a single game and four total touchdowns is his new career-high.
Despite Beathard never tossing four touchdown passes in a single game before, the Hawkeyes may need to rely on his arm at times. North Dakota State owns a very good defensive line and only gives up four yards per carry.
Even though Akrum Wadley and LeShun Daniels Jr will be the best backs they face all year, the Bison will hone in on the Hawkeyes running attack. The Bison will make it a point of emphasis to try to make a ground and pound team air it out more than they’d like.
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Plus, the Bison average 37 points per game, meaning the Hawkeyes will have to put together a solid offensive showing to win. Of course Beathard will need some of his targets to step up, however he has plenty of options when in the red zone.
George Kittle led the team with six touchdowns in 2015 and already has one in 2016, while also dropping one in week one. Plus, Riley McCarron, Matt VandeBerg and Akrum Wadley form a solid receiving core for Beathard. Now he just needs more consistency from his second and third options behind VandeBerg.
When it comes down to it, every team this season will try to stop the Hawkeyes run attack and force Beathard to pass. While Beathard isn’t the most athletic quarterback and doesn’t have the strongest arm, he’s extremely accurate and doesn’t turn the ball over.
Against a team that has intercepted four passes in two games that will be very important for the Hawkeyes. If the Hawkeyes aren’t able to break a big run they’ll turn to Beathard to make a play in the red zone. So far this year he’s been one of the best quarterbacks in that area — three of his four touchdown passes under 20 yards.
During a hard-nosed, grind it out game, Beathard should thrive and own an even bigger role.
Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Nelson Records Two Sacks
This might not seem that bold considering how well Anthony Nelson has played at the start of his Iowa Hawkeyes career. After being listed as a co-starter in week one against Miami (OH), Nelson proved why he should be playing the majority of downs.
In his Hawkeyes debut, Nelson recorded six tackles, 2.5 sacks and also forced two fumbles. Nelson was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, as well. He followed his amazing debut with another solid performance. Nelson only recorded two tackles but he got to the quarterback once again.
Through two weeks Nelson already has eight tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. On a defense that ranks 14th in the nation in points allowed per game (12.0), the redshirt freshman leads Iowa in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles through two weeks. He is also tied for third in the nation in sacks.
Nelson will need to be on his A-game against the Bison, though. North Dakota State has a very good offensive line that has helped their running game average 5.6 yards per carry. Plus, Easton Stick has only been sacked three times this year. While the line deserves a lot of the credit, Stick’s mobility makes it extremely hard to catch him.
However, the difference between Iowa and the two FCS teams North Dakota State has faced is Iowa’s secondary. The Hawkeyes secondary allows the defensive line to focus on stopping the run and getting to the passer. With Desmond King, Greg Mabin, Miles Taylor and Brandon Snyder in the secondary, the Hawkeyes know that they’ll rarely give up big plays.
Plus, the Hawkeyes pass rush was a lot more consistent when Josey Jewell returned to the lineup in week two. With the Hawkeyes in full strength and the rust from the offseason finally starting to shake off, their pass rush will start to hit midseason form very soon.
Anthony Nelson is having a remarkable freshman season and continuing it against an untested offensive line would give the Hawkeyes a big advantage.
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