HaydensHawk
Well-Known Member
Real. Good. Post.
That's what I think. Our philosophy works beautifully against some systems, not so much against others. Our system does NOT work against NW.. I think that is being proven out by having lost 5 of 6 to them.
We need to gameplan a little differently IMO to beat teams like NW, otherwise, why would past results be any different in the future if we keep doing the same stuff no matter the opponent? Otherwise, teams like NW and Indiana will keep ruining our season every stinking year.
Keep doing what you're doing against teams like MSU or Wisconsin - we've had great success against them. It's the other teams I think we need to change things up a little to beat more consistently.
That's what I think. Our philosophy works beautifully against some systems, not so much against others. Our system does NOT work against NW.. I think that is being proven out by having lost 5 of 6 to them.
We need to gameplan a little differently IMO to beat teams like NW, otherwise, why would past results be any different in the future if we keep doing the same stuff no matter the opponent? Otherwise, teams like NW and Indiana will keep ruining our season every stinking year.
Keep doing what you're doing against teams like MSU or Wisconsin - we've had great success against them. It's the other teams I think we need to change things up a little to beat more consistently.
Those are the key words right there. And I totally agree with OP.Great coaches are flexible and adjust their game plans based on who they are playing.
because we all know Dan Persa is not Peyton Manning.
Philosophy - When will people stop defending this defense vs the spread offense (The ball control spread offense). This defense, this defense for years.... has always struggled against the spread. You can point to points, but guess what I'll point to the win/loss column. This defensive philosophy is a ball control spread offense's feast. It's what Dan McCarney did, It's what Pat Fitzgerald does, it is what Indiana has done, but just has come up a bit short several times the last few years. It's what Purdue did under their previous coach even though Tiller suffered some heartbreakers to us.
Converting 6-7 yard passes at an 80% clip is just as good as running the football. It allows these disadvantaged teams to move the ball, eat up clock, and keep the field position at even or even better situation.
It's non-stubborn football. Its not trying to ram the ball down throats when you don't have the personel. Instead it's turning the tables and taking advantage of the other teams stubborness. We dominated run-happy Minnesota for years under Mason, run-happy Wisconsin we've played very well against the last 8 years... we've owned run-happy Penn State. We always played very well against run-happy Lloyrd Carr. Why? Because they stubbornly waste downs trying to smash the ball right into what our whole philosophy is set up to defend.
Yet - Dan McCarney with a ball control spread absolutly owned Ferentz with less talent almost every single year. Fitzgerald... owns with less talent. Indiana could very easily have won 4 of the last 5 against us if it wasn't for a 1 in a million Sash pick six last year and a dropped TD this year.
The bottom line is our defense has a gleaming weaknesss and it is ball control spread offenses. Our defense plays behind the offense and allows 5 yard gains. We stand by the motto that we force teams to play left handed.... well guess what, forcing NW to throw 5 - 7 yard passes is basically forcing them to their strong hand... yet we continually do it over and over again.
This isn't a fluke anymore. There's enough evidence now to make this call. We have a philosophical problem with ball control spread offenses.
Our Dline - This is a good dline. This dline is doing it's job and stopping the run pretty well and pressuring the QB at times. This dline forces teams to get the ball out quick... but when we play teams that NW to get the ball out quick as a philosophy then this dline's impact on the game is minimized.
This dline cannot be held responsible for 4-6 second plays that develop into wide open players 8 yards down the field without a defender near by.
KOK - There's no excuse for scoring less than 20 points vs both Indiana and NW. No excuse for it. Not with a senior QB. Not with a good online, possibly Iowa's best ever WR, another very very good WR (McNutt). And a very servicable running back and tight end. NO EXCUSE FOR IT.
Beilema - Love it, absolutely love it. Outside chance to go to the BCS Title game and you hang 83 on Indiana. You run up the score because you're getting no respect. It was Alabama or bust for 1-loss teams as far as the media was concerned. LOVE IT. Play to win.
Fitzgerald - Great coach. Smart coach. Wins with less. I hate him.
22-17
17-10
21-17
17, 10 & 17.... is what we scored the past 3 meetings. These teams included offensive personnel like Shonn Greene, Stanzi, DJK, McNutt.
We gave up 22 points (in a 5 turn-over game) in our worst.
Enough said about defense.
Thats a long post and I wont read any of it....your take on football is usually 100% wrong
Before the game if we were told the 'D' would give up 21 points I think many of us would think we would still have a very good chance of winning. We made exactly 2 trips to the NW red zone all day. This team just gave up 35 points to PSU(28 in the second half). When will our fan base hold the offense accountable for results? The offensive execution was pitiful and it wasn't just one guy.