Indiana's Defense is really really bad
- Thread starter JRHawk2003
- Start date
Agreed. I'm getting tired of all the hand-wringing. Our defense is good, and theirs is epically bad. I have no concerns about this game, as this Iowa team has yet to show me a reason to doubt them.
I think IU gets 25-30 pts because you have to defend that spread for 60 minutes and that is a lot to ask of a team.
If Iowa gets a big lead, it is probably even more likely Indiana hits those numbers. 1 due to more possessions, and 2 due to KF, conservative nature.
If Iowa gets a big lead, it is probably even more likely Indiana hits those numbers. 1 due to more possessions, and 2 due to KF, conservative nature.
While I'm sure we won't be slinging the ball all over the field and running trick plays, I would doubt KF will turtle up as much with a decent lead as he did with Maryland last week. He was simply convinced Maryland couldn't put up enough points to win the game, but he also knows Indiana if given the chance can put points on the board in a hurry. I think you would still see relatively conservative, but with a bit more balance unless IU simply isn't able to stop the run.
We need big plays. CJ has to be able to hit those guys deep when the opportunities are there. This is also a game for Wadley to have another huge stats day.
When is the last time Iowa Football played well in Bloomington? That is more the reason for concern IMO than anything the 2015 versions of the Hoosiers or Hawkeyes have shown.
2008 to answer your "last time" question. 45-9.
4-1 since overall, 1-1 there since. 18-13 win, 24-21 loss.
And I agree with JR...everybody once again is gnashing their teeth with another offensive juggernaut Iowa faces this year and forgets the other team has to play defense too.
I watched the second half of the Rutgers game, and I cannot remember seeing a worse defense out of Indiana than I saw that game. It was ridiculous...like watching touch football...bad touch football.
4-1 since overall, 1-1 there since. 18-13 win, 24-21 loss.
And I agree with JR...everybody once again is gnashing their teeth with another offensive juggernaut Iowa faces this year and forgets the other team has to play defense too.
I watched the second half of the Rutgers game, and I cannot remember seeing a worse defense out of Indiana than I saw that game. It was ridiculous...like watching touch football...bad touch football.
Did you watch the MSU game? I believe it was 28-26 at the end of the 3rd quarter. I did not, but would like to hear what they thought about Indiana based on that game, not the Rutgers game. I do think there is room for some concern.
I did not watch one second of this game...
If you look at the stats, it shows MSU ran the ball 44 times for 142 yards, and Cook had 10 carries. Now, if you look at that solely, one could infer that chances are Indiana stacked the box and shut the running game down pretty well considering, and went after Cook all game.
But then you look at the fact Cook threw for 400 yards, and MSU controlled the ball for 39 minutes...one can reasonably assume that yes Indiana scored a lot in those 21 minutes...but was absolutely gassed defensively the second half, considering they allowed 24 straight in the 4th quarter.
I'd say those 44 carries were more important than the 142 yards. MSU ran 96 plays that game total.
To me, Indiana sold out hoping to hang close - and failed because of a lack of depth and talent on the defensive end to make that strategy work.
The problem with Iowa is CJ is immobile right now. Cook was able to take off and escape enough to put up 400 on them.
So, the kneejerk reaction is Indiana sucks on pass defense. But if CJ can't play-action or bootleg, then it's mostly shotgun - which takes the running aspect out of the gameplan on those plays. They can pin their ears back and blitz CJ knowing he ain't going anywhere.
That makes those shotgun plays easier to defend, even though they suck at pass defense.
Which leads me to believe Iowa's best strategy is to run the ball, and continue to run the ball all game long. Eventually, the body punches thrown will tire Indiana out (much like NW game) where the second half, their tanks will be empty and then the running game dominates and puts them away.
Ideally, a 50-20 run/pass ratio, Iowa wins handily because Indiana isn't going to have the ball enough to score big time points.
Well...
in 2012 they lost by 3.
in 2010 they won by 5.
In 2008 they won by 36.
In 2006 they lost by 3.
In 2002 they won by 16.
in 2000 they lost by 12.
So KF is 3-3 at Bloomington.
Any other year I would agree with you whatsup, but this year is upside down. When was the last time we played well (win OR lose) against NW, ISU, or at least one of our "easy" pre-conference games. The hawks have even had problems in recent years against anyone at home. This year, however, that has just not been the case. So far this team has played well across the board.
This is what worries me, especially after the last game. If we get a good lead early against anybody and come out sleepwalking the 2nd half, a team we should beat could come back and bite us. I really hope that if we get a 2 or 3 score lead we try to bury them instead of trying to run out 30 minutes of clock.
I just watched it, take a look at that Indiana/MSU game on watchespn. If it wasn't for Cook's near-record night, I don't know if they win that. Game was still in question deep into 4 quarter.
A good portion (71 yards) of MSU's rushing yards came on the garbage drives in the last 3 minutes. Indiana was down 10ish, turned it over on downs, let MSU run it in, fumbled the kickoff and let them run it in again. Otherwise Indiana would have kept them to something like 37 attempts for 70 yards. MSUs o-line banged up bad, had 3rd string linemen in there. MSUs d-backfield also banged up, 5 players out of the 2 deeps. Lots of pressure from Indiana's front 7, Cook avoided some of that with his legs, but also with quick passes. There are some big dudes on that line for Indiana.
The coverage for either team didn't look that bad, just a lot of very accurate throws. Refs were bad, lots of PI non-calls that shoulda been called on Indiana. Sudfeld was very accurate and o-line pass protection was good. Hopefully we can get our run game going early and we can control the game. Not sure which Indiana will show up, Rutgers or MSU.
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Course Michigan State also had trouble with Rutgers, Purdue so maybe its MSU, we will see.
This year's version of Iowa football is more cohesive, more stable, better leadership...
KF's "vintage" type football, when hitting on cylinders, is like an Anaconda...for fast paced, high scoring teams...get a lead, run the ball, field position, keep the other team's offense on the sidelines, play good defense up front...wait for a pick or two...punt if needed...let the defense carry the game.
I don't think the spread is that much, 7 points? That makes sense...hoping Iowa can play a good game...expecting as much.
KF's "vintage" type football, when hitting on cylinders, is like an Anaconda...for fast paced, high scoring teams...get a lead, run the ball, field position, keep the other team's offense on the sidelines, play good defense up front...wait for a pick or two...punt if needed...let the defense carry the game.
I don't think the spread is that much, 7 points? That makes sense...hoping Iowa can play a good game...expecting as much.
Michigan St. is 88th in rushing offense. Iowa is 33rd. Running the ball will make a big difference in this game for Iowa. You can't compare the results of the MSU game to what will happen when Iowa plays Indiana. Also, Indiana is coming off a bye week. You would think that is an advantage but 52% of teams coming off a bye week end up losing their next game.
I think Indiana has a decent run defense and not so sure we are good enough to take advantage of their poor pass defense. I think Iowa wins, but don't expect us to put 50 points. I'm thinking more like 34.
When was the last time Iowa was 8-0? This isn't a "normal" year. The 2015 Hawks are not the typical Hawkeye team.
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