Maryland Gets After the QB

[Auger]

My biggest worry for this game is Marylands ability to get after the QB. They are second in the B1G with an avg of just under three and a half sacks per game. The rest of their D isnt much to look at but they can pop a QB. Im sure they are aware of our troubles at protecting the QB and will come after CJ like they did against Penn St this last weekend. However Hack was able to torch their DB's. That game could have been ugly for Penn St if Hack wasnt able to fire off shots down field. That said Penn St has some WR's that can get open quick. Hopefully our WR's this weekend can do the same because Maryland was still able to get to Hack often in that game. Plus Marylands new D scheme was geared towards shutting down the run and harrassing the QB. If their DB's could have held up that was an upset they could have pulled off.

That said I see Iowa by 14pts this weekend. I think it will be close for about 3qtrs.

 

[hexumhawk]

Would like to see us use that screen game and a few draw plays as well this week.

 

[Prophethawk]

My biggest worry for this game is Marylands ability to get after the QB. They are second in the B1G with an avg of just under three and a half sacks per game. The rest of their D isnt much to look at but they can pop a QB. Im sure they are aware of our troubles at protecting the QB and will come after CJ like they did against Penn St this last weekend. However Hack was able to torch their DB's. That game could have been ugly for Penn St if Hack wasnt able to fire off shots down field. That said Penn St has some WR's that can get open quick. Hopefully our WR's this weekend can do the same because Maryland was still able to get to Hack often in that game. Plus Marylands new D scheme was geared towards shutting down the run and harrassing the QB. If their DB's could have held up that was an upset they could have pulled off.

That said I see Iowa by 14pts this weekend. I think it will be close for about 3qtrs.

Are WE aware of our troubles protecting the QB? As the coaches have said, they have missed some blitz pick-ups, CJ has held the ball too long at times, etc... You're making it sound like we lead the big10 in sacks allowed and that our offensive line is having 'troubles' and that is not quite a clear and accurate account.
Also, Penn St.'s O line is one of the worst (if not the worst) in the big10. They are near the bottom in rushing and are dead last in sacks allowed, giving up 11 more than then the second to last team!!!
It concerns me that you are 'worried' for this game a week out. I have all kinds of IMPORTANT things to worry about and none of it includes the Hawkeyes offensive line or anything else that I have no control over. It sounds like you need to re-evaluate your priorities and fine some things to do, so you're not worrying so much. I hope this helps.

 

[BUCKSNDUCKS]

Northwestern was supposed to have a good defense too, but we took care of that. I hope that Maryland is beat up after their Penn state game, and we have had 2 weeks to get ready for them. I am sure they were watching that game - and have a game plan ready!

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

The screen game can make teams think twice about bringing the house....

 

[modeba2004]

Couldn't agree more about using the bubble screens. I think our run game is good enough to exploit their over pursuit and will be open to the pass to the RB's out on the edge. I also noticed that late during the NW game, we starting running our FB Kulick up the middle and can also be an option they could be working on. These guys remember losing to this team last year and will be wanting some payback. We are at home. We win this one going away by 4 TD's.

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

If CJB was/is healthy, the QB draw could be an effective play as well. Not sure how he is/would be running that.

 

[GT Hawkaholic]

They are giving up 450 yards per game. If we are worried about their defense, then we should be worried every game.

 

[David1979]

It is because they blitz a lot however they also give up a ton of yards through the air.

 

[FranklinHawk]

Couldn't agree more about using the bubble screens. I think our run game is good enough to exploit their over pursuit and will be open to the pass to the RB's out on the edge. I also noticed that late during the NW game, we starting running our FB Kulick up the middle and can also be an option they could be working on. These guys remember losing to this team last year and will be wanting some payback. We are at home. We win this one going away by 4 TD's.

I think the Kulick runs late in the Northwestern game were more 1) Kirk taking his foot off the gas and 2) not wanting to risk another RB injury.

 

[AuroraHawk]

If CJB was/is healthy, the QB draw could be an effective play as well. Not sure how he is/would be running that.

CJB will not be healthy the rest of the year. Short of a 4th quarter, time virtually running out and Iowa desperate for a first down, I cannot envision this coaching staff calling a quarterback draw play for him. The potential "cost" associated with CJB exacerbating his injury far outweighs (and I stress FAR) any benefit from calling a quarterback draw. Hopefully, we'll get to see it next year. Until then, the screen pass or wide sweep will be Iowa's option to try to stymie a hard charging defensive team.

 

[bagdropper]

I have a hard time not seeing Iowa put up 40+ on Maryland. 103rd overall in defense according to CBS's numbers. Roadies against WVU and OSU, they allowed 45 and 49 points.

Their pass defense is terrible (102nd)...so it stands to reason they have to blitz a lot to put pressure on to mitigate teams even getting passes off as much as possible. So, protect against their rush/blitzing well enough, Iowa should pass on them all day long.

Something like 48-23 wouldn't surprise me at all here.

 

[citizenHawk]

CJB will not be healthy the rest of the year. Short of a 4th quarter, time virtually running out and Iowa desperate for a first down, I cannot envision this coaching staff calling a quarterback draw play for him. The potential "cost" associated with CJB exacerbating his injury far outweighs (and I stress FAR) any benefit from calling a quarterback draw. Hopefully, we'll get to see it next year. Until then, the screen pass or wide sweep will be Iowa's option to try to stymie a hard charging defensive team.

A shame to think about. Beathard's ability to run is one of the reasons this team is currently where it is. With that gone, it's a considerably weaker offense, and will probably come with an unfortunate cost.

So, given optimism, I really hope you are wrong.

 

[EagleHawk]

A shame to think about. Beathard's ability to run is one of the reasons this team is currently where it is. With that gone, it's a considerably weaker offense, and will probably come with an unfortunate cost.

So, given optimism, I really hope you are wrong.

Not to be a prick, but Beathard couldn't run against a good Northwestern defense and we had no problem with a running game or at all on offense.

 

[Auger]

Not to be a prick, but Beathard couldn't run against a good Northwestern defense and we had no problem with a running game or at all on offense.

Northwestern's LB's are starting to get exposed. They are finding themsleves out of position far to often and have had trouble reading the play. An ex Northwestern player has been doing a solid job pointing this out every week. The Iowa staff did a great job of mixing up plays and forcing the Northwestern LB's into tough reads. BF has really impressed me as RGC this year.

 

[Packer54]

In the 5 games that Maryland played agains teams with real running attacks (some better than others) they gave up the following rushing yds:

201
240
173
182
198

We need to be able to smash them for about 250+ on the ground. (BTW they give up an average of 248 in the air as well in ALL games combined)

 

[MauiHawk]

More troubling to me about Maryland than a specific (like the pass rush) is that they were almost able to beat (and significantly outgain) a decent PSU team.

 

[Auger]

More troubling to me about Maryland than a specific (like the pass rush) is that they were almost able to beat (and significantly outgain) a decent PSU team.

Yeah they looked a bit different this last weekend. Maybe better coaching now.

 

[Prophethawk]

CJB will not be healthy the rest of the year. Short of a 4th quarter, time virtually running out and Iowa desperate for a first down, I cannot envision this coaching staff calling a quarterback draw play for him. The potential "cost" associated with CJB exacerbating his injury far outweighs (and I stress FAR) any benefit from calling a quarterback draw. Hopefully, we'll get to see it next year. Until then, the screen pass or wide sweep will be Iowa's option to try to stymie a hard charging defensive team.

Huh? They've run QB draw numerous times this year. 2 notable times, they ran it for a TD and for about a 40 gain against ISU. But, I agree, that they may want to lay off that play for awhile. I don't know how anyone knows that CJ won't be healthy for the rest of the year. If they know something we don't, I wish they would share it with us.

 

[Prophethawk]

A shame to think about. Beathard's ability to run is one of the reasons this team is currently where it is. With that gone, it's a considerably weaker offense, and will probably come with an unfortunate cost.

So, given optimism, I really hope you are wrong.

There is a big difference in keeping plays alive with your feet, and actual qb draws and you are correct that his ability to move really helps this offense. He will still keep plays alive and scramble for 1st downs (hell, he even did hobbling against NW), but I doubt they will call an actual QB draw, unless he gets 100% healthy.

 

[FranklinHawk]

More troubling to me about Maryland than a specific (like the pass rush) is that they were almost able to beat (and significantly outgain) a decent PSU team.

Not singling you out at all, but I really don't get the Penn State love this year. In looking at this year so far their best win is probably against Indiana. I get that they are 6-2, but not sure I'd put them in the top 5 in the B1G.

 

[bagdropper]

PSU, with arguably the worst offense in the B10, scored 31 against UM.

UM will have to outscore Iowa, cause Iowa's should hang 40+ with ease on them.

 

[MauiHawk]

Not singling you out at all, but I really don't get the Penn State love this year. In looking at this year so far their best win is probably against Indiana. I get that they are 6-2, but not sure I'd put them in the top 5 in the B1G.

I didn't say "great" or even "good" (though I think an argument can be made for good). I said "decent". My point is that PSU isn't some pushover and the fact that Maryland played them so tough is worth taking note of.

It is true PSU hasn't had any wins against good teams; but at the same time, their 2 loses come against teams that are currently ranked (including the top-ranked team).

Being 4-2 and having convincing wins against Indiana and Rutgers (more convincing than for a top-5 team in both cases)... for me this qualifies them as "decent".

 

[citizenHawk]

There is a big difference in keeping plays alive with your feet, and actual qb draws and you are correct that his ability to move really helps this offense. He will still keep plays alive and scramble for 1st downs (hell, he even did hobbling against NW), but I doubt they will call an actual QB draw, unless he gets 100% healthy.

Not to be a prick, but Beathard couldn't run against a good Northwestern defense and we had no problem with a running game or at all on offense.

Sure, Iowa got by at Northwestern, but it was Beathard's running that was the big difference vs ISU and Pitt.

Called play or not, he needs to be a threat to run. If this means an uncalled 3rd down scramble in the first quarter, then it has to be there. Nevermind how bad Thorson exposed a containment weakness in Nebraska last weekend. Nevermind that if Iowa expects a legitimate shot at OSU, they will need every weapon available.

 

[ichawk24]

More troubling to me about Maryland than a specific (like the pass rush) is that they were almost able to beat (and significantly outgain) a decent PSU team.

I was really impressed by Maryland's 5 turnovers.

They're 127th in the country in turnover margin at -13.

I'm scared.

 

[hawkit3113]

I don't care how well they get after the QB. They better prepare their anus for our running game.

 

[swihawk]

My biggest worry for this game is Marylands ability to get after the QB. They are second in the B1G with an avg of just under three and a half sacks per game. The rest of their D isnt much to look at but they can pop a QB. .

I guess we better just run it down their throats then.

 

[swihawk]

Sure, Iowa got by at Northwestern, .

Got by? 40-10 is a bit better than "got by".

 

[SLarew]

I guess we better just run it down their throats then.

I think that is exactly what they plan to do. A strong running game will keep their D from teeing off on CJ

 

[MauiHawk]

I was really impressed by Maryland's 5 turnovers.

They're 127th in the country in turnover margin at -13.

I'm scared.

Funny you say that, because I think that only enhances the argument about what Maryland is capable of. If they nearly beat PSU with 5 turnovers, what would they have done to PSU if they didn't have any? What if they don't have any against us?

 

[hawkit3113]

Funny you say that, because I think that only enhances the argument about what Maryland is capable of. If they nearly beat PSU with 5 turnovers, what would they have done to PSU if they didn't have any? What if they don't have any against us?

PSU is hot garbage. Iowa would beat them by 40.

 

[Suterman]

Maryland is not a good team and I don't care what measurement you use.

 

[Birky]

I don't care how well they get after the QB. They better prepare their anus for our running game.

I enjoyed this post. It deserves recognition.

 

[ichawk24]

Funny you say that, because I think that only enhances the argument about what Maryland is capable of. If they nearly beat PSU with 5 turnovers, what would they have done to PSU if they didn't have any? What if they don't have any against us?

You can make almost any team look good by totally ignoring all their weaknesses.

 

[Joes Place]

It is because they blitz a lot however they also give up a ton of yards through the air.

If they blitz a lot, and CJ can get the dump-off pass to Wadley past the first wave, Akrum could easily put up 200 or more APY in the game.....

If we run the ball on them consistently/effectively, I think Iowa steamrolls this weekend.

 

[revkev73]

Get an early lead...run it down their throat exclusively...using our 3 healthy backs and highly competent full backs...shake hands after the game...move on...teams that love to rush the QB, often tire of tackling running backs...

 

[Prophethawk]

I enjoyed this post. It deserves recognition.

You just like the word 'anus'!

 

[Prophethawk]

Get an early lead...run it down their throat exclusively...using our 3 healthy backs and highly competent full backs...shake hands after the game...move on...teams that love to rush the QB, often tire of tackling running backs...

The secret (well it's not really a secret) is to stay ahead of the chains. If you can, the D can't 'pin their ears back' getting after the QB. A Defense cannot regularly blitz on 2nd and 5 or less (high risk, low reward) and cannot rush hard off the edge on 3rd and 3 or less. Wouldn't surprise me to see MD 'run' blitz off the edge with a safety on first down to try to get us behind the chains. If they do, GD will have to adjust accordingly.

 

[revkev73]

This year, Iowa seems to have an ability to wear down the other team on both sides of the ball...which is a good thing...add to that, an avoidance of turnover and playing to pick a few passes in the plan of defense and it is a good formula if hitting on all cylinders.

I expect Iowa to wear down Maryland...and have their way with them...allowing for desperation passes to be picked...run, run, run...you have the backs...

 

[Suterman]

This year, Iowa seems to have an ability to wear down the other team on both sides of the ball...which is a good thing...add to that, an avoidance of turnover and playing to pick a few passes in the plan of defense and it is a good formula if hitting on all cylinders.

I expect Iowa to wear down Maryland...and have their way with them...allowing for desperation passes to be picked...run, run, run...you have the backs...

I agree with this.