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Hawkeyes Mic: Hawkeyes – Illini Predictions (10/06/17)

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The Hawkeyes Mic picks are in for the Iowa – Illinois game. It’s unanimous again – with a high confidence level. Check them out – see if you agree or disagree.

Former Iowa kicker and new Hawkeyes Mic contributor Ron Colluzi participates this week as well.

Ron Coluzzi – Iowa 17-13:

I am going to strictly talk about the kicking and punting game for my prediction against Illinois this Saturday. Why? Well simply because it’s what I know. Since both offenses have not put up a lot of points this season I am going to predict this game will be low scoring with a huge battle in field position. Simply put… my favorite type of match up.

Elements are always crucial when it comes to kicking and punting so I pulled up the handy dandy weather.com and found out its going to be cool with a high chance of rain and 18 MPH winds. Now, I absolutely hate wind more than anything in the world. Now that the world knows my deepest secret I am going to explain why. Naturally, when it comes to kicking and punting high winds are going to mess with specialists consistency. Wind can mess up your drop for punting, it can sway your field goal wide amongst the uprights, and everything in between.

Miguel Recinos has a very strong leg but if he is kicking field goals into the wind he won’t have an attempt over 45 yards. His kickoffs are bombs when he connects with the ball nice and clean but if he is kicking off into the wind it should go to the goal line. Otherwise if its behind his back you will see field goal attempts that are over 55 yards and kickoffs that go to the back of the end zone.

As for punting, I am predicting a change in personnel to start the game. The freshman Ryan Gersonde should have the first couple of reps and will continue to stay in the game if he does well. Since he is from Australia he is very comfortable with Rugby punts so Coach Wallace might have him start with a rugby punt for his first rep in the game. Unless, they’re on the left hash and/or backed up in their own end zone.

I predict a win over Illinois 17-13 with many punts and field goal attempts. Go Hawks and thanks for having me on Hawkeye Mic.

ColuzziKicking.com; @RonColuzzi16 on Twitter

Scott Dochterman – Iowa 24-6:

Iowa has every advantage entering this game. The Hawkeyes are at home, boast a solid defense and a talented (yet inconsistent) offense. Illinois is porous on every level.

The knee-jerk reaction to a game like this is, Iowa should blow Illinois away. But Iowa needs to work on some fundamentals and as we saw with North Texas, nothing comes easy. Contrary to my prediction on the Reporters Notebook Podcast, I’m dropping the point total and taking Iowa 24-6.

LandOfTen.com; @ScottDochterman on Twitter

Steve Batterson – Iowa 34-7:

Consider it the perfect storm. Iowa gets a chance to take out the frustrations of an 0-2 Big Ten start on a young Illinois football team adjusting to a quarterback change. The Hawkeyes should be able to get the ground game going and dominate this one in the trenches, particularly against an Illini offensive front which is expected to start three true freshmen. Illinois has some young talent and quality receivers in Mike Dudek and Malik Turner but last year’s 28-0 mismatch in Champaign provides a hint of how this will play out.

The Quad City Times; @SBatt79 on Twitter

Tyler Tjelmeland – Iowa 31-13:

Coming home to face a weak opponent after a demoralizing East Lansing trip should be just what the doctor ordered for the Hawkeyes. The rain in the forecast doesn’t look great, but the type of football game associated with those types of conditions favors Iowa as the tougher, more physical team.

I would anticipate Iowa to play close to the vest and focus heavy on the run with emphasis on play action and offensive execution. Snort.

The only thing that could snare Iowa up would be tackling troubles in the wet conditions, but if they can overcome those woes, they SHOULD be fine. It SHOULD be business as usual into the bye week. 

HawkeyesMic.com; @TylerTjemeland on Twitter

Jack Brandsgard – Iowa 31-17:  

Akrum Wadley was clearly frustrated during Tuesday’s media session. There wasn’t much room to run against either Penn State or Michigan State, and I think that the coaching staff will make it a point to get Wadley going early and often this week. Illinois comes into Saturday 91st in the nation in rush yards allowed by surrendering 179.5 per contest. This should serve as a bounce back game for Wadley and the Hawkeyes after two tough defeats.

HawkeyesMic.com; @JackBrandsgard on Twitter

John Patchett – Iowa 34-13:

If the Hawkeyes can’t get enough points to get back into the 30-range against Illinois, they won’t be able to do it against anyone the rest of this season. The Illini give up 427.5 yards per game. I must be able to run early and often – and they will. And that will open up the pass on play-action. This is the game where Nate Stanley hits a couple more deep ones and ups his passing TD total North of 14. Illinois is just so young, they’re a couple years away under Lovie Smith. Jeff George, Jr., getting his first start this season in a very hostile Kinnick Stadium is not likely to go well for him either.

Even if/when this happens, I’m not sure what it really tells us about this Iowa Team – but if it doesn’t come about, it will tell us more than most Hawkeyes fans will want to recognize. Whatever else, Iowa needs to put a hurt on the Illini and regain both some B1G momentum and confidence. Iowa goes into the bye week 4-2, 1-2.

HawkeyesMic.com; @HawkeyesMic on Twitter