What amount of time of possession wins games not just this week, but all year? 25 minutes? That leaves defense out there a lot, but it might be enough. What does that look like?
If the Hawks get at least 13 drives, is 12 first downs enough for a game? In terms of eating clock, a 12 yd completion on 1st down (not that this happens all that much) doesn't do as much, but it does help flip the field. Sacks basically = end of drives on any down. That's what I fear out of end arounds/reverses too. I'd rather see screens if a team is overpursuing. For what little upside there is to utilizing WR to run the ball, loss of yardage ends drives.
I like the stats behind 20 points winning games, but I honestly think 17 wins almost every game this year with the exception of OSU. That's about as KF/Iowa style as it gets. Think this really fits with how the offense is run no matter what the personnel has been or who the coordinator is. Not sure how realistic it is to get 17 points off 12 first downs, but those two things probably fit in with everyone's prediction of low scoring = IA cover and under.
I'm not saying Petras is the answer, but it seems like he has far less risk of turning the ball over, which again fits the style KF goes for. If the QB doesn't turn it over, we're winning the turnover stat most games. KF has earned enough of my respect to trust his style and decision when it comes to who gives the best chance to win games. I also find it interesting that I don't hear any players now or from last year that are saying the change should be made. It would be surprising to me that current players would be that disrespectful to do it publically, but I'd be shocked that we wouldn't get some rumblings with the sources or people on this board who claim to have "inside info."
Defense is elite, but the special teams have the opportunity to get close to that level too. Not just TT, return teams and FG units have the ability to change games. Also penalties haven't been a huge factor in determining games up to this point.
My hope for the weekend would be a 13-10 win for the Hawks, but my pick is probably closer to 24-10 Michigan. If I were making "bold predictions" I would guess the Hawks will get screwed on 2 pass interference calls, 1 review goes against the Hawks, and Michigan uses at least 1 backup QB due to either ineffectiveness or injury.
Go Hawks!