include

[BryceC]

In the last 5 games in the series, there has been no more of a deciding factor than the turnover margin. In fact, since 2001, ISU has forced 13 turnovers against Iowa while only giving up 5, for a +8 margin. That’s huge. ISU won the turnover margin every year except 2003, which was the most lopsided loss on ISU’s side for the recent series.

When ISU has won the turnover battle they have given up an average of 16.25 points per game. When they gave up more turnovers than Iowa in 2003, they gave up 40 points. ISU also scores an average of 21.5 points in games they have won the turnover margin against Iowa in the last five years. They also scored 21 in 2003, but a few of those were in garbage time.

In games that ISU has won the turnover margin in the last five years against Iowa they are 3-1, with the lone loss coming in 2004 when ISU lost 10-17 and missed 3 field goals. ISU is 3-0 when the turnover margin is +2.

The defense hasn’t been quite the ball hawks we have gotten used to in the past few years, so let’s hope that the team turns up the intensity this week and starts picking some passes off and stripping some balls. History has shown that if ISU expects to win this game, the defense better start creating some opportunities for the offense.