Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - PREVIEW: Iowa Faces Rutgers in CRUCIAL Big Ten Clash | Can Hawkeyes SURVIVE Road Test?

Starting point is 00:00:00 It's Friday night football under the lights. Iowa goes on the road to Rutgers. The keys to the game, what it's going to take for Iowa to get the road victory today. Locked on Hawkeyes. You are Locked on Hawkeyes, your daily podcast on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. Hey, welcome in. I'm Trent Condon.

Starting point is 00:00:30 is the Locked-on Hawkeyes podcast. Thanks for making Locked-on Hawkeyes your first listen every day. I've been covering the Hawkeyes for over 20 years on the radio in the state of Iowa. You can hear me currently on the Iowa sports radio network each weekday from noon to two talking Hawkeyes

Starting point is 00:00:46 and a whole lot more. You can hear me in Des Moines, our flagship 106.3 KX&O, along with stations in Sioux City, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities. Today's episode of Lockdown Hawkeyes is brought to you by Fandul. Right now, new customers can bet just $5.

Starting point is 00:01:02 If your bet wins, you'll get $300 in bonus best to use across the app. Download the Fandual app today. We are going to break down the matchup with Rutgers, a ultimate preview of what it's going to take for Iowa to get the victory on the road coming up on Friday night. Also, the Big Ten has released its basketball schedules. We're going to get into the men's side of things and some tricky spots for Iowa, including what is going to be a difficult opener for the Big Ten for Ben McCullough. and we'll talk about that a little bit later on.

Starting point is 00:01:32 Plus, we'll make some picks against the spread coming up this week in the Big Ten and across college football presented by Fanduel. But let's get into it and let's open things up with a look about this Rutgers matchup coming up here this evening. So Rutgers comes into the game, 3 and 0 on the season. They opened up on the first Thursday night of the regular college football year. Week 1 against Ohio. Ohio program that has been very solid throughout the last.

Starting point is 00:02:00 couple of decades, starting when Frank Zolich went there after leaving Nebraska being fired from Nebraska and did a really good job of that program. Consistent winner year in and year out. And it was here on fire for Ruckers to get that victory. 34-31 ended up watching a lot of that game and a lot more than I anticipated on that first Thursday night of college football, had a block punt for a touchdown in that game. Ruckers in that game also had to go five for five on fourth down to survive the potential upset bid from the bodcats of Ohio in game number one, but they got to win 3431. And then since then, it's been pretty smooth sailing.

Starting point is 00:02:38 They beat Miami of Ohio in game 2, 4517, another decent MAC team. That game, though, was 2417 in the middle of the third quarter before Rutgers ended up pulling away. And then last week, a dominating performance against Norfolk State as a 160 to 10. I mentioned Blockpunt. There was another one in that one, but it was a laffer and kind of what you'd anticipate against an opponent like that. So 3-0, not the stiff as a competition. They haven't had to lead the confines of Piscataway, New Jersey. That's where it will be this evening.

Starting point is 00:03:11 And with the 705 kickoff on Fox, there'll be a lot of eyeballs. Certainly on this one, people watching the football as college football continues to inch its way deeper and deeper, kind of into those Friday night matchups. So when you start the conversation with this Rutgers squad, and one thing I look at certainly is what we've seen for Nathan Caligmanus. So Caligmanis has been around for a long time. He started his career at Minnesota, the Greek Rafflement, and he's been chucking it around.

Starting point is 00:03:39 He has not been very successful against Iowa in his career, but that was a long time ago. That was a very young quarterback at the time. And this year, he has played tremendous. This is a Rutgers team right now that I think you would say is high flying. They're chucking the ball all over the yard. He is playing at an incredibly high level, 62 of 85 passing. That's 73% on the season, 820 yards, seven touchdowns through the air this year, no interceptions.

Starting point is 00:04:06 And a big reason for that is what they have out wide. The wide receiver group is incredibly talented. Now, we'll see about Ian Strong, probably the most dependable, a wide receiver that they have. He was out last week against Norfolk State. We'll see what his availability officially is going to be as we get ready for kickoff. and this one, we'll find that out a little over an hour before we get to kick off. The official designation, as this is a Big Ten game, will be handed down as the conference now notes and makes them do. But he's not alone.

Starting point is 00:04:38 And after Ian Strong, you got the big wide receiver, KJ. Duff, 6'6 foot six. I mean, you talk about a matchup nightmare, and you think about Iowa in the defensive backfield, go back to the touchdown they gave up in the game against Iowa State. That was a matchup against a big receiver. Now a tight end in Ben Bramer, who's 6 foot 7, but matchup problems. And you think about what if Deshaun Lee is on the side that KJ Duff is, and Lee 5'9, 510, going up against 6 foot 6, that's pretty concerning on that side. And maybe another huge component watching this passing game for Rutgers this year

Starting point is 00:05:16 has also been what they have been able to do out of the slot. So they bring in a kid from North Texas. and D.T. Sheffield is his name. Fast, just what you'd anticipate at a slot receiver. Also, he is in the return game, though he hasn't had many opportunities to this point. That's another guy to keep an eye on. And a guy, if you're just thinking about the outside, that's going to potentially could hurt Iowa. So it comes down to a couple things. Iowa needs to get to the quarterback. And the good news is this offensive line for Ruckers is really banged up. talk about maybe their fourth team left tackle having to get the start there.

Starting point is 00:05:54 This has to be a game where the veterans on the outside step up in a big way. Ethan Herkitt, Max Llewellyn, both of those guys need to have big performances here. The defensive line needs to make place. And as we heard Seth Wallace joke earlier in the week about the no-boys, no longer the doughboys, until they get an interception and force a turnover, I think that needs to happen in this one. there's some concerns there. This Rutgers team, more dynamic offensively and certainly more dynamic in the passing game than what we've been used to recently. At the running back spot, they got a good one there as well with Antoine Raymond. He's averaging nearly six yards per carry five touchdowns this year. He's run for 248. Their number two running back, C.J. Campbell was also banked up last week against Norfolk and we'll see about his availability.

Starting point is 00:06:44 Iowa needs to play like they have in the defensive backfield, which has been very solid, tackle well. and don't let those, you know, eight-yard gains turn into 28-yard gains. That's when Iowa gets into trouble. Let's jump over to the other side. And this is good news here, where the Iowa offense is going to have an opportunity, I believe, to move the football up and down the field and to make some plays. Starting with the defense overall, Ruckers, 76 in the country in defense, total yards given up this year.

Starting point is 00:07:14 And again, against the schedule that they played, when you're 76 in the country and your three opponents are Ohio. Miami of Ohio and Norfolk State, that deserves a little bit of a while on that front. Iowa should be able to move the ball. On top of it, Rutgers is 90th in the country against those three or four mentioned teams. And quarterbacks have been able to run the ball pretty effectively against this Rutgers team. DeShuan Finn, who's been around the Mac, was what, down to Texas Tech, I think it was. He's been all over the place.

Starting point is 00:07:46 Anyway, he's back in the Mac. He had over 80 yards. Another quarterback has. So far, you can run. And quarterbacks have been able to run here. We get to Mark Grinowski. And Mark Grinowski has to do it with his arm, but also with his legs. As we've seen, he's able to do in this one.

Starting point is 00:08:04 Mentioned that run defense, 90th in the country against the run. And we'll see what we're going to see in the running game. Xavier Williams is going to be out. Coming off the injured list is Kamari Moulton, the original starter for the Hawkeyes. So Moulton's going to be back out there. But can you envision a scenario, a guy coming off an injury where suddenly Kurt Ferrence and company are going to run him 20, 25 times? I can't envision that. I think this is going to be a big game for Jazian Patterson.

Starting point is 00:08:33 I think Jazz Patterson is going to have to and maybe be the guy that carries the ball 20 times in this football game. And we've talked a lot about Terrell Washington Jr. And maybe what is the best spot for him as this offense goes. And if it's going to be more of that physical kind of game and a. pound the football type of game, what's going to happen there. Back to the passing game at Grinowski has to be done. There's going to be opportunities there have to take advantage. And on top of it, what we saw to Sam Phillips and Seth Anderson,

Starting point is 00:09:01 got to get those guys involved right away. I loved, and I know it was against UMass, right? But I loved what they had to do. And as I look at this game and this matchup overall, all right, there's some things you're feeling good about. Iowa being able to run the football, Garnowski being able to run the football, some different parts of the defense that you know Iowa has been

Starting point is 00:09:19 really good on that front. But the other thing, as normally as we've talked about, Iowa almost every single time has such an edge in special teams. Might not be the case in this one. We'll talk about that, get a pick for the game, and get into some basketball. The Big Ten basketball schedule has been released. Iowa with an incredibly difficult opener for Big Ten play. We'll talk about that as we continue, Locked on Hawkeyes. the weekend time to look back and crown this week's MVP on who delivered powered by door dash just like you can win every saturday with door dash streaks saving more every time you order these players delivered when it mattered most let's break it down for the hawk guys we're going

Starting point is 00:10:06 with kajun he delivered in a big time way a punt return of 95 yards over 200 yards total in yardage in the game and the win against umas when the pressure was on he was there came through in a big time way, no hesitation, no delay. And if you've been watching week after week, this performance wasn't a fluke. Cain Weigin is on a streak. And just like Weegean delivered for the Hawkeyes, DoorDash delivers your Saturdays. With DoorDash streaks, you save every Saturday you order. Stack it up all season, and you could save up to $250, including $100 in DoorDash credits.

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Starting point is 00:12:26 you make it possible to bring you these daily Hawkeye podcast. Let's get back into it, and I mention special teams at the end. As we go through this matchup against Rutgers special teams, normally something that Iowa dominates. I said in the game against Iowa State, I believe that Iowa had to win special teams in order to win the game, and they didn't do that. Cain Weechin with a couple of mistakes in the game. It was one of those that just didn't go Iowa's way,

Starting point is 00:12:51 and they were beat by a 54-yard field goal, Kyle Conrardy, who's hurt. It's the way of the Hawkeyes, it feels like here recently. Greg Shiano, the head coach for Ruckers, he is built very similar to Kirk Farrant. And Chad Lyshton, earlier this week in the Des Moines Register, had a very good article talking about their relationship and nearly the connection. Greg Shianna was almost the defensive coordinator at Iowa when Kirk Farrantz was hired 27 years ago, ultimately went with Norman Parker.

Starting point is 00:13:23 I think Hawkeye fans certainly were very happy with the way that that played out. But that aside, Shiano's team, normally conservative, physical. Now, as we talked about, that offense is more dynamic, certainly in the passing game to this point in the season. It looks like they got some dudes out wide that are going to be a concern. But one thing that Shiano, much like Ferenz does, is he spends a lot of times on special teams and really dedicates it. Mention, three pump blocks for touchdowns so far this season. Their kicker hasn't missed a kick so far this year. Coverage units have been good, return units good.

Starting point is 00:13:58 They spend a lot of time on this. And this is another one. As we talked about going back to the UMass game, and one of my big concerns coming out of that one was, yeah, Wijin was great. He was returning and making things. but the snaps on field goal and kicking attempts, extra point attempts were not very good. The Boston College transfer was struggling in that department because I would go with the change this week,

Starting point is 00:14:21 something to keep an eye on. Certainly if Nissen is the one that goes out there. So we'll see exactly what they do on that front. The whole operation needs to work. In the kicking game, snapper, holder, and the kicker. And the kicker always gets the blame, right? If you miss a kick, or at least a moose. majority of the time, unless your Notre Dame last week, that aside, that's normally the way

Starting point is 00:14:46 that this one goes. So we'll see this week, but I think it's important. Iowa, again, doesn't have to dominate special teams, but they can't leave points on the board. They can't allow those things to happen. And my final look at this game goes like this. You know, we talked a lot during the offseason about Iowa. And there's going to be times this year where they're going to have to win it with offense. That this cannot be another season, like 2021 and 22 and 23 and 24.

Starting point is 00:15:20 They're just trying to hope to eke out a 10-7 win. It can't happen. And this isn't at the same level. It's going to be down the line this year, including next week against Indiana, against Oregon, against Penn State. Heck, maybe even against Nebraska. There's going to be games, though, this year,

Starting point is 00:15:38 certainly USC when they go on the road. There's going to be a lot of games this year where Iowa's offense is going to have to score points in order to keep up. And this isn't at the same level as some of those games that I just mentioned, but I think it's a pretty good precursor of what's still to come.

Starting point is 00:15:55 And this is the time that you need the offense to make plays. Time to take the shackles off. Time to open things up. Time to take a few chances down the field. This is a perfect opportunity to do just that. Iowa has big advantages. I think on both sides up front, Iowa's offensive line, Iowa's defensive line. I think there are major advantages on both sides for the Hawkeyes.

Starting point is 00:16:20 Still, in order to do this and to build for the rest of the season, you need to be more dynamic in this game. And then a final thought. And that is this. Iowa goes into this game as a two and a half point favorite. We'll make a pick. We've got more picks coming up to you for you,

Starting point is 00:16:39 presented by Fandor. But if it doesn't go the Hawkeyes way, if Iowa walks away with an L and what is still to come on this schedule, we know how negative things got after the lost Iowa state. But you lose this one. And though Rutgers is improved

Starting point is 00:17:00 and they look more dynamic, It's still Rutgers. It still has that connotation of not a real big den school, the years of just awfulness that that program went through. Things are going to get ugly. Let's hope it doesn't happen. And I don't believe it's going to happen. I got Iowa win in this one, and I think they get it done, 2717.

Starting point is 00:17:22 I think the offense is going to do enough. It's going to be a short field in there on top of it as a defense is going to get one of those interceptions. I think Jazzy on Patterson has a nice day running the football. I think I was able to get it going on the ground. I think we're going to see also a lot of Nathan McNeil out there in the run game. I think Iowa gets this one done. I feel confident. I feel confident because of Iowa's advantages up front, coupled with Kirk Farrants in this situation,

Starting point is 00:17:49 has just been so good. Even the UCLA game last year, they got up 10-0 right away before the wheels fell off. Short weeps, Kirk Farrants, he's been really good in this spot. And I think they do it again against Rutgers tonight. All right, let's get over to a little basketball as the Big Ten has released the basketball schedule for 2025-26. If you're watching this on YouTube, there's a quick look at it there, including the non-conference games, are also up there for you on the screen. So open up in the Big Ten with a road trip right after Iowa gets back from their two-game tournament out in Palm Springs after they open up with Old Miss.

Starting point is 00:18:27 and then we'll play either Grand Canyon or Utah in the second game. The Big Ten opener for the Hawkeyes is a road trip to East Lansing. That's right. It'll be Tom Izzo and Ben McCollum colliding in East Lansing for the opener against Michigan State. Then after that, Iowa comes back home for a Maryland team. Might be very decent, of course. After that will be the matchup against Iowa State. So that really five games stretch there

Starting point is 00:18:57 going to tell us a lot about this Iowa basketball team and if the expectations of this being potentially an NCAA tournament team are realistic. After some more non-conference games, Iowa returns then to their final 18 games in the Big Ten. I check that. Yeah, 18 games in the Big Ten overall this year. They went from 20.

Starting point is 00:19:17 I believe back to 18 as I'm doing some quick math as I'm looking through this. But they're back home. UCLA comes to town. There's a fun matchup. as it'll be Eucla. Of course, Iowa went out there a year ago and things were not going very well at that point in time. Then a road trip to Minnesota and then back for Illinois after that at Purdue at Indiana. I mean, that stretch there, talk about another one that's going to tell us a lot.

Starting point is 00:19:40 That three-game sojourn, Illinois at Purdue, then going to Bloomington to take on Darren DeVries and the Hoosiers. That's going to be a fun one. This year, it's a West Coast trip out to the Northwest Schools. Last year it was to LA this year. Iowa will go to Oregon first on Sunday, February 1st, and then they will go to Washington after that on Wednesday, February 4th. And then always important, I think, to look at the bottom of the schedule, kind of the final remaining games for the Hawkeyes.

Starting point is 00:20:10 Iowa late will play Nebraska twice. They will play Nebraska at home on the 17th of February. Go to Wisconsin, Ohio State, at Penn State. There's a little bit of a reprieve. Michigan at home. they wrap up the regular season on the road in Nebraska to put a cap on things. One change from last season, everybody will be making the Big Ten tournament for the Big Ten this season. So Husker fans will, well, they'll know that they'll be able to get to Chicago this year for the Big Ten tournament after Iowa last year at the end of the season,

Starting point is 00:20:45 knocked them out of the Big Ten tournament. That is a look at the basketball schedule that has been released and we got more basketball cover. coming up as we get closer and closer to the season. Also next week, we'll take a peek at the women's side of things and their schedule for next year. Time for picks. Let's get into it. My picks for the weekend in the Big Ten and in college football.

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Starting point is 00:21:56 impossible becomes irrelevant. Mazda, move and be moved. Trent, kind of back with you one final time. Hit that subscribe button if you're watching us on YouTube. Thank you to that. And thank you to every dayers with us every single day. Can't appreciate all of your guys' support without it. You can always comment on the podcast page as well over.

Starting point is 00:22:21 on YouTube. Give us your comments, your thoughts. We'll get a mailbag in here next week. Some of your big thoughts for Iowa football that's coming up next week. Your team every day here on the lockdown network, I got you covered on the Hawkeye front. And let's wrap things up here with my thoughts. And I told you, I'm going to lay it with Iowa coming up this evening. I am going to lay the two and a half points with the Hawkeyes as a line currently sits at Vandul. I'm going to lay the two and a half with Iowa. Dangerous proposition, I know, but I'm going to do it with the Hawkeyes in this way. And by the way, the total over at Fanduil, I hear currently 45 and a half is always odds subject to change.

Starting point is 00:22:58 Let's take a look at some of the other Big Ten games. I'm going to be looking to bet this weekend. If you know and you every day, as you do know, I am not a big fan of Nebraska. However, I like Nebraska this week. I think they're a live dog at home against Michigan. Underwood struggled in a big environment against Oklahoma a couple of weeks back. and this environment's going to be charged up for this one. Something feels maybe a little bit different with the Huskers.

Starting point is 00:23:27 Still, then I go back speaking as we talked earlier about that opening Thursday night of week one of college football. And the Huskers were hair on fire to get by Cincinnati in a very pro Arrowhead Stadium that evening against Cincinnati Bearcats. So still, Nebraska, Raolo's playing at a high level. I like what they have. I think you're going to see some points in this one, but I like Nebraska.

Starting point is 00:23:50 I'm going to grab the two and a half available on them. I'm going to be laying the points with Indiana this weekend against Illinois. I still believe that they're dynamic. You know, a lot of those guys that came in with Kurt Signetti from James Madison, they're back for another season. It wasn't just, you know, the one-year rental kind of thing. These are guys that had a couple of years available to them. So I'm going to be playing the Hoosiers coming up this weekend, laying the six and a half.

Starting point is 00:24:15 I also like Purdue this week. Notre Dame coming off that tough loss. against Texas A&M by a point. A lot of people think spit nails are going to be ready to go. I liked what I saw out of Purdue. Now, they didn't force a punt against USC. That USC wide receiver room, boy, you look at that group. They're incredibly good.

Starting point is 00:24:35 Big number here. Wish I would have bet this one and the look ahead numbers available at Fandul when it was 34 and a half last week. Not the case anymore. Just getting 25 and a half. A lot of people will tell you betting wise, and that's not the right value. Do not be going chasing here.

Starting point is 00:24:49 we're going to jump aboard. Other Big Ten games, boy, a lot of people on Wisconsin this week. That thing's finally going down. Now, nine and a half the Badgers favored at home against Maryland in their Big Ten opener. It is the Civil War, Oregon, Oregon State, ducks favored by 34.5 in that one. Also, we get the Apple Cup this weekend with Washington and Washington State.

Starting point is 00:25:09 This year, the Huskies on the road for Wazoo. Washington favored by 20 and a half. And finally, late night, 10 o'clock kickoff at the Coliseum. USC laying 18 and a half against Michigan State. I think we're going to see some points here. Almost feels like a tick too many, though. Might be grabbing the points with Michigan State coming up this weekend. Picks presented by Fanduals.

Starting point is 00:25:33 We look around the Big Ten. Download the Fandual app today to get yourself an opportunity to bet on the Big Ten to Hawkeyes and a whole lot more. That'll do it for today. Thanks for being with us and making Lockdown Hawkeyes your first listen every day. We will be with you right after the game. We will have an instant reaction podcast for you here on your feed. Make sure to keep an eye out on that. Also post a link up on social media at Trent Condon.

Starting point is 00:25:58 You can find me over there on Twitter, and I will post a link and get you involved with that as we find out whatever happens on this one. Don't think we can overstate the importance of getting this victory, because what a loss would mean and what a loss would be for this team, I hate to say devastating, but on September 19th, it might be over. We'll get to that. Get a win. Get it done. Go Hawks. We'll talk to you again later here this evening. Until then, go Hawks.

Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - PREVIEW: Iowa Faces Rutgers in CRUCIAL Big Ten Clash | Can Hawkeyes SURVIVE Road Test?

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