I don't care where the defense was ranked in 2010. What I know is that in 2009 when we needed big plays in clutch situations, the linebackers made them. In 2013 when we needed big plays in clutch situations, the linebackers made them, too. I don't care if the defense is ranked 7th or 70th, I care about what they do when it is waning minutes of the fourth quarter and the game is on the line - a good, upperclassmen Iowa LB corps has frequently been the difference between close wins and close losses. Unfortunately, our LBs generally need a good year of getting torched to break in and build up that situational awareness to make those key plays. I don't want to wager on Iowa underperforming to the downside.
Really? Well lets take a look at it.
2009 D (with great LB's according to you)
-Let UNI stroll into FG position and have a chance to beat Iowa in the last seconds. Special teams saved that D from gagging away that win
-Allowed 14 4th Qtr points to Arkansas St. Iowa recovered the onside kick, and then the O run off time and punted giving Arkansas St 88 yards to go in 10 seconds, or Iowa's D would have gagged that one away
-Let Michigan St. convert a 3rd & 18 on a hook and freaking ladder, then gave up a 30 yd TD pass with 1:37 sec. to go. Iowa's D gagged this game away, but was saved by Stanzi's drive for the winning TD
-Gave up 2 4th qtr. TD's to Ohio St. Only a 99 yd TD kickoff return by DJK, and a great drive for a TD by JVB forced that game into OT.
Basically the 2009 D gagged away 4 games that year late.....but the offense or special teams picked them up 3 out of the 4 times, and saved the wins
2010 D (with no LB play according to you)
-Special teams gagged away a HUGE fake punt to Wisconsin after the D had stopped them. The D then couldn't stop that drive. Iowa still had 1:06 to play, but couldn't bail out the D.
-Spit the bit against jNW and allowed 14 4th qtr. points. Iowa's O has a chance to bail them out with 1:22 to go, but can't get it done.
-Allowed 10 4th qtr points to OSU and gagged away a 7 point lead. Iowa's O had a chance to tie or win with 1:47 left, and didn't get it done
-Gagged against Minny giving up a 4th qtr TD. Iowa fumbled with 4 min. to go and the D couldn't get the gooferes off the field and give the O another chance.
Iowa's season was disappointing in 2010, not because of LB's, not because of the D, as it was basically what it was the year before: Scoring D (7th Vs 8th) & attempted 4th Qtr gagging away of games (4 Vs 4). It was the offenses or special teams that picked up the D in 2009 that led to the extra wins......not LB play.