This is where Brian can distance himself from his father

[staygoldponyboy]

"If we're going to be successful here, we need to be able to run the football, and we need to do it when everyone knows we're going to do it. Otherwise, we have no chance," Ferentz said. "If we can't establish the run game from the opening snap of the season to the closing whistle of game 12, I think it's going to be hard for us to have any kind of sustained success offensively."

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24438472/ivory-kelly-martin-set-start-rb-hawkeyes

There's been some spirited discussions about how Iowa improves it's offense.
Is execution important? Of course it is. But humans being humans nobody is 100% perfect in their execution.
Is creativity important? You bet it is. Anyone who has played sports knows that out-strategizing your opponent is just as important as out-muscling or out-executing your opponent.

The comment is something we all know he believes deeply. But we also know that teams can win games when their opponent DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS COMING.

I think Brian will make his mark by being a little more creative than his dad. Do you agree we'll see something that KOK and Davis never showed us?

 

[DaCDiggity]

If our offense matches our defense that means our defense is sketchy at best, and that's coming from a big Brian believer and supporter

 

[IAFootball#1]

If our offense matches our defense that means our defense is sketchy at best, and that's coming from a big Brian believer and supporter

Ditto.

 

[LittlePeen1-]

The poll question and the question you ask in your message do not match up.

 

[yiana]

What kind of rankings? Something adjusted for pace?

 

[Harbinger273]

It's a little hard to compare the two but I obviously he was referring to a more proficient offense that would likely rank higher than our offense has in the past few years. Ultimately I do not think I have feelings for read similarly to the defense in terms of where they rank nationally however I do believe in even marginally improved offense will make us a very potent team. Say our defense ranks 20th nationally overall and our offense was ranked 20th nationally as well we would be an extremely good team. I'm looking for our offense to be somewhere in the 60 to 70 range ranking and for the defense to be somewhere between 20 and 30.

 

[nu2u]

[. .] Yes
[. .] No
[ x ] Confusing

 

[millah_22]

I think the team makes major strides on offense this year. ISM and Brandon Smith are going to emerge and Stanley is going to hit the deep balls more often.

 

[mikesright]

I think we definitely have a shot to have an incredible offense in the top 20. Think big this year - I think Brian builds on last year in a big way and we end up in the mid forties PPG, because (a) he’s going to have elite personnel on OL particularly at tackle, TE, and RB, along with decent to good WR play; (b) he’s had a year to adjust to the demands of his job, (c) Brian has the confidence of Kirk to a degree that will allow him a bit more creativity.

The personnel we have is the biggest deal though. The TE’s are so very versatile for Brian - they dictate personnel to the other team, yet it is a pick your poison situation run or pass - the opposing LBs can’t cover them, you can’t defend the run well with lighter safeties or corners defending them. They can also go out there with 2 TE personnel and line those guys in the slot or even wide which allows us to be slightly more unpredictible. I think that makes a 2 touchdown on average difference per game. Don’t forget - we were able to score a lot of points at times LY but didn’t have the consistency. In my mind that was definitely a consequence of youth.

 

[RoundRock620]

I think the team makes major strides on offense this year. ISM and Brandon Smith are going to emerge and Stanley is going to hit the deep balls more often.

I am not a big believer in Brandon Smith emerging after him stating that coaches are finding ways to motivate him. That does not sound good.

 

[millah_22]

I am not a big believer in Brandon Smith emerging after him stating that coaches are finding ways to motivate him. That does not sound good.

Do you have a source?

 

[DaCDiggity]

I think we definitely have a shot to have an incredible offense in the top 20. Think big this year - I think Brian builds on last year in a big way and we end up in the mid forties PPG, because (a) he’s going to have elite personnel on OL particularly at tackle, TE, and RB, along with decent to good WR play; (b) he’s had a year to adjust to the demands of his job, (c) Brian has the confidence of Kirk to a degree that will allow him a bit more creativity.

The personnel we have is the biggest deal though. The TE’s are so very versatile for Brian - they dictate personnel to the other team, yet it is a pick your poison situation run or pass - the opposing LBs can’t cover them, you can’t defend the run well with lighter safeties or corners defending them. They can also go out there with 2 TE personnel and line those guys in the slot or even wide which allows us to be slightly more unpredictible. I think that makes a 2 touchdown on average difference per game. Don’t forget - we were able to score a lot of points at times LY but didn’t have the consistency. In my mind that was definitely a consequence of youth.

Also Brian is quite the alpha male and will have the desire to bury opponents

 

[kciowan]

I think the team makes major strides on offense this year. ISM and Brandon Smith are going to emerge and Stanley is going to hit the deep balls more often.

I am not a big believer in Brandon Smith emerging after him stating that coaches are finding ways to motivate him. That does not sound good.

I’m not sure where you heard that from. I’m a big Brandon Smith fan. I think he’s gonna down as one of the best we’ve ever had. Why? His pedigree, and his natural athleticism plus the coaching. It’s been a while since we’ve had a kid like this come to our program. Just wait and see, is all I have to say. We don’t play true freshmen on a whim. The coaches saw something in him last year, and obviously, he put in the work to remove his redshirt.

 

[General Tso]

Our offense sucks shit

 

[L. Wade Childress]

I could care less about yards per game with our approach. I care about efficient, and improving our 3rd down execution will go a long ways toward that

 

[CUHawkeye91]

I think that quote about running the ball is from Brian not Kirk, and I think it shows that the apple doesn't fall from the tree in one respect. That being, both BFz and KFz believe you need to be able to impose you will at times if you are going to be a great team

 

[LittlePeen1-]

I’m not sure where you heard that from. I’m a big Brandon Smith fan. I think he’s gonna down as one of the best we’ve ever had. Why? His pedigree, and his natural athleticism plus the coaching. It’s been a while since we’ve had a kid like this come to our program. Just wait and see, is all I have to say. We don’t play true freshmen on a whim. The coaches saw something in him last year, and obviously, he put in the work to remove his redshirt.

One of the best we ever had huh? Interesting

 

[chuck285]

Our offense sucks shit

Glad for opinion. But Ohio State probably didn't agree with that last year.

 

[cidhawkeye]

Glad for opinion. But Ohio State probably didn't agree with that last year.

Wisconsin says why would you listen to those cheaters?

 

[cidhawkeye]

I’m not sure where you heard that from. I’m a big Brandon Smith fan. I think he’s gonna down as one of the best we’ve ever had. Why? His pedigree, and his natural athleticism plus the coaching. It’s been a while since we’ve had a kid like this come to our program. Just wait and see, is all I have to say. We don’t play true freshmen on a whim. The coaches saw something in him last year, and obviously, he put in the work to remove his redshirt.

What is his pedigree?

 

[LittlePeen1-]

Glad for opinion. But Ohio State probably didn't agree with that last year.

Ya, we should base how good our offense was last year off of 1 game. Good thinking.

 

[txhawk I]

Our offense sucks shit

Oh yeah, …..well I don't like your chicken.

 

[staygoldponyboy]

So after game 1 where are we at?
Brian wasn't getting much help from his players. I'll give him a C++ and say it felt like a small improvement over 2017. What say you?

 

[jdv77]

I think that we would feel better about the offense if Fant catches the pass on the first possession, and if a couple of the good runs weren't negated by penalty. The offensive calls and personnel were designed to take away Sutton Smith and force NIU to defend packages that they were not comfortable with. Almost no 3 wr formations and a ton of FB or 2+ TE sets. It wasn't pretty for the first 40 minutes but it did neutralize Sutton Smith and wore down the NIU front 7.

I expect the offense will be a lot more multiple against ISU.

 

[hawksense]

The Fant drop was a huge negative play. Everyone feels better if that play was successful. The first half is completely different.

 

[HawkNole09]

Just because Brian says we’re going to run it when they know we’re going to run it doesn’t mean we will.

 

[kceasthawk]

The Fant drop was a huge negative play. Everyone feels better if that play was successful. The first half is completely different.

Not to mention IKM, two long runs that were called back.

 

[iowa12]

Also Brian is quite the alpha male and will have the desire to bury opponents

He wants to run them over as most former centers do. They don’t get the passing game. Recruiting or development side

 

[Walleye70]

I just wish the smiths were half as good as they think they are in practice

 

[NorthDSMHawk]

I just wish the smiths were half as good as they think they are in practice

Go away.

 

[staygoldponyboy]

This weeks grade:

Gentleman's C. Admittedly it's hard to grade him because he isn't getting lots of help from his charges. Stanley has lots of upside, but he has more Rudock than CJBeathard in his personality. That's a problem.

That brings us to a glass half full, glass half empty discussion.

Half full:
Brian was willing to let Mansel show something when he got into the game against NIU. Traditionally Kirk won't let the backup QB show what he can do because he doesn't want controversy. He learned that in 01/02 with the Brad Banks controversy. We're 2-0 so there is no reason to question the starter right now. In 2001/2007/2014 it can be argued the wrong starter got the call and I am of the belief Brian won't make that same mistake.

Half empty:
Last year Wiegers got 2 chances to throw the football. That makes no sense. You want the backup to show you what he is capable of so that you can confirm that practice accurately defined who the best QB was. Remember, practice is different than live play and can only tell you so much. In 2012 Vandy never lost a rep even though Sokol/Rudock/CJB/Wienke (an elite 11 QB) were sitting on the bench. The OC has to be able to over-ride the HC and insert a back-up if the starter isn't getting the job done. I'm hopeful, but we don't know if Brian can over-rule his father, or would make that choice when the time comes (if it comes) for Stanley to sit for a series to send a message and see what Peyton Manseling can do.

 

[ThamesHawk]

....Stanley is going to hit the deep balls more often.

I really want to believe this

 

[nck24]

Just because Brian says we’re going to run it when they know we’re going to run it doesn’t mean we will.

Sadly, we probably will.

 

[staygoldponyboy]

Also Brian is quite the alpha male and will have the desire to bury opponents

I too think this is Brian's natural inclination. But he needs to think outside of the box in a way his father can't or won't.
Example: Minnesota has a 6'4" 240lb wide receiver named Seth Green (who they use at RB but occasionally split out to WR). Split Fant out to WR more often. Opposing OCs would have to account for him in a way they don't with our other receivers. Also, be open to the idea of letting the QBs earn the starting nod with their game day performance. So when you say in August 2017 "it's a close race between Wiegers and Stanley" . . . let them each get a game to prove who is the better QB

 

[ConvenientParking]

I too think this is Brian's natural inclination. But he needs to think outside of the box in a way his father can't or won't.
Example: Minnesota has a 6'4" 240lb wide receiver named Seth Green (who they use at RB but occasionally split out to WR). Split Fant out to WR more often. Opposing OCs would have to account for him in a way they don't with our other receivers. Also, be open to the idea of letting the QBs earn the starting nod with their game day performance. So when you say in August 2017 "it's a close race between Wiegers and Stanley" . . . let them each get a game to prove who is the better QB

I don't know if I like your idea with the QB competition. I do think this program has a mature enough locker room to rally around whichever guy gets the nod at that position, but that is one position where I have old school feelings about not rotating like you can at most other positions. I think you have to stick with a QB and a place kicker coming out of camp unless they just stink on ice on game day. Stanley is not Jake C.

People were screaming about Rudock, but Rudock was also not Jake C. The fans were right twice with Christensen/Stanzi and then Rudock/Beathard. Rudock was not horrible, CJ was just better. Jake C is the only truly horrible gameday QB we've had. Jake C did redeem himself before he enrolled by being our best recruiter for that class that ended winning the Orange Bowl.

 

[illhawkdvv]

It's my opinion that we don't have the wide receivers or a mobile enough QB to have an offence to match the defense.

 

[obfuscating]

Also Brian is quite the alpha male and will have the desire to bury opponents

2 games, 10 pts at half combined? Not exactly burying anyone in that grave.

 

[staygoldponyboy]

If our offense matches our defense that means our defense is sketchy at best, and that's coming from a big Brian believer and supporter

You're saying both can't be ranked respectable at the same time? That is mathematically and factually incorrect.