COLUMN: Two teams, trending in different directions

OFF THE MARK COLUMN
By: 
Mark Spensley
Express Co-Publisher

     Since the Iowa Hawkeyes narrowly escaped out of Ames with an overtime win, the teams have been moving in different directions.

     The Hawkeyes have won over two mediocre teams, North Texas and Illinois. They almost upset Penn State and have since lost to Michigan State and Northwestern, another team not very good.

     The Cyclones on the other hand find themselves ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since 2005. After playing the Hawkeyes, they have beaten Akron, lost to Texas, upset Oklahoma at Oklahoma, piled on Kansas and beat Texas Tech on the road.

     Cyclone fans are very giddy about their team and should be. Hawkeye fans are mumbling to themselves and once again wondering if Coach Ferentz the answer.

     What is impressive for the Cyclones is they are winning with a young and inexperienced quarterback. Kyle Kempt has come in and replaced suspended quarterback Jacob Park. All he did in his first start of the year is knock off Oklahoma.

     Iowa on the other hand is also a younger team on offense. Nate Stanley is starting for the first time in his young career with above average success.

     So why are the top two college teams in Iowa trending in completely different directions? I really do not have an answer. The Oklahoma win surely boosted the confidence in the young Cyclones. The Penn State loss for the Hawks was a tough one.

     If Iowa doesn’t figure out its running game, with what many consider one of the best lines in football, they are in for a long season. Maybe even in danger of missing out on a bowl game.

     The Cyclones defense looks to be much better since Iowa played them. If their young quarterback finishes strong look for the Cyclones to be playing in a pretty darn good bowl game!

 

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