When you think of Iowa football, one of the first things that comes to mind is the offensive line. Success has been predicated on the boys up front for the Hawkeyes for years under the Kirk Ferentz regime.
Ferentz aims to play complementary football. This is where the offense and defense play in a way that supports one another, making each unit stronger to win games. The opposing team cannot score without the ball.
Ferentz has always been about running the football, controlling the line of scrimmage, and keeping the clock and chains moving with extended drives. Make it so that the opposition has to take more risks and play a perfect game, playing right into your strong defense’s hands.
For years, this has been a winning formula.
Unfortunately, though, it has lost a bit of its magic in recent years. Sure, Iowa has still been winning games, but it’s clear to anyone watching the games that it is not complementary football.
Phil Parker’s defense now has the task of bailing out the offense, depending on LeVar Woods’ special teams unit to help produce points just as much as the offense.
A large part of this hasn’t been simply a talent gap at the skill positions, but Iowa’s offensive line play being a shadow of its former self over the past few seasons. Both the eye test, as well as Iowa’s overall rushing stats, really paint this picture.
Iowa will have downs where the offensive line looks overmatched, and then there will be plays where everything comes together and a big run is sparked. They’re inconsistent, with the low points shadowing over the highs.
Entering 2024, it’s hard to gauge just where Iowa’s offensive line stacks up against the rest of the Big Ten. Cody Nagel of 247Sports gives them a more-than-fair slotting at No. 10 in his Big Ten offensive line unit rankings.
Injuries, schemes, and quarterback…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/247sports-shares-iowa-football-big-003058201.html
Author : Hawkeyes Wire
Publish date : 2024-06-23 00:30:58
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