Cough. This is certainly no deep dive, just a superficial look. I’m sure that someone will manage that later this week. More than once.
So then. Let’s start with the bad news, shall we?
The Defense
The Line
I’m seeing good but not great players here. The thing is, they’re good enough athletes, and experienced enough, to do their job. Which, I assume, is mostly creating opportunities for the linebackers.
Linebackers
The difference maker here is middle linebacker Jack Campbell. Either he fits their defense extremely well, or they fit their defense to him—one of the two. Just about anyone else they trot onto the field with him is going to still make this a strong unit.
Defensive Backs
A lot has been made about the depth and experience of Iowa’s defensive backfield, but they may be starting to show some cracks when yet another walkon has to fill in.
This will be an intriguing matchup with ISU’s new era of wideouts.
***This defense is a salty bunch. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if we score 21 points.
That said, if we manage to break it open with the new passing game, I won’t be totally shocked to see more.
The Offense
Offensive Line
It all starts here, with every offense, and three statements say it all about this group.
A. There are some very talented players here. Tristan Wirfs gave them some credibility on the national recruiting front the last two or three years that had been lacking for a while.
B. Those guys are still pretty inexperienced.
C. They certainly haven’t played together as a unit very much.
Given that cohesiveness is the core of an OL, I think I’ll be worried more about this unit next year.
The Tight Ends
Every Iowa source keeps talking about LaPorta being a potential first round pick. And his backup, Lachey, not only has incredible bloodlines, but is an excellent athlete himself.
Check. One Hawk offensive unit that’s solid. I’ll take their word for it.
The Wide Receivers
Aside from the off-season attrition (and the fact that the position recently has strived to attain mediocrity), Iowa has been riddled with injuries here. Ragaini is supposed to be out another week, Brecht and Vines have been dinged up. It looks like Arland Bruce was the only scholarship WR to play Saturday…or, at least, the only one to make a catch Saturday.
Maybe some of these guys will be back?
The Running Backs
The first thing that I noticed was that Gavin Williams apparently didn’t even play. Leshon Williams was limited to 3.0 yards per carry. Of the two touted freshman RB’s, Kaleb Johnson got three carries for no yards. That South Dakota defense must be really, really tough, huh?
Quarterback
I feel like Spencer Petras’ struggles on Saturday are well documented. Part of that had to be due to the lack of…well, to be honest, talent and experience around him.
***I think the shortcomings of the offensive unit…creates opportunities.
Special Teams
Punter Tory Taylor. What I want to know is why he didn’t go to the NFL after last season. Unless they changed the rules, he’s old enough.
Their new kicker(s), not so much.
***Taylor will likely create a challenge in field position, one that I’m not sure true frosh Tyler Perkins is quite up to. Yet.
Guess that the offense had better help him out, huh?
So then. Let’s start with the bad news, shall we?
The Defense
The Line
I’m seeing good but not great players here. The thing is, they’re good enough athletes, and experienced enough, to do their job. Which, I assume, is mostly creating opportunities for the linebackers.
Linebackers
The difference maker here is middle linebacker Jack Campbell. Either he fits their defense extremely well, or they fit their defense to him—one of the two. Just about anyone else they trot onto the field with him is going to still make this a strong unit.
Defensive Backs
A lot has been made about the depth and experience of Iowa’s defensive backfield, but they may be starting to show some cracks when yet another walkon has to fill in.
This will be an intriguing matchup with ISU’s new era of wideouts.
***This defense is a salty bunch. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if we score 21 points.
That said, if we manage to break it open with the new passing game, I won’t be totally shocked to see more.
The Offense
Offensive Line
It all starts here, with every offense, and three statements say it all about this group.
A. There are some very talented players here. Tristan Wirfs gave them some credibility on the national recruiting front the last two or three years that had been lacking for a while.
B. Those guys are still pretty inexperienced.
C. They certainly haven’t played together as a unit very much.
Given that cohesiveness is the core of an OL, I think I’ll be worried more about this unit next year.
The Tight Ends
Every Iowa source keeps talking about LaPorta being a potential first round pick. And his backup, Lachey, not only has incredible bloodlines, but is an excellent athlete himself.
Check. One Hawk offensive unit that’s solid. I’ll take their word for it.
The Wide Receivers
Aside from the off-season attrition (and the fact that the position recently has strived to attain mediocrity), Iowa has been riddled with injuries here. Ragaini is supposed to be out another week, Brecht and Vines have been dinged up. It looks like Arland Bruce was the only scholarship WR to play Saturday…or, at least, the only one to make a catch Saturday.
Maybe some of these guys will be back?
The Running Backs
The first thing that I noticed was that Gavin Williams apparently didn’t even play. Leshon Williams was limited to 3.0 yards per carry. Of the two touted freshman RB’s, Kaleb Johnson got three carries for no yards. That South Dakota defense must be really, really tough, huh?
Quarterback
I feel like Spencer Petras’ struggles on Saturday are well documented. Part of that had to be due to the lack of…well, to be honest, talent and experience around him.
***I think the shortcomings of the offensive unit…creates opportunities.
Special Teams
Punter Tory Taylor. What I want to know is why he didn’t go to the NFL after last season. Unless they changed the rules, he’s old enough.
Their new kicker(s), not so much.
***Taylor will likely create a challenge in field position, one that I’m not sure true frosh Tyler Perkins is quite up to. Yet.
Guess that the offense had better help him out, huh?
