CoachParker6

November 22nd, 2013 at 7:58 PM ^

This game could be a turning point of sorts. Hoke hasn't won a road game against a team that wound up with a winning record. I think we would all agree that the team generally looked poor in those games too.

If Smith and Green are again successful in the running game, and we are able to win the game, I think it gives us a new found confidence going forward.

It would also be nice to get Devin some confidence back going into next week.

Joined: 11/17/2013

MGoPoints: 220

Sten Carlson

November 22nd, 2013 at 8:13 PM ^

"It would also be nice to get Devin some confidence back going into next week."

I was watching the Thursday Night NFL game between the Falcons and the Saints.  Atlanta has been struggling on their OL and Ryan has been getting sacked a lot this season.  Mayock said, "when a QB get's sacked and even hit a lot, his eyes come down, and his accuracy suffers."  That is DG in a nutshell.  Need to keep DG upright and clean.

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: -56

CoachParker6

November 22nd, 2013 at 9:24 PM ^

Mayock is right on. I imagine it's even worse with Devin because he's a good athlete that has had success scrambling at times.

Basically what happens is once you've been constantly hit over and over there comes a moment where part of your post snap routine includes taking a look at the rush, which takes his eyes away from his targets and generally never results in anything good.

Let us hope his jersey is clean at the games end and the Maize N Blue are 8-3

Joined: 11/17/2013

MGoPoints: 220

goblue16

November 22nd, 2013 at 8:45 PM ^

Honestly if toussaint gets more than 5 carries for the rest of the season I officially lose all hope in this coaching staff

Joined: 03/28/2010

MGoPoints: 17468

evenyoubrutus

November 22nd, 2013 at 9:13 PM ^

9 years ago, 5th year senior David Underwood got "injured" and true freshman Mike Hart subsequently started every game for the rest of the season, and did pretty well.

BTW if I were Hoke, I would go shirtless Saturday, just to fuck with Iowa's mental state.

Joined: 11/04/2008

MGoPoints: 178669

tybert

November 22nd, 2013 at 11:17 PM ^

Ty was a SOPH, but Powers was a "5-star" before they rated guys. Mo decided the BEST will play, not seniority. And the best set a Rose Bowl record for longest run (till broken by Oregon's TB).

I'm happy that both Green and Smith don't pussy around and nibble but HIT THE DAMN HOLE and take 3 yds if that's all there is!

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 8536

uminks

November 23rd, 2013 at 2:44 AM ^

 He's probably learned most of the offensive playbook and has lost 10 pounds. He may be out performing Fitz in practice! Hoke probably plays those who practice the best!

Joined: 11/10/2009

MGoPoints: 32203

LKLIII

November 23rd, 2013 at 8:43 AM ^

I don't believe in conspiracy theories. 1) Everybody expected Green to push Fitz for carries and possibly the starting spot at the beginning of the season. People didn't think this would be immediately, but some point mid season. 2) Green showed up overweight and had to learn the scheme. But since the interior O Line is a tire fire, it is not conducive to getting a freshman bruiser back several snaps in live game situations anyway, thus slowing his development. 3) Despite the lack of live game snaps, Green still shed the weight and is starting to absorb the scheme. Combine this with Fitz's poor blocking, and Green is starting to do what we all anticipated anyway. It's just that instead of happening in game 5 or game 7, it happened in game 10. 4) Rather than some conspiracy theory, how about it's: Fitz had a minor boo boo or he did some minor violation of team rules, thus inducing Hoke to not give him the start. The "kids were doing all right" and so he didn't see the need to insert Fitz after the fact. In the NFL people lose starting jobs and playing time due to injury all the time. Many anticipated this happening in late September or October. The only thing shocking about this development is that it happened in mid November.

Joined: 11/06/2013

MGoPoints: 8927

hennesbe

November 23rd, 2013 at 12:22 PM ^

Eary in the year it appeared Drake Johnson was going to be the best.  But someone decided he was going to play on the kick teams and he is out for the year.

Green was over weight and slow and Toussaint never recovered from the knee and he never did have the speed to become a great back in the Big Ten.

the offensive line was inexperienced and young and often shuffled around trying to find the right combination.

The result is what you see now.  Not a very good offensive team.

Joined: 09/11/2011

MGoPoints: 418