Iowa vs Tenn Tech: What Did We Learn?

JonDMiller

Publisher/Founder
It's 12:30am on 9/4 as I write this and I still can't shake the odd feelings about Iowa's season opening game. I really don't know what to take away from it. Perhaps watching it again tomorrow will help clear a few things up.

I do think James Vandenberg is going to have a real good year for Iowa. I like his zip, he showed some touch and he has command. Ed Podolak has joined Jim Zabel and me on Soundoff this year following Iowa games and that is a treat. He said after the game that you have to go back to Chuck Long to find an Iowa quarterback with a better skill set than Vandenberg.

I don't disagree at all, and felt that way two years ago after watching him against Ohio State. At that time, I said you'd have to go back to at least Matt Rogers or maybe Chuck Hartlieb to find an Iowa quarterback with the pure passer tool chest that JVB showed that day. Podolak just turned that knob up to 11.

Iowa's offense was certainly not a juggernaut on Saturday, but I didn't expect it to be. JVB was not perfect, but he had three or four passes that were dropped, including one that would have been a touchdown (Zach Derby) where Iowa had to settle for three points.

I am not concerned about the offense, and I am not concerned about Marcus Coker's slow start. Coker missed some practice time this past month and was also off limits as far as tackling went. It had been a long, long time since he had been tackled and he had more rust on his frame than Mika'il McCall, who had been tackled all camp. That sort of live action is a razor's edge; you need to do it because steel sharpens steel. We saw the difference between McCall and Coker and I think it had a lot to do with the 'live ammo' McCall had seen in August. Podolak agreed with this on Soundoff, saying it was a huge factor.

While Eddie didn't scoff at anyone, he was tongue in cheek about how last week Coker was going to be an All Big Ten player, and after this game some were way down on him. Podolak said the plan has always been for Coker to be a 25 or more carry back this year and nothing has changed, nor will it. Yes, we all got a taste of McCall and his loss (out for the year) stings and may sting worse as the year goes on, if past is prologue. However, Coker is not chopped liver and Podolak raves about his vision and slashing abilities. I think we'll all see more of that this coming week at Iowa State, where the Cyclones allowed over 200 yards rushing to Northern Iowa on Saturday night.

This Iowa back seven is going to play faster than last year's back seven. I am not saying they are going to be better than last year's back seven, but they are going to play faster.

Jordan Bernstine proved he belongs on the field, and it will not surprise me in the least if he breaks into the starting lineup next week and stays there all season. That has everything to do with his play; Ferentz said after the game that he and McCall looked like the only two players going at the high gear that he wants to see.

The defensive line was disruptive, as they had to be against such an inferior opponent. The next phase will be consistency and body control after you break through that initial rush. Next week's quarterback, Steele Jantz, may not be the most accurate passer Iowa will face all year (18/40, 187 yards, 1 TD pass and 3INT vs UNI) but he is shifty and can run (20 carries, 80 yards). There is such a thing as being 'too aggressive' in the pass rush game. You need the physical to get past the first line of defenses, but then it shifts into a mental game where you must control your motion in order to be in a position to either make a sack or force a bad throw...if a shifty QB can dodge you and roll out to the flat, he buys more time and it's too hard to cover on the back end for that long.

I had a few people email and or text me after the game, asking me if I felt better or worse about Iowa's 2011 prospects after watching that game. I hate saying this, but I didn't really take much away from this game. The elements were certainly a factor so it makes it tough to draw a good read. I predicted Iowa to finish 8-4 before the season, so if eight wins is the over/under line and I had to lean one way or another (seven wins or nine wins) I might lean towards the seven, but I need to see more data.

Iowa's first four games will come against teams that like to run offenses similar to what Iowa faced against Tennessee Tech...they they will shift into Big Ten mode and face Penn State who will be nothing like that. After Penn State, it will be Northwestern, Indiana and Minnesota...so some similar preparations for Northwestern. Most of the teams on Iowa's schedule this year will run some variation of the spread, so the Hawks will be well schooled in those classes. What I fear the most is Iowa's ability to stop the run when it counts...and it may be some time before the jury returns a verdict on that one.

INTERNAL AUDIT

Here are a few of the keys I talked about in my preview video from Thursday:

-I didn't think Iowa would cover the 40.5 point spread, because Iowa has won just nine games by 40 or more in the Ferentz era, and the fact that Tennessee Tech returned 21 of 22 starters. I think the rain hurt Tech more than it hurt Iowa, but it did hurt Iowa.

-I said Iowa had a decided advantage on the offensive line and I expected the Hawkeyes to push the Golden Eagles around. They did that while they were in there

-I said JVB would see a lot of one on one opportunities due to Tech's aggressive defense and felt that JVB would hook up for some deep play opportunities. He found Marvin McNutt with one on one coverage on a flag route, hit him and Marvin did the rest, 88 yards later. He spotted man coverage on Keenan Davis and audibled to it. That's the play Davis made on the tipped ball.

-I said Marcus Coker would top 100 yards...miss

-I said Iowa is better suited to play the lateral passing game this year and expect this defense to fly around on the back end. I think they showed that as the linebackers were real active on Saturday.

-I said 38-17...too many points for Tech, and close to Iowa's number.
 


Think you are going the wrong way in the win total column. Iowa actually looks much further along in their development at this point from years past. Also, their SOS looks to have dropped dramatically. Minny's "morale" victory is not accurate. That USC team is Barkley and not much else. Purdue looks brutal. Nebby is one dimensional on O (not a good thing against Iowa.) MSU doesn't look the same. NW was salty, but the Hawks look like they have better personnel to deal with NW's scheme.

Seriously, I just don't see where 5 losses come from. In fact, I don't see 4 teams on the schedule that are likely winners against Iowa.
 


I agree. Injuries will be a huge factor but I have a hard time finding 4 losses right now.
 


Jon would agree JVB looks solid and really not too worried about Coker yet, but losing McCall was big he looked like a great second back for sure. Other than the injury would say game was a success and something to build on going forward.

Looking forward too ISU next week and see how we continue growing as a team. I see Coker coming back strong next week.

Bernstine really played well and with his pad popping hits reminded me of Bob Sanders really played well. Morris is going to be another great Iowa LB for sure he is only going to get better each week.
 


I noticed that when Bernstine made a tackle, it was accompanied by a loud noise, ala Bob Sanders.
 


Another thing we learned is McNutt is going too be best receiver in Iowa history really could have a strong season.
 


I don't think we're going to be able to stop a team that decides to just line up and run it right down our throats. Thankfully there aren't many teams on our schedule that are designed to do that.

I wasn't really impressed with Sleeper. He seemed to take a few bad angles on some of the run plays. I wouldn't be surprised if a change is made in the back end.

We REALLY need Morris and Nielsen to stay healthy. The starting LB's looked good for sure but there's a huge dropoff between those two and their backups.

Keenan and McNutt are a nice duo but we're still lacking a clear 3rd option.

Our OL sure looks good hopefully they continue to get better as the games get tougher.

Coker will be just fine.
 


I wasn't really impressed with Sleeper. He seemed to take a few bad angles on some of the run plays. I wouldn't be surprised if a change is made in the back end.

I think we can pretty much asssume this week in Ames you'll see Bernstine in and Sleeper out.
 


I noticed that when Bernstine made a tackle, it was accompanied by a loud noise, ala Bob Sanders.

I thought the same thing!!! A really satisfying "POP" whenever Jordan hit someone...really impressive closing speed on the ball carrier - just like Sash and Sanders.
 


Ferentz said after the game that he and McCall looked like the only two players going at the high gear that he wants to see.

Hopefully they find the high gear for next week. I think there might be some "prodding" by the staff to "help" them find it!
 


Think you are going the wrong way in the win total column. Iowa actually looks much further along in their development at this point from years past. Also, their SOS looks to have dropped dramatically. Minny's "morale" victory is not accurate. That USC team is Barkley and not much else. Purdue looks brutal. Nebby is one dimensional on O (not a good thing against Iowa.) MSU doesn't look the same. NW was salty, but the Hawks look like they have better personnel to deal with NW's scheme.

Seriously, I just don't see where 5 losses come from. In fact, I don't see 4 teams on the schedule that are likely winners against Iowa.

And Pitt struggled for most of the game against Buffalo, they won't get their up tempo offense really in gear until much later in the season. I predicted 9-3 before the season and I think yesterday reinforced that prediction.
 




Top