Your thoughts on Maryland team
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HawkeyeWalker
Well-Known Member
Stopping the run and pounding it at them will be the order of the day. Especially if it's rain. If wet it could be slick, limiting cuts. If so, downhill running and ball security is important.
They are aggressive on defense but I believe if we have success on the ground early, it'll open up in the 2nd. Get early lead and pound it home.
They are aggressive on defense but I believe if we have success on the ground early, it'll open up in the 2nd. Get early lead and pound it home.
HaydenHawk56
Well-Known Member
They have ugly uniforms. No big worries here.
Iowa 38-13
Iowa 38-13
MoseSchrute
Well-Known Member
Did I read that we will be facing the same QB who burned us last year?
STILLBUSTER
Well-Known Member
Yep, Hawks lost last year by giving up on the run, way too early. I broke it down a long time ago (don't feel like doing again) but the (mis)perception was, "Hawks fell behind and had to pass." Reality was, it was like a 3 point (and no more than a 1-score) game when Iowa, inexplicably, went like 65% passing and fell further behind because the offense stalled even more. Not to mention, the D was generally crappy, all the time; not only that game but all season.
THIS Iowa team is built to dominate with the simple, successful strategy of run the ball / stop the run. That CJ is capable of keeping them guessing and making necessary plays is gravy.
Hawks have been running on adrenaline and athletic tape since Pitt. Believe it or not, they might take a tiny step back with the return of some of those injured guys -- sometimes it actually disrupts the weird, adrenaline-fueled chemistry that has developed. They'll also need to shake off some bye-week rust.
Fortunately, Maryland is a team that allows this margin for error as the Hawks re-acclimate to playing again with a reshuffled deck (ultimately, for the better). There will be a couple, "OH, Sh!t!" moments in the 1st half but look for Iowa to grind out a win 30-20.
okieviaiowa
Banned
Maryland gives up 175 rushing yds pgm
CPHAWK82
Well-Known Member
I remember the player who torched Iowa last year was Stefon Diggs. Had 9 catches for 130 yards including a 53 yard screen pass for a TD. He bailed them out on 3rd down multiple times last year. Thankfully, he's on the Vikings now.
ColumbusHawk
Well-Known Member
Also, Iowa's tackling was atrocious. If the Hawks tackle the same way on Saturday, this game could be very interesting. Last year Iowa missed numerous tackles at or near the line of scrimmage that turned into long gains.
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
On offense, they have a mobile QB....the type that has given us trouble in the past. They have a good running back. Overall, they avg over 5 ypc. Their downfall on offense this year has been drive killing penalties and turnovers....almost all via interception.
On defense, they send 7 on almost every down...they have 3 more sacks on the season than we do and this is one of our better sack defenses in a long time. However, all that blitzing has left them vulnerable to the running game by giving up nearly 180 ypg.
On special teams, they have the best returner in the league and the best place kicker in the league. Both are legitimate weapons.
If Maryland continues to give "gifts" on offense, we will win this by 3 touchdowns....something along the lines of 38-17.
However, if they protect the ball, we will sweat a little....probably something like 28-24.
On defense, they send 7 on almost every down...they have 3 more sacks on the season than we do and this is one of our better sack defenses in a long time. However, all that blitzing has left them vulnerable to the running game by giving up nearly 180 ypg.
On special teams, they have the best returner in the league and the best place kicker in the league. Both are legitimate weapons.
If Maryland continues to give "gifts" on offense, we will win this by 3 touchdowns....something along the lines of 38-17.
However, if they protect the ball, we will sweat a little....probably something like 28-24.
HawkeyeMHA
Well-Known Member
The running ability of their qb scares me a bit, along with how much they blitz. We are the better team I think but anything can happen on a given day. If we play smart we should be ok.
Although that is usually only true if he can also pass, ala many of the Northwestern QBs through the years. Iowa has typically bottled-up one-dimensional runners like Denard Robinson. Is this guys more like the former, or the latter?
HawkeyeDenis
Well-Known Member
Maryland can't be taken lightly. They are one of these teams that seem to have the talent but just can't get it together. If they get it all together Saturday it's going to be a tough fight for the Hawkeyes. Seems to me that a couple of years ago I thought much of the same about Minnesota.(?) I thought if they stopped Minnesota's running game then the rodents were toast because they couldn't pass, but then they suddenly found a passing game against the Hawkeye's. I have similar thoughts with the turtles. Stop their run, force them to pass. But this time hope they don't discover a passing game.
ibahawkeye
Well-Known Member
On paper it sure seems like a good match up for the Hawks. Hawks have still only allowed 1 rushing TD and only allows 74 yards per game.
Keep a spy on the QB and just dare him to beat you with his arm.
Both Maryland's wins were at home and
Keep a spy on the QB and just dare him to beat you with his arm.
Both Maryland's wins were at home and
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
I disagree. Locksley is certainly one of the better recruiters in the game....but I'd say his coaching leaves something to be desired...
HawkeyeMHA
Well-Known Member
Whatever he is, he seems to be an upgrade from previous coach and a good fit for his team. Time for the Hawks to knock him down a peg.
99topdawg
Well-Known Member
In all games, they rank 3rd in in the Big Ten in rush offense (4th in conference games). Can we stop that? I certainly hope so. Outside of that, they rank
10th in all games in scoring offense (10th in conf games)
10th in total offense (11th)
11th in pass defense (14th)
12th in total defense (12th)
13th in scoring defense (12th)
13th in passing offense (11th)
13th in rush defense (6th in conference games)
The stats are on our side. We're 9th in pass defense (they don't pass much or well) and 12th in passing offense, but they're last in passing defense. Use it, set up the run (or run to set up the pass). Bottom line, run it, stop them from running it. Win. Big.
10th in all games in scoring offense (10th in conf games)
10th in total offense (11th)
11th in pass defense (14th)
12th in total defense (12th)
13th in scoring defense (12th)
13th in passing offense (11th)
13th in rush defense (6th in conference games)
The stats are on our side. We're 9th in pass defense (they don't pass much or well) and 12th in passing offense, but they're last in passing defense. Use it, set up the run (or run to set up the pass). Bottom line, run it, stop them from running it. Win. Big.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
Exactly why is he one of the best coaches in the game?
I think the key will be Iowa's ability to run the ball successfully this year to control the clock & keep Maryland's QB off the field and Maryland's D on the field to wear them out with Iowa's strength. Wadley holding onto the ball will be key. Maryland's QB is already one-dimensional so Iowa's front can really key in on him running. Meyer and Hesse an secure the ends and keep the QB in the middle of the field for others to help contain.
So, you have a one dimensional QB and Iowa can key in on the run. In addition, King takes away half the field from a suspect passing team which really bodes well for Iowa.
