Barometer

Tomorrow is a barometer game. Iowa is the most comparable Big Ten program to UW. Our states are similar demographically. We recruit the same areas outside of the Midwest. Not sure if you've heard or not, but our head coach has a Hawkeye tattoo on his leg.

However, we rarely seem to be at or near the top of the conference in the same year. Just 2004, the year when we lost at Michigan State, then went into Iowa City still with a chance to go the Rose Bowl but were humiliated, comes to mind.

This is shaping up to be one of those years. Right now, based on its wins over Penn State and Michigan, Iowa seems like the better team. Then again, they barely beat Northern Iowa and Arkansas State. I would expect the first team to show up at Camp Randall.



Iowa's defense is nasty. Their defensive line is good, but not as good as Ohio State's. Conversely, I think their back seven is better than Ohio State's. I can't see us scoring more than 20 points.

On the other hand, their offense doesn't scare me a bit. Lots of people give Ricky Stanzi props, but to me he's an average quarterback at best. Their running backs aren't nearly as good as ours, or their receivers. Nice line, though. Still, I can't see them scoring more than 20 points.

So where does that leave us? Special teams. Which doesn't leave me feeling very confident.

Win this one, and we've got a legit shot at the Rose Bowl. Lose, and it's Alamo Bowl at best.

Time to show you're in control, Bret.