Weekly Preview: Iowa

Image Credit: UMTerps

Opponent: Iowa Hawkeyes (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten Conference)
Location: Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium (54,000)
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2014
Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV/Radio Broadcasts: ESPN2, Maryland Sports Radio Network

(Discuss this article on the BSL Message Board here.)

Opponent Preview

For the first time in their history, the Iowa Hawkeyes will make the 906-mike trek from Iowa City, IA to College Park, MD to take on the Maryland Terrapins. The 2014 season has been an odd one for the Hawkeyes, as they have an impressive record that doesn’t feel very impressive. The combined records of the teams that they have played so far is 15-22. Their lone loss came at home to Iowa State, a team that now holds a 2-4 record on the year. Kirk Ferentz is in his 16th season as the head coach of the Hawkeyes, and many fans have been calling for his dismissal for years. They have not won more than 8 games since 2009, an odd occurrence for a team that always seemed to be in the mix in the Big Ten Conference.

The problem with the Hawkeyes this season has been their offense, as has been the case for a few years. Greg Davis is in his 3rd season as the team’s offensive coordinator, and moved the offense to a no-huddle attack last season. Like Maryland, the Hawkeyes don’t go no-huddle to go fast, they do it in an attempt to keep the same personnel on the field defensively. Iowa still wants to pound the ball down the defense’s throat until they prove that they can stop it. They run a pro-style offense, but teams tend to operate more out of the shotgun formation when they go no-huddle. Regardless, their main goals are still the same: run the ball, run the ball, play-action pass.

Jake Rudock has been Iowa’s main quarterback this season, but he has received some competition from C.J. Beathard. Both quarterbacks can run a little bit, with Beathard averaging 4.4 yards per carry and Rudock averaging 3.3. Rudock has thrown for over 1,000 yards this season while completing 67.5% of his passes. He also has a good touchdown:interception ratio at 7:2. Kirk Ferentz has expressed the desire to play both quarterbacks moving forward this season.

The Hawkeyes have always prided themselves on their running game and their defense, and while their defense has been stellar this season, their running game has faltered. Mark Weisman, a beast of a fullback playing running back, is only averaging 3.4 yards per carry. Many of those yards have come in short-yardage situations however, and he does have 8 rushing touchdowns. Getting the running game moving has to be a point of emphasis for Kirk Ferentz and Greg Davis, because their quarterbacks have not proven to be able to carry the load offensively.

Defensively, the Hawkeyes boast the 19th-fewest points allowed per game in the country. They are led by their defensive line, which could be the best unit in the country. Senior defensive tackles Carl Davis and Louis Trinca-Pasat will make it very difficult for Maryland to run up the middle at all. Trinca-Pasat is second on the team in tackles with 39, 5.5 coming behind the line of scrimmage. He also boasts 2.5 sacks on the year. Drew Ott is a standout defensive end for the Hawkeyes, leading the team in both tackles for loss and sacks. The linebacking unit is led by Quinton Alston, who leads the team in tackles with 44. John Lowdermilk also plays like a linebacker from his strong safety position, and is one of the best around. The Hawkeyes’ defense, led by defensive coordinator Phil Parker, is the main reason why the team’s record is 5-1. 

Maryland Preview

It’s homecoming week at the University of Maryland, and the students are ready to rock Byrd Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The campus has been buzzing with anticipation for this game all week long, and the Terps should have another big crowd on hand for their second Big Ten home game. After falling to #20 Ohio State by a score of 52-20 two weeks ago, the Terrapins enjoyed a much-needed bye week last week. Their record stands at 4-2 (1-1 Big Ten Conference), and fans are still waiting for the team to break out.

C.J. Brown will start at quarterback for Maryland this week after he was benched in favor of Caleb Rowe for the second half against Ohio State. Head coach Randy Edsall compared the situation to a baseball starting pitcher simply not having it, and he had to go to his bullpen. While many fans would rather see Caleb Rowe, C.J. Brown gives this team the best chance to win at this point. The offensive line has greatly struggled so far, and a mobile quarterback is a necessity to avoid the free rushers that seem to come on every down. And, against Iowa, the Terps will need to get to the edge of the defense with their running game, because it will be very tough to run inside against Carl Davis and Louis Trinca-Pasat.

Brian Stewart’s defense has been plagued with injuries so far this season, but they get back a big piece this week. LB Abner Logan, who was suspended before the start of the season, will be eligible to play against Iowa. For a linebacking unit that has been riddled with injuries, getting Logan back will be big. Expect to see him on the field in certain packages, and in relief of Cole Farrand and L.A. Goree. The entire defense struggled mightily against Ohio State, but the bye week should help them to clear their heads and prepare for a physical Iowa team.

Opponent Interview

This week, I was able to speak with Marc Morehouse about the Iowa Hawkeyes. Marc covers Iowa football for The Cedar Rapids Gazette. I’d like to thank him for his participation and for his insightful responses.

BSL: The Hawkeyes enter this game with a record of 5-1 (2-0 Big Ten Conference) with their only loss coming at home to Iowa State. However, no team that they have played so far has a winning record coming into this weekend. How would you rate Iowa’s play so far this season, and how do you expect the second half of the year to turn out for them?

Morehouse: Iowa is 5-1 and is an incomplete team. Offensively, the Hawkeyes have struggled to score points, last week’s explosion notwithstanding. The running game, central to all championship-caliber Iowa teams under Kirk Ferentz, is the conundrum. Iowa averages 3.80 yards a carry. It hasn’t produced a 100-yard rushing effort in nine games (something it can and has lived through). Iowa challenged for a Big Ten title in 2009 with 3.27 yards a carry, but everyone on that defense had a shot at or was drafted into the NFL. This defense is greater than the sum of its parts. That leaves it vulnerable to victimization that went on last week against Indiana, the 316 yards and running back Tevin Coleman’s TD runs of 83, 45 and 69 yards. For the rest of the season, Iowa’s defense, which has played as many as 24 players in games, will continue to plug holes as they spring. Offensively, the passing game might be the make-or-break as far as West Division contention is concerned. Iowa is great in short-yardage running situations, but it’s still not making enough money there.

BSL:  Iowa’s offense has struggled so far this season, despite putting up 45 points on Indiana last week. They rank 88th in the country in points scored, and are 91st in rushing yards per game. How disappointing has this offense been to this point, and what steps have the coaching staff made in an attempt to remedy the team’s offensive struggles?

Morehouse: This is offensive coordinator Greg Davis’ third season at Iowa. The roster has been somewhat shaped to fit his vision. Davis came in from Texas and immediately noticed a speed gap at wide receiver. The Hawkeyes signed six receivers in the last two recruiting classes. Iowa signed a pair of 180-pound running backs in 2013 (Jonathan Parker and Akrum Wadley), which totally went against the grain for what Iowa has been at running back (at its best, think Shonn Greene and his 235 pounds of straight-ahead headache power). Iowa has speed now, but is still struggling to unfurl it in an organic manner. The offensive line has had struggles with cohesion, particularly on the inside. Iowa came into the season needing more out of QB and isn’t getting it between Jake Rudock and C.J. Beathard. Iowa has been diverse in its personnel packages, but still hasn’t consistently constrained safeties. It feels as though things cycle for three years now in college football. Either it works in three years or it doesn’t. Iowa’s offense has hit a tipping point. It would be hard to ask a fan base to buy into another year of what we’ve seen in the first half. Now, it has six games to outrun that narrative.

BSL: The Hawkeyes always seem to have a tailback who looks like he should be a fullback carrying the ball every season, and Mark Weisman is certainly that type of player. But he has really struggled this season, and has not run for 90 yards in a game yet this season. He only averages 3.3 yards per carry, but has scored 6 touchdowns on the ground. What has been his main problem so far this season, and do you believe he will get things turned around?

Morehouse: There is somewhat of a fallacy in Weisman’s numbers. A good number of his carries have come in short yardage. He has had a high success rate there (6 of 6 on fourth down attempts) and doesn’t get enough credit for it. If he makes it next season in the NFL, it will be as a fullback. He has no delusions. At Iowa, however, he is the primary running back. You could argue Iowa isn’t getting enough out of the position, Weisman or not. Junior Jordan Canzeri, Iowa’s most instinctive runner, has been hampered by injuries all season. If he’s healthy this week, he could breathe some life into it. Senior Damon Bullock’s role is strictly third down, passing back. A big part of Iowa’s success in this game is winning the line of scrimmage. If it can move the Terps’ D-line (not a given, not at all), Weisman/Canzeri can do some damage. The rushing numbers have edged up the last few weeks, but they’re far from optimum.

BSL: The Iowa defense has been stellar once again this season, ranking 19th in the country in points scored against them. Who are the defensive players that Terps fans should keep an eye on this week when Maryland has the ball?

Morehouse: Iowa’s defense is greater than the sum of its parts, but the star of the show is the defensive line. Tackles Carl Davis and Louis Trinca-Pasat are all-Big Ten caliber. Davis was all-Big Ten last season. Trinca-Pasat has put up more tackle numbers this year than in the previous two as a starter. Davis is a 6-5, 315-pound space-eater with a better-than-average first step. Trinca-Pasat needs to have a boulder dropped on him to kill his motor. Defensive end Drew Ott is a budding star. He’s among Big Ten leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. Opposing offenses aren’t running his way very often. In the secondary, cornerback Desmond King started 12 games last season as a true freshman and has picked up where he’s left off. He returned an interception for a TD last week. He’s a physical corner with really strong hands. He’s also a willing tackler.

BSL: This is Iowa’s first-ever trip to College Park, and the Terps are fresh off of a bye week after losing to #20 Ohio State at home two weeks ago. What do you believe will be the keys to winning this game for the Hawkeyes?

Morehouse: Iowa will have to keep Maryland’s big plays to a minimum. That’s an “of course, Iowa does” item, but look at last week. Iowa allowed three long TD runs and should foot the bill for defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s blood pressure meds this week. Maryland will notch a few big plays. The Terps wideouts are too good not to produce one or two bursts. Iowa’s best chance will be to minimize run after the catch and contain QB C.J. Brown. Iowa knows it has to force Maryland to string together 15-play drives rather than allowing the big play. Also, the Hawkeyes have to defend the perimeter. Teams have moved the sticks with quick plays off the edge. Offensively, Iowa has to win the line of scrimmage. It’s the burly Big Ten team and if the Hawkeyes want to be a factor in the West, it needs to make that work before November. This is Iowa’s final game before all-West Division border battles in the season’s final month.

Zack’s Keys to the Game

• Beat them with speed – Unlike Ohio State, the Hawkeyes want to beat the Terps with power. Maryland should have an advantage in the speed category. Getting to the edge of the defense with C.J. Brown, Brandon Ross, and the wide receivers has to be the biggest emphasis for Mike Locksley this week.
• Tackle, tackle, tackle – The Maryland defense is usually a very sound tackling team, but they faltered in a big way against Ohio State. Mark Weisman is going to be extremely tough to bring down, but Darius Kilgo and Cole Farrand must show their physicality this week.
• Lots of options – When you face a team with the interior defensive talent that Iowa has, option plays should be a central part of your offensive game-plan. Read options, speed options, triple options, and inverted veers should all be on full display this week. I’d also like to see Mike Locksley break out a few more counter runs to keep the Iowa defense on their toes.
• Get ready for Craddock – I fully expect this game to be a defensive battle which is won in the fourth quarter. I also expect Brad Craddock to get plenty of opportunities to prove that he is the best kicker in the country. He’ll need to be on his game on Saturday.