I think it's a good question and big concern. Sometimes our front seven looks gassed. We need to find a way to suck it up and make plays or we lose the next two games. Is anybody else concerned?
Is Iowa's Defense Fatigued?
- Thread starter IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life
- Start date
NO.
But, readers of your constant 'woe is me' routine on here are beyond worn out. Exactly what would it take to make you a full-fledged fan of Nebraska? Your schtick fits perfectly with the delusional UN fan that often comes here to vent. The timing could not be better for you to make the switch.
This has happened every week and so far so good....relax it is tradition and superstition that will propel Iowa to 12-0 this week!
And I would also bet most likely every team is in the exact same shape.
Long season...
Well, if the Iowa D isn't worn out, then 'splain this, smart guy: First 8 games Iowa gives up about 15 points per game. Last 3 games, Iowa gives up about 28 points a game...against Indiana, Minnesota, and Purdue.
And then everybody is running the ball against the Iowa D, and passing it, and pretty much having their way. The stats are there. So is the eye test. No pressure AT ALL on the QB. Every single FACT shouts TIRED DEFENSE.
So the facts would seem to suggest the OP is correct. Morehouse of The Gazette has said so, too. Anybody with eyes and a brain would say so. What will KF and PP do about it? That's what you should be worried about.
And then everybody is running the ball against the Iowa D, and passing it, and pretty much having their way. The stats are there. So is the eye test. No pressure AT ALL on the QB. Every single FACT shouts TIRED DEFENSE.
So the facts would seem to suggest the OP is correct. Morehouse of The Gazette has said so, too. Anybody with eyes and a brain would say so. What will KF and PP do about it? That's what you should be worried about.
IDK what planet you're on. It's far from me being paranoid, tradition, etc.... I am genuinely concerned that Iowa's D is gassed.
Everybody in the same boat? Well, not if they were smart enough to rotate the backups in there. Not if they were aggressive enough to blow people out when they should so the starters could rest. And not if they have a short week while the next opponent was on a bye. Sorry to inject some facts. Sometimes it just can't be helped.
I'm not concerned about "fatigue", I'm concerned about the lack of a pass rush going against a pass happy team. I sure hope our stable is not bare in that catagory.
Uh, do ya think the lack of a pass rush is due to fatigue? Cause and effect. It's quite a thing.
What do you propose Kirk do about it? What CAN Kirk do about it?
Just put yourself in his shoes for a moment - which is what all the second guessers do here - the genie is out of the bottle.
How do you un-tire a unit with two straight more weeks of play coming?
You have the answers, you tell me.
"well, maybe he should have rotated more guys in more often earlier..."
Can't do that. And chances are, Iowa gives up a lot more scores in earlier games as a result.
"well, maybe he needs to play more guys now to keep the line fresh"...
Well, how about that, I wonder if KF ever would think of that? Nahhh, play them until their hearts explode.
So, I ask again, with tweo games coming up, what exactly does Kirk do about it on November 23, 2015?
Just put yourself in his shoes for a moment - which is what all the second guessers do here - the genie is out of the bottle.
How do you un-tire a unit with two straight more weeks of play coming?
You have the answers, you tell me.
"well, maybe he should have rotated more guys in more often earlier..."
Can't do that. And chances are, Iowa gives up a lot more scores in earlier games as a result.
"well, maybe he needs to play more guys now to keep the line fresh"...
Well, how about that, I wonder if KF ever would think of that? Nahhh, play them until their hearts explode.
So, I ask again, with tweo games coming up, what exactly does Kirk do about it on November 23, 2015?
I don't know your track record.....are you a Hawkeye fan? If so, how can you be complaining right now? Honest question. What is your issue? If you are not a fan and just trying to stir some people up, then by all means carry on.
Yeah, scheme and defensive play calling have absolutely no bearing on pass rush. Get a clue (besides x-box).
I think they are a little bit, especially on the D line, but I also think they discovered that Ekakitie, Nelson and others are capable. Iowa stuffed that 3rd and 4th down with the backups in on the D line.
Very fair post, and I tend to agree.
The obvious idea is to figure out how to bring some pressure on the opposing QB. But that clearly isn't without risk.
So my question is this - Can King and Mabin play tight man coverage if Iowa wanted to bring a safety and / or a LB occasionally? I'm pretty sure King can do so. Could the other safety help Mabin deep? How do you account for a TE or a wheel route in that defense? You can't account for every part of the field if you're bringing pressure, so you have to be sure you get to the QB quickly AND take away the hot routes.
It might have more to do with the fact that our best pass rusher (by far) is out for the year......our defense is no more fatigued than any other unit in college football, it is week 12 everybody is fatigued, dinged up, etc... you guys are sounding like ISU fans and Nebby fans by making excuses
This. I would like to see our DL rotate a little bit more in the first half so they are more fresh in the 4th quarter. Now that Ott is out there isn't as big of a talent gap between Heese and Nelson/Spears and Meier has played very, very well this season but banging against 300 pound tackles for 11 games has to take its toll on a 260 pound (soaking wet) DE.
I think the Raider package on 3rd and 5+ is necessary. Get guys like Bower/Mends in there to basically raise hell. The front 4 just can't seem to get any kind of pressure on the QB.
And please, please don't blitz King. He is the best cover guy. Bring Mabin or Taylor if you want to switch things up.
Of course the defense is fatigued, so what....every team is fatigued by this time...we are Iowa not ISU stop making excuses
I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, but it turns out you are in fact a miserable pathetic pessimistic fan.....I tried
Yes, because the rest of the defense can't possibly be tired also. Let's make it harder on them.
I've read a lot of cedarvalley's posts and he is a Hawk fan, he is just not a KF fan. Most posters who were anti KF because they wanted to see some changes have been impressed with the changes that Kirk made and that have helped us reach 11-0. Cedarvalley is sticking with his anti KF stand despite all the success. I feel sad for him.
Missing Ott really hurts on the edge. Having said that, I think Iowa played a very conservative defensive scheme the past 3 weeks, thinking they could easily outscore those 3 teams (which they did). I think you will see more blitzing on Friday against Little Debbie
I'm not sure if there gassed or just playing better offenses
who can score points.
Example Indiana is 24th in the country in (#1 in big ten) total offense and Michigan is 2nd in total defense yet Indiana scores 41 on them. Michigan didn't look tired so my guess is Indiana is just that good on offense. Minnesota had a good game plan vs Iowa and executed very well. Purdue had some success and still only scores 20 points. It would be nice to hold teams to 10 points and below every game but it is unrealistic.
Fridays game the opponent averages 33.6 points per game just below Iowa. Could Iowa give up that many points? Yes. The question is will they? I think not but that's why they play the game. Enjoy the ride! Iowa is in unfamiliar territory and it's fun.
Not against Tommy Armstrong. One, he can hurt you with his legs and 2, hes a guy you make earn it, as in seeing if he can coordinate 12 play scoring drives without throwing it to Iowa. Im not saying dont blitz at all, pick your spots, but keep him in the pocket and make him read a defense.
I'm not sure if there gassed or just playing better offenses
who can score points.
Example Indiana is 24th in the country in (#1 in big ten) total offense and Michigan is 2nd in total defense yet Indiana scores 41 on them. Michigan didn't look tired so my guess is Indiana is just that good on offense. Minnesota had a good game plan vs Iowa and executed very well. Purdue had some success and still only scores 20 points. It would be nice to hold teams to 10 points and below every game but it is unrealistic.
Fridays game the opponent averages 33.6 points per game just below Iowa. Could Iowa give up that many points? Yes. The question is will they? I think not but that's why they play the game. Enjoy the ride! Iowa is in unfamiliar territory and it's fun.
Finally, some sanity to the mix.
Iowa indeed play very soft the last 3 weeks. I think part of it was that they knew they could do that and still win. I also seem to recall Hesse going out of the Minnesota game and possibly is still dinged up a bit.
I also believe Iowa to a degree was sandbagging a bit. There's a lot more eyes on Iowa now...if you can hold some schemes and calls back a bit, why not do it considering the opposition is going to step up in class pretty soon. No sense giving them the kitchen sink if you can help it.
Anybody notice, the fake FG's, the Wild Ass Kirk...has disappeared a bit recently? Ever consider that maybe he's holding his cards a bit knowing, he's gonna need those down the line?
After 11 games, with more pressure each game, and teams giving their best to beat an unbeaten...everyone is tired, everyone is hurting and sore...
Better to be tired and sore at 11-0 than tired and sore at 6-5...
BTW...players on 6-5 teams are tired and sore also...
Mental toughness will win out...I like our chances with the unity and leadership I have seen to this point.
Better to be tired and sore at 11-0 than tired and sore at 6-5...
BTW...players on 6-5 teams are tired and sore also...
Mental toughness will win out...I like our chances with the unity and leadership I have seen to this point.
It also should be noted that teams are now throwing the kitchen sink at Iowa with "trick plays", fakes, etc.....most of the teams we played the last 3 weeks have had nothing to lose and you also bring up a valid point in which we are probably playing pretty base and vanilla schemes on both sides to not "show our hand"....I know the raider package was very limited this week in our packages....none the less you all do realize we are 11-0 right?
I agree with you no reason to use gimmicks and trick plays when your gashing the defense with the run. Save those for the important downs during some upcoming games if necessary. Ferentz may be vanilla but he's got some Neapolitan with whip cream and cherries stashed away.
Looked at last year's box.
Tommy was 12-27 for 202 yards. Had 3 tds and 2 pics [one a pic 6]. Was sacked twice for minus 5 yards. Rushed 11 times for 31 yards.
We tried to contain him in pocket. I expect the same this year as it was reasonably effective.
Special teams and horrible play by Ruddock [14 incompletions in a row] in second half cost us the game.
Amazing stat of the day is that we had possession for 37:36 as to their 22:24!
Tommy was 12-27 for 202 yards. Had 3 tds and 2 pics [one a pic 6]. Was sacked twice for minus 5 yards. Rushed 11 times for 31 yards.
We tried to contain him in pocket. I expect the same this year as it was reasonably effective.
Special teams and horrible play by Ruddock [14 incompletions in a row] in second half cost us the game.
Amazing stat of the day is that we had possession for 37:36 as to their 22:24!
Speaking of trick plays. I call my dad after most games to talk football. So I say "How bout them Hawkeyes!"
He says how in the heck did Iowa let Purdue get a first down on the double reverse? I said stuff happens dad were undefeated though.
Dad says "We're not going to be if they keep allowing that to happen!" I said "maybe" but let's enjoy it the Hawks are going to Indy and beyond!
My dad has been watching the Hawkeyes for over 50 years. Cheering them on during the lean years when they were not so good. I'm glad he gets to see and enjoy this teams play. Who knows how long it will be again...
It's great to be a Hawkeye! Go Hawks!
He says how in the heck did Iowa let Purdue get a first down on the double reverse? I said stuff happens dad were undefeated though.
Dad says "We're not going to be if they keep allowing that to happen!" I said "maybe" but let's enjoy it the Hawks are going to Indy and beyond!
My dad has been watching the Hawkeyes for over 50 years. Cheering them on during the lean years when they were not so good. I'm glad he gets to see and enjoy this teams play. Who knows how long it will be again...
It's great to be a Hawkeye! Go Hawks!
Think i remember Angerer commenting on that--its easier to communicate on the road since the crowd is quiet for their own Offense. So as long as the D is making the right adjustments easy for them all to be on the same page.
Later in the year...there is more game film and tendencies to track...weaknesses to exploit...a creative offensive coordinator can wreak a bit of havoc with this if he has equal or near equal talent to bring to the table...
I am hoping both the Iowa OC and DC have kept their powder dry a bit for these last games...use them if needed...otherwise...keep them in the powder room for later use.
I am hoping both the Iowa OC and DC have kept their powder dry a bit for these last games...use them if needed...otherwise...keep them in the powder room for later use.
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