Breaking Down Arizona

hawkinn3

hawkinn3

Well-Known Member
Offense: Returns 8 starters including QB Nick Foles and RB Nic Grigsby, as well as 4 out of 5 linemen, both WRs, and TE AJ Simmons.

However the unit was middle of the road last year ranking 58th in total offense and 61st in scoring.

So far this year they have outperformed the output from 09 with 518 and 489 total yards respectively and putting up 41 and 52 points, however keep in mind it was against Toledo and Citadel.

Zona likes to spread it out and let the shifty Grigsby work in space which proved to be ineffective last year against the fast Iowa Defense. However, Foles has another year to learn to O and we could see more of a passign focus this year and it will be up to the Iowa line to get pressure.

X Factor-QB Matt Scott, a speedy QB who could pull it down and run and give a D fits, has been working on his throwing motion all off season so dont be surprised to see him in some spot action if Foles struggles.

contd...next post
 
I think the known commodities are the hawk d v. their O

The question is will iowas offense systematically embarrass az d rendering this a non contest or not.....

Hawks ... kick and cover kicks this week.. no TO's good things are going to happen
 
Defense: The unit returns only 4 starters from a unit that 25th in total yards and 53rd in scoring. However, that includes stud ends Ricky Elmore(10 sacks) and Brooks Reed(8.5 sacks) and CB Wade.

With that said the unit has big question marks at LB and the rest of the secondary and should struggle accordingly. Although watch out for a "cheetah" formation the team tinkered with in the sprign where they put 4 DEs on the line and drop back 6 defensive backs.

The Defense is a question mark and Iowa is its first big test of the year so it will go a long way in what their identity is.
 
When they play:
AZ O vs Iowa D: The Iowa teams speed consistently got after the "faster" skill players of the cats last year and it should be no different this year. The big question is how much better Foles really is and how well the spread will hold up. If its better it comes down to front front four pressure and Iowa has the best front 4 in the league.

AZ D vs. Iowa O: The Iowa line is crushing people like a juggernaut and Hampton has added a devastating change of pace from A-Rob The young and untested cats D should have alot of trouble stopping the running game. Only problem may be if the cats' end can get pressure on Stanzi. If Stanzi gets time this thing could get ugly.

Final estimation: The Lines, the lines, the lines. Ours are better and we win
Iowa 28
AZ 10
 
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hawkinn3 said:
When they play:
AZ O vs Iowa D: The Iowa teams speed consistently got after the "faster" skill players of the cats last year and it should be no different this year. The big question is how much better Foles really is and how well the spread will hold up. If its better it comes down to front front four pressure and Iowa has the best front 4 in the league.

AZ D vs. Iowa O: The Iowa line is crushing people like a juggernaut and Hampton has added a devastating change of pace from A-Rob The young and untested cats D should have alot of trouble stopping the running game. Only problem may be if the cats' end can get pressure on Stanzi. If Stanzi gets time this thing could get ugly.

Final estimation: The Lines, the lines, the lines. Ours are better and we win
Iowa 28
AZ 10
Click to expand...

Do you think Foles improved this year as much as Arnaud did? ;)
 
An important thing to note about Arizona is NOT that they played creampuffs ... although they did. The bigger thing to note is that neither team they faced off against was even remotely as physical as our Hawkeyes. That is a factor that DOES matter.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that Iowa's O is significantly different from the other Os that UA faced previously. In contrast, Iowa already faced off against 2 opponents that relied more heavily upon a more timing-oriented passing games.

One of my biggest concerns is how physical and fast the UA secondary plays. Iowa's WRs really did have troubles getting open last year. I swear that there were A TON of instances where the UA DBs were interferring ... but it didn't get called.

If Iowa's WRs have trouble getting open ... then we're going to have to rely more upon our running game and short-range passing game to move the ball. And, the bad news there is that it will allow for the UA D to crowd closer to the LOS.

Anyhow, it will be an intriguing match-up to say the least.
 
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