In last year's game against PSU, Iowa ran four third-down plays when Iowa had 2 yards or less to go for the first time. Iowa failed to convert all four times. Iowa had two 4th and 1 plays, and converted only 1. The Penn State defense certainly seemed to know what Iowa was going to do in short yardage situations. A week later during the Iowa-Michigan game, the announcers talked about Iowa's short-yardage woes, especially again Penn State.
So to me, short yardage play calling on Saturday sets up as a interesting challenge for BF. Will Iowa try to spread PSU out in short yardage? That would be quite different. Throw to Fant in short yardage? We've already seen that this year. Do something else out of the ordinary. If Iowa sticks to last year's short yardage plan, I am not optimistic that the results will be any better. So to me, this game is a big test for BF.
So to me, short yardage play calling on Saturday sets up as a interesting challenge for BF. Will Iowa try to spread PSU out in short yardage? That would be quite different. Throw to Fant in short yardage? We've already seen that this year. Do something else out of the ordinary. If Iowa sticks to last year's short yardage plan, I am not optimistic that the results will be any better. So to me, this game is a big test for BF.
