UFR GLOSSARY is here.

FORMATION NOTES: Iowa spent most of the game in 12 personnel. They often went with an empty look with a TE and two WRs bunched outside that I called it Empty 3x2 Bunch.

The other weird formation from Empty had a pair of tight ends stacked a few yards wide of the box. They ran this a lot when they were in comeback mode late. I called it Empty Demi TEs.

They also had this heavy formation with a guy halfway between FB and TE than I called I-Heavy H.

Also I've shortened "Trips 2TE Bunch" to TTEB.

SUBSTITUTION NOTES: Line favored the starters—Moore, Stewart, Goode, and Benny got the same number of drives but between 9 and a dozen fewer snaps. Starting LBs got 80% of the snaps with Rolder sitting out again to preserve his redshirt. Safety was split like the DL. Cornerback was interesting with Johnson out; Sainristil played about 60% of the time outside, with McBurrows at nickel. Sainristil went back to nickel when they stole a drive here or there for Amorion Walker, DJ Waller, and Keshaun Harris, who appeared in that order, though Walker was the only one in when it was still 10-0. McBurrows took a few turns outside as well. Paige got to play some nickel in three-safety sets, as Iowa spent most of the night with two tight ends on the field.

VIDEO NOTES: The Fox harassment continues. After YouTube allowed copyright trolls to strike two videos in three I moved to Streamable. I know some people can't access the latter at work but YouTube's policy of allowing these trolls to claim anything for any reason then wait 7 days to even read the long appeal letter I have to write for each one is untenable. I'm frustrated too. Streamable's policy of removing videos if you ever stop paying for your account, and limiting labels, make them a bad fit for this going forward. Vimeo's cost isn't reasonable—they're more for longform videos than clips. I'm out of ideas.

[After THE JUMP: Brian Ferentz makes it easy.]

Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Ace Twins Z-Jet	5-2-4	404 Tite	2 fld	PA	4	PA Rollout	Barrett	0	-0.70
Bog standard Iowa PA Stretch to TE gets a CB blitz (PR+1, RPS+2) with Barrett(+1, cov+2) sitting on the TE out and hammering him down half a yard behind the LOS.
O25	2nd	10	Gun Ace Z-Orbit	5-2-4	5-2 Odd	2 off	Run		End Around	McGregor	5	0.04
Barrett(-0.5) gets cracked by Ragaini. McGregor(+0.5) and Wallace(+0.5) react quickly to hold this to a minimal gain. Refs-1 give him an extra yard.
O30	3rd	5	Empty 3x2 Bunch	4-2-5	Nk Split!	1.5 off	Pass	4	Snag	Colson	Inc	-0.37
Nk Amoeba that Sainristil(+1, PR+2, RPS+1) times up perfectly. Hill turns around to find Mike in his face and somehow (Hat+2) gets an accurate throw off to a TE that Colson(+2, cov+2) punches out with his cast.
Drive Notes: Punt. 0-0. 13 min 1st Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Offset TTEB	5-2-4	5-2 Odd	1.5 off	Pass	5	Hook	Wallace	7	0.60
Bring 5 with off man behind it, and Wallace(+0.5, cov-1, RPS-1). WR turns up and Wallace arrives to slam him down, but Refs-1 give Brown forward progress.
O32	2nd	3	Offset I 2TE F-Cross	5-2-4	5-3 Odd	1 press	Run		Split Zone	Colson	2	-0.63
Left side moves a little early. Grant(-1) moved out by a double and Graham(-1) is wrestled down by his. Colson(+2) gets skinny around the Grant mess and starts the tackle with Jenkins(+1) fighting past his single block. They get him down an inch short, which is why the bad spot last play mattered.
O34	3rd	1	Offset I 2TE	5-2-4	5-3 Odd	1 off	Run		Power Cutback	Benny	3	1.05
Benny(-1) is kicked out by the LG which blocks Paige. Grant(+0.5) beats a block and Barrett(+1) gets through traffic to meet the RB at the LOS but he's already got the 1st.
O37	1st	10	Ace 2TE F-Cross	5-2-4	5-2 Split	2 fld	Run		Power Insert	Benny	1	-0.87
Iowa is running power with the backside F inserting inside the Y and the LT releasing on the LB level. M blows it all to hell. Grant(+0.5) stands up the LG, Jenkins(+2) has the Y two-gapped and soaks up the lead block without giving up his spot. This is already enough to create a pileup but then Benny(+2) comes through the C's blockdown and grabs the RB from behind.
O38	2nd	9	Ace Str Y-Cross	4-2-5	Nk Over	1 off	Run		Split Zone	Barrett	2	-0.48
D-Mo(+0.5) crushes the kickout to force a cutback. DTs slanting with Moore(+1) filling a gap (RPS+1). That might be enough but Barrett(+1) slithers past the double that Benny(+0.5) is compressing to stuff.
O40	3rd	7	Empty 3x2	4-2-5	Nk Split!	2 fld	Penalty		False Start	n/a	(-5)	-0.55
Oops. Hat-1.
O35	3rd	12	Empty 3x2 Bunch Z-Orbit	4-2-5	Dime Even	2 press	Run		End Around	Q.Johnson	5	0.02
Iowa thinks they have this because Wallace, in man, gets picked off and Sainristil(-1) is flying into the alley, and Paige (Refs-1) is grabbed by the TE and swung around by the collar, which is infuriating given what they called on the edge later vs Trente. None of it matters though because Q-Jo(+2) sees what's going on, turns on the burners and blasts Brown OOB well short of the sticks.
Drive Notes: Punt. 3-0. 2 min 1st Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Ace 2TE F-Cross	5-2-4	5-2 Odd	1 off	Run		Split Zone	Colson	5	0.09
Goode(-1) gets blown out by a double and Jenkins(-1) gets turned sideways and pancaked so there's a big gap with a TE peeling off on Colson(+1) who pops the TE coming off Jenkins and tackles but momentum carries them a few yards.
O30	2nd	5	I-Heavy F-Cross	5-2-4	5-2 Under	1 off	Run		Stretch	Goode	4	-0.12
Goode(-2) gets behind his double and has to let them go and chase from the backside. About to be really bad but the guy he sheds turns around (Never Turn Around: Hat-2) and Hausmann(+1) is able to peek out and make a stop, with Colson(+0.5) shedding a TE to help hold it short of the sticks.
O34	3rd	1	I-Heavy	5-2-4	5-2 Under	1 fld	Run		QB Sneak	Goode	2	0.95
2 seconds left in the qtr and M expecting Iowa to let the half run out. They run to the line and get it without M fully set. Not RPSing a sneak because they normally get those anyways. EO1Q.
O36	1st	10	I-Heavy F-Cross	5-2-4	5-3 Odd	1 off	PA	4	PA Rollout	Harrell	2	-0.50
Graham(+2, PR+2) bursts through the C who has to hold and gets away with it (Refs-1). Hill has to get rid of it, Harrell(+1, cov+2, tackling-1) has a TFL lined up but can't get the FB down. Colson(+0.5) sets an edge so Hausmann(+0.5) can clean up.
O38	2nd	8	Empty 3x2	5-2-4	5-1 Odd	1 off	Pass	5	H Out	Sainristil	5	-0.06
Graham(+1, PR+1) is through the RG quickly with a shimmy but Hill gets it out to Brown who had outside leverage vs Sainristil. Immediate tackle for 5 yards is a push.
O43	3rd	3	Empty 3x2 Bunch	4-2-5	Nk Even	1 off	Pass	4	Hitch	Sainristil	Inc	-0.85
Graham(+1, PR+1) puts the RG in Hill's lap so maybe that's why he doesn't see Sainristil(+2, cov+2) break on it immediately. He drops the INT.
Drive Notes: Punt. 10-0. 13 min 2nd Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O20	1st	10	Ace Heavy U-In	5-2-4	5-3 Under	1 off	Run		Trap	Grant	3	-0.75
Grant(+2) and Graham(+1) step around downblocks. Graham was supposed to be Wham but the whammer bounces off Grant harmlessly and now there's an unblocked Harrell(+0.5) forming up in the backfield as well, and they take the RB down, harmfully.
O17	2nd	13	Offset Ace Z-Orbit	4-2-5	4-3 Split	2 off	Run		30 Stretch	Hausmann	2	-0.10
Waller in. This has a triple-option look with a TE leading on the backside but Stewart(+0.5) induces a give. Graham(-0.5) gets moved on his double but Hausmann(+1) fills the gap and makes the tackle after 2 yards. Not a bad play design TBH.
O19	3rd	11	Empty 3x2	4-2-5	404 Tite	1 fld	Pass	5	Dig	McBurrows	Inc	-0.10
Blitz picked up and Hill has a clean pocket (PR-1) but McBurrows(+1, cov+1) is on Ragaini's back. Graham(+1) hops up and the ball goes off his helmet and the WR's back shoulder.
Drive Notes: Punt. 10-0. 7 min 2nd Q. M's next punt bounces back 15 yards so Iowa is on the +40.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
M38	1st	10	Offset Ace	5-2-4	5-3 Tite	1 off	Pass	4	Z-Out	Wallace	8	0.61
Goode(+1) and Benny in with Jenkins. Goode push-pulls past the C who grabs his collar and yanks back to give Hill just enough time to throw this (Refs-1). Wallace(-1, cov-1) is playing off and Ragaini has time to get some momentum for a couple extra.
M30	2nd	2	Ace Twins Z-Jet	5-2-4	4-3 Under	2 off	PA	5	Throwaway	McGregor	Inc	-0.77
PA gives them plenty of time but the coverage (cov+3) leaves 0/4 targets open. Hill runs out of time as McGregor(+1) and Jenkins(+1, PR+2) looped around outside and are coming to crush him so he flings it OOB at nobody from the pocket. Refs-3 let a 100% yougottabekiddingme grounding go.
M30	3rd	2	Ace Heavy	5-2-4	6-2 Over	1 off	PA	2	RB Out	Sainristil	1	-4.96
Harrell and Paige(+1, PR+2) are immediately out on Hill, with Paige adding a pop on the RB that spins him and gives Sainristil(+3) time to line up a pop as the guy turns from catching it to try to dive for the sticks. He's going to be a yard short but also the ball is out and Jenkins falls on it.
Drive Notes: Fumble. 10-0. 5 min 2nd Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O9	1st	10	I-Heavy F-Cross	5-2-4	5-3 Odd	1 press	Run		Lead Stretch	Grant	2	-0.16
Jenkins(+2) controls his T the whole way and okay I'll upgrade to a +2 because the FB just slams into his guy's butt as he shoves him back. Harrell(+0.5) has a tight edge. Cutback has no Graham who dodged a cut block only for the guy to reach out and get his ankle (Refs-1 c'mon guys). Doesn't matter though because Grant(+1) has one-armed the RG into the backfield and swallows.
O11	2nd	8	I-Form Twins	4-2-5	425 Over	2 fld	Run		Iso	Hausmann	3	-0.15
Reminder 425 means Paige at nk with 2 more safeties. Counter to Stretch (RPS-1) and the gap forms, but Graham(+1) wrenches himself off the C and forces the RB to hop back to Grant(+2, tackling+1) who two-gapped the RG. RB's momentum stops as he hits Grant's chest.
O14	3rd	5	Empty 3x2 Bunch	4-2-5	Nk Split!	1 press	Pass	n/a	Flash Screen	Stewart	Inc	-0.16
Stewart(+2) flies in without a chip from the OL, realizes this is sus, and gets his hands up in the direction of a screen, batting it down. Heady play!
Drive Notes: Punt. 10-0. 2 min 2nd Q. Iowa gets the ball back with 0:46.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O24	1st	10	Empty 3x2	4-2-5	Nk Even	2 off	Pass	4	H Out	Barrett	7	0.59
0:46, 3 TO. Feel like a broken record. Graham(+1, PR+1) puts guard in backfield, ball is out to receiver, Barrett(+1, cov+1) is around to contest but throw is high and WR makes a tough catch (Hat+1) then spins OOB.
O31	2nd	3	Empty 3x2	4-2-5	Nk Even	1 off	Penalty		False Start	n/a	(-5)	-0.93
Oops. Hat-1. Same guy (DeJong).
O26	2nd	8	Gun Str Demi	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 fld	Pass	4	Sack	Harrell	-8	-0.84
0:41. Harrell(+2, PR+3) turns the corner, nobody's open in man (cov+2) and Grant(+1) is coming through so nowhere to go but down.
O18	3rd	16	Gun Str Demi	4-2-5	Nk Split!	2 off	Run		HB Draw	Colson	6	0.02
0:34. Harrell(+1)'s mad about being held as the RB goes by because he came inside the RT and probably has a TFL. He and Graham still delay it enough that Colson(+1) can come down and collect the RB after a short gain.
Drive Notes: Punt. 10-0. <1 min 2nd Q. Your first half stats: 2.48 yards per play; 14 runs for 45 yards; 4 play-action passes for 3 yards; 9 dropbacks for 19 yards; 2 false starts, and 6 punts.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O6	1st	10	I-Form	5-2-4	5-2 Odd	1 press	Run		Iso	Jenkins	3	-0.06
Grant(-1) gets washed out by the interior double, to which they add a fullback, but Jenkins(+1) got into the inside shoulder of the RT and ropes the RB down. RPS+1 there was an extra safety in the box
O12	2nd	7	I-Heavy Z-Fly	5-2-4	5-2 Odd	2 fld	PA	5	Sack Strip	Sainristil	3(-6)	-4.99
Controversy! But first: the CBs are signaling when the WR goes in motion, which I gather swapped which one is blitzing (RPS+1). Graham(+1, PR+3) slides through the RG. Protection is set to the O's right, RB upends McGregor and Sainristil(+2) screams in off the side they motioned away and slides his hand between the ball and the QB's hand. Refs(+3) explain to Ferentz that the arm was going forward but the hand wasn't and that's why they overturned an incomplete on the field. Pop-up goes off Jenkins's hands, hits the ground, play is blown and the ball rolls to Wallace, who fields it cleanly.
Drive Notes: Fumble. 10-0. 9 min 3rd Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	I-Heavy F-Cross	5-2-4	5-2 Under	1 press	Run		Split Counter	Benny	2	-0.35
Benny(+2) initially moved by a double but comes off it, has the RG holding him but is able to get a shoulder to stop the RB's momentum then go down and grab the guy's leg. Hausmann(+0.5) got free of the T who released and helps to wrestle it down.
O27	2nd	8	Offset Ace Z-Orbit	4-2-5	4-3 Over	2 off	PA	1	Bootleg	Stewart	Inc	-0.58
Fake an end-around, Stewart(+2, PR+2) has contain, pops the TE to give Hausmann time to recover then flies up and forces a throwaway and gets a shot in. Throw is too high for Ragaini but there was space to throw because Colson(-1, cov-1) reacted slowly to the WR crossing behind him.
O27	3rd	8	Empty 3x2	4-2-5	425 Dime	2 fld	Pass	4	Slant	Wallace	10	1.96
Paige in at Nk vs 12 personnel and ends up a CB on the TE outside. Brown just beats Wallace(-1, cov-2) in man. Want Moore(-1) to react sooner instead of protecting Paige from a TE because this is the main threat. D-Mo(+1, PR+1) beat the RT clean and had a sack coming if this is covered.
O37	1st	10	Ace Twins Z-Jet	5-2-4	5-2 Under	1.5 off	PA		TE Slip Screen	Goode	10	0.96
The look-three-ways screen M ran in 2017 when M had screens. Technically illegal (Refs-1) since #77 has a foot 3 yards downfield and is blocking Barrett when the ball is caught past the LOS. Goode(-2) is the DT who has to backtrack and goes for the bat instead, misses. Barrett(+1) limits the damage by popping the lead blocker and taking the RG with him. TE lurches through Moore(-0.5) and other smaller people for a 1st down.
O47	1st	10	Ace TTE F-Cross	5-2-4	5-2 odd	1 fld	Run		Split Zone	Hausmann	5	0.11
Double moves out Grant(-1) and RT gets a free release on Hausmann(-1) who gets popped out of his lane. Crease. Jenkins(+0.5) fights back but is entangled with a TE and can only fall down in the lane. Moore(+0.5) picks through the backside and manages to meet the RB's legs as he's going over Jenkins, and Barrett(+0.5) joins from behind the Grant double to limit the damage.
M48	2nd	5	I-Heavy F-Cross	5-2-4	5-2 odd	1 off	Run		Lead Stretch	Jenkins	0	-1.18
This time it's Harrell(+1) who takes on the lead blocker in addition to his own while Jenkins(+1) crosses the LT late. No cutback because Graham(+0.5) put a shoulder into the guy trying to cut him and is whispering about the sweet release of the grave to the RB as he runs into Jenkins's shoulder. Hausmann(+0.5) joins and it's stuff city.
M48	3rd	5	Gun TTE Z-Orbit	5-2-4	5-2 Over	1 fld	Run		3O Belly	Graham	4	-0.16
They're reading Graham(-1) who has this dead to rights if he slants because M blitzed the WLB to stuff up the front and has Stewart scraping in from outside (RPS+1). The Iowa LT turns around anyways and Graham almost makes the play but results-based charting. Barrett(+1) comes off the pop he put on the LG and collects to bring up 3rd & 1. Good thing it wasn't PA because Sabb plowed into Wallace when the TE and Ragaini crossed.
M44	4th	1	I-Heavy	5-2-4	Goal Line	1 off	Run		Tush Push	Graham	0	-4.29
Graham(+0.5) and Grant(+0.5) get under their blockers. Barrett(+0.5) and Colson(+0.5) leap on the pile. But also credit Paige(+2) who finds the ball, gets his arms around it, and it's all Hill can do to maintain possession let alone advance it further.
Drive Notes: Turnover on Downs. 17-0. 5 min 3rd Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O28	1st	10	Empty 3x2	5-2-4	5-2 Over	1 off	Pass	n/a	Flash Screen	Harrell	Inc	-0.80
Harrell(+2, cov+2) sees what they're up to and gets a hand out to bat it down.
O28	2nd	10	Ace Str Y-Cross	4-2-5	Nk Over	1 fld	Pass	n/a	TE Slip Screen	Jenkins	2	-0.27
Jenkins(+1) backtracks, chases the TE into where Sabb(+0.5) and Barrett(+0.5) have set an edge and can use their shoulders to stop momentum. TE loses a couple by regathering his feet where Jenkins can rope him down. EO3Q.
O30	3rd	8	Empty 3x2	4-2-5	Nk Under	1 off	Pass	5	TE Out	Paige	Inc	-0.27
MLB blitz gets the LT and there's nobody for McGregor(+1, PR+2) who's flying in free. Hill has to chuck it at a TE that Paige(+2, cov+2) is all over and breaks up.
Drive Notes: Punt. 20-0. 14 min 4th Q.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O15	1st	10	Empty 3x2	4-2-5	Nk Even	2 off	Pass	4	H Out	McBurrows	Inc	-0.44
Hill wants to hurry it out of there immediately. Wings it wide (Hat-1). Can't grade coverage because McBurrows slows up when he sees it's way wide.
O15	2nd	10	Empty 3x2	4-2-5	Nk Under	1 bdy	Pass	4	Crossers	Moore	7	0.20
This is fit in the smallest of windows; Moore(+1, cov+1) gets a hand on it to rake it out and the TE manages to cup it and hold on. Hat+2. D-Mo(+1, PR+1) had the RT beat so this was on deadline.
O22	3rd	3	Gun Wk	4-2-5	Nk Eagle AA	1 press	Pass	5	TE Angle	Q.Johnson	4	0.85
Another great throw when RPS+1 the Amoeba double-A blitz gets an RB for both LBs. Barrett(+1, PR+2)'s in his ribs, Colson's got a hand in his face, and Hill whips it to the Buttzone (Hat+2). Nothing Q-Jo can do. Also it's 3 yards. Go Iowa!
O26	1st	10	Gun Wk	4-2-5	Nk Over	1.5 off	Pass	4	Sack Strip	McGregor	-11	-5.44
McGregor(+3, PR+3) arcs around the LT, removes the football from Hill's windup. Falls in a pile of Wolverines and Grant grabs it.
Drive Notes: Fumble. 20-0. 11 min 4th Q. M starts playing soft to kill clock so coverage charting takes that into account.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O26	1st	10	Empty 3x2	4-2-5	Nk Split	1 off	Pass	4	Curl	Colson	5	0.10
Harrell(+1, PR+1) has the LT beat inside and the guy yanks him around by the shoulderpad. If they're gonna call one on them tonight that was probably the one (Refs-2). Hill is sped up now and throws under Colson, who tackles immediately. Push.
O31	2nd	5	Gun Wk RB	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 press	Pass	5	TE Curl	Sabb	19	2.07
WLB blitz doesn't get home, though Harrell is coming free after a beat (PR-1). That's enough to find a TE under Sabb(-2, cov-2) who comes around outside going for the pick but the ball isn't there. TE turns around and gets to rumble for Iowa's biggest pickup of the day.
50	1st	10	Gun Wk	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 press	Pass	4	TE Out	Barrett	Inc	-1.11
Harrell(+2, PR+2) feints inside then goes outside of the LT and while he doesn't get the sack Hill has Graham in his feet and turfs it at a TE out that Barrett was covering.
50	2nd	10	Gun Wk	4-2-5	Nk Over A	1 fld	Pass	4	Deep Cross	McBurrows	Inc	-1.02
The best protection Hill's had all day, a perfect throw downfield into tight coverage by McBurrows(+1, cov+1), finds the only window his receiver can catch it, which is a little behind the guy, and he drops it. Go Iowa!
50	3rd	10	Gun Str Demi	4-2-5	Okie	1.5 fld	Pass	4	TE Out	Wallace	5	0.05
Harrell is lined up inside and drops along with McGregor, CB-WLB blitz. This gets Sainristil in free (RPS+1, PR+1) but there's a window to throw under Wallace(+1, cov+1) who gets the TE down at 5 yards to bring up 4th down.
M45	4th	5	Gun Twins RB	4-2-5	Okie	0 fld	Pass	4	Slant	McBurrows	Inc	-3.79
I think Moore(+1, cov+2) is actually playing this one to intercept, coming off the TE early. Hill puts it behind his receiver, possibly because of Moore, possibly because McGregor(+0.5) got a hand in the lane. McBurrows(+1) knocks it down. RPS+1 putting the rat in there.
Drive Notes: Turnover on Downs. 23-0. 7 min 4th Q. Rest is garbage time so RPS is off.
Ln	Dn	Dst	OForm	DPack	Front	Hi	Type	Rush	Play	Player	Yds	EPA
O25	1st	10	Offset Str	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 fld	Pass	n/a	Slip Screen	Goode	8	0.91
Goode(-2, cov-2) is spinning and doesn't notice his guy released. Trouble. Wallace(+0.5) takes out a blocker and gets a piece of a foot. Hausmann has his arm grabbed as he's chasing it out so it gets to Q-Jo.
O33	2nd	2	Empty 3x2	4-2-5	Nk Under	2 off	Pass	4	Hitch	Walker	12	0.89
M playing Nk way deep but circumstances. Walker(-1) misses a tackle for some extra.
O45	1st	10	Gun Wk	4-2-5	Nk Split	2 fld	Pass	4	TE In	Colson	8	0.94
Benny(+1, PR+1) beats the C and is coming up the gut with the RB trying to stop him. Technically the throw is in front of Hausmann but this is a Tampa coverage so there's supposed to be room underneath and two LBs to collect a dumpoff after a few yards. However Colson(-1, cov-1) is looking at an out that Wallace is cutting off and doesn't drive on the quick under to the TE, generating YAC.
M47	2nd	2	Gun Wk	4-2-5	Nk Over	2 fld	Penalty		False Start	n/a	(-5)	-1.37
Same guy again! Hat-1.
O48	2nd	7	Empty Demi TEs	4-2-5	404 Tite	2 fld	Pass	4	Post	Colson	Inc	-1.11
Graham(-1) is in the neutral zone (Refs+1) at the snap, not flagged. Guy(+1, PR+1) shoves off the RT and Hill has to go now; he flings it at a post where Colson(+2, cov+2) is dropping; he doesn't intercept but comes close. No replay.
O48	3rd	7	Empty 3x2	3-2-6	3-2-6 Dime	0 off	Pass	6	Slant	Wallace	Inc	-0.78
Six-man blitz means Grant(+1, PR+2) gets to walk the C into the QB. Hill throws it at a covered slant and Wallace(+1, cov+1) cuts off the receiver's path.
O48	4th	7	Empty Demi TEs	4-1-6	Dime Under	1 fld	Penalty		False Start	n/a	(-5)	-0.45
Other tackle this time. Hat-1.
O43	4th	12	Empty Demi TEs	4-1-6	Dime Even	2 off	Pass	4	Sack	D.Moore	-4	-3.82
D-Mo(+2) stunts inside with Grant(+1, PR+3) who almost gets Hill down. Derrick finishes him off
Drive Notes: Turnover on Downs. 26-0. 1 min 4th Q. Orji and co finish it. Big Ten Champs!

I can't believe Iowa gained yards.

Show me on the chart where the Brian Ferentz offense hurt you.

I remind you that offenses are supposed to score points. A team that goes three yards and a cloud of dust on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd down then punts would come out with an EPA of zero.

Phil Parker didn't deserve the Broyles Award over Sherrone Moore, but in any year other than the one with the most deserving assistant in college football history Phil Parker should win the Broyles unless it's the year he finally strangles Ferentz. Even without the six(!) turnovers the Iowa offense lost over 6 expected points. Like MSU, Iowa's offense was so bad that how good your defense is only kinda mattered. Drives:

• One 8-play, 31-yard drive that got to the Michigan 44.
• Five 1st down & outs, two of them against prevent defense.
• Six three-and-outs.
• One two-and-out.

Three ended on fumbles, three on downs, and the other seven were punts. I dare you to find something to complain about.

It kinda looks like they gained some yards after halftime?

You mean this?

Yeah. Halftime adjustment or something?

That was a couple of first downs in a row, one a perfect Deacon Hill pass to convert a 3rd & 8, the other a slip screen to the tight end where Goode figured he was better off trying to bat it down than trying to backtrack. He missed and they got another 10 yards. This was pretty much the story any time Iowa gained more than 5 yards.

Their longest play of the game was another gamble. Keon Sabb went hunting for a pick-six and gave up 19 yards to set up the Hawkeyes at 1st & 10 at midfield. That promptly became 2nd & 10, became 3rd & 10, became 4th & 5, became Michigan ball at their 45.

So they weren't perfect.

You are really stretching.

Just like Iowa! Amirite?

They actually didn't run that much stretch, to the relief of the ball-knowing Hawkeyes I know. This was probably smart because Michigan was the worst possible matchup for the thing Iowa does on offense, which is keep running Stretch and the counters to it until you stack the box and they break a 60-yard run. Michigan's tackles are able to shut that down without bringing down the safeties—they practiced this very thing all year to do it to Ohio State. This led to a handful of 5-yard runs when a DT didn't wreck a double, but Brian Ferentz doesn't have the cleverness to sustain something like that.

Iowa's preferred counter to stretch is bootleg dumpoff to the tight end. Michigan was all over it from the first play, blitzing a cornerback at the bootleg and picking up the LB with Barrett.

Did they have interesting wrinkles like you said they would?

They did, but Michigan ate those alive too. The one I thought might have had a chance of working was a triple-option that I don't remember Iowa running before. This was part of a series from this look with an orbit motion from the Z receiver, #3 Kaleb Brown, who was the other slot athlete in that JJ McCarthy/AJ Henning/Tyler Morris high school 7v7 group.

Stewart induced a handoff and Hausmann shut it down, but I wonder what would have happened if they explored a pitch option with the TE leading. Michigan can match numbers, but Deacon Hill is a hoss, Brown is a good athlete in space, and the TE has a size advantage on everybody to that side. Then again Sainristil was the cornerback over there and Rod Moore was the safety so maybe they blow it up in the backfield.

The other thing Iowa prepared was something akin to the Iso games Michigan was playing with Ohio State. This looks like Counter Trey, with the guard pulling to kick out the edge and a tight end coming behind him as a lead blocker, except the tight end goes one gap further inside. I think that was planned as a trap block for the Michigan edge who tends to fight back against his blockdown. The thing about that: that edge is Kris Jenkins, who is perfectly capable of fighting back to the other gap (watch the guy lined up at the (3)):

The other thing of course is Rayshaun Benny discarding the center and picking up LeShun Williams's torso, which is attached to his legs in a way that he can't really progress forward without it.

Really that's what this game came down to: Iowa's offense is predicated on its offensive linemen being good at football, they are not any good at football, and Michigan's defensive line is the best in college football.

By what evidence?

I made a chart?

You and your charts.

My charts.

Defensive Line
Player	Snaps	+	-	T	Notes
Kris Jenkins	30	9.5	1	+8.5	Go on, try and stretch me.
Mason Graham	35	10	3.5	+6.5	Thought this would be higher, was unblockable.
Kenneth Grant	28	9.5	3	+6.5	Thought this would be lower, doubles got him sometimes.
Cam Goode	19	1	7	-6	Didn't backtrack on screens, run issues.
Rayshaun Benny	20	5.5	1	+4.5	Go on, try and stretch me junior.
Jaylen Harrell	39	11	0	+11	LT could not handle his speed.
Braiden McGregor	31	6	0	+6	+3 for the strip sack otherwise quietly positive.
Derrick Moore	25	4.5	0	+4.5	Mostly got the day off.
Josaiah Stewart	18	4.5	0	+4.5	Harrell junior.
TJ Guy	3	1	0	+1	Generated pressure on final drive.
TOTAL	248	62.5	15.5	+47	Sadly these stats are mostly Iowa.
Linebacker
Player	Snaps	+	-	T	Notes
Junior Colson	45	9.5	2	+7.5	Linebacker isn't as hard vs Iowa.
Michael Barrett	44	8.5	0.5	+8	Mr Fixes It.
Ernest Hausmann	20	3.5	1	+2.5	Not as decisive as the other two.
Jimmy Rolder	0	0	0	-	DNP
TOTAL	109	21.5	3.5	+18	Iowa difficulty setting.
Secondary
Player	Snaps	+	-	T	Notes
Rod Moore	33	3.5	1.5	+2	Doing subtle things mostly off-screen.
Makari Paige	37	5	0	+5	Took a turn at nickel, stuffed the QB sneak.
Quinten Johnson	22	2	0	+2	Got to make one play, made it with speed.
Keon Sabb	23	0.5	2	-1.5	Went pick-hunting, don't mind that he swung & missed.
Brandyn Hillman	1	0	0	-	DNC
Mike Sainristil	53	8	1	+7	Did this at cornerback mostly. Shield is back.
Will Johnson	0	0	0	-	DNP
Josh Wallace	45	3.5	2	+1.5	Worried about him vs Bama's receivers.
Keshaun Harris	2	0	0	-	DNC but welcome back!
Ja'Den McBurrows	27	3	0	+3	Nickel for most of the game, no faults.
Amorion Walker	7	0	1	-1	Nope, still not cooked.
DJ Waller Jr.	9	0	0	-	DNC
TOTAL	259	25.5	7.5	+18	Also on Iowa mode.
Metrics
Player	+	-	T	Notes
Pressure	40	2	38/32	If Deacon Hill was in the backfield so was Graham.
Coverage	27	10	+17	Iowa a la mode.
Tackling	1	1	-	No speed in no space.
RPS	10	2	+8	Sleepwalking Michigan vs Brian Ferentz is still +8.
Hat Tip	7	7	-	Deacon Hill standing in, delivering droppable dimes.

Junior Colson??!?

We've been charting him so long that we can't take Iowa events too seriously. YMMV on this coverage, for example.

 

Hill has to throw it when he does because he turns around to find Sainristil about to light him up. Colson is drifting to that TE and then breaks when the ball is in the air for a clean PBU with his cast while wrapping up with his good hand.

The almost interception was way late in the game and we didn't get a replay. What we do get in this clip is Colson looking up a route while backing into the post. Live I thought he was reading it.

So that's two PBUs, one a near-pick, both in non-ideal quarterbacking circumstances. He wasn't covering grass. He was late to drive on a dumpoff to a tight end that picked up most of one of Iowa's few first downs, but that was late when Michigan was chewing clock. Another forced throw that was too high for Ragaini to catch had a chance at a completion because Colson didn't react quickly enough to getting crossed, but the thing he was mesmerized by was the quarterback getting lit up. These events are all we get against Iowa, and impossible to take away anything from. Adding them to the last few games, Colson's coverage has improved.

The other thing that may just be Iowa is Colson wasn't hesitating before shooting gaps.

Bottom LB

It may be that Iowa on 2nd & 3 isn't a pass threat, but that's a tiny gap he finds to get into the backfield and blow up this play. But here's the thing: he's been making those kinds of plays all along. The lack of bad plays is really the crux here. And part of that has to be development, even if a large part of it is Iowa doesn't have a passing attack that can punish what Colson does.

Barrett came out with similar numbers, but spread out among a bunch of +1 events. I didn't clip any of them because we're so used to that now. One or two more games to enjoy him.

And is that…Jaylen Harrell?

Is this Old Seth Takes Exposed week or something?

I'm waiting for you to say "It's just Iowa."

Well that's going to be part of it too. Harrell batted down a kinda obvious screen, and fought the LT to a physical standstill. But he's been putting his pass-rushing package together over the season, and when unleashed against a crappy tackle it was really fun to see it all out there.

The footwork once he gets even with the left tackle is different. Harrell is planting and turning on a much sharper angle, which converts his already-plus get-off into a much more dangerous pass rush. That established, he was able to come inside this guy and give him a shimmy to shake him on another pass rush.

Mason Graham did not score *just* +6.5.

I was so shocked when I saw that score I went back and counted again. For a stretch there every time Iowa dropped back I was starting the description with "Graham(+1)." I probably could have credited him some with the last sack, since he's taking the attention of a double and a third interior lineman is late getting to Derrick Moore because he's not sure his two pals have Graham. Hill wasn't going to sit back in the pocket very much, so Graham ripping his way through the interior wasn't going to get more than +1. I think my grading hurt him a bit too. Graham makes the same move as Grant to get into the backfield on this, but Graham is doing his job well and Grant is having the guy who was meant for Graham clanging off his sides.

And then there were a few odd negatives. One time he got stuck in the wrong gap on a read play where I was willing to credit him with a +2 or +3 if he actually got the RB down in the backfield. One was an offsides that didn't get called but did nerf his pass rush as he was spending the first second of the play getting back onsides. One was getting knocked over by a late TE's double that he didn't see coming. The half point was getting moved on a double one time.

Grant had a similar kind of score but I thought his would be lower after he got moved out by doubles three times. He also had multiple guys go clang.

#78 top DT

If there's any concern that he doesn't have the pad level to stand in against double-teams, the fact that he, Graham, and Jenkins all got under their respective linemen should answer that.

What happened to Cam Goode? I thought you liked him?

I think it was a positional thing. Most of the year Goode's been backing up Graham, and has been money as a line-denter in the pass rush even if he lacks the agility to finish. As a run defender he's more fit to be a DT than a nose, however, and in this game Michigan was rolling three DTs, which made Goode the backup to Grant. Grant lost to doubles three times, and they got Goode one time as well.

The one stretch play that got anywhere was because Goode ended up behind a center and guard he was supposed to be keeping at the line of scrimmage. Neither of those are good players, but the center was a top-247 recruit, and both were brought in to be stretch zone blockers, IE more agile than strong. Goode is not agile. But he did almost make the play.

Another chunk of his day was Iowa got him on a couple of screens. The way I grade these is based on the way I've seen Michigan defend them since 2021, which is if you're the DT who was allowed into the backfield unblocked either you have to knock the thing down or you have to backtrack to the ball and force the guy with it away from his blocking. Sometimes it's an RPS thing or a linebacker problem (e.g. two years ago when Morris stunted inside and found himself unblocked). I thought this was a Goode went for the knockdown and missed thing:

That happened twice, and didn't happen to Jenkins when they tried it on him. I also don't project what might have happened if a guy didn't get held, so an instance when Goode was jerked back by his collar after a clear win vs. the center only went in as a +1. He didn't get as many pass rush opportunities as the other guys.

Benny didn't either, but…

He's not quite Jenkins yet, but is on his way to replacing Jenkins next year without missing a beat.

You brought up the QB sneak. Did Michigan solve the tush push?

It wasn't full OL tush-push like Maryland had practiced. Iowa's version is a standard QB sneak with the fullback pushing from behind. The first time they got the 1st since Michigan was expecting the quarter to run out and didn't line up in time. The second time they had a secret weapon. Watch Makari Paige coming off the right side:

He actually got in there and wrapped his hands around the ball. This one way to stop the tush-push, though it's hard to pull off. The reason it works is you've got a big heavy guy shoving the quarterback forward, and once their momentum is used up the linebackers on top of the pile can't counter that. If you get a guy around to the ball, however, the quarterback can't go forward without it. And the ball's all that matters.

Was that practice? I have no idea. But since the tush-push is giving up an edge blocker for extra oomph, it's at least theoretically possible that this is something the coaches came up with. Or it could be Paige saw the ball and made a play.

Anything from the secondary?

I had a hard time grading them properly because Iowa's passing game is philosophically opposed to throwing downfield, and Deacon Hill's protection was physically incapable of buying him time. When Rod Moore slithered down into the box I got giddy at the opportunity to grade a safety.

The other time Michigan had the safeties doing something other than pulling up potential Playoff opponents' film on their iPads was when they pulled out one of their weird coverages for 4th down. This was one of their poach coverages from the Ohio State game, with Paige coming over to cut off the slot's slant that Hill wants to hit while Moore drops under the other side of it then immediately moves to the area where the slant behind it would go.

I thought Hill pushed that ball behind the second receiver to avoid Moore, giving McBurrows the chance to break it up.

Iowa never really tested the second corner spot, as various long-limbed backups got on the field. Amorion Walker was the only one to get to do anything; he was playing off on 2nd & 2 on Iowa's final drive, then missed the tackle for a 12-yard gain. Wallace gave up space a couple of times in man coverage underneath, so I'm a bit iffy on the 2nd corner position going into the Bama game.

You underrated Sainristil.

I…oh shoot I did. He was definitely playing outside for over half the game after all. He also played like an All-American, with two forced fumbles and an almost-pick. The first ended Iowa's only chance at points.

If that's a tackle he's a yard short but a 4th & 1. Most guys give up the 1st down there; Sainristil turned it into a turnover by himself. The almost-pick was another thing of beauty.

This was his second game playing outside for any length of time, his first starting there. And he's already timing up hitches. We talked about who's on your 2021-2023 Michigan Mount Rushmore and Sainristil was the only other unanimous pick after Hutchinson. FWIW my list goes:

1. Hutchinson
2. Sainristil
3. Graham
4. Zinter

Also my list goes through 2024.

Refs?

Thankfully they got a controversial one in Michigan's favor in this game, because it's already Year 4 of the 2020s, we've got a Worst Calls of the Decade article scheduled for 2020, and the 2021 Michigan State game alone is going to fill half of it. The explanation Ferentz got for overturning a call of "incomplete" here is that the arm was moving forward but the hand wasn't. I think there's a frame or two where the hand is going forward as well, enough to keep the call if it was ruled a fumble on the field, but dubious as an overturn.

This doesn't really matter, but Section 19.2.c. actually says call it a forward pass whenever in doubt unless they have Replay. Like out of bounds in the last minute of basketball games, having two different standards for the same call is not good for the game. Before I'm saying so because it helps Michigan at some point in the future, unless it's obvious the ball was knocked out first it's probably best to err on the side of incomplete.

Pereira corrected Klatt on the continuation. The rule:

The way this is called, the refs give a lot of grace after the whistle for "immediate continuing action." This isn't hockey where everything stops at the moment of the official's intent to blow, which is why you usually see players jumping on loose balls after deflections. In this case the ball tumbled right to Wallace and he picked it up.

Bonus: Brian Ferentz's reaction during the very long Fox commercial break after this produced an interesting effect in the press box, where Iowa people were suddenly very much for throwing him out of the game, and Michigan people were like "Hey now, that's not so bad."

I think that was the only controversy. I would like to point out however that one of the greatest defensive lines in Michigan/conference history completed its 10-game Big Ten season with just one(1) holding penalty called on an opposing lineman, that being this on Minnesota's Nathan Boe.

Maybe things will be different in the Playoff.

Redshirt updates?

Matt Hibner played in his 4th game, so he's out for the Playoff unless he gives up his redshirt to join.

Heroes?

Mike Sainristil, Jaylen Harrell, Junior Colson, Mike Barrett, Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham, Rayshaun Benny, Makari Paige.

Maybe Not So Heroic?

Cam Goode had a rough one.

What does it mean for Alabama and Beyond?

Mike Sainristil can do it. They'll have Will Johnson back for the Rose Bowl but I'd still explore having Sainristil practice at corner. I was wrong to doubt. Also McBurrows can play.

Final Verdict: It was Iowa. A couple of potential coverage busts show Colson didn't become a coverage savant overnight, but he is welcome to prove me wrong.

Oh we are going to miss Michael Barrett. He's Mr. Dependable. The guy who fixes your mistakes.

Minter has more tricks. Cover Zero events were probably just for Iowa, but the 4th & 5 poach coverage was well-disguised, and a reminder that this team played this game eleven times before The Game and kept a lot of powder dry in the process.

I would like to explore ball-theft as a potential response to tush-pushing. It's probably not repeatable, but it worked for a good reason, which makes it interesting.

They're still not sure about corner after Wallace. Guessing that's the last we see of Walker and Waller this year. That they played when the rest of the rotation was kept tight tells you they were trying them out again.

Nothing; it's Iowa. If this was a home game in October we'd have already forgotten about it. That offense is one of the worst we'll ever see from a Power 5 team.

Your Moment of Zen: