24 hours is up...time to concentrate on Iowa

Submitted by readyourguard on

I'm sure you've all heard the "coach-speak" regarding the 24-hour rule:  enjoy (or in our case, sulk) for 24 hours and then start preparing for the next opponent.  Nothing can change what happened yeterday, we can only control what happens next.

Next is a good (not great) Iowa team.

4-1 on the season with their only loss being on the road at Arizona (who lost last night to Orgeon State.)

  • 33.6ppg
  • 426ypg/avg
  • 1271 pass yds/861 rush yards
  • 46.7% 3rd down conversion

They are know, of course, for their defense which is currently ranked at or near the top in points and yards yielded.

I was as nervous for the State game as I was when I was playing.  I can only imagine how the players felt.  You find out a lot about yourself after a loss like yesterday.  I'm quite confident the team gets focused, settles down, works their asses off, and comes into the game this Saturday with a nice big chip on their shoulder.

Your thoughts?

Jim Harbaugh S…

October 10th, 2010 at 11:24 PM ^

  Their best win is over PSU, in Iowa.  Who got smoked by the Illini, at home.  The 'Zona game wasn't as close as the score indicated - Iowa was outplayed.  I think every other team Iowa has played is a cupcake.

I do like that Iowa has 2 weeks to prep for this game, that is clearly in their favor.

Obvs - Michigan is not that great either, but this is a very winnable game.

BrewHawk

October 11th, 2010 at 12:04 AM ^

Hey guys, back to provide some info on Iowa.  One of these days I'll be big enough to start my own thread, but evidently not yet.

On offense, we're seeing a much better Ricky Stanzi this year both in decision making and throwing ability in general.  There's good reason he's now #3 in the nation in passing effiiciency.  He also has probably the best receiving corps I've seen in my 30 years of watching the Hawks with McNutt, DJK, Davis (new guy) and Sandeman.  Chaney is also back from an ACL suffered last year vs. you guys and is starting to have a bigger role in the offense.  Of course, there's the TEs and both Reisner and Herman have been solid.  Waiting in the wings here is true frosh CJ Fiedorowicz (#5 TE prospect last year).

We've lost Jewel Hampton (again) for the year with another ACL, which really hurts as he had breakaway ability that Adam Robinson just doesn't.  Robinson is a very solid back, but isn't going to run away from anyone.  Backups haven't played much, but have potential.  Marcus Coker is a 6' 230lb true frosh bruiser who was a little beat up earlier in the season which has delayed his growth and PT.  Brad Rogers (bowling ball) may also get in the game here and there, but Robinson will get 90% of the carries at least.

The OL so far has been decent for needing to replace three starters.  At least this year the unit has remained intact and consistent, which is so important in a zone blocking scheme.  Reiff at LT is a star in the making.  Ferentz in the middle has been overwhelmed from time to time against bigger DTs, but is a tough, smart player that you'd expect from a coaches kid.

In looking at the unit as a whole, I would have to say that they're improved from last year, but we're one more RB injury away from having to play guys with essentially zero experience.  Stanzi really has been the difference this year and you'll not likely see any more pick sixes ( the one in Arizona should have been caught by the receiver).  Still trying to be balanced, they pretty much coasted through the second half against Penn St, choosing to run the ball into 8 man fronts knowing the defense would hold the lead.

They play very clean and very efficiently, as you'd expect from a Ferentz coached team.  The emergence of the WRs has given them more explosiveness than we're used to seeing in Iowa City.  I would look for Iowa going deep early and often to test your depleated backfield, rather than using the run to set up the pass as you'd expect.

beangoblue

October 11th, 2010 at 12:18 AM ^

This game will tell us (UM) if we're mature enough to bring ourselves back up and play like we know we can. Iowa was always a question mark game for me. We really need to improve execution on both sides of the ball. If we can do that we can play with anyone IMO.
<br>
<br>Again thanks for the info!

Silverware

October 11th, 2010 at 12:08 AM ^

Because we need to bounce back and everything but more importantly because I will be at a wedding where the bride, groom and 90% of the crowd are Iowa alums...

Denard, kick some ass for me in my time of need.. I will be watching on my iPhone and cheering from the lions den...

Hail!

BlueinLansing

October 11th, 2010 at 12:46 AM ^

some Stanzi balls.  For godsakes find the TE.

 

Last years team performance in Iowa City was encouraging coming off a pretty gut wrenching defeat in East Lansing.

 

This year's Moo U game was just deflating for different reasons.  It would be a great step for this program if they could get the W this weekend.

tlh908

October 11th, 2010 at 2:07 AM ^

While losing to state still stings, we have plenty of games to make this a good year. A win vs Iowa and our confidence is back as we finish the year.

tlh908

October 11th, 2010 at 2:08 AM ^

While losing to state still stings, we have plenty of games to make this a good year. A win vs Iowa and our confidence is back as we finish the year.

Gustavo Fring

October 11th, 2010 at 3:06 AM ^

Iowa is basically a better version of msu.  They also had a bye week to prepare for us.  if Denard has a truly great performance, then maybe.  But I'm not holding my breath.

Blazefire

October 11th, 2010 at 7:01 AM ^

We lost. It happens. Not everybody can play lights out every game. Our opponent had an excellent game plan, stuck to it, and got just the breaks they needed. Keeping us out of the end zone was their goal, and they succeeded. Play it again, and maybe not. Oh well.

11-1 is the new goal. Bring on Stanzi!