[stupac2]

Thanks for the breakdown.  The only thing I would caution about statistical analysis is that it totally ignores stylistic match-ups which will play a much bigger role than any ppg/ypg can convey.

Certainly, this analysis is only as useful as the input data. I will note that the FEI metrics aren't quite as simple as ppg/ypg, and I think the offensive/defensive breakdowns are somewhat meaningful (in that two teams that both run "bend don't break" defenses will end up near each other, two offenses that are methodical but not explosive will be near each other, etc), and something like this is probably the best you can do without, you know, watching all the games and really understanding what's happening. Ain't nobody got time for dat.

I'm hoping this will be a slug it out game very similar to our recent BTCCG vs. Michigan St.  I'm afraid it will be more one-sided favoring Stanford due to the fact that Cook was hindered in that game and see Hogan as a comparable QB who can pick apart our defense.

That's how I see it. Either it's a very back-and-forth affair where yardage is hard to come by and the game turns on one or two big plays, or we win easily. I just don't see Iowa blowing us out, though if you guys get a couple quick turnovers and scores then maybe the game situation would dictate us changing plans in a way that's doesn't play to our strengths. Who knows?

We have a tendency to give opponents too much credit (especially the lesser teams on our schedule) and play so very close to the vest until we absolutely have to go guns-a-blazin'.  Not sure why we didn't go downfield more early against the Spartans to loosen up the defense and maybe open up the running game a bit more.

I'm going to try to watch that game tonight, I assume the replay will be available somewhere, I'll report back my findings.

[stupac2]

Thanks for the breakdown.  The only thing I would caution about statistical analysis is that it totally ignores stylistic match-ups which will play a much bigger role than any ppg/ypg can convey.

Certainly, this analysis is only as useful as the input data. I will note that the FEI metrics aren't quite as simple as ppg/ypg, and I think the offensive/defensive breakdowns are somewhat meaningful (in that two teams that both run "bend don't break" defenses will end up near each other, two offenses that are methodical but not explosive will be near each other, etc), and something like this is probably the best you can do without, you know, watching all the games and really understanding what's happening. Ain't nobody got time for dat.

I'm hoping this will be a slug it out game very similar to our recent BTCCG vs. Michigan St.  I'm afraid it will be more one-sided favoring Stanford due to the fact that Cook was hindered in that game and see Hogan as a comparable QB who can pick apart our defense.

That's how I see it. Either it's a very back-and-forth affair where yardage is hard to come by and the game turns on one or two big plays, or we win easily. I just don't see Iowa blowing us out, though if you guys get a couple quick turnovers and scores then maybe the game situation would dictate us changing plans in a way that's doesn't play to our strengths. Who knows?

We have a tendency to give opponents too much credit (especially the lesser teams on our schedule) and play so very close to the vest until we absolutely have to go guns-a-blazin'.  Not sure why we didn't go downfield more early against the Spartans to loosen up the defense and maybe open up the running game a bit more.

I'm going to try to watch that game tonight, I assume the replay will be available somewhere, I'll report back my findings.