Interesting Stats

**Leidang** · 11-24-2008, 07:23 PM

Well I was listening to Jon Miller this afternoon on the radio and he was going on about the poor defense in the big 12 vs the quality defense in the big 10(11). So for fun I looked at some of Iowa's offensive stats from games this year for comparison. I thought it was interesting considering how horrible our defense is and how touted some of these other defenses are. Not that it really means much but here you go....

Iowa Offensive stats against the following opponents.

First Downs, Rushing Yds, Passing yds, Total yds, Offensive pts

vs.
ISU 11, 122, 122, 244, 10
Penn State 19, 101, 171, 272, 24
Wisconsin 17, 254, 121, 375, 38
Mich State 15, 91, 184, 275, 13
Minnesota 23, 222, 261, 483, 48
Northwestern 24, 169, 238, 407, 17

By these stats against a common opponent the worst B12 team defense stacks up pretty well against the cream of the B10 defenses.

I can't wait to see some post season matchups.....

**SplitIdentity** · 11-24-2008, 07:32 PM

Yes, because I'm sure the field conditions and the first start for a new QB had nothing to do with that.

If you want to play that game, Iowa's defense held an offense averaging 25 points per game to a field goal. So, does that mean Iowa's defense is the best ISU has played against this year?

**djkent01** · 11-24-2008, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

Yes, because I'm sure the field conditions and the first start for a new QB had nothing to do with that.

If you want to play that game, Iowa's defense held an offense averaging 25 points per game to a field goal. So, does that mean Iowa's defense is the best ISU has played against this year?

Be careful SH. I've supported you a lot this season with some of your opinions, but more often than not, the bowl season shows the discrepancies between the conferences. Much of the Big 10's success will be determined by the bowl draws and bowl assignments.

I've given lots of credit to Iowa, but if they ended up in a bowl against OU, UT, TT, OSU, or MU, I believe they would be thrashed. There are a few other B12 teams that I'd list them as a draw against. You went out on a limb earlier this season and were proven right. But now it's bowl time, and although there are always upsets, more often than not the superior teams/conferences show through. I'm thinking you'd better hope for a matchup that doesn't involve the B12 or SEC.

**JonDMiller** · 11-24-2008, 07:44 PM

I said that I felt the Big 12 was a bit overrated, as their defense is not stellar, and they are not far and away the best conference. I did say, however, they were still the best conference. It's just not this gaggle of love that a lot of the nation thinks it is, IMO.

I spent ZERO time trying to say the Big Ten was better than the B12, because its not.

**travisam** · 11-24-2008, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Leidang

Well I was listening to Jon Miller this afternoon on the radio and he was going on about the poor defense in the big 12 vs the quality defense in the big 10(11). So for fun I looked at some of Iowa's offensive stats from games this year for comparison. I thought it was interesting considering how horrible our defense is and how touted some of these other defenses are. Not that it really means much but here you go....

Iowa Offensive stats against the following opponents.

First Downs, Rushing Yds, Passing yds, Total yds, Offensive pts

vs.
ISU 11, 122, 122, 244, 10
Penn State 19, 101, 171, 272, 24
Wisconsin 17, 254, 121, 375, 38
Mich State 15, 91, 184, 275, 13
Minnesota 23, 222, 261, 483, 48
Northwestern 24, 169, 238, 407, 17

By these stats against a common opponent the worst B12 team defense stacks up pretty well against the cream of the B10 defenses.

I can't wait to see some post season matchups.....

Check your stats sir. They are inaccurate. Shonn had over 150 yards rushing against MSU.

**djkent01** · 11-24-2008, 07:52 PM

I have to say Jon, I preferred the man in black to the spider.

**wartknight** · 11-24-2008, 08:15 PM

YES!!! The 7 legged spider. SOmeone else reads barstoolsports.

**GoSTATE71** · 11-24-2008, 08:34 PM

i highly disagree here because the big 12 is all about offense and not much defense with the exception of a couple teams within the big 12 alot of big 10 schools make the big 12 look sick.

**cybsball20** · 11-24-2008, 08:38 PM

All that matters on the scoreboard is who's ahead... Doesn't matter how you get there... There are just far more weapons in the Big XII and more capable QB's that can get the ball to those weapons in space.

**ISUFan22** · 11-24-2008, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

Yes, because I'm sure the field conditions and the first start for a new QB had nothing to do with that.

If you want to play that game, Iowa's defense held an offense averaging 25 points per game to a field goal. So, does that mean Iowa's defense is the best ISU has played against this year?

If you want to play that game, the field conditions sucked for that game....

**cyfan15** · 11-24-2008, 09:59 PM

Want some really interesting statistics?

Statistically Illinois was the second best team in the Big Ten this year, outgaining conference opponents by an average of 86.5 yards per game. They went 3-5 when the stats suggest they should have been 7-1. Guess who's going to be the surprise of the conference next year?

Minnesota also went 3-5 in the Big Ten, but was outgained by an average of 108.8 yards per game. By comparison, Iowa State was "only" outgained by an average of 89.2 yards per game in the Big 12 (which is an improvement of 28.7 yards per game over last year, by the way). Statistically Minnesota should have been a 1-7 team. Despite returning most of their starters, Minnesota will likely be a disappointment next year. I wouldn't be surprised if Iowa State ends up with a better record than the Gophers.

Purdue outgained Big Ten teams by 40.8 yards per game and only went 2-6. Statistically they probably should have been more like 5-3. I bet they'll be better than expected next year and people will be raving about the new coach.

**PolkCityClone** · 11-24-2008, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by GoSTATE71

i highly disagree here because the big 12 is all about offense and not much defense with the exception of a couple teams within the big 12 alot of big 10 schools make the big 12 look sick.

What exactly are you trying to say here?

**kingcy** · 11-24-2008, 10:14 PM

I dont know how you can compair the two conferences. The Big 12 is pass happy, throw all over the place, and uses speed well, it is very hard to defend this. Take Texas or OU's D and put them in the Big 11 each week and they would be in the top 10 in the nation, IMO. They are big, physical, and fast. I think Iowa has one of the top Ds in the Big 11 and Texas and OU's D make them look small and slow, if you ask me.