What position groups worry you the most?

[OnceAhawk]

For me its the defensive line. I think Hesse is wearing down a bit and teams are running on his side a lot. I worry about depth when it comes to our DE's, too.

We have at least 4 games left (Purdue, Neb, B1G champ game, bowl game--if don't make CFP).

Do we have the depth to hold up and continue to win? Or will this group get exploited now that there is plenty of game film to watch?

Thoughts?

Other position groups that concern you?

 

[mthawkeyes]

I thought Meier got used worse last year than Hesse does this year. So if Hesse continues to progress...

To beat a dead horse, Fisher and Mabin had some serious breakdowns in responsibility. I would like to think that they either fix it, or next man in.

The two things that concerned me most were:
a) It would be nice to generate pressure with a four-man rush, but when this isn't happening, tighten the coverage and bring 5 or 6. Don't show, send just late, after the OL has engaged.
b) Playing base 4-3 personnel on Minnesota's last drive. Frankly, it's pretty stupid to have LBs trying to cover in those situations. Blitz them, or get them off the field.

Both Blough and Armstrong have shown a tendency to turn the ball over. I hope to see Iowa speed up the game for them. Iowa has mixed in an occasional zone blitz in the past (last year at Maryland?). Meier and Hesse are both athletic DEs that spent their high school careers as skill players. Blitz Fisher, Jewell spies, and Meier or Hesse drop to flat.

 

[Hostile Hawk]

WR, easily. Complete lack of depth and an inability to get separation against quality secondaries.

Hillyer and McCarron are basically never targeted (pretty sure McCarron hadn't caught a pass since the ISU TD until the other night) which leaves basically 3 options, and J. Smith and CJ just never seem to be on the same page for some reason.

This will cripple us against a solid defense, and is the only truly glaring weakness on the roster.

 

[bagdropper]

The front 7...Minnesota and Indiana have shown the template. The best thing that can happen Saturday is for the offense to get up big and early to get the defense rest and the reserves major reps, for I think the front 7 may be running on fumes.

Offensively, not worried at all other than getting CJB, AW and JC fully healthy.

 

[Gridiron24]

Cole Fisher and Greg Mabin in pass coverage
Our lack of a pass rush in the 4-3 base defense
Inability to stop the read option
WR depth - Tevaun Smith, Vandeberg, and....?

 

[His Hawkness]

For me it is DE spots. Hesse is playing his but off, but he is probably a year away from making a real difference. Losing Ott was our worst injury of the year that we haven't overcome yet.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Can't single out a particular position group. It's some of the individuals that are a concern.
Mabin in the secondary and Fisher at linebacker, as noted, were particularly troubling in their performance.
D-line lacking a pass rush has been the standard for most of the season without Ott. I don't expect that to change.

 

[Curt Furence]

For me it is the D line not being able to get pressure. There was virtually no pressure on Leidner all game and I think Jewell had the only sack.

 

[hexumhawk]

Would like to see some more Bower at DE. Also, we are going to have to use some nickel coverage so Flemming better be ready to roll.

 

[22*43*51]

It's not if Turnover Tommy will give up the ball, but when will he give it up.

I think Phil will play it like he did against Minny and see if Tommy can beat us from the pocket.

If you flush him he can hurt you. We will also see the return of the Raider Package with Nebby.

They don't use tight ends like the goofers do.

 

[legion_of_doom]

To me biggest issues on defense aren't personnel, they're alignment.

A). No soft coverage, better teams will eat us alive.

B) Put King on a player, not a side of the field. There were times on Saturday that he wasn't lined up on anybody.

 

[jaysonjohn2012]

Defensive secondary on the right

 

[OnceAhawk]

I thought Meier got used worse last year than Hesse does this year. So if Hesse continues to progress...

To beat a dead horse, Fisher and Mabin had some serious breakdowns in responsibility. I would like to think that they either fix it, or next man in.

The two things that concerned me most were:
a) It would be nice to generate pressure with a four-man rush, but when this isn't happening, tighten the coverage and bring 5 or 6. Don't show, send just late, after the OL has engaged.
b) Playing base 4-3 personnel on Minnesota's last drive. Frankly, it's pretty stupid to have LBs trying to cover in those situations. Blitz them, or get them off the field.

Both Blough and Armstrong have shown a tendency to turn the ball over. I hope to see Iowa speed up the game for them. Iowa has mixed in an occasional zone blitz in the past (last year at Maryland?). Meier and Hesse are both athletic DEs that spent their high school careers as skill players. Blitz Fisher, Jewell spies, and Meier or Hesse drop to flat.

Agreed that the easy TDs given up by Fisher and Mabin can't happen again. Both those plays were HUGE, costing us 14 points and could have easily cost us the game.

I, too, worry about your DL's ability to pressure the QB. It seems like we have to bring someone else on a blitz to make things happen.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

The front 7...Minnesota and Indiana have shown the template. The best thing that can happen Saturday is for the offense to get up big and early to get the defense rest and the reserves major reps, for I think the front 7 may be running on fumes.

Offensively, not worried at all other than getting CJB, AW and JC fully healthy.

Yes, I agree with the D line. Theyre good players, I think JJ is great, but I also think theyre running on fumes a little bit. Theyve played a ton of snaps. Hopefully that group can dig deep and get back to the energy and disruption they were playing with earlier in the season.

 

[taco2212]

To me biggest issues on defense aren't personnel, they're alignment.

A). No soft coverage, better teams will eat us alive.

B) Put King on a player, not a side of the field. There were times on Saturday that he wasn't lined up on anybody.

It would be nice to see some press coverage and more blitzing. Minnesota's game planning was excellent and they definitely provided the template for Purdue, Nebraska and Ohio State to exploit the defense. Your King observation is spot on as there were multiple times that only a tight end was lined up to King's side so that was his responsibility. I for one will never understand why the Hawks always seem to use their best cornerback on the offense's left side of the field which because 90+% of all quarterbacks are right handed their tendencies are to throw to that side of the field. J Johnson, Godfrey, Spivey and King all have played the same corner spot.

 

[IACub]

Quarterback. Our success lives and dies with CJ's health.

But to answer what I think was the spirit of the question, I'd say defensive backfield. King is a shutdown corner, but the scheme has gotten Mabin in trouble, and the safeties are great against the run, average against the pass. Hoping with some extra time to game plan we'll be good into the Big Ten Championship and beyond.

 

[FranklinHawk]

I'd have to say the band and the dance team.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I'd have to say the band and the dance team.

The band, maybe. But the dance team is solid (and smokin")

 

[Drew003]

I agree that run defense could be our demise against high-end teams. If OSU or other teams can gash us on the ground with Elliot and Barret, then we are going to have a hard time winning.