First, great season - lots of great accomplishments and well-deserved honors. The offense took some big steps forward this year getting more explosive plays throughout the season. As the season wore on, though, I think the warts of a passing game and a running game that still have zero in common with each other got bigger and bigger, ending in what we saw yesterday.
When Iowa lines up in a shotgun, it's pass 99.9% of the time regardless of the down and distance. 2nd and 4, shotgun? Pass. 3rd and 2 shotgun? Pass. The first two drives yesterday Iowa had 3rd and 2, ran shotgun twice and threw 3 yard routes into press coverage in which the Stanford DBs were not even back pedaling. I don't understand why Iowa can't develop a credible running game threat when they line up in shotgun, especially given how much Iowa uses it. Also, for whatever reason, Iowa can't or won't use its two tightend sets out of the shotgun, and a lot of times is flexing their tightend out a bit leaving the tackles with no help. They literally have 2 separate offenses that don't compliment each other in any way.
To end my rant - I understand Iowa moving Mitchell to running back to get some touches, but he and Wadley both need to be on the field next year as much as possible. Mitchell seems like one of those athletes who can play the slot receiver and if necessary line up on the backfield. I know Ferentz will never do this, but Iowa's passing situation look should have Wadley in the backfield and Mitchell lining up all over the place to try to get matchups against linebackers.
When Iowa lines up in a shotgun, it's pass 99.9% of the time regardless of the down and distance. 2nd and 4, shotgun? Pass. 3rd and 2 shotgun? Pass. The first two drives yesterday Iowa had 3rd and 2, ran shotgun twice and threw 3 yard routes into press coverage in which the Stanford DBs were not even back pedaling. I don't understand why Iowa can't develop a credible running game threat when they line up in shotgun, especially given how much Iowa uses it. Also, for whatever reason, Iowa can't or won't use its two tightend sets out of the shotgun, and a lot of times is flexing their tightend out a bit leaving the tackles with no help. They literally have 2 separate offenses that don't compliment each other in any way.
To end my rant - I understand Iowa moving Mitchell to running back to get some touches, but he and Wadley both need to be on the field next year as much as possible. Mitchell seems like one of those athletes who can play the slot receiver and if necessary line up on the backfield. I know Ferentz will never do this, but Iowa's passing situation look should have Wadley in the backfield and Mitchell lining up all over the place to try to get matchups against linebackers.
