What We Learned in Week 3

In my last installment, I mentioned that we would know much more about this Iowa team by the end of the day on Saturday. Well, we certainly did learn more about this team, and what we learned was that the rest of this year could be a good one.

Brick Wall. The most important thing we learned on Saturday was that this defense has the potential to be one of Norm Parker’s best. Arizona averaged 305 yards on the ground and Nick Grigsby was the second leading rusher in the country leading up to the Iowa game. Other than the long 58 yard run by Grigsby, the Iowa defense held Arizona to only 90 yards on the ground. Along with the impressive showing by the run defense, it is evident that one of the differences in this Norm Parker defense is the overall team speed on defense. One needs to look no further than the play Adrian Clayborn made when he came from the opposite of the field to chase Grigsby down on a stretch play. If the defense continues to shut down opponents’ ground game the way they did against Arizona, we are in for a fun ride.

Boomer. Mesko who? I mentioned to several people before the season started that Ryan Donahue had the potential to be 1st team All Big Ten. Well I made that statement forgetting that Zoltan Mesko was still at Michigan. Despite that fact, I am sticking with my prediction. Donahue has averaged 44.6 yards per punt while Mesko has averaged 42.2. Although Donahue and Mesko are currently ranked 4th and 6th, respectively, in the Big Ten, by the time the season is over, they will not only be at the top of the Big Ten but, mark my words, they will be finalists for the Ray Guy Award, which is given to the nation’s top punter.

Inconsistent 1st Half. Ricky Stanzi’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde act has at least been consistent thus far. (Quick: Is Jekyll or Hyde the bad one?). Jon Miller, publisher of HawkeyeNation.com, made a post after the Arizona game noting that in the first half of the first three games, Stanzi has a completion rate of 49.2% with an ugly efficiency rating of 93.09, while in the second half he has thrown for a completion rate of 73.3% and a 163.09 efficiency rating. I thought the use of high percentage passes would fix the problem, but Stanzi was very efficient on the first drive of the Arizona game, so that theory has now been debunked. Regardless of the solution, something needs to happen because Iowa’s success is dependant on his ability to take pressure off the Iowa running game.

Come to Penn State!!!. The Hawkeyes start out their Big Ten campaign this season at one of the most difficult venues in the entire country—Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley. Not only is the game in State College, but it is a nationally-televised night game, with a PSU declared “whiteout,” and the set of College Gameday on hand. During the week and leading up to the game you will hear the national pundits talk the “revenge” factor after Iowa’s 24-23 win last year. I am sure that Darryl Clark will throw more accurately than normal and that Evan Royster will be quicker than usually, because, you know, they are out for revenge. (Please note the sarcasm). I digress. Needless to say, it is going to be a great game and an even better atmosphere. When I mentioned that the game was nationally televised, I meant it. Everyone in the country who turns on their local ABC affiliate at 7 p.m. CST will be watching Iowa at Penn State.

Although you will have to wait for my prediction later in the week, know that some of Penn State’s weaknesses play into Iowa’s strengths and that Penn State has not been challenged at all this year.

Go Hawks!