Why is Iowa Winning the Close Games This Year?

ChosenChildren

ChosenChildren

Well-Known Member
Iowa is winning the close games this year. Examples: (1) Tied with Iowa State 17-17 late in the 4th; (2) Victory over Pitt by 3 pts; (3) Victory over Wisconsin by 4 points; (4) Victory over Illini after leading by only 3 in the 4th quarter; (5) Victory over Indiana after leading by 1 point well into 4th quarter. Much has been written in the past that Ferentz simply does not know how to win close games. I think it is more a function of quarterback play; we have a quarterback this year in Beathard who can make clutch plays with his arm and his legs when it matters most in the 4th quarter. If you will recall, we also won a ton of close games when we had Chuck Long, Drew Tate and Brad Banks at quarterback as well. I think it has more to do with the skill of the quarterback than the ability of the coaching staff.
 
Totally agree. I have ZERO doubt in the coaching staff's knowledge of the game and ability to teach it. The players on the field have to execute... PERIOD. I think maybe 10% of that is physical with 90% being mental. Discipline and desire.

As that crazy long haired infomercial exercise guru used to say.... YA GOTTA WANT IT, BAYBEEE!!!

CJ flat wants it more than any player I've seen in a long time. That's contagious.
 
we tend to do well when the other team makes mistakes. Go back and count how many catchable balls were dropped by our opponents this year. Also turn over margin is usually a great indicator.
 
I contend that, in addition to the CJ factor, overall strength and condition of our Defense is phenomenal in the 4th! Because that's partly due to not being on the field as much this turns into one of those synergistic things where the team is essentially in a positive feedback loop. They are feeding off of each other in all phases.
 
ChosenChildren said:
Iowa is winning the close games this year. Examples: (1) Tied with Iowa State 17-17 late in the 4th; (2) Victory over Pitt by 3 pts; (3) Victory over Wisconsin by 4 points; (4) Victory over Illini after leading by only 3 in the 4th quarter; (5) Victory over Indiana after leading by 1 point well into 4th quarter. Much has been written in the past that Ferentz simply does not know how to win close games. I think it is more a function of quarterback play; we have a quarterback this year in Beathard who can make clutch plays with his arm and his legs when it matters most in the 4th quarter. If you will recall, we also won a ton of close games when we had Chuck Long, Drew Tate and Brad Banks at quarterback as well. I think it has more to do with the skill of the quarterback than the ability of the coaching staff.
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So you mean the O line is not blocking better, that we don't have our regular fullbacks out there now, that special teams is not way better than last year, and the defense is playing much better as a unit, but yeah it is just all Beathard. CJ should get some credit but far from all of it. And I forgot we no longer have a fullback as our main running back (God Bless Marc Weisman a great person and player).
 
the new pratice schedule early in the morning and changing the off day to Thursday has resulted in players that have more energy in the 4Q when they need it.

Plus CJ just is very smart at clock management in last 2 minutes, knowing exactly when and where to go down when to immediately call time outs. Great poise and confidence.
 
westender said:
So you mean the O line is not blocking better, that we don't have our regular fullbacks out there now, that special teams is not way better than last year, and the defense is playing much better as a unit, but yeah it is just all Beathard. CJ should get some credit but far from all of it. And I forgot we no longer have a fullback as our main running back (God Bless Marc Weisman a great person and player).
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with any of what you are saying, and I agree that Beathard is not the only reason we are winning. We are definitely better in all phases
 
ChosenChildren said:
Iowa is winning the close games this year. Examples: (1) Tied with Iowa State 17-17 late in the 4th; (2) Victory over Pitt by 3 pts; (3) Victory over Wisconsin by 4 points; (4) Victory over Illini after leading by only 3 in the 4th quarter; (5) Victory over Indiana after leading by 1 point well into 4th quarter. Much has been written in the past that Ferentz simply does not know how to win close games. I think it is more a function of quarterback play; we have a quarterback this year in Beathard who can make clutch plays with his arm and his legs when it matters most in the 4th quarter. If you will recall, we also won a ton of close games when we had Chuck Long, Drew Tate and Brad Banks at quarterback as well. I think it has more to do with the skill of the quarterback than the ability of the coaching staff.
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It's not just Beathard.

It's the defense getting timely stops and turnovers. It's the punting and kicking pinning teams deep and making field goals. It's next man in. It's better execution overall on both sides of the ball. It's fewer penalties and turnovers.

This team is doing all the little things well - better than we've done them since 2009. And that's the difference between winning and losing close games.

The team is doing 95% of the same things they've always done, they're just doing them successfully, which makes everyone look better.
 
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