Looking Ahead To Iowa
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.
November 26th, 2023 at 9:26 PM ^
He did you scout them? Did you get in touch with CS?
November 26th, 2023 at 10:57 PM ^
Uh-oh. I guess Tony P will suspend Harbaugh from this game too.
November 26th, 2023 at 9:34 PM ^
Iowa football has been my weird fetish this year. Agree their offense is insanely bad, but I do think their defense is legit. They held PSU in check until the offense left them in a terrible position one too many times and they noticeably folded. I do think losing Dejean is a big blow for them tough. They'll bottle up the run probably, but give up some yards through the air. Also, their ST shouldn't be ignored either, they get into slogfests and the ST slowly flip the field and get your offense in bad situations and then the defense suddenly gets a pick six or safety on you. I think if we play up to our standards, it'll be a comfortableish win, but there's also a decent chance of getting into one of those games with them if you stumble.
November 26th, 2023 at 9:34 PM ^
I really likes the way that Brian put it on the podcast a while back- Iowa makes everybody play like Iowa, and if there's any team that can Iowa as well as or better than Iowa, it's Michigan.
November 26th, 2023 at 9:38 PM ^
I’m still a little unclear. Is Cooper DeJean playing? I understand that he might be their best player.
November 26th, 2023 at 9:39 PM ^
Will Cade and Erik be on their sideline supporting them or have they checked out for the year?
November 26th, 2023 at 11:50 PM ^
I’ve been wondering that. It would be interesting if Zinter crutches out to the coin toss and Cade isn’t in the building.
November 27th, 2023 at 9:31 AM ^
They're probably in California and Florida, respectively.
November 26th, 2023 at 9:51 PM ^
But we have IOWATCH for this type of content.
November 26th, 2023 at 9:52 PM ^
I've watched them twice after betting on them and left super pissed off both times. One of those times was the Minnesota game where they were robbed.
But they still had a chance to at least tie that game up late. But they couldn't because the Hefty lefty-like QB of theirs is ass. More ass than the overall offense itself, and it too, is in fact, buns.
Trying to talk myself out of betting the entire farm on us -23.5. Iowa may not score. Seriously. Maybe the worst top 20 team I've seen in a minute.
November 26th, 2023 at 11:36 PM ^
It is a little sad that Cade and Eric don't get to play this game.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
Hey guys. For the Hawks to have any chance in this one (so you're saying there's a chance), they're going to have to play their best game of the season and Michigan to play poorly. Not likely to happen, but you never know...well, almost never.
Injuries mentioned above. Missing starting QB, starting WR, top two TEs, starting C, starting LT, overall best player CDJ, and starting DT to BS gambling investigation (can we ditch the NCAA yet?). With those guys present I would give us a puncher's chance. Now we have to depend on blind luck to have any shot.
Yes, Deacon Hill is playing a bit better, which doesn't take much. Our RB room is the best part of the offense, but unless the OL plays their best game of the year, it won't matter. We have had a couple more TEs step up, but aren't the playmakers that Lachey and All are.
Defense is nails, but if Michigan plays it right (which I think they will), eventually will wear down and lose hope. The Penn St. white out game was close until some really bad luck and really, really bad OL play took its toll.
I don't see this being the blowout our last BTT game was because the defense is really that good, but still see a fairly one-sided victory for Blue.
Safe travels for those going to Indy and lets not have any further injuries, okay?
27-6 Michigan.
Edit: When you truly get excited to see your punter, something is wrong.