WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
Before anyone reads this (if you do), I want to say I believe KF to be a great coach and truly admire the program he has built at Iowa. He's an amazing ambassador representing Iowa football. However, I'm just trying to figure out why we are 7-4 with the talent level on this team. I think it has more to do with offense than defense and here are my reasons.
Crutch #1 - We need to establish the run
We all agree we are a pro-style running football team and our offense is predicated on ball control running and staying ahead of the chains. However, when talented defenses have decided to absolutely take that away...what is your answer? Early in the season, we faced Arizona, and I honestly feel we had the right game plan. We threw the ball to get them out of the defense they were playing and if Stanzi had been more accurate in the first half and his receivers had helped him out, that first half would have been closer despite our special team gaffes. Where has this gone?
If Iowa is ever to take it to the next level offensively, they need to be good enough in the passing game to beat a good team without the running game being effective. I believe this coincides with our difficulties in the 2 minute offense. Until this happens, we aren't going to win a National Championship. Come out, throw the ball on 9-10 consecutive plays against an 8 man front, show success, put points on the board...get a lead with the passing game. Think the other team changes the defense?
Crutch # 2 - We need to protect our leads and don't beat ourselves with turnovers.
You have to keep playing aggressive offensive football with a lead and you have to have this confidence instilled in your players. Unfortunately in this scenario, I believe a team takes on the personality of the head coach. Anyone else get the impression that we actually tighten up with a lead in the second half and don't play as well offensively? Why?
Because our coaching staff has preached, no turnovers, no turnovers, no turnovers at the expense of going in for the kill. The second thought is that our defense will always save the day and protect the lead. How'd that work out for us this year?
Once again, this "conservative", for lack of a better word, mental framework has to be altered to allow guys to not be afraid to make plays with a lead. Adjustments are key to success, I'm not sure where we changed anything in each successive game offensively in the second half of games.
Crutch #3 - We can't show people up and we will practice our running game against 8-9 man fronts in the fourth quarter with a large lead against inferior teams.
The Eastern Illinois, Iowa State, and Ball State games were perfect opportunities to get considerably more work in the passing game. They were also perfect opportunities to get Vandenburg work. The guy has thrown eight passes this year. What the hell. Stop caring about other coaches and the Iowa program being above reproach. We need to get our team better in the passing game...great time to do it. I'm not saying score 83 points, but get more work in your passing game and for your back up QB. I believe it pays dividends and builds confidence for your team down the road.
Crutch #1 - We need to establish the run
We all agree we are a pro-style running football team and our offense is predicated on ball control running and staying ahead of the chains. However, when talented defenses have decided to absolutely take that away...what is your answer? Early in the season, we faced Arizona, and I honestly feel we had the right game plan. We threw the ball to get them out of the defense they were playing and if Stanzi had been more accurate in the first half and his receivers had helped him out, that first half would have been closer despite our special team gaffes. Where has this gone?
If Iowa is ever to take it to the next level offensively, they need to be good enough in the passing game to beat a good team without the running game being effective. I believe this coincides with our difficulties in the 2 minute offense. Until this happens, we aren't going to win a National Championship. Come out, throw the ball on 9-10 consecutive plays against an 8 man front, show success, put points on the board...get a lead with the passing game. Think the other team changes the defense?
Crutch # 2 - We need to protect our leads and don't beat ourselves with turnovers.
You have to keep playing aggressive offensive football with a lead and you have to have this confidence instilled in your players. Unfortunately in this scenario, I believe a team takes on the personality of the head coach. Anyone else get the impression that we actually tighten up with a lead in the second half and don't play as well offensively? Why?
Because our coaching staff has preached, no turnovers, no turnovers, no turnovers at the expense of going in for the kill. The second thought is that our defense will always save the day and protect the lead. How'd that work out for us this year?
Once again, this "conservative", for lack of a better word, mental framework has to be altered to allow guys to not be afraid to make plays with a lead. Adjustments are key to success, I'm not sure where we changed anything in each successive game offensively in the second half of games.
Crutch #3 - We can't show people up and we will practice our running game against 8-9 man fronts in the fourth quarter with a large lead against inferior teams.
The Eastern Illinois, Iowa State, and Ball State games were perfect opportunities to get considerably more work in the passing game. They were also perfect opportunities to get Vandenburg work. The guy has thrown eight passes this year. What the hell. Stop caring about other coaches and the Iowa program being above reproach. We need to get our team better in the passing game...great time to do it. I'm not saying score 83 points, but get more work in your passing game and for your back up QB. I believe it pays dividends and builds confidence for your team down the road.
