The Hawks are riding high heading into the meat of their schedule, sitting at 4-0 and ranked in the Top 5 of most major polls. They're playing well, no doubt about it. How have they stacked up statistically compared to the rest of the Big 10?
Scoring Offense: C-. The Hawks rank 8th in scoring offense, at 29 points per game. This stat is inflated, however, considering the defense is responsible for more points than any other defense in the country. If you don't count the pick 6s and safeties, the Hawks drop down to 11th in scoring. With that said, they're still scoring more points than their opponents, so they aren't quite deserving of a D.
Scoring Defense: A+. The Hawks lead the Big 10 in scoring defense, allowing just 11 points per game! They've allowed just 5 touchdowns through 4 games this season, and several of those were a result of the offense giving opponents a short field. It's safe to say that whatever Iowa's paying Parker, he's underpaid.
Rushing Offense: D-. Despite returning the reigning 1st team all-Big 10 running back in Goodson, perhaps the best center in college football, and boasting a well known "run first" offense, the Hawks rank just 12th in the Big 10 in rushing and 13th in yards per attempt at just 3.3. How is this ineptitude possible? Is the new OL coach that bad, is Brian's play calling that predictable, or did Goodson somehow regress? Either way, this has to be the most disappointing stat of the season thus far, based on expectations.
Total Defense: A. The bend but don't break defense is getting the job done, ranking 3rd in the conference in total D, allowing 272 yards per game, and 3rd in rushing D. If you go by yards allowed per play, the Hawks stand alone at the top of the conference.
3rd Down Conversions: D. It's a little surprising how a 4-0 team and dark horse Playoff contender can rank 12th in their own conference in 3rd down conversions, converting just 35% of the time. By comparison, Ohio State and Michigan are up at 50%, and even lowly Nebraska converts 46% of the time. There are several possible explanations, but I think the problem is pretty obvious...Brian's incompetence at play calling on 1st down is leading to far too many 3rd and long situations. And far too often on 3rd and 7, Iowa either calls a draw play for no gain or a 3 yard out.
Sacks: A-. Despite a defense that "rarely blitzes," and losing some stud DL to the NFL draft, the Hawk rank 4th in sacks at 3.25 per game. Surprisingly, this week's opponent, Maryland, ranks first in sacks, which is the last thing happy feet Petras needs to hear going into the game. Look for a lot of extremely quick dump off passes this week and audibles to the run.
Sacks Allowed: D+. The combination of poor OL play and an immobile QB who easily panics has allowed "OL U" to rank 11th in sacks allowed, at 2.25. By comparison, Michigan has allowed just 1 sack all season. The OL is at full strength, health wise, which is more than most teams can say, so it's time for them to step up and block.
Punting: A+. Watching Taylor punt is a treat. He ranks just 5th, averaging 48 yards per punt, but with the help of Terry Roberts, he's got an uncanny ability to pin opponents back inside their own 10 yard line. Thus far, punting has been winning at Iowa. Let's hope moving forward the Hawks are less reliant on their punter being the team's MVP and more reliant upon a decent passing game.
Punt Returns: A-. Sure, other teams have better known punt returners, with Charlie Jones ranking 6th in average per return at 12 yrds per attempt, but the guy is a breath of fresh air back there, showing no fear and returning balls that a majority of previous Hawkeye punt returners would have fair caught or let bounce. In fact, one of the most pleasant stats out there is that Jones leads the Big 10 in punt return attempts, leaving the fair catching to the wusses.
Scoring Offense: C-. The Hawks rank 8th in scoring offense, at 29 points per game. This stat is inflated, however, considering the defense is responsible for more points than any other defense in the country. If you don't count the pick 6s and safeties, the Hawks drop down to 11th in scoring. With that said, they're still scoring more points than their opponents, so they aren't quite deserving of a D.
Scoring Defense: A+. The Hawks lead the Big 10 in scoring defense, allowing just 11 points per game! They've allowed just 5 touchdowns through 4 games this season, and several of those were a result of the offense giving opponents a short field. It's safe to say that whatever Iowa's paying Parker, he's underpaid.
Rushing Offense: D-. Despite returning the reigning 1st team all-Big 10 running back in Goodson, perhaps the best center in college football, and boasting a well known "run first" offense, the Hawks rank just 12th in the Big 10 in rushing and 13th in yards per attempt at just 3.3. How is this ineptitude possible? Is the new OL coach that bad, is Brian's play calling that predictable, or did Goodson somehow regress? Either way, this has to be the most disappointing stat of the season thus far, based on expectations.
Total Defense: A. The bend but don't break defense is getting the job done, ranking 3rd in the conference in total D, allowing 272 yards per game, and 3rd in rushing D. If you go by yards allowed per play, the Hawks stand alone at the top of the conference.
3rd Down Conversions: D. It's a little surprising how a 4-0 team and dark horse Playoff contender can rank 12th in their own conference in 3rd down conversions, converting just 35% of the time. By comparison, Ohio State and Michigan are up at 50%, and even lowly Nebraska converts 46% of the time. There are several possible explanations, but I think the problem is pretty obvious...Brian's incompetence at play calling on 1st down is leading to far too many 3rd and long situations. And far too often on 3rd and 7, Iowa either calls a draw play for no gain or a 3 yard out.
Sacks: A-. Despite a defense that "rarely blitzes," and losing some stud DL to the NFL draft, the Hawk rank 4th in sacks at 3.25 per game. Surprisingly, this week's opponent, Maryland, ranks first in sacks, which is the last thing happy feet Petras needs to hear going into the game. Look for a lot of extremely quick dump off passes this week and audibles to the run.
Sacks Allowed: D+. The combination of poor OL play and an immobile QB who easily panics has allowed "OL U" to rank 11th in sacks allowed, at 2.25. By comparison, Michigan has allowed just 1 sack all season. The OL is at full strength, health wise, which is more than most teams can say, so it's time for them to step up and block.
Punting: A+. Watching Taylor punt is a treat. He ranks just 5th, averaging 48 yards per punt, but with the help of Terry Roberts, he's got an uncanny ability to pin opponents back inside their own 10 yard line. Thus far, punting has been winning at Iowa. Let's hope moving forward the Hawks are less reliant on their punter being the team's MVP and more reliant upon a decent passing game.
Punt Returns: A-. Sure, other teams have better known punt returners, with Charlie Jones ranking 6th in average per return at 12 yrds per attempt, but the guy is a breath of fresh air back there, showing no fear and returning balls that a majority of previous Hawkeye punt returners would have fair caught or let bounce. In fact, one of the most pleasant stats out there is that Jones leads the Big 10 in punt return attempts, leaving the fair catching to the wusses.
