Iowa Depth Chart Released
Some notes:
- Alaric Jackson is listed on the depth chart for the first time since his injury, but as the backup LT. Ferentz said that a decision on him starting will come later in the week, but as of now it seems like he will play but not at 100%.
- Cole Banwart is listed as the starter at RG. He was originally listed as the backup RG to start the season but went down in week 1. After the Jackson injury backup LG Kyler Schott became the starter at RG, but now he is injured while Banwart is healthy for the first time this season.
- Week 1 starting DT Brady Reiff and starting corner Matt Hankins aren't listed on the depth chart and are expected to be out. Hankin's week 1 backup Riley Moss is also listed as out. Backup CB Julius Brents, who played 11 games last year as a true freshman, has missed all season so far and isn't listed on the 2 deep but may play this week.
- Week 1 starting FS Kaevon Merriweather has been out since week one but is listed as the backup FS this week. He may or may not play.
Iowa seems pretty banged up, especially in the secondary and along the OL. If we're gonna win the passing game needs to come up big.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:11 PM ^
If Shea can make some quick reads, we should win this game pretty easily. Shea probably won’t make those quick reads, but I can still hope. I think he showed legitimate improvement last week.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:26 PM ^
Iowa's defense is a VERY bad matchup for Shea IMO. Solid disciplined zone with an all-world DE in Epenesa. I think the run game has to be good and that means taking the bubble wrap off the QB run game. Would be a perfect game to do what we did against Wisconsin last year.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:47 PM ^
This was exactly my read. Iowa's defense plays zone coverage, used to be called the Tampa 2.Shea has to go through his reads and find the open spots. Very disciplined defense.
October 1st, 2019 at 9:44 PM ^
The Tampa 2 usually leaves the middle of the field wide open.
October 2nd, 2019 at 1:30 PM ^
Turn the slot backs, TEs, and WRs loose, damnit.
October 2nd, 2019 at 1:38 PM ^
If you can get it over the middle linebacker lots of open space against Tampa 2. Ronnie bell should fest yet again!
October 1st, 2019 at 11:29 PM ^
Appreciate the site, good conversation. Iowa fan. Minor point, but Iowa plays very little Tampa 2 or Cover 2. Perhaps a few snaps. But Iowa is largely quarters coverage or Cover 3. In obvious passing situations, they also play some man-under coverage.
But in general, you are correct on Iowa's approach. They attempt to limit big plays, don't get out of position, tackle well, rally to the ball, etc. The fundamental things to good defense.
October 2nd, 2019 at 12:07 AM ^
Forwarded to Gattis and Harbaugh.
October 2nd, 2019 at 12:25 AM ^
Didn’t Iowa also switch their DE’s to a more hybrid Edge Defender type position? I haven’t seen them play this year but I recall reading they were transitioning in that direction.
October 2nd, 2019 at 10:51 AM ^
I live in Minnesota and watch the Gopher games many times too. I know its Purdue but if a low 3 star named Tanner Fucking Morgan can do 21/22 (B1G % record) for 396, 4 tds and no picks throwing mostly quick slants, then why can't Michigan do more of that vs. Iowa?
Minny has very good receivers like Michigan and that is why some of those popped or were even caught.
October 2nd, 2019 at 8:54 AM ^
What did Iowa State do? We have better athletes than Iowa State and they outgained Iowa on a 2:1 ratio.
October 2nd, 2019 at 5:55 PM ^
Took advantage of the inexperienced DBs making their first start. One on a WR double-pass and the other on a broken deep post. They were very limited otherwise.
ISU is ISU, but their QB is for real.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:11 PM ^
Beat Iowa.
Beat Mustangs.
Beat Chips.
# Beat it.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:12 PM ^
Also of note is no Oliver Martin. Only 5 catches on the year for him in an Iowa WR group that wouldn't make an impact at Michigan. I didn't expect that, and it seems that we might not be missing him all that much.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:17 PM ^
Yup, meant to put that in but forgot. 5 catches for 28 yards is bad.
With our luck Kinnick Iowa will come to AA through Martin and he's gonna go off.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:29 PM ^
He transferred because he wasn't going to see the field for M, so it was a given we weren't going to miss him. It is a little surprising he's not seeing the field for Iowa. Maybe transition holding him back a bit.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:46 PM ^
He was the #2 receiver in the spring, ahead of Bell, so I don't buy that he knew then that he wouldn't play here. He may have ended up the fifth WR, and then, yes, he wouldn't have had a huge impact, but I am surprised that he's not even the fifth WR there.
October 1st, 2019 at 8:46 PM ^
No he wasn’t..Ronnie Bell was cooking in the spring/summer and It translates to the field now. Ppl hyped up Oliver Martin for whatever reason and I never got why? Sainristil also was the talk of Spring, with a few Martin mentions here or there. I think he’s just the case of a kid who may not be an elite B1G receiver as some here thought. I will give the caveat that he did get to campus a little later than most transfers, so he may play better next season
October 1st, 2019 at 9:50 PM ^
Martin is plenty good for Big Ten play. He is behind better players who know the offense at Iowa. He is a solid player.
And he certainly wasn’t beating out Ronnie Bell. He likely would have been passed by CJ, Sainstil, and Giles.
Michigan is crazy deep.
October 1st, 2019 at 10:38 PM ^
He was though. First snap of the spring game, Black and Martin were the starting receivers. It is what it is.
October 1st, 2019 at 7:40 PM ^
Iowa’s receivers are actually pretty solid this year. Brandon Smith and Ihmir Smith-Marsette will both likely be honorable mention all-conference level players- that’s not saying much for most schools, but Iowa has been pretty bereft of talent at that position since Marvin McNutt graduated. The 3rd and 4th receivers are both freshmen who have had solid production thus far and that the Iowa staff seems pretty high on.
October 1st, 2019 at 9:43 PM ^
Iowa’s starting WRs are excellent.
Ragani at slot is a wicked quick route runner think Edelman. The outside guys are good.
Stanley has played with great accuracy. He has yet to be pressured. We need to get home
October 2nd, 2019 at 8:54 AM ^
Hopefully the Nickel covers the slot. Glasgow and Hudson have struggled in coverage.
October 1st, 2019 at 10:38 PM ^
They’re solid. Neither would break the top 4 at Michigan.
October 2nd, 2019 at 12:48 AM ^
I agree with that. Ragainy at slot actually worries me the most in this game.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:14 PM ^
I assume Jackson will lay but he's probably going to be a bit limited.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:38 PM ^
If he’s laying, I’m hoping he’s more than a bit limited. How good could he be?
October 1st, 2019 at 6:15 PM ^
I can’t wait for Harbaugh to release Michigan’s depth chart!
October 1st, 2019 at 6:47 PM ^
I think the depth chart thing is a great dogwhistle for the anti-Harbaugh types, but I laughed at your post anyway.
October 1st, 2019 at 6:15 PM ^
I have complete faith that the coaches will attack the opponents weakness.I have complete faith that the coaches will attack the opponents weakness.
/s
October 1st, 2019 at 6:42 PM ^
October 1st, 2019 at 6:33 PM ^
Where is Oliver Martin?
October 1st, 2019 at 6:35 PM ^
Iowa willingly told us who their starters and backups are? Idiots.
Now the question is, what will Harbaugh and Co. do with this newfound competitive advantage?
October 1st, 2019 at 7:16 PM ^
Start the walk-ons, they’ll never expect it.
October 1st, 2019 at 7:51 PM ^
Hopefully don't get pushed around like a JV squad. They will need to be much more physical that at Wisconsin. I'll be depressed if they didn't learn from that ass whooping.
October 1st, 2019 at 7:57 PM ^
Here's Iowa's depth chart: They punch you in mouth every play. And if the game is in Iowa, and it's a cold Saturday night, you feel it more.
I am really glad the game is in Ann Arbor this year.
October 1st, 2019 at 8:16 PM ^
Gotta air it out on that banged up secondary. Their DL is always pretty good at plugging up the run game.
October 1st, 2019 at 8:23 PM ^
2018 Penn St repeat. 2 score game for 2 1/2 quarters and we pull away and win by 3+ scores.
October 1st, 2019 at 10:13 PM ^
Agreed. I’ve been betting sporadically on Michigan and I’ve lost every single time. I only wager $50 - $100 so it’s not a big deal but I’ve never been more confident and I’m getting it all back this week. I’m heading to Indiana Friday and picking up my guaranteed to win lotto ticket. I’m still only going to bet like $500 so the lotto ticket is a bit of an exaggeration.
October 2nd, 2019 at 12:12 AM ^
Betting on Michigan for 6 of the past 7 games has been depressing. I'd have more fun throwing my cash into a bonfire.
October 1st, 2019 at 9:37 PM ^
Last week a total of 7 of the top 8 dbs and 3 of the top 4 cbs were out. We really should be able to pass deep on this team to our athletes.
October 1st, 2019 at 10:25 PM ^
Should is the operative word.
October 2nd, 2019 at 6:00 PM ^
If I were calling plays for Blue, I would dink and dunk all the way down the field as Iowa's DBs are likely going to be playing off to prevent the deep ball. Use this to set up the run and then take some deep PA shots when the DBs feel the need to provide run support.
If UM can't run against us with seven in the box, it's likely to be a long day for you guys.
I think we'll actually blitz quite a bit to try to help the DBs and their soft coverage. Hope for a bad decision or three by Shea.