I'm assuming Iowa might have to use James White? Unless they pull the RS off of Johnson.
On Robinson & Concussions
- Thread starter JonDMiller
- Start date
I'm assuming Iowa might have to use James White? Unless they pull the RS off of Johnson.
AFAcademyHawk
Well-Known Member
I imagine Rogers would get the look behind Coker. Might have to run the ball a little bit more with Morse as well.
As much as this stinks, I'd rather he miss this game than NW or tOSU. If the o-line gives Stanzi time, we can still score a lot of points on IU's D. Defense needs to step up big this week, though.
Yea my bad forgot all about Rogers... I thought Rogers did really well too when running the ball earlier this season.
Imlivingthedream
Well-Known Member
color me dubious that there was a good reason to risk the only healthy proven running back when winning by 30 in the 4th quarter.
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
Since I am not aware of or in possession of all of the reasons that went into their decision making, I am not going to jump on anybody's desk. However, based on what we were watching, and the point of the game, I think the decision was questionable at the least.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
How often do the Iowa coaches do something that is so obviously dubious?
That's one of the very reasons why I believe that there likely was a method to the madness.
That's one of the very reasons why I believe that there likely was a method to the madness.
Hawks7
Well-Known Member
olivecourt
Well-Known Member
I will try to get into Ferentz's head for this particular decision. The Stanzi stuff has been discussed elsewhere.
Michigan State had a quick drive to score their first touchdown right at the end of the third quarter. We still had a four-score lead at that point and were still 99.99% likely to win, but the only bad thing that could have happened was a quick turnover. You have a running back on your team that almost never fumbles and another who is a true freshman. So you give the ball to the guy who never fumbles, ask him to chew a couple minutes of clock, and know that the game is in good hands.
I think it's fair to criticize, but some of this stuff has a sort of Captain Hindsight mentality (South Park fans know what I'm talking about). Yes, in hindsight, you definitely take out Robinson, especially since he fumbled anyway. But at the time (still with almost 15 minutes left to play), I didn't see much wrong with putting in Robinson for one more series, especially since he'd had 18 carries to that point (pretty light to average for him) and Coker had already gotten some work.
Michigan State had a quick drive to score their first touchdown right at the end of the third quarter. We still had a four-score lead at that point and were still 99.99% likely to win, but the only bad thing that could have happened was a quick turnover. You have a running back on your team that almost never fumbles and another who is a true freshman. So you give the ball to the guy who never fumbles, ask him to chew a couple minutes of clock, and know that the game is in good hands.
I think it's fair to criticize, but some of this stuff has a sort of Captain Hindsight mentality (South Park fans know what I'm talking about). Yes, in hindsight, you definitely take out Robinson, especially since he fumbled anyway. But at the time (still with almost 15 minutes left to play), I didn't see much wrong with putting in Robinson for one more series, especially since he'd had 18 carries to that point (pretty light to average for him) and Coker had already gotten some work.
SirJamaLot
Well-Known Member
I sure hope we rip Fran this winter for leaving Cully in with a 30 point lead over the 5th ranked MSU Spartans. Ferentz is one of the classiest coaches in the country, unlike other coaches he has never run up scores, if anything he is too nice. After the Whisky loss I thought it was amazing how well the coaches brought this team back to compete.
Jon usually you are the voice of reason but I cant believe the amount of criticism Ferentz and staff take, considering what they have accomplished. I would love it if the BB program can come close to being a top 20 team again. Football is a very violent game, it is easy to 2nd guess when something goes wrong. Cut them some slack and trust them, they do an outstanding job!!
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tm3308
Well-Known Member
Michigan State was down 31 points with 15 minutes to play. 31 points against our defense in one quarter? Come on.
olivecourt
Well-Known Member
No, I agree, I'm just making the point that most coaches try to think about and avoid the absolute worst-case scenario, which in this case was a quick turnover. My guess would be that Kirk wanted to avoid getting into a situation where Michigan State would be tempted to start making us field onside kicks, which would have only happened if we had a quick turnover that they returned for a score.
Far-fetched, I know, but I don't think Ferentz is alone among coaches in fearing the worst when there's still a full quarter of football to play.
HawkPrdatr40
Well-Known Member
I remember the play that I believe everyone is referring to and I also remember thinking how much I hoped the starters would get pulled before they got hurt but then I came realize the BCS and recruiting implications that have become so critical as well. If Stanzi reaches 200yrds passing he might continue to get consideration on the Heisman ballot (while Iowa gains another feather in their recruiting brochure). If Robinson can possibly break off a big run on national TV that also is great exposure as perhaps the "next Heisman candidate". Additionally, as much as Ferentz may or may not like the idea of running up the score, the reality has perhaps set in that points matter when it comes to the BCS bowl selections and now that Iowa has 2 losses, we are going to need all the help we can get.
Don't get me wrong, I was yelling at the TV and staff the moment I saw VanderVelde go down but I am willing to give the staff the benefit of the doubt in terms of the big picture.
Don't get me wrong, I was yelling at the TV and staff the moment I saw VanderVelde go down but I am willing to give the staff the benefit of the doubt in terms of the big picture.
olivecourt
Well-Known Member
Cousins was still in when Robinson got hurt. He had just led them to their only touchdown.
For whatever reason, both coaches seemed to be in each other's heads, and not in a good way. And a certain point, I wish they could have just talked through their headsets and said, "look, if you agree that you're giving up we'll agree to play all backups and only run the ball." But both guys were sending mixed signals the whole time. Weird.
This is not an excuse, but I'm willing to bet that the one scenario the team didn't prepare for was what to do with a 30-point lead at halftime. Most of the second half looked like they weren't sure how they were supposed to approach the game. And yes, that's on the coaches, but out of all the problems we can have, I'll take it.
ShadasRevenge
Well-Known Member
Clearly, context is not your strong suit.
ShadasRevenge
Well-Known Member
Jon, nobody is even sure (at this point) that Robinson suffered a concussion.
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ShadasRevenge
Well-Known Member
So would rather they chuck it down the field and risk interceptions or incompletions? At that point, the only thing that matter to the offense is getting first downs and running clock. With a running back who never lost a fumble, what do you think most coaches would do?
I love all the criticism of Iowa playing it close in the 4th quarter; it's as if the other 3 quarters of the game where Iowa scored 30 points on offense didn't happen.
