Maryland (2-2, 4-3) at #19 Iowa (3-1, 6-1) Post Game

[Anonymous Coward]

Could be. However, if Canada doesn't stick around at UMd, I do expect him to blossom elsewhere. His track record is one of the best.

[ELA]

Iowa's is too. If the season ended today, Iowa would have a great argument for second best in the conference (clustered with PSU and MSU). Right?

Per Connolly, include Minnesota in that group.  All four are between 16 and 23 nationally, then drop to #41 OSU

[ELA]

Maryland Terrapins (2-1, 4-2) at #19 Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1, 5-1)

NOON - Iowa City, IA - espn2

These aren't your older brother's Hawkeyes.  Remember "Talk to Your Kids About Undefeated Iowa?"  Even the strongest Iowa deniers can't deny this team, in fact the pollsters are holding them down more than most of the metrics are.  They are #19 in the AP Poll, but the Massey composite computer ranking has them #12, Sagarin says they are top 10.  Wisconsin's loss in Ann Arbor last week re-opened the door for the Hawkeyes to get another crack at a Big Ten championship in Indianapolis, after that 2015 team fell seconds short.  Their defense has been in the running all year to be the conference's second best, but since that Wisconsin game, the offense has been close on it's heels.  Nate Stanley exploded last week in a rout of the Hoosiers, with 320 yards and 6 touchdowns, giving him 12 in Big Ten play, second only to Dwayne Haskins, and Stanley is doing it in an offense averaging just under 32 pass attempts per game.  However it's averaging 9.4 yards per attempt, best in the conference.  Like I said, not your older brother's Iowa.  Can he repeat that against a Maryland defense that has also been surprisingly stout against the pass?  First the stats, then the caveat.  The Terps are allowing a conference best 46.8% opponents completion percentage, with a conference high 8 interceptions, while ranking #2 in yards per attempt (6.1), yards per game (157.0) and opponents passer rating.  The caveat.  Did you see Rutgers' stat line last Saturday.  When you've played 2 of your 3 games against the worst two passing offenses in the conference, that helps things.  Or is it Maryland making them look that bad?  This week will go a long way towards sorting that out.  Maryland has had their own passing woes, and while they did tally 3 passing touchdowns last week it was (a) against Rutgers and and (b) on a day where overall they were still just 9-20 (45%) for 85 yards (4.3 ypa), but with 3 touchdowns.  Two of the touchdowns were from outside the red zone too, which really makes that yards per attempt look ugly.  Ty Johnson and Anthony McFarland did what they always do, put up silly numbers on limited carries.  They are going to find it much tougher sledding against an Iowa defense that is more susceptible through the air than on the ground.  Matt Canada isn't going to ask Kasim Hill to beat Iowa throwing the ball, he isn't going to throw for 250 yards, but it's that completion percentage that needs to climb for Maryland to pull the upset.  He needs to pick up some 3rd and 6s, and give those backs another shot at breaking their chunk plays.   The Terps are averaging a horribly low 14.0 first downs per game, worst in the Big Ten, third worst nationally.  Their offense is all boom or bust, a huge touchdown run, or a three and out.

IOWA 34, MARYLAND 24

[Hawkinole]

We have been reading all week about what a great running game Maryland operates.

Iowa Tight Ends Noah Fant and T.J. Hockensen, shared the Mackey Tight End of the Week Award for their performance against Indiana. First time ever tight ends from same team shared the award. One had 107 yards receiving, the other 102 yards receiving. A bit difficult to distinguish which was the more outstanding performance, receiving wise. And, Stanley was Davey O'Brien QB of the week. 

Hope it doesn't go to their heads. This is a new week, and a new opponent.

[mcwterps1]

We have been reading all week about what a great running game Maryland operates.

Iowa Tight Ends Noah Fant and T.J. Hockensen, shared the Mackey Tight End of the Week Award for their performance against Indiana. First time ever tight ends from same team shared the award. One had 107 yards receiving, the other 102 yards receiving. A bit difficult to distinguish which was the more outstanding performance, receiving wise. And, Stanley was Davey O'Brien QB of the week.

Hope it doesn't go to their heads. This is a new week, and a new opponent.

The defense is playing great. They have all year. It's the offense that doesn't sustain drives and keep the ball out of the opponents hands.
The one glaring issue with the defense though, is the lack of covering the TE. The flats and TE's seem to get little attention, and it's cost us ever since Buh came on board. 
So, unless we change things up and actually cover the TE'S, it will be a long day again.