IowaLaw's 2019 Final Report Card: Offense

[CP87]

Caused by the inability to get those last 20 yards which leads to a low point per game production. Not sure how that is flawed. Seems pretty simple. You dont move the ball or score points, seems to me its a pretty bad offense.

Because raw metrics put them around 100th, and efficiency metrics put them around 70th. Still not good, but not quite "worst in the country" bad.

The dip in RZ TD% this year is kind of weird. It has consistently been around 60-65% for many years in a row, and now it is down below 55%. Whatever the cause of that, they better figure it out.

I think it is a play-calling thing (zigging when they expect you to zig), which we also see manifested in their historically putrid 3rd-and-short performance and 2-pt conversion failures.

 

[Motigerhawk]

I went to ESPNs efficiency ratings. 58th in offense, 11th in defense and 4th in special teams.KF is what he is. I know what he is as do all of you.

I dont wholly blame BF. I hoped when he came in he would loosen Dad up. As you can see the same formula is in place. And its stale and boring.

I really am bored by this offense. And this was one of our more talented groups of skill players.

We all know the deficiencies of this staff. Been discussed many times. I guess this is going to be the point of contention for us until KF retires.

 

[HuckFinn]

I went to ESPNs efficiency ratings. 58th in offense, 11th in defense and 4th in special teams.KF is what he is. I know what he is as do all of you.

I dont wholly blame BF. I hoped when he came in he would loosen Dad up. As you can see the same formula is in place. And its stale and boring.

I really am bored by this offense. And this was one of our more talented groups of skill players.

We all know the deficiencies of this staff. Been discussed many times. I guess this is going to be the point of contention for us until KF retires.

I get your point and agree that our O drives me crazy and boredom often sets in. I would add that if we ran the same offensive scheme, but pushed our run game into the 125 yards per game category, with our talent at wide receiver and probably at tight end next fall. Boredom could be out the window. There is an amazing stat that compares our win % to running for at least 100 yards in the game. (Sorry, cannot recall it)

 

[okeefe4prez]

I dont wholly blame BF. I hoped when he came in he would loosen Dad up. As you can see the same formula is in place. And its stale and boring.

BF is to blame for one big reason. He was o-line coach a few years ago. There should be guys who he recruited and coached up as the head of the o-line a few years ago who are solid juniors and seniors across the board. But there aren't.

BF gets guys open in the passing game. BF has involved the RBs with some nice screens and counters. The playbook and calling honestly looks a million times better than it did under Davis. It is not even close. The problem is that an offense is only as good as its two worst offensive linemen because any good defensive coach is going to exploit them. We have seen teams where we had 5 absolute studs (2002) or maybe a couple of studs and a couple of solid guys (2009) and now we have a team with 2 studs and probably 2 way below average (for Iowa) guys. If you can't handle the line, you can't do shit on offense unless you have some freak escape artist QB, which Iowa simply doesn't have.

 

[BVHawk95]

BF is to blame for one big reason. He was o-line coach a few years ago. There should be guys who he recruited and coached up as the head of the o-line a few years ago who are solid juniors and seniors across the board. But there aren't.

BF gets guys open in the passing game. BF has involved the RBs with some nice screens and counters. The playbook and calling honestly looks a million times better than it did under Davis. It is not even close. The problem is that an offense is only as good as its two worst offensive linemen because any good defensive coach is going to exploit them. We have seen teams where we had 5 absolute studs (2002) or maybe a couple of studs and a couple of solid guys (2009) and now we have a team with 2 studs and probably 2 way below average (for Iowa) guys. If you can't handle the line, you can't do shit on offense unless you have some freak escape artist QB, which Iowa simply doesn't have.

The Paulsen twins not panning out like they were projected to really hurt us. We have a lot of talented youth playing at the G spots right now, but nobody like Tristan or AJ who's extremely experienced and can handle new looks under pressure.

 

[CP87]

I went to ESPNs efficiency ratings. 58th in offense, 11th in defense and 4th in special teams.KF is what he is. I know what he is as do all of you.

I dont wholly blame BF. I hoped when he came in he would loosen Dad up. As you can see the same formula is in place. And its stale and boring.

I really am bored by this offense. And this was one of our more talented groups of skill players.

We all know the deficiencies of this staff. Been discussed many times. I guess this is going to be the point of contention for us until KF retires.

Wasn't it tough to watch Minny run up and down the field on PSU, followed by Iowa scuttling almost the whole game vs. Wisconsin? After that day, I was just ready to watch Iowa lost different. It felt like the same old movie had played out over and over.

I love Iowa's balanced approach when it works. It hasn't worked since 2015, and that is pretty maddening.

 

[okeefe4prez]

The Paulsen twins not panning out like they were projected to really hurt us. We have a lot of talented youth playing at the G spots right now, but nobody like Tristan or AJ who's extremely experienced and can handle new looks under pressure.

Yeah, I don't want to call anyone out, but we had some physical limitations in the middle of the line this year that absolutely put this offense in park numerous times. We got a little better at handling the 3-4 look, but we still had really long stretches of guys blocking air and that aspect is probably more on the coaches (Polasek specifically) than the players. If this ball club was just a tad better on the interior of the o-line, the offense would look completely different and probably be insanely good by Iowa standards. I want to be a smartass about how bad Brian sucks, but I honestly don't know what the hell you can call when PSU's pedestrian D-tackle (that #54 kid) looks like Aaron Donald because we just aren't good in the middle. You can't scheme around your guard getting blown up 3 out of every 4 plays and a D tackle in the pocket on even quick pass routes or standing a yard in front of your tailback when he takes the handoff.

I have no problem Monday Morning Quarterbacking the play calling if it sucks, but when a play is blown up from the outset by the o-line, I can't sit there and say "I would have called a better play there."

 

[Fryowa]

I might be a loser but I'd still say C- is a more accurate grade than F.

You’re definitely not a loser, but we don’t automatically make a cartoon grade because of peer performance.

My 7th grade kid was late on a school project last week and he tried to say it was ok because almost everyone else in class was late too. Does not compute.

 

[IowaLawWasRight]

The all-Big 10 teams have been announced. The coaches and media all concurred with Iowalaw's report card and disregarded the hawkeyenation homerism relating to Nate's greatness, the WR corp that was "too good" to make room for Oliver Martin, and Goodson's relative super stardom.

There consensus among the Big 10 is that not only was Nate was not in the top 1/4 of the conference's QBs worthy of all conference honors, he didn't even make honorable mention, which included the next 1/4 of QBs. By definition, Iowa's 3 year starter (he played nearly every down for nearly 40 games) and potential NFL draft pick did not play his way into the top 1/2 of the conference QBs this year, with several underclassment beating him out. Maybe the voters valued end game performance and completion percentage over niceness and strength of arm.

8 RBs received all-Big 10 honors (nearly 1 for every team with a pulse). Not one of Iowa's made that cut, nor were any honorable mention. 8 WRs also received all-Big 10 honors. Again, none were named Smith Marsette, Smith, Ragaini, etc. in spite of their huge improvement over last year. More improvement is still needed at the position.

There is one difference between Iowa and Wisconsin. It's skill position recruiting/personnel. It's easy to think the guys you watch every week are the best, but when objective standards are applied, there's a ways to go on offense.

 

[IowaLawWasRight]

Motiger - good post with the offensive productivity chart. That lays everything out objectively. Since 2002, Iowa's offense is trending up toward a ranking of near the bottom of Power 5 offenses. Iowa's success has been based solely on its defense, which I think we can all acknowlege, has virtually nothing to do with Kirk or Brian's expertise. Kirk brought in his son to run the offense and the experiment has failed. Imagine a team that has Iowa's defense AND a good offense? I think we saw several of them last night in championship games. It can be done...contrary to the ultimate homer opinions, it is not a choice for Iowa to sputter on offense with 3 and outs and a lack of a run game so that Iowa can "win the kicking game." It's simply a lack of Xs and Os and recruiting on that side of the ball.

dirt - the fact that Goodson is a freshmen is no excuse to leave him on the bench. That's 1980s thinking. In college football this day and age, you've got freshmen playing key roles on every top 10 team out there. A freshmen QB won the Heisman Trophy. Jonathan Taylor had 2,000 yards on 300 carries as a freshmen. Does Goodson have a ball control problem that I'm not aware of? It would seem to me that junior Sargent, who started in front of him, had two of the most back breaking fumbles of the season this year, including on the first snap against Michigan. He still palyed ahead of Goodson.

homes - you are on to something. Brian's play calling woes generally occur in the 2nd half. The reason for that is simple...in the first half, Brian uses a pre-programmed script prepared with the help of Ken O'Keef, the OL coach, and a lot of film work. However, when adjustments are made in the 2nd half by real coaches, and it's time to think on the fly, Brian gets bogged down. Brian is an OL coach trying to play coordinator. He's in over his head, despite his dad surrounding him with former offensive coordinators on staff as training wheels.

knight - are you trying to argue that guard is the most important position on the team? The one Iowa could least afford to lose? The problem with this board's myopic thinking is that no consideration is given to the bigger picture. Like I said, every team in college football had injuries. Most of them had injuries at positions more crucial than guard. Would you trade having a healthy guard for Stanley missing games? How about having your starting center hurt? Nebraska was down to their 3rd string kicker. Yes, Iowa had injuries, but its key players stayed relatively healthy.

 

[Xerxes]

The Paulsen twins not panning out like they were projected to really hurt us. We have a lot of talented youth playing at the G spots right now, but nobody like Tristan or AJ who's extremely experienced and can handle new looks under pressure.

Yeah that was a killer. 2 5th year SRs at Guard and neither was a solid, assignment sure B1G player. One didn't even play despite injuries.

Ultimately a coaching failure. Whether it was poor evaluation in recruiting, not developing them over their 5 years, or not developing someone else to replace them.

 

[ssckelley]

The all-Big 10 teams have been announced. The coaches and media all concurred with Iowalaw's report card and disregarded the hawkeyenation homerism relating to Nate's greatness, the WR corp that was "too good" to make room for Oliver Martin, and Goodson's relative super stardom.

There consensus among the Big 10 is that not only was Nate was not in the top 1/4 of the conference's QBs worthy of all conference honors, he didn't even make honorable mention, which included the next 1/4 of QBs. By definition, Iowa's 3 year starter (he played nearly every down for nearly 40 games) and potential NFL draft pick did not play his way into the top 1/2 of the conference QBs this year, with several underclassment beating him out. Maybe the voters valued end game performance and completion percentage over niceness and strength of arm.

8 RBs received all-Big 10 honors (nearly 1 for every team with a pulse). Not one of Iowa's made that cut, nor were any honorable mention. 8 WRs also received all-Big 10 honors. Again, none were named Smith Marsette, Smith, Ragaini, etc. in spite of their huge improvement over last year. More improvement is still needed at the position.

There is one difference between Iowa and Wisconsin. It's skill position recruiting/personnel. It's easy to think the guys you watch every week are the best, but when objective standards are applied, there's a ways to go on offense.

lol...what a crock of shit! There is literally NO ONE on here that think our players are "the best". But you are the only dumbass that thinks a 9-3 team has an offense rated an F.

Again, you obviously think you have opinions that are better than everyone elses and you wish to write about them. Go start your own blog, it's cheap and very easy to do.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

You’re definitely not a loser, but we don’t automatically make a cartoon grade because of peer performance.

My 7th grade kid was late on a school project last week and he tried to say it was ok because almost everyone else in class was late too. Does not compute.

Is your kid "inner" competitive? I ask because my daughter had a similar experience on a test. She got a D, but mentioned that all the other kids got D or F.

I asked her, a couple days later, "Would you rather get an A and be 4th highest, or get a C and be the highest?" Without a second's thought she said, "Oh, definitely the highest!"

 

[BVHawk95]

I find it ironic that a self-proclaimed lawyer and "expert" on Iowa football can't figure out how to use the reply button.

 

[Northside Hawk]

I find it ironic that a self-proclaimed lawyer and "expert" on Iowa football can't figure out how to use the reply button.

He can't even report accurate information when he knows it will mess with his narrative. Stanley and ISM did make honorable mention in the coaches' picks, and their opinion generally carries more weight than self-proclaimed lawyers.

He also doesn't mention the offensive line, defense or special teams. Can't risk tarnishing his self proclaimed expertise.

Finally, he attempts to go the oldhawk route and claim that Iowa breeds and atmosphere of "nice" and that it holds us back. Is there anything nice about how our defensive players lay the lumber to people? Our that many opponents consider Kinnick the toughest road venue in the conference? Ask Tanner Morgan how "nice" AJ Epenesa is between the lines.

Just because our players may be gracious in defeat doesn't mean they accept it. There is plenty that goes on behind the scenes, in the meeting rooms, on the practice field. But once again IowaLaw is an expert on all of it. Even when his facts are wrong.

 

[Knight78]

Motiger - good post with the offensive productivity chart. That lays everything out objectively. Since 2002, Iowa's offense is trending up toward a ranking of near the bottom of Power 5 offenses. Iowa's success has been based solely on its defense, which I think we can all acknowlege, has virtually nothing to do with Kirk or Brian's expertise. Kirk brought in his son to run the offense and the experiment has failed. Imagine a team that has Iowa's defense AND a good offense? I think we saw several of them last night in championship games. It can be done...contrary to the ultimate homer opinions, it is not a choice for Iowa to sputter on offense with 3 and outs and a lack of a run game so that Iowa can "win the kicking game." It's simply a lack of Xs and Os and recruiting on that side of the ball.

dirt - the fact that Goodson is a freshmen is no excuse to leave him on the bench. That's 1980s thinking. In college football this day and age, you've got freshmen playing key roles on every top 10 team out there. A freshmen QB won the Heisman Trophy. Jonathan Taylor had 2,000 yards on 300 carries as a freshmen. Does Goodson have a ball control problem that I'm not aware of? It would seem to me that junior Sargent, who started in front of him, had two of the most back breaking fumbles of the season this year, including on the first snap against Michigan. He still palyed ahead of Goodson.

homes - you are on to something. Brian's play calling woes generally occur in the 2nd half. The reason for that is simple...in the first half, Brian uses a pre-programmed script prepared with the help of Ken O'Keef, the OL coach, and a lot of film work. However, when adjustments are made in the 2nd half by real coaches, and it's time to think on the fly, Brian gets bogged down. Brian is an OL coach trying to play coordinator. He's in over his head, despite his dad surrounding him with former offensive coordinators on staff as training wheels.

knight - are you trying to argue that guard is the most important position on the team? The one Iowa could least afford to lose? The problem with this board's myopic thinking is that no consideration is given to the bigger picture. Like I said, every team in college football had injuries. Most of them had injuries at positions more crucial than guard. Would you trade having a healthy guard for Stanley missing games? How about having your starting center hurt? Nebraska was down to their 3rd string kicker. Yes, Iowa had injuries, but its key players stayed relatively healthy.

I'm not saying that guard is the most important position on the team. But when you're guards are not what you expect the ENTIRE O-line suffers. We had a revolving door at guard for a while and it was when we could least afford it due to our opponents. (We also had to overcome Jackson's injury for a game) It stands to reason that if you want to run the ball you need an O-line that has jelled. As the season wore on, we got that. But in the heart of the season (when we had 2 of our 3 losses) our O-line was held together with duct tape and flour paste.

 

[Fryowa]

I find it ironic that a self-proclaimed lawyer and "expert" on Iowa football can't figure out how to use the reply button.

@IowaLawWasRight does that because he hopes the other person won’t see it, and it’s a way to reply but with a pretty good chance that he won’t have to get into a debate a d be easily embarrassed.

And that wet blanket is no attorney. He writes his garbage articles in the hopes that Rob will see it and ask him to get hired on at HN.

You know, like how some dork in his parents’ basement thinks that someday he’ll be at a Blink 182 concert, and the guitarist will come down with the flu, after which they’ll ask the crowd if there’s anyone who knows all their songs, and he’ll get to go on stage and save the day. That’s @IowaLawWasRight .

Only his awesome contributions to Iowa literary history have backfired and now he’s trolling us with his trash blog posts.

I hope that wasn’t too harsh of an analysis....

 

[ssckelley]

@IowaLawWasRight does that because he hopes the other person won’t see it, and it’s a way to reply but with a pretty good chance that we won’t have to get into a debate a d be easily embarrassed.

And that wet blanket is no attorney. He writes his garbage articles in the hopes that Rob will see it and ask him to get hired on at HN.

You know, like how some dork in his parents’ basement thinks that someday he’ll be at a Blink 182 concert, and the guitarist will come down with the flu, after which they’ll ask the crowd if there’s anyone who knows all their songs, and he’ll get to go on stage and save the day. That’s @IowaLawWasRight .

Only his awesome contributions to Iowa literary history have backfired and now he’s trolling us with his trash blog posts.

I hope that wasn’t too harsh of an analysis....

If this were to ever happen I’d be done with HN

 

[Northside Hawk]

@IowaLawWasRight does that because he hopes the other person won’t see it, and it’s a way to reply but with a pretty good chance that we won’t have to get into a debate a d be easily embarrassed.

And that wet blanket is no attorney. He writes his garbage articles in the hopes that Rob will see it and ask him to get hired on at HN.

You know, like how some dork in his parents’ basement thinks that someday he’ll be at a Blink 182 concert, and the guitarist will come down with the flu, after which they’ll ask the crowd if there’s anyone who knows all their songs, and he’ll get to go on stage and save the day. That’s @IowaLawWasRight .

Only his awesome contributions to Iowa literary history have backfired and now he’s trolling us with his trash blog posts.

I hope that wasn’t too harsh of an analysis....

I have a better chance of being hired at HN then that clown and I'm 54.

At least I have somewhat of a background in the field and a little bit of knowledge of Hawkeye sports history since the late seventies.

One of my regrets is that i didn't get involved in sports management or sports information when I was a student.

I had fellow journalism and broadcasting students asking me to be a Daily Iowan contributor but i was young and stupid. It would have been cool to see my byline in a student newspaper.