Statistically the Hawkeyes are very good, ranking 10th in the FBS in scoring defense at 15.5 points allowed per game. Their strength is in defending the pass as nationally they rank 9th in pass defense, allowing only 165 yards per game. They ranked 31st against the run at a meager 122 yards per game. Overall the Iowa defense ranks 11th nationally with 287 yards per game allowed. On the year they have forced 14 fumbles and rank 5th in the country in interceptions with 20 - both outstanding numbers.
Schematically the Hawks play a 4-3 defense in a "bend but don't break" style. They are extremely disciplined and rarely out of position. This will prove very helpful to them in facing our spread option. One thing I also noticed in the three games I was able to watch is that they tackle very, very well. Again, fundamentally strong. They don't blitz frequently, relying on their front 5 or 6 to get pressure & force mistakes with 5 guys in coverage.
Four Hawkeyes made 1st team All Big 11 this season - DE Adrian Clayborn, LB Pat Angerer, CB Amari Spievey & S Tyler Sash. The characters:
- Defensive Tackles: #46 Christian Ballard (6'5", 285, Jr.) & #95 Karl Klug, (6'4", 260, Jr.) Ballard & Klug are a bit undersized & rely on quickness as opposed to brute strength. Both hold the point of attack & keep opposing linemen off their linebackers, allowing them to make plays.
- Defensive End: two very fine players in #94 Adrian Clayborn (6'3", 282, Jr.) & #91 Broderick Binns (6'2", 255, So.) are a real strength of this defense. Clayborn may be Iowa's best overall player. Strong against both run & pass, he is a physical presence that can handle double teams. Binns is smaller & a more of a rush end with an incredibly long wing span.
- Linebackers: #49 A.J. Edds (6'4", 244 Sr.), #42 Jeremiha Hunter (6'2", 235, Jr.), & # 43 Pat Angerer (6'1" 235, Sr.). These guys make the plays, particularly Angerer, who always seems to be around the ball. They are very physical & shed blocks well.
- Corners: #28 Shaun Prater (5'11" 175, So.) & #19 Amari Spievey (6'0" 190, Jr.). Spievey is a legit NFL prospect & collegiate shut down corner. What impresses me is his physical play in run support. It's hard to tell what kind of player Prater is because he always had safety help over the top as they were willing to put Spievey out on an island. Iowa has not matched up its corners this season - Spievey plays wide & Prater plays the boundary. It will be interesting to see if they do so Spievey can cover BeBe. If they don't, BeBe on Prater is a mismatch.
- Safeties: #9 Tyler Sash (6'1" 210, So.) & #30 Brett Greenwood (6'0" 200, Jr.). You'll see a LOT of Tyler Sash in the Orange Bowl. In my opinion Iowa's best player. Very dynamic. Not a huge hitter but a great tackler. Parker won't hesitate to move him all over the field. I expect Sash to be flying to the pitchman on the triple option. His ability to contain Nesbitt will be key to this game. Greenwood is a good complementary player who rarely makes mistakes, i.e. an Iowa defender.
What stuck out at me when watching Iowa play is how similar they are to UNC. The defenses are almost a clone of each other. Both have all conference players at the same positions: defensive end (Clayborn & UNC's Robert Quinn), a play-making linebacker (Angerer/Quan Sturdivant), a great safety (sash/Deunta Williams), & a shut down corner (Spievey/Kendic Burney). If anything UNC has more talent at defensive tackle (Thomas/Austin) that Iowa. But for a frame of reference, think UNC's defense & you'll have an idea of what we're up against.....
I've also heard tell that Iowa is so confident in their front four's ability to hold the point of attack that they play a lot of nickle with only two linebackers. If they can stop the B back dive in that formation they'll have an extra player to flow to the ball.
ReplyDeleteFLW
After watching BADGERBADGERBADGERBADGERBADGER completely depants and molest Miami, I am concerned about what we will do against an even better defense. This game will legitamize our program or show us as a gimmicky offense/no defense team. If Iowa can shut us down, than we are back to where we were last year after LSU.
ReplyDeleteA win will also eliminate that "You can beat GT with a month of prep" BS
ReplyDeleteHuge night last night for the ACC. Quality opponent from the "nemesis" conference, thumped soundly. Regardless of the rest of the games play out, we can say this about the ACC, we won when it mattered most against those that would diss us.
ReplyDeleteI used to think Kiffin was a squeaky wheel kind of guy, not necessarily a malicious fellow, but after last night I have a different opinion. Kiffins a dick! Primadadonna pretty boy riding his dads success (and that is what made UT this year).
Hope y'alls new year was a good one.
- RtS1