I don't think Spencer will take that big of a step forward this year but I think he takes a step forward and it will be because everything around him on offense will improve. As a result the offense will be better. Here is why.
First the depth chart released today is crap. There are guys starting who might not even play and guys playing positions they haven't really been practicing at this camp. Gennings Dunker and Connor Colby are two key examples of this. I know Dunker has been getting a lot of 1st and 2nd team reps at the guard spots. I also know he has done well at RG while Colby has been the acting RT for what has been most of camp. I have also heard Plumb has played both OT's as well as RG. This leads me to my point on why the offense will be much improved.
3rd and short. Iowa's run game struggled last year and passing on first and 2nd down didn't help put Iowa in manageable 3rd downs. Petras isn't going to make big plays to keep drives going all game. He may only have a handful of those throws in him a game. Iowa needs to put themselves in manageable 3rd down situations. The run game this year will do that. Iowa has finally returned to a power run game set. The RB's are bigger and can bounce off tackles. They also are solid one cut and hit runners. Arm touch tackles aren't going to bring this stable of backs down. I love backs like Goodson and Wadley but backs like that aren't running through arm tackles. They're great to have if you can pair them with a bigger back.
The coaching staff also spent a lot of time this off season getting the OL bigger and stronger. It's a tell that the staff is returning to a power run game. When the staff and media were buzzing about the Iowa running backs this summer Colby was playing RT and Dunker was playing guard. The coaching staff aren't playing Colby at RT and Dunker at OG for pretty much all or most of camp in August just to switch Colby back at RG and Dunker to third string. There is something there with those two that's working. From what I heard about Dunker and run blocking they have something there the coaches really like. The coaching staff and personnel have also stressed finding the right combinations that work well together and how important that is. Expect Iowa to be solid running the ball this year. The OL and RB's will put the offense in a lot more 3rd and short situations providing Petras with manageable situations inside his comfort zone. This will help Iowa put points on the board and field position working for them. I think Iowa has two 800-900 yd runners and one that gets about 400yds. The RB's will combine for right around 2,000yds this year.
Iowa will get the run game going this year. They may not be breakaway threats but their ability to get 3-5yds a carry more consistently will set up 3rd and short while also allowing Iowa to better utilize the talent at WR/TE. By just getting another yard or two on first and 2nd down this year it will present a bigger challenge this year to opposing defenses and keep them from boxing the Iowa offense in. 2nd and 6 or 2nd and 5 will also be a lot better than 2nd and 8 or 10 like we saw a lot of last year. It will allow Iowa to mix things up on both 2nd and 3rd down.
First the depth chart released today is crap. There are guys starting who might not even play and guys playing positions they haven't really been practicing at this camp. Gennings Dunker and Connor Colby are two key examples of this. I know Dunker has been getting a lot of 1st and 2nd team reps at the guard spots. I also know he has done well at RG while Colby has been the acting RT for what has been most of camp. I have also heard Plumb has played both OT's as well as RG. This leads me to my point on why the offense will be much improved.
3rd and short. Iowa's run game struggled last year and passing on first and 2nd down didn't help put Iowa in manageable 3rd downs. Petras isn't going to make big plays to keep drives going all game. He may only have a handful of those throws in him a game. Iowa needs to put themselves in manageable 3rd down situations. The run game this year will do that. Iowa has finally returned to a power run game set. The RB's are bigger and can bounce off tackles. They also are solid one cut and hit runners. Arm touch tackles aren't going to bring this stable of backs down. I love backs like Goodson and Wadley but backs like that aren't running through arm tackles. They're great to have if you can pair them with a bigger back.
The coaching staff also spent a lot of time this off season getting the OL bigger and stronger. It's a tell that the staff is returning to a power run game. When the staff and media were buzzing about the Iowa running backs this summer Colby was playing RT and Dunker was playing guard. The coaching staff aren't playing Colby at RT and Dunker at OG for pretty much all or most of camp in August just to switch Colby back at RG and Dunker to third string. There is something there with those two that's working. From what I heard about Dunker and run blocking they have something there the coaches really like. The coaching staff and personnel have also stressed finding the right combinations that work well together and how important that is. Expect Iowa to be solid running the ball this year. The OL and RB's will put the offense in a lot more 3rd and short situations providing Petras with manageable situations inside his comfort zone. This will help Iowa put points on the board and field position working for them. I think Iowa has two 800-900 yd runners and one that gets about 400yds. The RB's will combine for right around 2,000yds this year.
Iowa will get the run game going this year. They may not be breakaway threats but their ability to get 3-5yds a carry more consistently will set up 3rd and short while also allowing Iowa to better utilize the talent at WR/TE. By just getting another yard or two on first and 2nd down this year it will present a bigger challenge this year to opposing defenses and keep them from boxing the Iowa offense in. 2nd and 6 or 2nd and 5 will also be a lot better than 2nd and 8 or 10 like we saw a lot of last year. It will allow Iowa to mix things up on both 2nd and 3rd down.