After watching Replay - Dline and OLine and how will it bode going forward

[David79]

I wouldn't say we were overmatched by any stretch. However, our O-line has gone up against two inferior D-lines (I believe most if not all of the NIU d-line were 1st year starters). For those two games we gained a good number of yards on the ground, but we didn't dominate either d-line like we should have.

As for our D-line, I think they have been average and have some upside. The problem with only having them contain is it exposes a huge weakness in our secondary. To successfully run the Cover 2 & Cover 4 defenses it requires getting pressure on the QB, otherwise the WRs have too much time to find space.

Lynch was able to burn us a couple of times with the deep ball, Missouri State wasn't able to connect on the 1 or 2 chances they had. The teams that remain on our schedule (save ISU) will likely be able connect on those deep passes.

At this point I'd give the O-line a C- and D-line a B-.

Rushing for over for about 500 yards in two games isn't good enough for you? The mistakes that have been made, penalties, drops, and turnovers have limited the scoring but their line is doing just fine and will continue to improve. There have also been some RBs not hitting the holes like last week when Bullock tried a couple of times to outrun the d to the edge instead of reading his blocks.

 

[hoffahawk]

The fact that we had to blitz as much as we did against Mizzou St. and still didn't get a sack is not good. A decent QB will pick our D apart if we don't get pressure with the front 4.

The DL has a LONG way to go on passing downs, anybody that thinks differently clearly wasn't watching the same game as I was.

 

[Clark]

The fact that we had to blitz as much as we did against Mizzou St. and still didn't get a sack is not good. A decent QB will pick our D apart if we don't get pressure with the front 4.

The DL has a LONG way to go on passing downs, anybody that thinks differently clearly wasn't watching the same game as I was.

For me, it's not about the sacks but how much time the quarterback has in the pocket. I haven't noticed the opposing quarterbacks having an inordinate amount of time to throw.

 

[vosov]

The fact that we had to blitz as much as we did against Mizzou St. and still didn't get a sack is not good. A decent QB will pick our D apart if we don't get pressure with the front 4.

The DL has a LONG way to go on passing downs, anybody that thinks differently clearly wasn't watching the same game as I was.

This is true for the most part, but I will add one thing. I don't think they were blitzing Mizzou St. because they had to. They were blitzing because they are going to have to in the future. Iowa was actually some pressure with the front four and one of them directly resulted in an int. It is the weakness of this defense, but it is a pretty solid D overall. It is very similar to ISU's D last year.

 

[ICHawk24]

For me, it's not about the sacks but how much time the quarterback has in the pocket. I haven't noticed the opposing quarterbacks having an inordinate amount of time to throw.

Agreed. Its hard to judge, but it appears that the opposing QBs have just done a good job of getting rid of the ball when pressure shows up. The rush is still a question mark, but I don't think its been as atrocious as many posters think it is.

 

[DodgerHawki]

489 yards to 197 is pretty much dominating. The Gazette guys agree, saying so in the OnIowa podcast.

Our defense limited them to 3.0 ypc and 4.2 ypa and 7 points. 1 for 10 on 3rd down. Those are very good numbers. First sub-200 yard defensive day since EIU 2010.

A lot of things have to happen to win by just a 28-14 score when one team outgains the other by 300 yards and wins the turnover battle. Most self-inflicted on Iowa's part, some bad luck. Iowa punted twice inside the opponent's 40 yard line, got stopped on a 4th and 1 inside the 5, missed a short FG and gave up a Pick 6.

Missouri State is bad, not a good team at all. Only redeeming qualities were a mobile QB who could throw a bit and 2 quality wide receivers. People lament the sacks (or lack thereof). And of course pressure could always be better. But Iowa is not going to have big sack totals against mobile QB's operating out of a spread offense. We just aren't. There isn't enough athleticism in the d-line to corral mobile QB's on a regular basis. The next best strategy is to keep the guy in the pocket and time some blitzes with the linebackers to get them free runs at the QB. Both of those things occurred against Mo State. Davis didn't have any sacks, but on Miller's INT Davis was immediately around the guard and in the QB's face in under 2 seconds. QB had the choice of either throwing the ball without seeing where the safety was (which he did and threw the INT) or eating the ball and taking the sack.

Iowa appears better on both sides of the ball than last year (not saying much), but the belief isn't quite there yet for this team. They are doing a lot of good things (450+ yards of offense in each game this year is evidence of that) but the team needs to take the next step of believing/acting like they can play well.

Saturday will be interesting as doubts have to exist for both Iowa and ISU at this point.

 

[Billso]

I think people tend to forget how slowly Iowa teams tend to start under KF. I understand it's human nature to let frustration get the best of you, but sometimes it's a wise decision to look backwards when predicting how far the team can go forward. I'm not saying this team is capable of big things, but I am saying it's wayyyy to premature to suggest this team can't win 6 or more games. History suggests it's more than capable of improving:

2002 - Damn good Iowa team lost 31-36 against what ended up being an above average ISU team (7-7)

2004 - Barely won their second game of the season to Iowa State (17-10), got smoked in game #3 by Arizona State (44-7), in game #4 lost to 18th ranked Michigan 30-17, and then after that they went on to win the rest of their games and capped it off with a Capitol One Bowl victory over LSU to finish 10-2.

2005 - Lost 23-3 to Iowa State and went on to finish 7-5

2009 - Barely beat Northern Iowa 17-16 to start off the season and went on to finish 11-2


I know I'm preaching to the choir because everyone here is well aware of Iowa's history. I'm only mentioning it as a reminder that Iowa teams tend to grow up a lot throughout the season. Who knows where this group will end up... They certainly will need to have some playmakers emerge, and the WR's need to start catching the ball. However, suggesting they aren't capable of winning more than 6 games at this point in the season is a bit premature. Patience is a virtue. Just think about how everyone felt when it looked like UNI was going to beat the Hawks... even after they squeezed out a win in that game no one thought that team was going to accomplish anything.

Your mature and balanced take has no place here. Begone.



On second thought, please post more.

 

[LASBUR]

OL is good but not as dominit as I expected considering who we have played. DL is doing as well as could be expected. But my expectations were not very high. They played a pretty darn good OL in the first game and did OK

 

[wundergrape]

I think people tend to forget how slowly Iowa teams tend to start under KF. I understand it's human nature to let frustration get the best of you, but sometimes it's a wise decision to look backwards when predicting how far the team can go forward. I'm not saying this team is capable of big things, but I am saying it's wayyyy to premature to suggest this team can't win 6 or more games. History suggests it's more than capable of improving:

2002 - Damn good Iowa team lost 31-36 against what ended up being an above average ISU team (7-7)

2004 - Barely won their second game of the season to Iowa State (17-10), got smoked in game #3 by Arizona State (44-7), in game #4 lost to 18th ranked Michigan 30-17, and then after that they went on to win the rest of their games and capped it off with a Capitol One Bowl victory over LSU to finish 10-2.

2005 - Lost 23-3 to Iowa State and went on to finish 7-5

2009 - Barely beat Northern Iowa 17-16 to start off the season and went on to finish 11-2


I know I'm preaching to the choir because everyone here is well aware of Iowa's history. I'm only mentioning it as a reminder that Iowa teams tend to grow up a lot throughout the season. Who knows where this group will end up... They certainly will need to have some playmakers emerge, and the WR's need to start catching the ball. However, suggesting they aren't capable of winning more than 6 games at this point in the season is a bit premature. Patience is a virtue. Just think about how everyone felt when it looked like UNI was going to beat the Hawks... even after they squeezed out a win in that game no one thought that team was going to accomplish anything.

...and again after the Arkansas State game three weeks later. Does anyone remember that game? Stanzi throws two picks late (one for 6) and we give up 14 in the fourth? Squeek it out by a field goal? Man. What a season that was.

 

[Clark]

...and again after the Arkansas State game three weeks later. Does anyone remember that game? Stanzi throws two picks late (one for 6) and we give up 14 in the fourth? Squeek it out by a field goal? Man. What a season that was.

I wish I had that entire season on DVR. I think you'll never see another Iowa season that even comes close to resembling that one in terms of drama.

 

[ICHawk24]

...and again after the Arkansas State game three weeks later. Does anyone remember that game? Stanzi throws two picks late (one for 6) and we give up 14 in the fourth? Squeek it out by a field goal? Man. What a season that was.

Another great point.

People need to just calm down and let the season play out. The team may surprise you.

 

[Easton]

OL is good but not as dominit as I expected considering who we have played. DL is doing as well as could be expected. But my expectations were not very high. They played a pretty darn good OL in the first game and did OK

Could it be that they may need to gel. Haven't played together since PSU, and breaking in new starters.

 

[LASBUR]

Yes I think it could.. I also think we will continue to get better as the year goes on. My concerns are more will Powell and Vandeberg be able to fill the void at WR. will our DBs get better and can our QB throw the long ball. Not saying he cant. I just dont think he has proven it yet

Could it be that they may need to gel. Haven't played together since PSU, and breaking in new starters.

 

[tubahawk]

Rushing for over for about 500 yards in two games isn't good enough for you? The mistakes that have been made, penalties, drops, and turnovers have limited the scoring but their line is doing just fine and will continue to improve. There have also been some RBs not hitting the holes like last week when Bullock tried a couple of times to outrun the d to the edge instead of reading his blocks.

In 2011 we averaged 150 rushing yrds per game. (160 per game in 2012)

Rushing for 200 yrds against a MAC team and 300 against lower tier D-1aa team isn't worthy of bragging rights. Indiana rushed for 300 against Indiana State, then Navy hung over 400 yrds on Indy the next week. I think our number of rushing yards is inflated due to the level of competition we've faced not because of the quality of the O-line.

I can't look at the NIU game a say Iowa was the undisputed winner in the trenches. We couldn't sustain drives. We had 5 stopped drive against Missouri State. This O-line has a ways to go. It's not a liability, but I wouldn't call it a strength of this team based on what I've seen so far.

 

[Hawknick]

Game stats indicate that Iowa did have a sack against MSU. The D-line is keeping the linebackers clean, the team is stopping the run and containing mobile QBs. The O-line is doing great in run blocking, and in pass blocking on most plays. They need to clean up the penalties and some of the blitz pick ups. This I believe they will do.

 

[HawkinGoferLand]

^ sack was by an LB, Hitchens I think

 

[hoffahawk]

I think people tend to forget how slowly Iowa teams tend to start under KF. I understand it's human nature to let frustration get the best of you, but sometimes it's a wise decision to look backwards when predicting how far the team can go forward. I'm not saying this team is capable of big things, but I am saying it's wayyyy to premature to suggest this team can't win 6 or more games. History suggests it's more than capable of improving:

You are 100% correct-

2010- started 7-2 finished 1-3
2011- started 5-2 finished 2-4
2012- started 4-2 finished 0-6

 

[Eda]

We were playing one of the worst teams in recent football history the other day. I wouldn't get too gaga over some slight domination at the LOS. The lack of any real pass rush from the DEs in a game like that is just terrifying. Also, I don't care how accurate Rudock's arm is, we still have the worst group of WRs in major college football, and that's not going to change without at least a few more recruiting classes. And our secondary is just beyond awful. Seriously, I don't think I've ever seen it in worse shape. There are serious and severe flaws on this team that are glaring, even against a cupcake like Mizzou-lite. Once their QB and WRs were able to get on the same page, they were able to move the ball far too easily against our defense in the 2nd half. So, um, yeah, 6 games is a PIPEDREAM at this point.

Oh, so there's nothing to get excited about? Okay… Thanks for checking in.
Kthxbuhbye.

 

[uihawk82]

A lot of people commented we were overmatched physically, which surprised me. I wouldn't know, thanks to f%#*^&@ Comcast. Sounds like that wasn't your take?

I think NIU and Miss St used speed to disrupt alot of our plays.

ISU is going to be blitzing and packing the box against our Off.

 

[Billso]

I think NIU and Miss St used speed to disrupt alot of our plays.

ISU is going to be blitzing and packing the box against our Off.

While still a work in progress, it seems like Rudock (and GD) are doing a better job than last year responding to that and making the opponent pay for selling out. Too many times, JVB just stood in like a statue and took the blitz sack. But I base that on viewing NIU, how'd it work out in the MSU game?