Hawkeyes seeking payback against Iowa State
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz picked up Monday's paper and got hit with a dose of reality stronger than a cup of black coffee.
Iowa-Iowa State week was here - and so where the annual questions about Ferentz's so-so record against the Cyclones.
I "saw a little picture of my face, you know - a nice smile on my face, and (it) cited a like 2-and-20 record against Iowa State since I've been here," Ferentz said.
The good news for Ferentz is that he's actually just 3-6 against the Cyclones. The bad news is that until the Hawkeyes regain control of a series it once dominated, folks will continue to wonder why Iowa can't get the best of Iowa State.
The two in-state rivals meet for the 56th time on Saturday in Kinnick Stadium. As usual, the Hawkeyes (2-0) are big favorites - this time by 13 points. They were even bigger favorites in 2007, though, when the Cyclones stunned Iowa 15-13 on a last-second field goal at Trice Stadium.
That win gave Iowa State seven wins in its last 10 tries against the Hawkeyes. Though nothing irks Iowa State (2-0) more than suggestions that they treat the Iowa game as their "Super Bowl," the results of the past decade have led many to think that the Cyclones puts more emphasis on the Hawkeyes than Iowa does on them.
Ferentz thinks that's hogwash.
"I'd say they're probably misinformed. But everybody is entitled to their opinion. It's a great country," Ferentz said.
For Ferentz and his counterpart, Iowa State's Gene Chizik, bragging rights and public perception don't top their list of concerns. Both teams have opened the season by rolling over a pair of inferior opponents at home, and Saturday represents the first real test of the season.
The Cyclones, who failed to crack 20 points in eight of 12 games last season, have already racked up 92 in home wins over South Dakota State and Kent State. But coach Gene Chizik sees signs of trouble.
The running game was a major concern for the Cyclones in their 48-28 win over Kent State. Iowa State ran for 160 yards on 45 carries, but quarterback Phillip Bates - who leads the team in rushing - had 56 of them on a fourth-quarter run, with the game basically in hand.
Iowa State should be bolstered by the return of starting tailback Alexander Robinson, who missed last week's game with a leg injury.
"We have two wins right now, and we're not a very good football team," Iowa State coach Gene Chizik said. "We're doing some things well, but collectively... we're not a very good football team and we're 2-0. And that's encouraging. We're 2-0 and we've got 10 true freshmen playing. That's encouraging."
There's less concern in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have beaten a pair of cupcakes in Maine and FIU, but they did so by a combined score of 88-3.
Iowa's defense, ranked 12th in the nation in scoring defense in 2007, is off to yet another excellent start. The Hawkeyes are tops in the nation among teams that have played twice at just 1.5 points allowed per contest, and opponents have moved inside their 20-yard line just once in 25 possessions.
But what's bolstering hopes in Iowa City is a vastly improved offense, led by running back Shonn Greene and a new quarterback who's looked very good so far.
Junior Jake Christensen is out, replaced by sophomore Ricky Stanzi. He won the job by displaying confidence, poise and the ability to hit receivers in stride. Stanzi threw for 162 yards and three touchdowns in limited duty against FIU, and he'll get his first start as "the guy," so to speak, against the Cyclones.
Still, Iowa's players know that Iowa State represents their first true challenge. Linebacker A.J. Edds said the Hawkeyes are getting sick and tired of watching the Cyclones walk away with the Cy-Hawk trophy, which is why the team's leaders have stressed a renewed emphasis on the Cyclones.
"We want to get back to the point where we're seeing the Iowa name on that trophy, not just the Iowa State name," Edds said.
To do so, they'll have against a team that is significantly more active in nearly all phases of play. The Cyclones have already forced 10 turnovers, just eight fewer than they had in 12 games a year ago, and the quarterback duo of Austen Arnaud and Phillip Bates are a combined 28-of-40 passing for 373 yards, with four TDs and no interceptions.
Of course, Iowa State knows its progress won't mean squat if it can't keep it up against Hawkeyes.
"We'll find out a lot about ourselves," Iowa State center Mike Knapp said. "There's going to be 70,000 people there that don't like us, so it's going to be a big test for us."