A Somewhat Concise Discussion of Iowa

Well, well, U of M plays for big marbles on Saturday against Iowa. This is a different type of team UM will be facing compared to THE. I saw that 247 had an article up about Iowa and consistency. That is a good way to frame any initial discussion about Iowa. Iowa likes consistency and stability, that has always been foundational pillars of Iowa’s program. Iowa is a true system of systems. There is a way, much like the old Nebraska teams from the 1960’s and 70’s. This is a team that was lauded as a possible national title candidate early in the year. A team that lost two division games and beat a couple of pretty decent teams (Penn State and Iowa State. This is a team that got bounced by Wisconsin, during the Badgers nice mid-season run. And most importantly, this is a team that, in Iowa fashion, is around at the end for a chance at some good marbles. The knock on Iowa was an inability to run the ball well and some so-so quarterback play. the month of November has seen some clear improvement in the Iowa offense.

Iowa does no wow, like say an OSU team, or scare with an ultra physical team, like say a classic Alabama team. but make no mistake, here again is Iowa, just where the Hawks want to be at 10-2. This team is big and physical, although not so much as the best Iowa teams. But the system beats on and works. Iowa is built on physical play, a stout defense, superior defensive coordination, and the outstanding use of tight ends. The special teams have yielded big plays when Iowa has struggled. This happened again the past Saturday against Nebraska. Iowa will hit a team with a big play, just when it is thought the hawks are on fork ready to get toasted. This happens by the big pass play, the special teams, the tight end game, or simply a back breaking a big one. Iowa seems to catch many opponents in the fourth quarter, a trait attributed to philosophy, sound coaching, and strength taking over. The best way to approach Iowa is to hit them early and often, and never assume you can coast to a victory. This is how Iowa wins the many games that others attribute to luck.

Preparation is important in playing Iowa. The defense must be very well disciplined against an offense that uses many standard base concepts, but attempts to throw enough at a defense to hit a few big plays when the defense messes up assignments. Iowa runs plenty of zone blocking, the classic waggle ( frequent opener), plenty of roll out, reverses, and old style screens. Spencer Petras will be the starting quarterback. it has been a push the last four games at the quarterback position. Petras has enough arm strength to throw the long out and get the ball downfield. He floats the ball now and then. Importantly, his history has been to make the one perfect pass in a game that pulls out a victory. He can be pressured and although Iowa will run a quarterback draw now and then, a certain goal of the Michigan defense is to make the Iowa quarterback scramble. Expect Iowa to use the rollout and misdirection to counter Michigan’s pass rush. Also expect Iowa to use the delayed screen packages. Michigan has been vulnerable to this type of attack.

The Iowa defense is well coached and well schemed. Phil Parker is a top shelf coordinator. Michigan found a weak spot for OSU last week, the left side of the offensive line pounded the right side and linebackers of Ohio State. Iowa plays well coached zones, with timely blitzes. UM needs to heavily research what has worked against Iowa. The bet here is that UM will need more than a few standard gap plays and the split zone that, when it works, is a thing of beauty. Donovan Edwards could be the ace up the sleeve. Iowa does cover the flank pretty well. So, Coordinator Gattis needs to set up some options to hit quick spots in the zone scheme. Iowa will jump routes and the safeties usually cover deep quite well.

Kick the ball through the end zone: that is a key to preventing Iowa from the big kick returns that the Hawks pull off. Like any team that plays Iowa, someone better slow down the tight end game. Folks talk about UM’s tight end game, but Iowa has as good of a use of tight ends as anyone.

Iowa is a team that waits for the big play and tries to physical put you down. UM needs to play every play with a vengeance. It will fall on the coaches to prepare for Iowa’s schemes. Consistency is the hallmark of champions, and that is what Iowa is counting on Saturday, let the other guy find a way to lose. UM does not need to be on a search on how to lose. This happened a few years ago, when UM lost a night game on the last play at Iowa.