The Iowa D is much improved this year from last and is much more well rounded. However some might argue they havent been truly tested yet like they were so often last year. Last year the D had to face Melvin Gordon, Tevin Coleman, James Conner, David Cobb and David Johnson just to mention a few and overall better offenses in the west. The stat this year that sticks out to me is the best offense we have faced this year is Wisconsin which is ranked 34th the next is Iowa St at 52nd. This weekend we face the 30th best in Indiana which actually might be higher if they had Sudfield and Howard the entire season. But both are back now. In a couple weeks we face the 19th best in Nebraska. With that said I will be curious watching the Iowa D this weekend in just how it handles the solid balanced attack.of Indiana. Most of the teams we have faced so far have been pretty one dimensional.
The D's First Real Test this Weekend
- Thread starter Auger
- Start date
I'm not sure how to reconcile this thought with the posts that claim we have been completely disrespected by the media because we haven't played anyone good. Are you suggesting that the media may be ...... correct?
Well, ahhhhh, umm .... I don't know what to say.
Well, ahhhhh, umm .... I don't know what to say.
I think we need to bring some pressure this weekend. If you let them sit in the pocket Sudfeld is good enough to pick us apart. His weakness is pressure and getting moved off of his mark and still making plays. Got to get to him with our base D or with delayed blitzes.
Not saying we havent played anybody good just stating this weekend could be a first big test on D. I think we have played some solid O's this season but Wisconsin was tough because of their D as well as Northwestern. Pitt is a well rounded team that can beat a lot of teams in the country but their not great at either O or D. Indiana is the first team we will play all year that has an offense that resembles an offense you would see on a typical top 15 team.
Agree I can't help but wonder how maddening it is for the Indiana Offense. Both in that they can put up a lot of points in a game but still get outscored and that they have to wait sometimes 6-7 minutes just to get the ball back. If you give Minnesota's D to Indiana they are a top 25 team same goes for Minnesota if you give them Indiana's O. Hardest thing for the middle of the pact B1G teams seems to always be to have atleast a top 30 Offense or D combined with a top 60 Offense or D. Its either a lot of them have a top 30 O or D and then a O or D ranked well beyond 60.
I thought NW offense was better than IU's.
I think the hawks just have to get pressure and keep the ball in front of them. I mean they can bend and bend, but don't break. That spread is nice in the middle of the field, but once the field is shortened, it becomes more difficult.
I agree the offense needs to pound the ball and just control the clock. If we can control the ball and keep IU's offense off the field, we will be fine.
I think the hawks just have to get pressure and keep the ball in front of them. I mean they can bend and bend, but don't break. That spread is nice in the middle of the field, but once the field is shortened, it becomes more difficult.
I agree the offense needs to pound the ball and just control the clock. If we can control the ball and keep IU's offense off the field, we will be fine.
MSU had the ball for 39 minutes against Indiana. In the 4th quarter Indiana died on defense. That should be the plan. Wear them down and play keepaway.
More "worried" about Iowa's offense than defense really. If Indiana loads the box Iowa will have to pass with CJ under pressure. If Indiana doesn't load the box, run and run it all day long.
I just hope if the run isn't working early they keep pounding it, because Indiana will wear down eventually. Get into a passing duel plays into speeding up the game and playing their style. Iowa can't play action or bootleg...so it's a statue getting pounded all day long and gets CJ killed.
50 rushes...that's the goal. Run the ball 50 times, Iowa wins big, keeps the defense fresh and effective, keeps CJ healthy.
More "worried" about Iowa's offense than defense really. If Indiana loads the box Iowa will have to pass with CJ under pressure. If Indiana doesn't load the box, run and run it all day long.
I just hope if the run isn't working early they keep pounding it, because Indiana will wear down eventually. Get into a passing duel plays into speeding up the game and playing their style. Iowa can't play action or bootleg...so it's a statue getting pounded all day long and gets CJ killed.
50 rushes...that's the goal. Run the ball 50 times, Iowa wins big, keeps the defense fresh and effective, keeps CJ healthy.
For sure, and to me three things stand out:
1) Absolutely have to take care of the football.
2) Cannot miss FGs inside 40 yards
3) If we have a lead, let the play clock run down to 11 seconds or so before breaking the huddle
With teams like Indiana, you need to maintain the 10-14 point leads and eat clock. Best way to lose a game like this is with early turnovers and be forced to "come back".
I'll go out on a limb and predict we hold them under 20 points. We might yield some yards between the 20s but I think we'll bristle and shut them down when they get close. I think our d line and linebackers played maybe their worst half of football in the 2nd half against Maryland and I think they'll come out motivated and be solid. I also think the national disrespect this week will motivate this group and I think we'll play a solid game. I think the team will play like they have something to prove this weekend.
Iowa's offensive scheme can be like kryptonite to teams like Indiana. Pound the ball, don't turn it over, eat up the clock and wear them down. If the Hawks can do this we have nothing to fear.
If it turns into a shootout or Iowa turns the ball over a bunch then it could quickly become a nightmare.
Indy's offense is potent...but if they are watching most of the game from the sidelines as the Hawks move up and down the field it will be a win for Iowa.
If it turns into a shootout or Iowa turns the ball over a bunch then it could quickly become a nightmare.
Indy's offense is potent...but if they are watching most of the game from the sidelines as the Hawks move up and down the field it will be a win for Iowa.
Indiana is coming off a bye week. Normally one would think that would be a huge advantage for them.
But I saw something the other day that said in the last (I don't know how many years I think it was close to 10 years) Big Ten teams are right around .500 when coming off a bye week.
I thought that was a very strange statistic and it really surprised me.
But I saw something the other day that said in the last (I don't know how many years I think it was close to 10 years) Big Ten teams are right around .500 when coming off a bye week.
I thought that was a very strange statistic and it really surprised me.
I agree with this and when you can make them go three and out a couple times in a row it really puts them in a tough spot.
When Iowa defenses are good they do an excellent job of that
Agree on all fronts. We need to come out and score quickly, then play keep away. IF you can get up 14-3 or 14-0 and then make them go 3 and out or even 6 and out then you just wear their defense down and by the mid 3rd qtr you pound the rock with all Daniels then let Wadley get them going side to side and their defense will be done. Indiana is allowing around 170 rush yards a game.
I guess it depends on what Indiana team shows up. The one that played Ohio State to a one score loss, or the team that gave up 52 points in a loss to Rutgers, and Rutgers got destroyed by Wiscy last week. I would have ZERO worries if CJ were 100%, but since he is not, I have about a 33% worry. I did read on Indiana's site that this is the healthiest they have been since the Ohio State game.
