Let's freakin' talk Iowa, eh?
Is it OK to talk about the football game yet? Ryan Suchomel, sports editor of the Iowa City Press-Citizen, was kind enough to answer some questions:
* This Iowa defense has lived up to its billing for most of the season, it seems, but Wisconsin got the better of it. What were the Hawkeyes' biggest problems in that game?
"The defense gave up some long, clock-killing drives to Wisconsin, including the final drive. Iowa is beat up at linebacker a little bit, and teams are taking advantage of the soft underneath passing game. Iowa has always had a bend-but-don't break defensive philosophy. It relies on tackling well, and killing drives with a big pass break-up or a sack. The latter two things haven't happened as much. The D-line continues to be a strength, but maybe not the elite unit they hoped to have. ... Of course, special teams mistakes set up two of the touchdowns last week."
* Is the chemistry on this team different at all from last season? Are any of the 2009 departures especially missed in that regard?
"I didn't think the defense would miss a step without cornerback Amari Spievey, and linebackers A.J. Edds and Pat Angerer, all NFL draft picks, but it is clear the Hawkeyes do miss them. Angerer and Edds, especially, were leaders on the defense."
* Ricky Stanzi really seems to be playing at a high, mistake-free level. What has he done to eliminate the mistakes he made at times last season?
"I think it's just maturity. He has become more of a Tom Brady passer than a Brett Favre. He doesn't force too many passes into tight coverage. On the flip side, in an effort not to throw interceptions, sometimes he checks down too quickly or gives up a sack."
* How long do you think Kirk Ferentz coaches? Do you think he'd ever look seriously at the NFL or another college job?
"He signed his extention through 2020 before the season. That's not going to deter an NFL team, of course, and I just heard a rumor today about the Dallas job. Of course he's 55 years old, so if he's going to make a jump, realistically, it has to be soon. I think he's curious about the NFL, but its also hard to beat his current situation. The fans here love him, and most are mature enough to know how hard it is to win consistently at Iowa. Some think his Top 5 salary should come with a Top 5 finish every year, but his job would not be in jeopardy unless he strung together several season bad seasons. Some Iowa fans are worried about the Penn State job, if it ever opens up, since that's his home state. "
* Why can't we get any DJK quotes?
"DJK is a diva receiver, and Kirk Ferentz is the opposite of diva. He's about as lunchbox as you get. He's also from the Bill Belichick school of controlling the message (and almost every aspect of the program he can). Ferentz found in the past that DJK can't be controlled. He's a very forthright player and he's going to tell you what he thinks even if it doesn't toe the company line. So Ferentz just banned him from talking to the media."
* What do you see as the keys to Saturday's game (and give a prediction if you will)?
"I think its going to be another classic battle between these two schools and will probably come down to one or two plays. Iowa hasn't lost two in a row at home for a couple years, but MSU is having a special season, the kind Iowa had last year before Stanzi got hurt. Offensively, MSU can't allow itself to become one-dimensional. It has to keep running even if Iowa stuffs it early. The Iowa offense is more explosive than the one that played in East Lansing last year and the Hawkeyes are going to need to go over the top once or twice to open up room underneath for Adam Robinson. There will be a lot of emotion for Kirk Cousins, too, so his play is going to be crucial. And Iowa HAS TO fix their problems on special teams. I'm very curious how Vegas has Iowa almost a touchdown favorite, but I'm going to be a homer and call Iowa 21-17."
"The defense gave up some long, clock-killing drives to Wisconsin, including the final drive. Iowa is beat up at linebacker a little bit, and teams are taking advantage of the soft underneath passing game. Iowa has always had a bend-but-don't break defensive philosophy. It relies on tackling well, and killing drives with a big pass break-up or a sack. The latter two things haven't happened as much. The D-line continues to be a strength, but maybe not the elite unit they hoped to have. ... Of course, special teams mistakes set up two of the touchdowns last week."
* Is the chemistry on this team different at all from last season? Are any of the 2009 departures especially missed in that regard?
"I didn't think the defense would miss a step without cornerback Amari Spievey, and linebackers A.J. Edds and Pat Angerer, all NFL draft picks, but it is clear the Hawkeyes do miss them. Angerer and Edds, especially, were leaders on the defense."
* Ricky Stanzi really seems to be playing at a high, mistake-free level. What has he done to eliminate the mistakes he made at times last season?
"I think it's just maturity. He has become more of a Tom Brady passer than a Brett Favre. He doesn't force too many passes into tight coverage. On the flip side, in an effort not to throw interceptions, sometimes he checks down too quickly or gives up a sack."
* How long do you think Kirk Ferentz coaches? Do you think he'd ever look seriously at the NFL or another college job?
"He signed his extention through 2020 before the season. That's not going to deter an NFL team, of course, and I just heard a rumor today about the Dallas job. Of course he's 55 years old, so if he's going to make a jump, realistically, it has to be soon. I think he's curious about the NFL, but its also hard to beat his current situation. The fans here love him, and most are mature enough to know how hard it is to win consistently at Iowa. Some think his Top 5 salary should come with a Top 5 finish every year, but his job would not be in jeopardy unless he strung together several season bad seasons. Some Iowa fans are worried about the Penn State job, if it ever opens up, since that's his home state. "
* Why can't we get any DJK quotes?
"DJK is a diva receiver, and Kirk Ferentz is the opposite of diva. He's about as lunchbox as you get. He's also from the Bill Belichick school of controlling the message (and almost every aspect of the program he can). Ferentz found in the past that DJK can't be controlled. He's a very forthright player and he's going to tell you what he thinks even if it doesn't toe the company line. So Ferentz just banned him from talking to the media."
* What do you see as the keys to Saturday's game (and give a prediction if you will)?
"I think its going to be another classic battle between these two schools and will probably come down to one or two plays. Iowa hasn't lost two in a row at home for a couple years, but MSU is having a special season, the kind Iowa had last year before Stanzi got hurt. Offensively, MSU can't allow itself to become one-dimensional. It has to keep running even if Iowa stuffs it early. The Iowa offense is more explosive than the one that played in East Lansing last year and the Hawkeyes are going to need to go over the top once or twice to open up room underneath for Adam Robinson. There will be a lot of emotion for Kirk Cousins, too, so his play is going to be crucial. And Iowa HAS TO fix their problems on special teams. I'm very curious how Vegas has Iowa almost a touchdown favorite, but I'm going to be a homer and call Iowa 21-17."
Thanks to Ryan for the insights. And before a certain first-grader's Halloween parade and the drive through corn fields yonder, here is the weekly video discussion, some great news with longtime MSU assistant Norm Parker returning to the Hawkeyes, and we can't forget hoops -- Alex Gauna is motivated to show people in Eaton Rapids that he can make it at MSU.
