Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Hawk fan here. Don't know too much about MSU. Looking forward to the game.
On offense, we've got a Mackey Award finalist in TE TJ Hockenson. We had the best TE combo in college football, but Noah Fant has declared for the NFL draft and won't play.
Our receivers and runningbacks won't scare anyone. We finally got 100 yard games from a runningback (we have three, but none that would really be THE GUY at another school) in the final two games of the season. Both came from sophomore Mekhi Sargent, but those efforts were against Illinois and Nebraska, so the question still remains whether our run game got on track or we just played two poor defenses.
At receiver we have a possession guy in senior Nick Easley, a speedster in sophomore Ihmer Smith-Marsette, and a bigger all around guy in sophomore Brandon Smith (who's actually from Lake Cormorant). I think Smith and Smith-Marsette are going to be good ones as upper classmen, but in their first two seasons they've been hit and miss.
Offensive line has been Kirk Ferentz's specialty going back to his days in the 80's as Iowa's O-line coach. Our tackles are studs but Hawk fans have questioned our guards and centers. As I mentioned earlier, our run game has been sub par this season. The line is great in pass protection though, and our QB Nate Stanley has been sacked the fewest times of any Big Ten QB. This isn't a testament to his escapability, though. He's statuesque.
As far as offensive philosophy is concerned, we're a prostyle offense all the way. OC Brian Ferentz will want to grind clock and set up the pass with the run. Our QB will always audible to a run if he doesn't like what the defense gives him. It's been frustrating to watch our playcalling as most Hawk fans feel that we really haven't played to our strengths which is our tightends. For Iowa to move the ball, Hockenson will have to stretch the defense to open up the run and get our very average receivers open.
Defensively, we're extremely sound and have the NCAA's 7th best defense. Our line is dominant. Our 6'8 defensive end Anthony Nelson has been a sack machine down the stretch this season and backup 5 star DE AJ Epinesa is a pass rush specialist.
At linebacker, we're very average and we lack speed in the middle. LB is definitely our weak spot.
Secondary is DC Phil Parker's specialty and we've had the Big Ten's defensive back of the year 4 of the last 7 years. This year that man is strong safety Amani Hooker. Our corners are above average and I'm pretty sure (someone can correct me if I'm wrong) that we're in the top 5 in the NCAA in interceptions.
We'll rush 4 and drop 7 and our safeties very rarely let anything get behind them. We're as bend but don't break as it gets on defense. We'll make you dink and dunk us and try to force you into making mistakes.
We've got an above average place kicker in Miguel Recinos, but a very below average punter. Our kick and punt returners are great - Ihmer Smith Marsette won the Big Ten's returner of the year award. Our kick and punt coverage is above average as well.
Bottom line - if you can take TJ Hockenson away and make us throw at the sidelines, our very pedestrian run game will never get going. If your offense can take advantage of our lack of speed at linebacker, or if your QB can extend plays, you'll score lots of points.
Hey Flick, Shush ..... What are you doing down in here giving up our stuff !
Seriously, we congratulate you on your Outback Bowl bid and good luck in the game...ah not so much...
Sorry guys we get very few to talk around here. It's usually me talking to myself. LolThis board is dead... Hard to stir up a ruckus if nobody is here! :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: