Big Ten 2010 // Iowa Spring Field Guide

by Graham Filler on May 16, 2010 11:49 PM CDT in Iowa

The Big Ten was a fun conference to follow in 2009, mostly because of our top-level defenses. Here is another school that has shown killer instinct on the defensive side of the ball lately.

TENTH IN A SERIES: THE IOWA SPRING FIELD GUIDE

Iowa at a glance...

First Season: 1889
Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz (12th Year, 81-55, .596 winning percentage)
All-Time Record: 580-512-39 (.586)
2009 Record: 11-2 (6-2 Conference)

Offseason Cliff Notes...

In the comment section of this article, write the two word phrase which most aptly describes the 2009 Iowa Hawkeye defense. I personally will go with "controlled anger" and yes, I know some of you will write "pink panties" for the hell of it, but let's flash back quickly to the Orange Bowl. About 6 minutes into the game, two things appeared awfully clear: 1) Adrian Clayborn was an NFL-caliber player...playing against college kids and 2) this Iowa team was well coached, healthy, and far better than Georgia Tech. The Orange Bowl win capped a season which saw Iowa rise to their highest rank since Brad Banks was matriculating in Iowa City.

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With Pat Angerer, Amari Spievey, A.J. Edds, Brian Bulaga, and Tony Moeaki taking their skills to the next level, one might think the Hawkeyes are worried about repeating 2009's success. Wrong. I expect Iowa to push OSU for the Big Ten title.

My optimism runs high because Ferentz will roll out the Big Ten's best defensive line (all returning) and because Angry God Who Kills Iowa's Skill Players (or whatever) will have to take a year off in 2010 after exhausting himself in 2009. So what if Iowa is conservative on offense? Ricky Stanzi, Jewel Hampton (or whoever plays halfback), and Marvelous Marvin McNutt bring enough talent and experience to make the offense viably dangerous.

In the cupboard...

Total Returning Starters: 14 (7 Offense, 7 Defense)

Stanzi's presence, constant weird picks and all, is a key for this team. Iowa is going to wear you down with the run game, but there must be some fear of the passing game for teams not to stack the box. This will be even more of a key in 2010 with most of the O-Line departed. I love Ricky Stanzi and his picture perfect mechanics, head scratching picks, and ability to play well in clutch situations (see: first quarter of the Orange Bowl, game winning drive versus MSU, 4th quarter versus Indiana). I also love Marvin McNutt, whose big paws and amazing agility have made him a deep threat and red zone threat.

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As I discussed before, Iowa's front four is again the best in the Big Ten. Binns, Ballard, Klug, and the future first round draft pick Clayborn make this staid 4-3 a bitch to run or pass against. The Hawkeyes don't even need to blitz to create pressure on a quarterback or confuse offenses.

$60,000 Questions

1. Who's going to start at RB?

2. With all the crap that Iowa fans give to NW, will the Hawks be able to stop their two year losing streak?

3. Will offenses figure out the Hawkeye 4-3 or can we look forward to another record breaking stringy D?

The Road Ahead...

2010 Schedule

Date	Opponent
9/04/2010	Eastern Illinois
9/11/2010	Iowa State
9/18/2010	@Arizona
9/25/2010	Ball State
10/02/2010	Penn State
10/16/2010	@Michigan
10/23/2010	Wisconsin
10/30/2010	MSU
11/06/2010	@Indiana
11/13//2010	@NW
11/20/2010	Ohio State
11/27/2010	@Minnesota

Home: PSU, OSU, Wisky. Advantage...Iowa.

I realize life and football depend on little tendons and muscles which can fail miserably. Failure is just a snap or tweak away. Iowa COULD struggle against an inspired Michigan team in the Big House. Iowa COULD fall behind an experienced and talented Wisconsin team whose style of play mirrors Iowa pretty closely. Northwestern COULD further exacerbate the jNW hate by winning at Ryan Field. But at least we know the percentages seem to be on the Hawkeye's side. A Ricky Stanzi injury doesn't carry the instantly bad consequences that it did last year, thanks to the talented Mr. James VanDenberg. An early OSU score won't carry as much weight in Kinnick as it would in Columbus.

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This week...

MONDAY: Spring Field Guide

TUESDAY: Achilles Heel

WEDNESDAY: Greatest Strength

THURSDAY: MVP Profile

FRIDAY: Keeping the Enemy Close

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Comments

I guess my main point is that Iowa 2010 seems to be a perfect marriage between an offense that knows its limitations and a defense that knows its outstanding potential. things just feel right, especially with that favorable schedule.

The Rivalry, Esq.

by Graham Filler on May 17, 2010 12:04 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

This is going to be it.

I can just feel us riding undefeated into Kinnick, with you guys being undefeated as well. It’s going to be a HELL of a game if we both are, and I would love to see it.

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by Ian_InsideTheShoe on May 17, 2010 5:46 AM CDT reply actions

Good God Hawkeye nation hopes so!

We would love to have a Big Ten throw-down in Kinnick at the end of the year. Have to figure if it plays out according to plan we would both be top 5 and all the superlatives and implications that come with it.

Adrian Clayborn is strong enough to pull the ears off a Gundark

by The Bacon Explosion on May 17, 2010 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Its going to be an interesting year.

Tigers love pepper... they hate cinnamon.

by White Lightning on May 17, 2010 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Er, I don't know.

I was at the last game at Kinnick when both were highly ranked. As I recall, it served as an unofficial highlight reel for Anthony Gonzalez and Troy Smith.

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on May 17, 2010 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

Hell, I’ll take it, but this time with TP and Sanz. Of course, everyone already knows, TP+DP=TD

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by Ian_InsideTheShoe on May 17, 2010 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions

That game may be the sole reason Anthony Gonzalez went in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Just kidding, AG was utterly ridiculous. The dropoff from 06 to 07 (Smith to Boeckman, TGJr and AG to BRobiskie and DSanzen) was quite significant.

Chris Wells provided all the ammunition the Buckeyes needed.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 17, 2010 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Do you remember when he actually ran sideways across the field?

I melted down in the student section after that one.

A Voice From Kinnick - A Hawkeye Blog

by mikjones24 on May 17, 2010 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I actually do remember that significant play.

It was magically delicious.

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by Ian_InsideTheShoe on May 18, 2010 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions

It was nightmarish

and I was able to watch it perfectly unfold from my seats high above the endzone.

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on May 19, 2010 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Don't even get us thinking like that...

…BUT, it would be a beautifull thing to hear tWWL talking about possibly holding a rematch during bowl time (like they were with OSU/Mich a few years ago).
Ugh. Too many factors. I can’t think like that. We have to get past Arizona in the desert first (not to mention little brother to our west). It’s a long schedule.
I now want to hit myself in the head until the last week in August. That way I won’t remember the wait and how excruciating it is (has been).

by Eyeheartfreedumb on May 27, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Just remember, even if that happens

The winner of the game is no lock for the BCS title game. They’ve both got fierce rivalry games the next week.

Just kidding, the following week has Michigan at OSU and Iowa at Minnesota, so both teams will have the majority of the crowd cheering for them, while facing a bad-to-marginally-okay team.

by cbrett42 on May 17, 2010 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

That actually made me laugh out loud.

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by Ian_InsideTheShoe on May 17, 2010 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

It'll be tough for Iowa to be undefeated when they play Ohio State....

…since they play Northwestern the week before.

Just kidding. Kind of. I’m a Northwestern fan, and nothing gives me more pride than our recent success against Iowa.

That being said, I have no expectations that we can win a 3rd straight time against the Hawkeyes….you’ll be jacked up for the game, your fans will probably outnumber the NU faithful (I go to all the home games and buy extra tickets to bring friends, so don’t give me crap about our attendance since I’m doing my part), you won’t be playing at Kinnick (where Northwestern has inexplicably dominated in recent history, winning 3 straight I think), Iowa has an incredibly talented defense, Ferentz seemingly finds All-Big-Ten O-linemen at will, and I doubt Northwestern can knock out a key Iowa offensive contributor from a game for the third year in a row.

Still, while I doubt its likely, there still is a slight chance that “just Northwestern” gets overlooked a bit, particularly if Iowa is undefeated and eyeing that matchup against Ohio State the following week….right?

(Yes, this is me talking myself into Northwestern beating Iowa again…)

by Chadnudj on May 17, 2010 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

"Nothing gives me more pride than our recent success against Iowa."

Did he just complement us? Thanks.
Still, we aren’t losing that game. I want to go, just so we can “lake the posts” while I strike a Fitz pose (screaming, arms raised… you know the one).

by Eyeheartfreedumb on May 27, 2010 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Two Words for the Defense?

Iowa Hawkeye Pride.

http://www.rivalryesq.com/

"Bama Hawkeye, you know, the Iowa blogger who actually uses reason and analysis." - Hawkeye State

by Bama Hawkeye on May 17, 2010 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 16 recs

I wish I could "rec" this more than once

by cbrett42 on May 17, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions

That was the greatest ESPN spoof I saw throughout college

Nothing like playing to the stereotypes, and then making it hilarious.

They took the bar, the whole fucking bar!

by recoveringfratguy on May 17, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

No wait... Three words.

Hawkeye Pride.

by KinnickNorthHawk on Jun 8, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions

81-55 works out to .596 win percentage

by HawkeyeRecon on May 17, 2010 9:37 AM CDT reply actions

lemme go change that

Math.

The Rivalry, Esq.

by Graham Filler on May 17, 2010 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

"The Hawkeyes don't even need to blitz to create pressure on a quarterback or confuse offenses."

This is what I love about this line. They are not only powerful and relentless, they play with great instinct and tremendous resourcefulness. They know when to get their arms up and disrupt passes and have a penchant for never giving up on a play a la Clayborn running Nic Grigsby down from behind.

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on May 17, 2010 1:14 PM CDT reply actions

Another thing

Will offenses figure out the Hawkeye 4-3

What’s beautiful about Parker’s defenses is that the opponents don’t have anything to figure out; it’s a 4-3 defense. You’re either better than them or not, gimmickry need not be introduced.

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on May 17, 2010 1:16 PM CDT reply actions

I think that the strength of Wisconsin's O line and Iowa's front four has really decided the series.

2007: Iowa comes into town, Wisconsin beats Iowa the old fashioned way: RUN IT UP THE MIDDLE EVERY TIME.
2008: Iowa takes it to a Wisconsin offensive line missing at least two starters. Wisconsin’s out of the game by the end of the first half.
2009: Wisconsin gets good runs early, culminating in a Montee Ball TD run, sadly, Scott Tolzien puts together his worst day as Wisconsin’s QB, and Wisconsin does NOT get a Rick 6. Wisconsin gets handed a slap in the face on homecoming (but Iowa does that all the time).

In all, when Iowa’s front four gets trashed, Iowa gets trashed too. 2006-2007 proved that…

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 17, 2010 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

If Clay hadn't gotten hurt last year

it may have been different. He was a beast early.

It never gets to be easy

by chitownhawkeye on May 17, 2010 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't remind me.

Lest you add fresh fuel to my ~~hatred~~ dislike of Iowa.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 17, 2010 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Hold on there.

2008: Iowa takes it to a Wisconsin offensive line missing at least two starters.

Do I get to add that in ’07 Iowa lost Andy Brodell andTony Moeaki in the first quarter and was already playing without the (rightfully) suspended Dominique Douglass?

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on May 18, 2010 5:56 AM CDT up reply actions

What a pity; Moeaki wasn't as much of a factor in 07 as he was in 09. He couldn't save that Iowa team (heck, nobody could the way Christensen tossed away games in 07)

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 18, 2010 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

We all know that JC6 thought the ground 6 yards away hand better hands than any of his receivers.

"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me

by BStylin Hawkye on May 18, 2010 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Kyle, you can HAVE Moeaki in 07 for all I care. In exchange, Iowa loses him after the first quarter in 09. Deal?

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 18, 2010 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions

You mean you want

McNutt to have beaten you? Well, alright. Does your coach still pull Tolzien after his most successful drive?

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on May 19, 2010 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Oh, the 2008 Wisconsin-Iowa game was unsalvagable after the first half.

Iowa truly defined what it means to WIN a game that day.

No, I’m not being sarcastic. Tolzien threw 3 INTs against Iowa in 2009, and I wouldn’t say he was successful…

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 19, 2010 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Holy Cr@p, Iowa opens AT Michigan?

Unfortunate history: The only teams Michigan has lost to in its Big Ten home opener is: Wisconsin and Northwestern.

Michigan’s Big Ten home opener is the ONE game of the year they have consistently won of late. I hope Iowa can break Michigan’s home opening tradition (Better yet, make it even more gut wrenching, try three overtimes), but I wouldn’t pin my hopes on it.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 17, 2010 5:16 PM CDT reply actions