Anyone watch this game? A few things stood out to me, and it was extremely refreshing.
A) Both teams are run heavy. They run the ball on first and second down, and they do it well. There isn't any RPO action going on.
B) Both have great defenses. Not only that, but they are both fundamentally sound. They don't miss tackles. They don't blow assignments. They are playing great defense at all times. It's tough to move the ball against these teams.
C) Special Teams - both teams have a great special teams unit. Iowa did screw up on one punt and the kick blocking accidentally touched the punt (Wisconsin recovered). The punters weren't great, but it was great situational punting. They don't go for it on fourth down in toss up spots, they punt the ball in pin teams deep in their own territory - mainly because they have the defense to rely on.
D) Offensive Breakdown - 45 total pass attemtps - 75 total rush attempts. Both teams combined. Nowadays, we see 45 pass attempts per team at a min.
I miss this type of football. Good defense and a good running attack. I look at that Iowa program and wonder how they do it. Their stadium is electric. They had a packed house on prim time and those fans breathe Iowa football. They haven't been overly successful recently either. They're respectable, but they aren't great. They also live in the middle of a cornfield. I don't get it, but I'm very jealous of that type of program.
A) Both teams are run heavy. They run the ball on first and second down, and they do it well. There isn't any RPO action going on.
B) Both have great defenses. Not only that, but they are both fundamentally sound. They don't miss tackles. They don't blow assignments. They are playing great defense at all times. It's tough to move the ball against these teams.
C) Special Teams - both teams have a great special teams unit. Iowa did screw up on one punt and the kick blocking accidentally touched the punt (Wisconsin recovered). The punters weren't great, but it was great situational punting. They don't go for it on fourth down in toss up spots, they punt the ball in pin teams deep in their own territory - mainly because they have the defense to rely on.
D) Offensive Breakdown - 45 total pass attemtps - 75 total rush attempts. Both teams combined. Nowadays, we see 45 pass attempts per team at a min.
I miss this type of football. Good defense and a good running attack. I look at that Iowa program and wonder how they do it. Their stadium is electric. They had a packed house on prim time and those fans breathe Iowa football. They haven't been overly successful recently either. They're respectable, but they aren't great. They also live in the middle of a cornfield. I don't get it, but I'm very jealous of that type of program.
