I watched much of this game and here are my thoughts:
Offense: They are not a very fast team. They had relatively little to no success whenever they tried to stretch run plays outside the tackles. Northwestern pursued very quickly to the ball and tackled well in space. Their pass game reminds me a little of Iowa's. They aren't that vertical and they don't have the playmakers like Burbridge. They like to throw to McCaffrey out of the backfield a lot in the pass game. Northwestern did a good job covering that up. A lot of times he was even double covered out of the backfield up the sideline. He didn't get many carries this game because Northwestern forced them into a lot of 2nd and 3rd and longs. Hogan reminds me a little bit of Jake Ruddock throwing the ball but he's a little more physical. If Iowa can stop the power running plays between the tackles I like this matchup.
Defense: They remind me a little bit of past Iowa defenses. They don't present a matchup problem like Calhoun did with his speed and power pass rush. Northwestern's Jackson seemed to have room to get 3 yards every touch. This would be an ideal matchup for Canzeri or Wadley, Daniels not so much. Their defense has much of the same limitations as their offense. They aren't incredibly fast. They do send some blitzes from the secondary to get pressure. Northwestern was able to beat them on the edges and find open running lanes with Thorson and Jackson.
Offense: They are not a very fast team. They had relatively little to no success whenever they tried to stretch run plays outside the tackles. Northwestern pursued very quickly to the ball and tackled well in space. Their pass game reminds me a little of Iowa's. They aren't that vertical and they don't have the playmakers like Burbridge. They like to throw to McCaffrey out of the backfield a lot in the pass game. Northwestern did a good job covering that up. A lot of times he was even double covered out of the backfield up the sideline. He didn't get many carries this game because Northwestern forced them into a lot of 2nd and 3rd and longs. Hogan reminds me a little bit of Jake Ruddock throwing the ball but he's a little more physical. If Iowa can stop the power running plays between the tackles I like this matchup.
Defense: They remind me a little bit of past Iowa defenses. They don't present a matchup problem like Calhoun did with his speed and power pass rush. Northwestern's Jackson seemed to have room to get 3 yards every touch. This would be an ideal matchup for Canzeri or Wadley, Daniels not so much. Their defense has much of the same limitations as their offense. They aren't incredibly fast. They do send some blitzes from the secondary to get pressure. Northwestern was able to beat them on the edges and find open running lanes with Thorson and Jackson.
