Intro to the Hawkeyes

[KnightHawk]

Thought I'd drop by here as well as the Six Pack Speak forum and share some wisdom on this year's edition of Hawkeye football.

It's been an up and down year, typical for Iowa with games that shoulda/coulda been won and most within one possession. When Iowa is playing well, they're damn near unbeatable, but when they don't (which it's quite a challenge for college players to execute an NFL system), things can get hairy.

Usually, when the Hawks are out-athleted in a game (which they will be against MSU), they rely on clean play, capitalizing on opponent mistakes, hidden yards and field position to keep things close. If the opponent plays clean for the most part, we probably don't have much of a chance because we just don't have a bunch of guys on offense able to make game-changing, explosive plays.

What you will get is a team that plays with 100% effort until the end, very few penalties, good balance on offense, a good offensive and defensive line and hard hits if we can get a good angle on the ball carriers.

Our offense has been sporadic. We really need to pass to set up the run as we haven't been able to just line up and maul many defenses with the exception of Nebraska. We have three RBs who are all decent, but not spectacular. We have a QB who has been as inconsistent as any QB can be. At times dropping dimes and at others just dropping the ball. TEs are the best in the nation, but one has left for the NFL. The better of the two will be playing in the bowl game. Can explain more about that if anyone is interested. WRs are okay. Will give more detail on individual players in a later post. Obviously, your salty defense will be a big test for our middling offense.

Defense has been quite solid. DL is the strength and goes 8 deep with the best of the bunch a backup (true story). The LBs were all new and probably the weak point due to lack of footspeed/agility. Safeties are solid with one being B10 DB of the year. The corners have been inconsistent as well. Geared to not give up the big play, typically play a softer zone coverage and make teams earn their way down the field. If you guys can move our DL, we're sunk. They've been better vs the pass than the run this year, so it will be interesting to see how well the LBs can step up to stuff your very good run game. I haven't watched a bunch of your games, but will over the next couple weeks and have a better idea of how we matchup for further thoughts on a prediction.

Look forward to some good give and take with you guys and would be happy to try to answer any questions y'all might have.

[Political Hack]

Our QB is a bi-polar passer that can truck your LBs.

our defense is the best in the nation.

I still think Iowa plays close. Just going to struggle to score. We can too at times though. Stick around and chat. Should be a fun game.

[KnightHawk]

Our QB is a bi-polar passer that can truck your LBs.

our defense is the best in the nation.

I still think Iowa plays close. Just going to struggle to score. We can too at times though. Stick around and chat. Should be a fun game.

Succinct is good

I agree, at first blush it needs to be low scoring for Iowa to have a chance.

Thanks for the reply!

[Bully13]

Great post and Thanks for visiting.

[Recreationalgynecologist]

Thought I'd drop by here as well as the Six Pack Speak forum and share some wisdom on this year's edition of Hawkeye football.

It's been an up and down year, typical for Iowa with games that shoulda/coulda been won and most within one possession. When Iowa is playing well, they're damn near unbeatable, but when they don't (which it's quite a challenge for college players to execute an NFL system), things can get hairy.

Usually, when the Hawks are out-athleted in a game Where will this be? Iowa may have the best athlete on the field in #94 and they'd have another in #87 if he didn't decide to turn pro early (which they will be against MSU), they rely on clean play, capitalizing on opponent mistakes, hidden yards and field position to keep things close. If the opponent plays clean for the most part, we probably don't have much of a chance because we just don't have a bunch of guys on offense able to make game-changing, explosive plays.

What you will get is a team that plays with 100% effort until the end, very few penalties, good balance on offense, a good offensive and defensive line and hard hits if we can get a good angle on the ball carriers.

Our offense has been sporadic. We really need to pass to set up the run as we haven't been able to just line up and maul many defenses with the exception of Nebraska. We have three RBs who are all decent, but not spectacular. We have a QB who has been as inconsistent as any QB can be. At times dropping dimes and at others just dropping the ball. TEs are the best in the nation, but one has left for the NFL. The better of the two will be playing in the bowl game. Can explain more about that if anyone is interested. WRs are okay. Will give more detail on individual players in a later post. Obviously, your salty defense will be a big test for our middling offense.

Defense has been quite solid. DL is the strength and goes 8 deep with the best of the bunch a backup (true story). The LBs were all new and probably the weak point due to lack of foots peed/agility. The LBs are young and quite agile. They have to be in our system. Safeties are solid with one being B10 DB of the year They are better than solid The corners have been inconsistent as well. Geared to not give up the big play, typically play a softer zone coverage and make teams earn their way down the field. They're the best tackling CB unit in the Big 10 when healthy . We don't play a lot of soft zone anymore If you guys can move our DL, we're sunk. They've been better vs the pass than the run this year, so it will be interesting to see how well the LBs can step up to stuff your very good run game. I haven't watched a bunch of your games, but will over the next couple weeks and have a better idea of how we matchup for further thoughts on a prediction.

Look forward to some good give and take with you guys and would be happy to try to answer any questions y'all might have.

Made some changes

[dawgday166]

Made some changes

That's interesting. Best athlete on the field will be #94. I'll have to check that out.

[KnightHawk]

Made some changes

As usual, they will be out-athleted on the perimeter at WR and CB. Also, I think the MSU RBs/QB are better athletes than our LBs. Niemann and Hockaday are not great athletes. They are good football players who make good reads, but to call them athletic is a big stretch.

We do still keep everything in front on the edges of the field and our CBs have been burned over the top despite this approach. They are talented, but very young. Iowa will not play a CB who doesn't provide good run support, that is true.

[KnightHawk]

That's interesting. Best athlete on the field will be #94. I'll have to check that out.

He is a beast, and a second string DE at that. He will start his last 1-2 years at Iowa, for sure. Great pass rusher, but needs to be better in contain and run stopping.

[Recreationalgynecologist]

That's interesting. Best athlete on the field will be #94. I'll have to check that out.

I think he'll be gone after next season. In my opinion, he's the most talented defensive player I've seen at Iowa and I've going to games since 1980. (I'm 44 yrs old)

[Political Hack]

He is a beast, and a second string DE at that. He will start his last 1-2 years at Iowa, for sure. Great pass rusher, but needs to be better in contain and run stopping.

Look up Mr. Simmons and Mr. Sweat. Two 1st rounders.

[Dawgology]

Made some changes

94 the DE or the kicker? I think Simmons, Sweat, and Abrams are pretty good. Y’all will get to know them soon.

[Recreationalgynecologist]

As usual, they will be out-athleted on the perimeter at WR and CB. Also, I think the MSU RBs/QB are better athletes than our LBs. Niemann and Hockaday are not great athletes. They are good football players who make good reads, but to call them athletic is a big stretch.

We do still keep everything in front on the edges of the field and our CBs have been burned over the top despite this approach. They are talented, but very young. Iowa will not play a CB who doesn't provide good run support, that is true.

Our CBs are actually pretty athletic. This isn't 2002. They're young, deep, tall and can tackle. As for the RBs, they're all sophomores and our QB is a pro-style 6-5 240# type, so yea, he's not a huge threat to take off and run but I think WR is the only position we've had issues at.

[Recreationalgynecologist]

94 the DE or the kicker? I think Simmons, Sweat, and Abrams are pretty good. Y’all will get to know them soon.

DE

[Commercecomet24]

That's interesting. Best athlete on the field will be #94. I'll have to check that out.

94 probably is the best athlete but he'll be the 94 wearing maroon and white not black and gold,

[Todd4State]

I honestly think our game could go either way. Two good offensive teams and we have struggled against good defenses on offense.

Our QB has a lot of physical talent but he reads defenses SLOOOOOWWWWWLLLLYYY. He's the best rushing QB in SEC history though per the stats.

Our RB's are both really good. Hill is explosive but a liability in pass protection and Aeris is a very good SEC back who isn't as explosive but is more consistent.

WR's are inconsistent at catching the ball but improved throughout the year. Our TE is a good player.

The o-line is big and our center is probably the top center prospect in the NFL draft and Daryl Williams our LG is a NFL guy next year. Our OT's are young and have struggled against elite pass rushers but are both good players who are still developing.

Our d-line is sick. We have two potential first round picks at DE and DT and then we start two seniors who are very good and will probably be drafted next year as well. Our second team defensive line is pretty solid as well and has a lot of experience.

We're pretty solid at LB. Willie Gay is starting to come into his own and Errol Thompson is a very good MLB who makes plays and is a very good leader.

We have two corners who are probably going to play in the NFL. They're both long and physical. Our third CB- Smitherman is a good player as well.

Both of our safeties are seniors. Abrams is probably a first round pick and is an absolute badass. The other safety McLaurin is a very smart player who will play on Sunday's as well.

Our kicker is solid. Punter has been inconsistent but better lately. Return game is acceptable.

[Todd4State]

94 probably is the best athlete but he'll be the 94 wearing maroon and white not black and gold,

This is true.

[Todd4State]

Anyone else notice how much we sound like Iowa?

[RocketDawg]

Anyone else notice how much we sound like Iowa?

Sounds like it might be 0-0 after regulation.

[KnightHawk]

Anyone else notice how much we sound like Iowa?

Yep. I think your defense is probably a bit better than ours, but our balanced offense might be a bit more effective than your run-heavy offense. Haven't watched enough of MSU to know a ton of what to expect yet, just going off of stats and what you guys have said.

Game will probably come down to mistakes/turnovers/special teams.

[starkvegasdawg]

Just know this about our safety, Abrams. He shut down the spring game early last year by absolutely laying out our RB. Pissed our former coach off so badly he just sent the team to the locker room. He has no conscience. None. He's a land based missile with very bad intentions out on the field. Think Ronnie Lott in a bad mood.