Oliver Martin v Michigan

The reads definitely are, as is the blocking scheme. See Urban Meyer's analysis earlier this year. One reason Iowa is doing so well this year is that the receivers and the QB are making the same correct reads nearly every play. Iowa's plays look simple, but there's a ton of detail that goes into every snap. That detail is difficult to master and hard to learn. It's one reason why I wish Iowa would switch to a power o scheme and work more slants and TE/slot waggles under deep hooks/posts/go routes. The reads are simplified, and the passes come out quicker and the underneath stuff is higher percentage. Someone mentioned the R4 offense, and that's what I'm talking about. Iowa is more similar to NE or Manning's Colts. You have to have speedy and smart guys to pull it off.
The simple plan is often best.
 
If Iowa were to mimic the WI offense I think they would be a 9-10 win team each year barring injuries or huge turnover on one side of the ball. But the thing with the WI offense is that it's pretty easy to pick up. They don't out recruit us, in fact I'd say over the last five years they really only pull in better recruits at OL/RB which is key for their offense. I feel Iowa has had a better QB since Wilson.

But WI keeps plugging new people into their scheme, and they continue to beat the lesser teams and have some hope against the top teams (not many Big10 teams beat OSU).

Iowa's scheme probably wouldn't be so hard to watch or play in if Kirk didn't insist every play take five minutes. By running the clock out it only puts more pressure on the offense to perform. Limited chances to score goes both ways
 
I think Oliver Martin has an impact even if he doesn't step on the field. He has useful knowledge of Michigan's offensive playbook & tendencies. As articulate as he is, I'm thinking there was a lot to pass along to the coaches when they asked him for tips.

Obviously, Michigan has probably tweaked things a bit, but this seems to be one aspect people are overlooking.

Not so sure about that. Michigan has a new offensive coordinator. One of the reasons that Martin transferred and is eligible immediately is that change. Likely what Martin learned in his time there is no longer relevant.
 
If Iowa were to mimic the WI offense I think they would be a 9-10 win team each year barring injuries or huge turnover on one side of the ball. But the thing with the WI offense is that it's pretty easy to pick up. They don't out recruit us, in fact I'd say over the last five years they really only pull in better recruits at OL/RB which is key for their offense. I feel Iowa has had a better QB since Wilson.

But WI keeps plugging new people into their scheme, and they continue to beat the lesser teams and have some hope against the top teams (not many Big10 teams beat OSU).

Iowa's scheme probably wouldn't be so hard to watch or play in if Kirk didn't insist every play take five minutes. By running the clock out it only puts more pressure on the offense to perform. Limited chances to score goes both ways
Overthinking is often a big issue with planning and executing no matter whether in sports or life. Overthinking-Kirkball, leads to less of a smooth QB and leads to sideline confusion, especially in close games, near the end of the game. And oh, delay of game calls. Spend the week practicing it...game time, doing it. Trust your training, game plan, and instincts.
 
If Iowa were to mimic the WI offense I think they would be a 9-10 win team each year barring injuries or huge turnover on one side of the ball. But the thing with the WI offense is that it's pretty easy to pick up. They don't out recruit us, in fact I'd say over the last five years they really only pull in better recruits at OL/RB which is key for their offense. I feel Iowa has had a better QB since Wilson.

But WI keeps plugging new people into their scheme, and they continue to beat the lesser teams and have some hope against the top teams (not many Big10 teams beat OSU).

Iowa's scheme probably wouldn't be so hard to watch or play in if Kirk didn't insist every play take five minutes. By running the clock out it only puts more pressure on the offense to perform. Limited chances to score goes both ways

Since 2010 when they took our mojo....the two areas they've killed us from a recruiting standpoint are at WR and RB. Everything else is pretty much straight up. But those two things are the difference. Not offensive scheme (Gap vs Zone), not defensive scheme (3-4 vs 4-3), not OL, DL, LB, DB talent. It's just been at the RB and WR position. But those 2 spots have been worth about 2 more wins per year....which is what they've done compared to us since that fateful fake punt in 2010.
 
Since 2010 when they took our mojo....the two areas they've killed us from a recruiting standpoint are at WR and RB. Everything else is pretty much straight up. But those two things are the difference. Not offensive scheme (Gap vs Zone), not defensive scheme (3-4 vs 4-3), not OL, DL, LB, DB talent. It's just been at the RB and WR position. But those 2 spots have been worth about 2 more wins per year....which is what they've done compared to us since that fateful fake punt in 2010.

From a recruiting standpoint, yes very true, but on the field they have put out much better OLs than Iowa has since 2010 and its really not close. The gap between their OL and Iowa's OL is bigger than the gap at WR or RB.

Iowa hasn't really had great OL since 2008. The 2015 and 2016 were great run blockers but couldn't pass block. They got CJ killed. 2017 and 2018 were the opposite. Couldn't consistently open up running lanes in the zone.

DL's have been pretty even but as you mentioned, schemes are pretty different so I'll just say both front 7s have stopped the run well. Wisconsin seems to create more pressure on the QB with their front 7 though.
 
Not so sure about that. Michigan has a new offensive coordinator. One of the reasons that Martin transferred and is eligible immediately is that change. Likely what Martin learned in his time there is no longer relevant.

I wouldn't be surprised if Martin ends up with a catch or two, but I think that will more likely be a product of what he knows about their defense. Remember, he practiced against the same defenders every day for the past few years. It may not be in Brian's game plan, but many players have off the field pacts to do things like get an extra look on routes they're frequently open on. Especially when he can say things like "look, I know I can get this guy to bite outside when I do this specific thing." And I'm sure he's sharing that with the rest of the receiving crew too.

So I think he's a factor and will benefit the team, but a very small one and only on a handful of plays.
 
Since 2010 when they took our mojo....the two areas they've killed us from a recruiting standpoint are at WR and RB. Everything else is pretty much straight up. But those two things are the difference. Not offensive scheme (Gap vs Zone), not defensive scheme (3-4 vs 4-3), not OL, DL, LB, DB talent. It's just been at the RB and WR position. But those 2 spots have been worth about 2 more wins per year....which is what they've done compared to us since that fateful fake punt in 2010.
You need some top level skill players to be in the upper echelon of NCAA FB, or to compete with the big boys.

Kirk tries to get the best out of what products are on the shelf and it works out to be pretty good, but not top shelf most of the time.

There seems to be some more skill in the WRs, which is good to see, after a few years of about nothing of a threat. Iowa needs a top shelf RB to go along with the good RBs that are in place. No surprises here for most readers.

There is enough talent this year to go high, it seems, and the QB rising and leading is the key.

If Iowa avoids turnovers and doesn't get decimated by injuries (given their lack of talent depth) this could be the year!

Next two weeks will tell...
 
I think Oliver Martin has an impact even if he doesn't step on the field. He has useful knowledge of Michigan's offensive playbook & tendencies. As articulate as he is, I'm thinking there was a lot to pass along to the coaches when they asked him for tips.

Obviously, Michigan has probably tweaked things a bit, but this seems to be one aspect people are overlooking.
I was thinking the same, guarantee he is on the scout team spilling his guts to the D about plays UM have been working on, player tendencys, and running plays for the defense to absorb. He's our inside man.
 
Not so sure about that. Michigan has a new offensive coordinator. One of the reasons that Martin transferred and is eligible immediately is that change. Likely what Martin learned in his time there is no longer relevant.

I disagree. Michigan hired their new OC (Josh Gattis) in January. Martin played in Michigan's spring game in April and didn't enter the transfer portal until June. That's plenty of time to learn, at minimum, the fundamental concepts, routes, and terminology of the new offense Gattis wants to implement.
 
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I expect Iowa to pound the ball on the ground against a vulnerable Michigan run defense. And, as is KF's wet dream, to chew up clock and shorten the game. I don't hate that strategy vs this UM team. Quick strikes are their strength. Iowa doesn't want to them with the ball any more than is absolutely unavoidable. If the Hawks end up with a lot of pass attempts, I don't like their chances.

So I wouldnt be surprised to see OM with no looks at all.
 
My questions is, just how good are their d-backs? If we can create gaping holes for runs, then Stanley has to take some shots. I know nothing about Michigan's secondary. OM could get 1 pass and make the most of it. Who knows. All I know I will be ready to listen to Gus Johnson, "Oliver Martin with t he catch. Hold on, did he get his foot down? Yes, touchdown Iowa."
 
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