Behind Enemy Lines
The Iowa Hawkeyes are next up on the docket for Middle Tennessee State.
The Hawkeyes are a heavy favorite and will face MTSU Saturday at 11 (CT) on ESPN 2.
I gave my thoughts on the game to the Iowa Rivals, and they have returned the favor.
Tom Kakert is the publisher for the Hawkeye Report, and he has shared his insight when it comes to the Hawkeyes.
1. Iowa is off to a 3-0 start in 2019. What’s the overall view of the Hawkeyes start to the season?
TK: Iowa is off to a very good start this season. They were strong in the first two games, allowing just 14 points to Miami (OH) and Rutgers. Then they went on the road and pulled out a one point win over a good Iowa State team in a wild game that included two long weather delays.Iowa’s offense is averaging nearly 30 points a game.
A big focus was running the football better this year and they are doing that, averaging over 170 per game on the ground. The passing game has been solid so far this year as well. On defense, Iowa has been good against the run. They are among the best in the Big Ten once again this year and the pass defense has been ok despite a lot of injuries in the secondary with two starters currently sidelined.
2. Hawkeye quarterback Nate Stanley is off to a good start to his senior season. What does he do well as a quarterback and where does he struggle?
TK: Stanley is sort of out of central casting if you are looking for the traditional pro style quarterback. He’s a big strong quarterback with a big arm. He’s completing nearly 65% of his passes, which is an improvement over his first two years as a starter, and he has six touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
One thing he has shown this year that he hasn’t done previously is running the ball more effectively in designed plays. Stanley had two very nice and key runs in the opening game and two more against Iowa State that helped the Hawkeyes pull out a tight win.
If there’s a knock on Stanley it’s his down the field accuracy. He’s always kind of struggled with the deep ball and tends to over shoot his target. He did hit a 58 yarder early against Rutgers and in the last game he made probably the best throw of his Iowa career in a 3rd and 22 situation for a 27 yard gain.
3. Who else on the offensive side of the ball should Blue Raiders fans be aware of from Iowa?
TK: It really starts with Iowa’s offensive line. That’s the basis of any Kirk Ferentz led team. The player to watch up front is Tristan Wirfs. He’s a massive offensive tackle and probably a first round pick in the NFL Draft in the spring if he decides to leave school early. At running back, Iowa has kind of a four headed monster in the backfield.
The leading rusher and main back is Mekhi Sargent. He’s on the smaller side, but runs hard and always seems to find a way to make positive yardage. Sargent is also great catching the ball out of the backfield. Other backs to watch are Toren Young, who is a big power runner, Ivory Kelly-Martin, who is a shifty back, and freshman Tyler Goodson, who has a load of potential.
At receiver, Iowa has gone from being tight end dominated last year to wide receiver dominated this year. The top wide receiver is Ihmir Smith-Marsette. He’s a very dynamic playmaker down the field. Brandon Smith is a big powerful athlete at receiver who can go up and make a play. I’d also keep an eye on slot receivers Nico Ragaini and Tyrone Tracy.
4. What does Iowa run on the defensive side of the ball and who are the players to watch on that side of the ball?
TK: Coming into the season most believed that Iowa wanted to run a 4-2-5 alignment. They switched to that last year in the middle of the year with now Tennessee Titan Amani Hooker running as their “Cash” position player.
This season due to injuries and some performance issues, Iowa has gone back to the more traditional 4-3 look. The top player to watch is A.J. Epenesa. He’s a preseason All American who had 10.5 sacks last year as a non-starter. Defensive tackle Cedrick Lattimore is also having a strong senior year and Chauncy Golston is a player to watch opposite Epenesa at defensive end.
In the defensive backfield the two players to watch will be safety Geno Stone and cornerback Michael Ojemudia. Thus far this season, Ojemudia has a pair of interceptions.
5. Iowa is more than a three touchdown favorite in this game. Both teams are coming off a bye. What are you expecting on Saturday afternoon?
TK: On the surface I think that this could be a bit of a trap game for Iowa. They are coming a bye and they travel to Michigan for a huge game next weekend. But, Kirk Ferentz preaches a one game at a time approach and the players really embrace it, so I don’t see this as a trap game.
I think the Iowa players have their full attention on Middle simple because they played a pretty tough game at Michigan to open the season. I expect the first half to be a grind for the Hawkeye where they try to establish their run game and then in the second half they pull away for a comfortable win.