- Opponent. Really smart defensive gameplan by Brock Spack and his staff throughout the first half of the game. Excellent disguises and aggression. Brock has been around for a long time with big time respect and familiarity with Iowa, and smartly landed his poison to pick in the first game of the year....at least for the first half. He was going into a game with a first year OC and a completely different system and threw everything at them up front...knowing full well that Iowa would be working on getting its footing. There were 8, 9 and sometimes a creeping 10th player in the box. Brock was just doing math out there, knowing that Iowa's greatest vulnerabilities would be early. I've got a ton of respect for him, and he played his dealt hand as best as he could have. For as long as he could have (1st half).
- 34:48. True to his word, and in alignment with Kirk's approach, Tim Lester crushed to time of possession battle. It brings Iowa back to Iowa football. Last year Iowa's season long stat for TOP was 28:33, which in the broad scope of things allowed Iowa's opponents to out-Iowa Iowa. Playing keep away is a key component to Iowa's success, and they passed the first test. And, albeit against an inferior opponent, it does tell you that Tim's philosophy and game day approach absolutely compliments the bigger mission.
- +3. Turnover margin. I believe that last year Iowa was -4 for the season in TO margin, which is unheard of in these parts. In the 4 losses from 2023 Iowa was -13 in turnover margin, as in 13 lost, 0 gained. The combined coaching emphasis on defensive takeaways as well as offensive ball security played out well. I know it's game 1, but there is hope that a positive trend is developing and can continue as the weeks fly by. Watching at field level as well as a DVR review afterwards, you can absolutely feel the coaching emphasis on this and that the players have completely bought in.
- TEs. The good news is that Iowa has three good to great ones. The better news is that Lester REALLY knows how to use them. By that I mean not only to block and/or get open, but also to work as a decoy in order to help the young receivers get open in space. Everyone knows that Iowa's greatest receiving threats in the recent past have been the TEs, and with that knowledge there is special attention paid to them. Everyone also knows that Iowa's receiver group is young and unproven. Lester used the TEs to draw unnecessary coverage and help open up the WRs. I anticipate that he will adapt and adopt a variation of this approach game-to-game, and quarter-to quarter, but it was really refreshing to see this concept on Duke Slater Field @ Kinnick Stadium.
- D. Iowa has one of the best (Top 3) defenses in the country. Their communication and physicality is working toward being off the chart. If you pull back and look at the defensive game wholistically, Illinois State basically ran out of plays to run in the mid- to late 2nd quarter. Simply, nothing was available to them which would provide a real positive result; there was a lot of going through the motions during the latter half of their offensive game. Again, it was an outmanned team, and at some point Brock has to think about getting ready for Week 2. I hated all of the injuries they suffered and hope they are healing up quickly. Iowa's defense plays fiercely...they know where to be as well as when and how to get there. It's nasty.
Parting thoughts...
I've read a post on this board that highlighted Iowa being #40 in overall offense and #50 in scoring offense. Again, it's early. But I've also read many posts and articles in the past just dreaming and salivating for some sort of competent offensive production to marry outstanding defense and special teams. It's early, but the trend line has started. Having been in the coaching biz for a bit, I can tell you that if I was offered a job that inherently gave me a top ranked defense alongside of a decent offense...I couldn't sign the contract fast enough. What everyone has been asking for is starting to take shape. It's interesting to listen to and read all of the analysts and experts (no accountability) either downplay or bypass. Maybe think through more of what you've seen.
As for the Iowa State game...they are down 4 linebackers, including their starting MLB. And they run a 3-5-3, which is completely reliant upon strong LB play. I have a ton of respect for Jim Heacock, and think he's one of the best in the business, but he is going to attempt to ready #2, #3, and #4 guys for a real opponent on the road. Nothing wrong with being a second, third or fourth stringer as they will have their best success in run fits in short spurts. But those are ST players who cover kicks...not TEs, WRs or RBs. That's a different game. No idea what the score will end up, but I have a great idea of what the outcome will. I expect it tight early on with a bunch of new looks, because Heacock is really f'n good, but as things settle in there will be exposure.
All good.