about that 3rd and 1

[HomerChampless]

It doesn't matter if the odds are in their favor when Iowa's receivers and QB still suck. The strength of this team, as much as their is one, is the running game. Intentionally going away from your strengths in critical situations so that you can get cute and work on other stuff so that it may impact a game in Week 10 is STUPID.

Yes, it matters. Why do you think, for example, Northwestern gives our defense constant fits (other than the 3 step drop)? NW's offense spreads the field. Consequently, Iowa's defense has to cover a good deal of the field. <P> Iowa's current offensive alignment with its running plays (slow running backs) and 10 yard passing plays condenses the field for defenses of Iowa's offense. Iowa's offense needs to attempt to spread the field, to force opponents to spread out and cover more of the field, and therefore to make it easier for Iowa's offense to succeed. <P> I'll just say Iowa's defense condensing the field has been the hallmark of Iowa's defense, and why Iowa's defense was once great.