Who you got?? Iowa's rush defense vs Minny's run game.

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uihawk82

Well-Known Member
I like Iowa's odds of playing the run and having some extra guys in the box or focused on the read option. What they just showed on BTN pre-game is Iowa playing really well against NIU's running game. Iowa has had pretty good tackling games also. NIU scored 21 points on busted or some bad pass coverage but I hope that is getting shored up (I am boycotting the term "cleaned up").

My guess is Minny will not be able to consistently run the ball. I think Iowa's cornerbacks and other defenders will do well against their limited passing game.

Still a close game call as MInny will probably have the stoutest defense we have played against.
 


I like Iowa is this matchup because they should be able to focus on stoping the run unless Minnesota's QB goes bananas.

If I had to put a number on it, I'd say Iowa gives up about 125 yards on the ground today which is enough to get it done.

Also, thanks for boycotting the term that I will not repeat.
 








Minnesota’s time of possession has been 55.7% for first half & 52.4% for second half. This is good but not spectacular considering how often they run the ball.

Their average points by quarter has been: first quarter 4.3, second quarter 16.7, third quarter 8.7, fourth quarter 16.3
This shows an offense that is a little hesitant at first, perhaps due to inexperience, but has been able to generate momentum and gouge opponents with an explosive running game in the second and fourth quarters. 6.1 yards per play is excellent for a running team. They’ve had a modest amount of 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] downs per game at 12. Their third down conversion rate has been solid at 47.2%.

They’ve averaged a very low 3 punts per game.

Red Zone scoring has been spectacular at 100%

The passing game is almost non-existent at 16.3 attempts per game with a completion percentage of 46%. It’s made worse by starting a back up quarterback who is primarily a running QB.

Over all, I would say Minnesota has a potent running game that really hasn’t been challenged to any real extent. I haven’t yet seen that Minnesota has anything like the truly dominating running game they had a decade ago. Iowa’s foremost task will be to stop the big yardage running plays on first and second down, and contain the QB running game. Pressure them into third down situations and punts. Minnesota’s lack of a passing game is going to hurt them against stout defenses. Don’t let them anywhere near the red zone.

It would also be nice to have help from the offense. Both teams can’t dominate the clock. The longer Iowa’s offense stays on the field the better.
 
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Iowa's run defense >> Minnesota's run offense avg / 2 = 2 INTs = Iowa W
 


If Jordan Lynch averaged 3 yards a carry...some guy named Lidner or whatever his name is isn't going to do better. NIU's offensive line is much better than what Minny will put out there. I just don't see running in the cards for the goofs. I'll be shocked if they can establish a consistent running game today.
 


Most everyone who answered this thread was correct. That was a real dominant defensive performance.

Without the long kickoff return it is probably a shutout..
 


uihawk82 said:
Most everyone who answered this thread was correct. That was a real dominant defensive performance.

Without the long kickoff return it is probably a shutout..
Click to expand...

I was off on Minnesota's rushing total by about 100 yards. Oh well.
 


Xerxes said:
I was off on Minnesota's rushing total by about 100 yards. Oh well.
Click to expand...

Well at least you missed on the correct side. I had a feeling that the hawks were going to own Minny's run game and I knew their passing game wasnt very good when you dont pass the ball well against the schedule they have played.
 


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