1hawkeye1
Well-Known Member
This from a fusker board poster who seems to have a fairly lucid grip on things other than this-"their whole secondary is solid.")
"As already mentioned, their offensive styles are very similar. First-year quarterbacks both showing potential with very similar stats (QBR of 128.1 for Rudock, 127.8 for Hackenberg). Both have solid offensive lines and good bruising backs. Both love the bootleg and like to utilize the tight ends in the passing game.
The advantage PSU has is the big-time receiver (Robinson). Iowa doesn't have one. All eight or nine WRs combined have barely more yards than Robinson. Damond Powell is the only home run threat. They don't throw to him much (maybe their Jamal Turner).
The advantage Iowa has is its scoring defense. They bend but very rarely break. 13th in the country.
Rudock can throw a nice ball but he also has his share of boneheaded picks. They do not have a home run threat on the ground. Weisman's longest run in 184 carries is 37. Bullock's in 112 carries is 22.
Iowa is average in rushing defense, but they really tighten up in the redzone. They have only given up 4 rushing touchdowns in the redzone all season. That's top five in the country. Their pass defense is great (#10). Linebackers are good in pass D and their whole secondary is solid.
Iowa is ranked higher than us in all the computer ratings I follow. But Nebraska is a three-point favorite.
On offense, my keys would be:
"As already mentioned, their offensive styles are very similar. First-year quarterbacks both showing potential with very similar stats (QBR of 128.1 for Rudock, 127.8 for Hackenberg). Both have solid offensive lines and good bruising backs. Both love the bootleg and like to utilize the tight ends in the passing game.
The advantage PSU has is the big-time receiver (Robinson). Iowa doesn't have one. All eight or nine WRs combined have barely more yards than Robinson. Damond Powell is the only home run threat. They don't throw to him much (maybe their Jamal Turner).
The advantage Iowa has is its scoring defense. They bend but very rarely break. 13th in the country.
Rudock can throw a nice ball but he also has his share of boneheaded picks. They do not have a home run threat on the ground. Weisman's longest run in 184 carries is 37. Bullock's in 112 carries is 22.
Iowa is average in rushing defense, but they really tighten up in the redzone. They have only given up 4 rushing touchdowns in the redzone all season. That's top five in the country. Their pass defense is great (#10). Linebackers are good in pass D and their whole secondary is solid.
Iowa is ranked higher than us in all the computer ratings I follow. But Nebraska is a three-point favorite.
On offense, my keys would be:
- Run Ameer, a lot. And I would try a lot more downhill (pistol or under center formations) and off-tackle stuff. The shotgun up-the-middle stuff will work about as well as it did against Penn St.
- Keep Kellogg's passes safe. Avoid linebackers in coverage as Morris and Hitchens are both major playmakers. Maybe dust off the halfback screen.
- Take a few shots deep down the sideline off play-action. 1st and 10 or 2nd and short are great opportunities.
- I would not run the option with Kellogg. Too much risk for catastrophe against those linebackers.
- No fumbles. I can dream.
- Get creative in the redzone. Pull out a reverse or halfback pass.
- Pressure Rudock and force at least one interception
- Hold Weisman to under 4 ypc
- Contain the play-action bootleg
- Keep a close eye on Powell. He is the only home run threat.
- Honestly, I would not field punts. Wind and cold and Westerkamp looks too shaky out there. The risk/reward is too high. If there's a big special teams blunder, let Iowa make it."
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