B1G 2011 // Is It Time to Change the Iowa Defense?

I vote no.

What will happen to Prater’s 10 yard cushions where he practically begs the opposing offense to throw slants/hitch routes (See MSU game 2010)?

[ends sarcasm]

I’m siding with the counterpoint view. The easy argument the past couple of years has been to crucify Iowa’s defensive strategy and allege it cannot handle spread attacks because of the slot receiver/linebacker matchups. But which team scored the most points against Iowa’s defense last year? Wisconsin and its pro-style attack (yes, I realize Arizona scored 34 points against Iowa last year, but 21 of them were the result of turnovers or special team meltdowns).

Iowa has faired pretty well against spread teams the past couple years. Nwestern, even though it beat Iowa the past two years, scored 17 and 21 against the Hawkeyes. Iowa State’s struggles have been well documented against Iowa. Iowa has shut down Michigan State’s spread-hybrid offense the past two years (16 points in two combined games). Ohio State’s spread-hybrid has only averaged 24 points the past two years against Iowa (with one game being extended through overtime). Even Blaine Gabbert, who no doubt had to ice his arm after the Insight Bowl as a result of throwing for over 400 yards, only managed to put up 24 points.

An argument can be made that Iowa’s often coined “bend-but-don’t-break” style will be better this year based upon the upgrade of athleticism at OLB/nickel, and thus, the system doesn’t need to change. The defense will improve because of the system — not because of a change in the system. God bless the Mike Humpals/Mike Klinkenborgs/Troy Johnsons of the world, but those players lacked the athleticsm to effectively run Parker’s scheme and teams exploited the weakness. Hopefully that weakness will be eliminated, or at the very least, minimized.

Iowa’s defensive strategy shouldn’t change. The cornerbacks will continue to funnel all action toward the middle of the field. The OLBs will have to continue to be sure tacklers. And Iowa will continue to employ its safeties over the top to pick off overthrows and tipped balls (Tyler Sash should kiss Norm Parker every week he receives a paycheck from the NY Giants as Parker’s system put Sash in the position to intercept a ton of balls, and thus, lead to Sash being drafted).

There is one aspect of Iowa’s defense that does need to change. It’s the white elephant in the room that no Iowa fan likes to talk about — defensive line play. As glorious as the d-line played in 2009, they were that underwhelming in 2010. If I ever see Adrian Clayborn at a bar, I will most definitely buy him as many drinks as he likes in appreciation for his 2009 performance (and I will probably buy him dinner for his punt block against Penn State that won the game for Iowa in Happy Valley), but we will not bring up 2010 at all. Clayborn being named All-American in 2010 was akin to the Lifetime Achievement Award. He did not deserve said accolade based upon his performance. The entire line (except for Beast Daniels) failed to apply consistent pressure on the opposing QB, and if you are not going to blitz like Iowa is prone to do, the failure to provide d-line heat is going to allow any opposing QB to have plenty of time to pick apart the defense except for Austen Arnaud (oh, how I am going to miss you, Austen).

Kirk Ferentz knows the defensive philosphy is sound. So does Norm Parker. It just comes down to execution. Specifically, from the defensive line. If this year’s defensive line can perform similar to Iowa’s 2004 and 2009 line, an 8 or 9 win season is probable. If not, Iowa is staring at 7-5.