The Match Ups

All right I know it is a little late, but better late than never. Here is my take on the match up for tomorrow's game. These are strictly opinions and most of them are based on one game's worth of watching ISU and some research of ISU's current coaching staff.



Tom Herman (ISU OC) V. Norm Parker (IOWA DC) Although some would paint this as a chess master vs. a checkers player I have come around to Norm's way of thinking. You certainly can't argue with the results. Herman has run some pretty high flying offenses and put up very guady #s at his last stop for the Rice Owls. ISU played things pretty close to the vest v. NDSU showing very little formationally and running only one trick play. Norm tends to run pretty basic defenses whether its Cover 2 or Cover 3, the only thing that tends to vary is if he stunts with the defensive line. The key to this match up in my opinion is for Iowa to be able to stop the run early without bringing a safety into the box. They must tackle extremely well and play fundamental and intelligent assignment based with the front seven and Greenwood and Sash cannot get sucked in on play- action early. I expect ISU to test Castillo the RCB early and often and the spread is designed to nullify the advantage Iowa's Dline would seem to possess over ISU's Oline. Norm has also been more flexible with his schemes the last two seasons playing more nickel and dime and this would be a good week to break that out. There is no rule that you can't use an extra defensive back on the first two downs.
Spud's Spin I am going to give the edge to Norm here. Iowa has been fairly succesful against spread team's recently. As long as the offense doesn't put the D in terrible spots I think the Td streak extends at least until the second half.

Wally Burnham (ISU DC) Vs. KOK (there should be no O in it) You know who KOK is. My all time favorite coach. The most prepared, best clock manager, time out conserver, game planner, and all around user of talent to ever grace the sidelines (and not the coaching box like a good O- coodinator). This probably isn't even close. Burnham helped former Hawk Jim Leavitt turn the University of South Florida from a Division IAA school into a power in the Big Least. He wants to run an attacking style 4-3 style of defense but I am not sure he has the horses yet. However I am pretty sure he will have a pretty good gameplan in place for Iowa. Chizik and company outcoached 'Keefe in 2007 the last time we visited Ames and McCarney had left them very little talent to work with.
Spud's Spin Uh Burnham you think?

Tony Moeaki Vs. ISU's LBs, Safeties, and Iowa's training staff. ISU has no shot at stopping Moeaki in the passing game. They can't cover him man to man and it is tough to keep track of a tight end in zone coverage. He is probably bigger and stronger than both of ISU D-ends also so he could be a huge factor in the running game if we attack the edges like I expect us too. However Iowa's training staff owns Moeaki with victories over him every season except his true freshman season.
Spud's Spin After Iowa lost Bulaga earlier this week this is one player they absolutely cannot afford to lose. If the training staff wins so does ISU.

A.J. Edds and Jeremiha Hunter Vs. ISU's Slot receivers Edd's and Hunter are going to see a lot of 5 wide on Saturday. They need to try to get their hands on them and disrupt their routes to throw off the timing and give the D-line a chance to pressure Arnaud. They also need to tackle everything in front of them. No missed tackles.
Spud's Spin This is a no win situation for Hunter. Edds is used to doing this and is athletic enough to cover many wide outs. Hunter isn't as good in space and could be exposed.

Rafael Eubanks Vs. Air. I would like to see Eubanks make contact with somebody at least 70% of the time this week. I don't know the exact percentage of times Eubanks didn't touch anyone against UNI but it was close to 40% lets aim for a 10% increase in productivity this week against an inferior defense.
Spud's Spin I know I am being hard on Eubanks but I think he has a ton of potential. I would love to see him live up to it. Hit somebody.

Jeff Brinson and Brandon Wegher Vs. Lester Erb. Apparently Erb isn't a good coach or these guys are really dumb. But it is kind of funny how our reciever play has drastically improved since we moved Erb to running backs coach. Start giving the most talented guys a chance. If they don't see the field you'll never know. Experience is always the best teacher. If you can't teach them how to block in KOK's offense you are in the wrong level of coaching.
Spud's Spin I am hoping that Saturday is the debut of Brinson whom Ferentz has repeatedly raved about. Robinson can't do it all by himself. The line wasn't as bad as I thought it was initially the backs needed to make a guy miss or show better vision. They left a lot of yards out there especially in the first half.

Iowa Vs. ISU I see this game going one of two ways. It could be a punt fest as both offenses struggle to establish a rhythm. It will then be decided by the team that is more composed and executes its gameplan better and avoids the big mistake. Unfortunately for Iowa that is not them on the road. In that scenario I would pick ISU with a score of 17- 13. But that isn't how I see things happening.
Spud's spin The team that scores the first touchdown is going to win this game. ISU hasn't scored a touchdown against Iowa for 10 quarters. I think that streak will extend for four more. I see Iowa's run game getting on track even with the loss of Bulaga. If Iowa was ever going to come into Ames pissed off and ready to play now would be the time. Spread Offenses don't scare me like they used to. There is no Regis Benn or James Hardy on ISU's roster, no Tyrell Sutton in ISU's backfield and as much respect as I have for Rhoad's it is his second game as head coach. He will make some mistakes. Ferentz and company will take advantage of them. I think Iowa will show a lot of 3 receiver formation tomorrow and run out of it negating some of ISU's pressure game. Iowa executed a very nice 3 step drop passing game early and late against UNI, and I think we will see a lot of that tomorrow also. Final score Iowa 31 ISU 9. I know I am a homer. EAT IT CLONES