STILLBUSTER
Well-Known Member
Was very close to asking this after Indiana but wanted to wait and see if Hawks would bounce back. The NW loss answered it -- the Hawks peaked against MSU.
What made me suspect it (and led to my prediction that Iowa would lose against NW) was how poorly both the defense and offense executed against IU. I just couldn't shake how ineffective the D-line was against an injured statue in Chappell, how catchable oskies were bouncing off the defensive back 7's hands, how easily fooled into being out of position the pass coverage was. It was worse on offense and / or the coaching in how "off" Ricky was in both his red-zone decisions and accuracy, how many mental errors (penalties) were made by the OL, how they inexplicably abandoned the run inside the 10. It wasn't just a couple anomolous mistakes, it was a pervasive theme.
What was most disturbing is it was November and we were watching mid-September mental and physical breakdowns from a senior-laden, experienced team. It only continued and worsened throughout the NW game.
I think 2010's November meltdown can probably be traced back to a couple key factors.
#1) Norm's absence. Something tells me that we would not be witnessing such a lack of discipline (that has led to breakdowns against exactly what we should have know was coming in IU and NW) in the pass defense, nor would we be witnessing conditioning issues with the DL, if Norm were as involved as normal. Not attacking the assistant coaches but they were forced to take on responsibilities in terms of game-planning and in-game adjustments that they just weren't capable of handling.
#2) Coaching complacency. I'm not saying in the obvious "fat cat" sort of way. However, I suspect that the coaches maybe put a bit too much confidence in the DL and Ricky to work the same magic they worked last year. With the exception of MSU, I just haven't see a sense of urgency to "do what it takes" to fulfill what were realistic expectations coming into the season. They have approached what could have been a historical season in the same way they approach what could be a surprising season. They didn't compensate for the fact that the opponents would be coming at Iowa that much harder this season.
As much as I don't like NW / Fitzgerald, I respect him because he ALWAYS plays to win and is ALWAYS dialed into the flow of the game, especially to what his opponent is giving or taking away. This allows him to stay ahead of the chess match on the field rather than making "after the fact" adjustments out of futility (which is what I saw the Hawkeye defense trying to do to stop NW.) Fitzgerald has more than dethroned KF in his title of "doing more with less".
That's what makes Tressel the best coach in the B11 because he gameplans to emphasize his strengths and attack his opponents weaknesses. Yes, he has the luxury of top-tier talent but take notice of how many "versions" of Ohio State you might see throughout the season. He's willing to risk a few extra tweaks depending on the match up.
I'm sure others have their opinions (if I continued, #3 would be SEVERELY underestimating the loss of Pat Angerer's emotional, mental and physical toughness) and I'd like to read them.
What made me suspect it (and led to my prediction that Iowa would lose against NW) was how poorly both the defense and offense executed against IU. I just couldn't shake how ineffective the D-line was against an injured statue in Chappell, how catchable oskies were bouncing off the defensive back 7's hands, how easily fooled into being out of position the pass coverage was. It was worse on offense and / or the coaching in how "off" Ricky was in both his red-zone decisions and accuracy, how many mental errors (penalties) were made by the OL, how they inexplicably abandoned the run inside the 10. It wasn't just a couple anomolous mistakes, it was a pervasive theme.
What was most disturbing is it was November and we were watching mid-September mental and physical breakdowns from a senior-laden, experienced team. It only continued and worsened throughout the NW game.
I think 2010's November meltdown can probably be traced back to a couple key factors.
#1) Norm's absence. Something tells me that we would not be witnessing such a lack of discipline (that has led to breakdowns against exactly what we should have know was coming in IU and NW) in the pass defense, nor would we be witnessing conditioning issues with the DL, if Norm were as involved as normal. Not attacking the assistant coaches but they were forced to take on responsibilities in terms of game-planning and in-game adjustments that they just weren't capable of handling.
#2) Coaching complacency. I'm not saying in the obvious "fat cat" sort of way. However, I suspect that the coaches maybe put a bit too much confidence in the DL and Ricky to work the same magic they worked last year. With the exception of MSU, I just haven't see a sense of urgency to "do what it takes" to fulfill what were realistic expectations coming into the season. They have approached what could have been a historical season in the same way they approach what could be a surprising season. They didn't compensate for the fact that the opponents would be coming at Iowa that much harder this season.
As much as I don't like NW / Fitzgerald, I respect him because he ALWAYS plays to win and is ALWAYS dialed into the flow of the game, especially to what his opponent is giving or taking away. This allows him to stay ahead of the chess match on the field rather than making "after the fact" adjustments out of futility (which is what I saw the Hawkeye defense trying to do to stop NW.) Fitzgerald has more than dethroned KF in his title of "doing more with less".
That's what makes Tressel the best coach in the B11 because he gameplans to emphasize his strengths and attack his opponents weaknesses. Yes, he has the luxury of top-tier talent but take notice of how many "versions" of Ohio State you might see throughout the season. He's willing to risk a few extra tweaks depending on the match up.
I'm sure others have their opinions (if I continued, #3 would be SEVERELY underestimating the loss of Pat Angerer's emotional, mental and physical toughness) and I'd like to read them.
