Know Your Enemy: Iowa Edition
On the other side sits the Iowa faithful. They’re 3-0, too, and haven’t gotten any respect, at least not since just barely squeezing past D1-AA Northern Iowa. But since then they’ve looked strong, in handling rival Iowa State and Pac-10 opponent Arizona. To get the perspective of the Hawkeye Nation, I reached out to Eric, at Fight For Iowa, and he was kind enough to answer some of my questions about his Hawkeyes. Of course, quid pro quo, I answered some of his questions about the Nittany Lions. To find out what I think about the revenge factor, how injuries will affect the Lions defense, and for my final score prediction, check out my answers over at Fight For Iowa. And now, to Eric’s answers.
1. Last year, Iowa’s success was largely due to the incredible emergence of Shonn Greene, who was perhaps the best running back in the NCAA last year. How was Iowa adjusted with the loss of Greene to the NFL?
Well, the original plan was to let Jewel Hampton (who was very solid as
So, now we have RS freshman Adam Robinson and true freshman Brandon Wegher trying to carry the load of the rushing game. Each has big potential and a 100 yard game under his belt, but Shonn Greene they are not. The line has been okay thus far though, and the running game will be fine this year.
2. The injury bug has hit both sides, as the status of Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga, Darrell Johnson-Koulianos, and Tony Moeaki are in doubt for Saturday’s game along with Penn State’s Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman, and Graham Zug. How will Iowa’s injury concerns affect their gameplan for Saturday’s game?
To compensate for the lack of experience in the running game, offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe has dug deep in his playbook and pulled out some old tricks from the Drew Tate era. Iowa has been going to a pass first, run second type game plan, and we’ve actually seen a couple of 5-wide sets. Also, with Moeaki out, there will be less 2-TE sets. Against Arizona we saw a lot of 3-wide.
I can’t recall ever seeing the Hawkeyes pass so much on first down. It makes sense really, relying on a deep receiving corps and an experience quarterback in Stanzi…and it has been working for the most part (at least in the 2nd half).
The trend really started last year against Penn State coincidentally, but this is a team that knows how to play and thrives when they are behind. In fact, in each of the 3 games this year, Iowa has found itself down at one point. The team doesn’t panic, and Stanzi seems to play his best when the game is on the line.
I think, too, that the UNI game was kind of a wake up call for the players. It was obvious that the Panthers came out to play, and the Hawkeyes came out to go through the motions. In the next two weeks, there is no question that Iowa was more ready to play.
Best Case: With the 4 very difficult road games (Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State) I think the best case is 11-1…though more realistically 10-2. Iowa should win all of the remaining home games, though Michigan is starting to look like more of a challenger. And, if Iowa wins this weekend 11-1 looks even more like a possibility with the chance of a BCS game.
Worst Case: Iowa struggles on the road and loses one a home they shouldn’t and finish 7-5 and end up in some crappy bowl game.
5. Kirk Ferentz has experienced tremendous success against Penn State in his career, going 6-1 against the Lions, though no win was bigger than that of a year ago. Why has Iowa been so good against Penn State lately?
I think there is some truth in the statement the Iowa has primarily beaten poor Penn State teams. Quite frankly, the Nittany Lions were not very good at the beginning of this decade. I think Iowa has also matched up well with Penn State schematically. Kirk Ferentz loves to play in those conservative, low-scoring, defensive slug fests (remember that 6-4 game?) and Iowa under Ferentz has been very good in close games (besides 2005-2007 and PSU was off the schedule those first 2 years and won in 2007).
6. Okay, what are the chances that Iowa knocks out a top-5 Penn State team for the second straight year? What do you think the final score is? And how much of an impact do you think the White Out will have?
Any way, my final score is Iowa 17 – Penn State 16. Penn State drives down the field at the end of the game only to miss a field goal at the foot on the inexperienced Collin Wagner.
Finally, on the White Out. The impact it has will depend on how Iowa starts the game. If Iowa can take its first drive down the field and score a quick TD, then I think the crowd will be quieted. If Stanzi comes out the same he has in the first 3 weeks and struggles in the first half, then the crowd could really get into it and make it very difficult for Iowa.
We want to thank Eric once again for his contribution here. Remember to check out my answers to his questions over at Fight For Iowa.