Looking Ahead To Iowa

Submitted by MaizeBlueA2 on November 26th, 2023 at 8:46 PM

So I've done a little scouting on Iowa, but I can't tell you how they won 10 games.  This is not the same Iowa team we saw in the B1GC two years ago.

Iowa has the worst offense in the country...literally, they rank dead last. 130th. They're 24 yards per game behind 129th.

Their defense? Solid as always, but it's not PSU or OSU and Iowa got to play against the B1G West...Iowa lost to PSU, 31-0 and they didn't play Michigan, OSU, or Maryland.

Their thing is they are incredible in the red zone, defensively (where they rank #3 in the country). That's it. Well, that and they don't get penalized (neither does Michigan).

They're not particularly great at stopping you from getting to the red zone, they just are really good at the 4-point plays that Jesse Minter talks about (turning TDs into FG attempts).

Their QB is a Wisconsin transfer and he's built like an H-Back (6'3", 248 - Orji will undoubtedly play him on the scout team, but he's basically Khalid Hill...same last name, too). He's got 5 TDs and 6 INTs and thrown over 200 yards, once. The odd thing is he's not a run threat either.

So, has anyone watched Iowa this year? I'm trying to figure them out and basically it just seems like they're good at beating bad teams...by forcing FGs, playing mistake-free football (no turnovers or penalties), and they rely on a big play from their defense and/or special teams.

Oh, and of course, they punt. 

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MGolem

November 26th, 2023 at 8:49 PM ^

They played one good team all year (PSU) and got boat-raced. I don’t get too confident about a high stakes matchup but it does not get much better than this from Michigan’s perspective. 

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MaizeBlueA2

November 26th, 2023 at 8:59 PM ^

I guess I was just shocked to see how bad of a team they are...it's not like I haven't been paying attention. You just assume they're a typical Iowa team. But their schedule, as you mentioned, is a dog shit. And they barely beat bad teams.

Michigan needs to take it seriously, get up early and get guys out of the game. This is a game built for Darius Clemons, the true freshman WRs, Jeffrey Persi, Giovanni El-Hadi, Greg Crippen, Andrew Gentry, Rayshaun Benny, Jimmy Rolder, Jaydon Hood, Ja'Den McBurrows, Keon Sabb, and Zeke Berry.

I'm not saying we just play the backups, I'm saying we get in, we get up, and we get into our rotation for our key players early. Let some guys rotate in with the 1's. Just like we did early in the year when we had guys banged up (remember Sabb playing for Moore early in the year - great experience).

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JonnyHintz

November 26th, 2023 at 9:53 PM ^

The “boat raced” aspect deserves some context. Iowa’s offense could NOT hold onto the ball (4 fumbles). The defense actually held up very well.  
 

Penn State ran 97(!!!) plays in that game and failed to crack 400 yards of total offense… that’s mind blowing. 45 minutes of possession time. 
 

In a game where Iowa’s defense actually got to rest a little bit and their offense didn’t continuously bend them over a barrel, that’s a game that ends something like 13-3. 
 

Their offense is horrendous and isn’t a threat whatsoever. But their defense is disciplined and well-coached. It’s going to be tough to move the ball against them and put up points with any consistency unless their offense makes some critical mistakes, which is very possible.

Joined: 01/11/2015

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93Grad

November 26th, 2023 at 8:50 PM ^

Speaking of punting there was 2 dudes at the Iowa- Nebraska game wearing shirts that read “Punts”. It was hilarious and they were shown often.   

Joined: 07/26/2011

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XM - Mt 1822

November 26th, 2023 at 8:54 PM ^

this is my prediction for iowa.  we are going to grade them into the ground.  harbaugh back on the sideline will be like turbo-charging the team.  it's going to be a very, very bad day for iowa. 

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EGD

November 26th, 2023 at 8:56 PM ^

I’ve watched a few of their games. They play a field position game and capitalize on opponents’ mistakes. It’s gotten them to 10-2, but as you say, they don’t have a marquee win and the only really good team they played, Penn State, smoked them. Their offense really wasn’t great to begin with and they’ve suffered so many injuries that now it’s just positively wretched. 

Earlier this season their QB couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. He’s improved some but not enough to pose a serious threat against M. He can run a bit but again, he’s not much of a threat. 

The injury to Cooper DeJean really hurts them because he was both an excellent cornerback and an outstanding punt returner. Even with DeJean I’d expect M to win this game comfortably. Given the present state of Iowa Football there’s a decent chance at a shutout.

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MightyMatt13

November 26th, 2023 at 8:56 PM ^

They're just another Penn State, but in a different form (and worse). Turn lesser competition into an unwatchable mush, get boat raced by anyone with a pulse. Unfortunately for Kirk and Brian, the B1G East champ generally fits into the pulse category.

Joined: 02/26/2012

MGoPoints: 5791

Brhino

November 26th, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^

Iowa's Big Ten Schedule:

1. Got hamblasted by the one ranked team they played (Penn State).  We beat Penn State.

2. One comfortable win against a Bowl-eligible team (Rutgers).  We beat Rutgers slightly harder than they did.

3. 7 coin-flip games against fair-to-terrible teams, 6 of which they won.  We played 4 of these fair-to-terrible teams and beat every damn one by 4+ touchdowns.

 

There is absolutely zero logic- or stats- based argument that shows Iowa giving us any more trouble than Purdue or Minnesota did.  You have to resort to feelingsball about "throwing out the records" or Ferentz retiring or something.

Joined: 09/08/2009

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Gooseggs

November 26th, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^

Their best defensive and st player is also out, cooper de jean.

 

edit: whoops didn’t see all these comments as I opened the thread a while ago and didn’t comment until now

Joined: 07/16/2016

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TBuck97

November 26th, 2023 at 9:10 PM ^

Their offense is absolutely horrific and their defense is rock solid. Play clean football and UM will be getting that trophy handed over to them by our friend Tony 

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MGoPoints: 5830

treetown

November 26th, 2023 at 9:16 PM ^

Yes, as a glutton for punishment, the bizarre and the weird, I have actually watched their games.

1. They are missing Cooper DeJean, a terrific DB who is a special teams demon (punt returns). This removes one dangerous intangible factor. 

2. They do not have frenemy Cade McNamara or Erick All - both are hurt. These loses also help. Erick All despite being hurt in the PSU game (week 4) is still their leading receiver at 299 yards. They also are without Luke Lachey another top notch TE.

3. They have several decent RBs who have real speed. Leshon Williams has 780 yards (avg 5.0, long 82) and Kaleb Johnson has 415 (avg. 4.0, long 67). Do not want to get these guys going.

4. Their offense seems built around a mix of I formation runs into the line and off tackle and some spread. Rare jet sweeps. Passing game is limited but the TE from the classic play action waggle to seem and out routes.They do not seem to have any pre-Chuck Sizzle Charlie Jones like wideouts.

5. They don't make many mistakes. They are happy to go three and out, punt and try to hold the opposition to three and out and gradually use their punter and special teams to get into a favorable position where it takes 5 or fewer plays to score. If they get into plus territory they can score despite the bad statistics. An analogy to individual sports is a tennis player on slow red Roland Garros clay, who doesn't commit many unforced errors, is like a human backboard but lacks any weapons so while this player doesn't hit many winners, they don't make many unforced errors. Opponents frustrate themselves and hit wide, long and into the net rather than patiently construct a point.

6. The team honestly does not seem to be as potent offensively as 2021 team.

7. Intangibles. OC Brian Ferentz's situation is well known here and since his departure is known he has seemed to have tried to put a little bit of sparkle into the offense but it is really a stout defense that keeps Iowa in contention. The Wolverines need to emphasize ball safety, clean punt catches, clean special teams (no running into the ball by accident!) and JJ needs to be careful. The Iowa DB and LB are all pretty sharp in their zone coverage in looking for picks. They have 10 interceptions this season. Sebastian Castro DB has 3, and their leading LB tacklers, Jay Higgins, and Nick Jackson also have 1 each.

8. All season, Michigan when on the road seems to come ready to play - from Nebraska onward. They need the same let's get it done attitude. Two TDs or one TD and two FGs could ice this game.

9. Penn State (to work the tennis analogy) was patient, taking what they could get and were willing rally and work the ball around and finally hit a winner. Consider their drives (I know ESPN is not a favored site but they have a nice drive summary) After an opening three and out, they have drives 17 plays (FG), 3 and out, 10 plays (TD), 3 and out, 3 and out, 15 plays (TD), 12 plays (TD), 8 plays (TD), 10 plays (missed FG). They held the ball 45 mntues for 83 offensive plays.

10 Michigan should win handily on paper, but this can be a very pesky and annoying team.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay/_/gameId/401520265

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ppToilet

November 26th, 2023 at 9:46 PM ^

5a. Their punter, all kidding aside, really is very good. He can flip the field and part of Iowa's success this year has been putting the opposing team in bad field position. This can lead to a safety or to a defensive stop by Iowa that gives their offense a short field and the opportunity to kick a field goal. 

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