Couple more/last thoughts.
1. Defense deserves a ton more credit. Easy to look at the 34-6 final and conclude the entire team didn't show up. I don't think that is the case. Offense was directly responsible for 14 points and Iowa converted a FG at the end of the half on a short field after a third Penix INT. Outside the long TD run on the 4th play of the game, Iowa only scored one offensive TD on a drive that was extended after a missed review on a 4th down conversion and a meaningless FG late. Granted Iowa really didn't have to dig deep into their playbook after being spotted such a big lead early, IU's defense essentially giving up 17 points, less than a 50% completion rate, and 33% third down conversion rate should have been plenty enough to allow the offense a chance to win. Offense failed. Miserably.
2. Offensive woes go much further than line play/Sheridan play calling unfortunately. Obviously the root of the problem is the line play, but Penix looked awful. Even on 3 step drops and quick hitting routes, Penix never looked comfortable. Has no touch on his passes and he threw almost everything off his back foot. Unfortunately I don't believe Penix is over the mental aspect coming back from his most recent ACL tear. Line play is what it is at this point, but there's 11 games left in the season and this team is going nowhere if it turns the ball over that many times and completes such a low percentage of passes. If Penix can't overcome the mental aspect of stepping into throws he shouldn't be out there. Outside of Cincinnati and Ohio State who have juggernaut offenses, defense is good enough to keep this team in games so long as the quartback can mange the game and keep drives rolling without turning the ball over. Penix needs to show a ton Saturday.
3. Preparedness. Iowa flat outplayed and outcoached IU from the start. That falls solely on Tom Allen. This isn't a fire Tom Allen rant at all, but all this rah-rah and #LEO talk is only going to take IU so far going forward. Iowa didn't play all that well in my opinion, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but outplayed Indiana in every phase of the game and really did it without breaking a sweat. Season is far from over and there's plenty of opportunities left at marquee wins starting with Cincy on 9/18, but fail to show up against the Bearcats will erase a ton of momentum that has been built the last 12-18 months.
1. Defense deserves a ton more credit. Easy to look at the 34-6 final and conclude the entire team didn't show up. I don't think that is the case. Offense was directly responsible for 14 points and Iowa converted a FG at the end of the half on a short field after a third Penix INT. Outside the long TD run on the 4th play of the game, Iowa only scored one offensive TD on a drive that was extended after a missed review on a 4th down conversion and a meaningless FG late. Granted Iowa really didn't have to dig deep into their playbook after being spotted such a big lead early, IU's defense essentially giving up 17 points, less than a 50% completion rate, and 33% third down conversion rate should have been plenty enough to allow the offense a chance to win. Offense failed. Miserably.
2. Offensive woes go much further than line play/Sheridan play calling unfortunately. Obviously the root of the problem is the line play, but Penix looked awful. Even on 3 step drops and quick hitting routes, Penix never looked comfortable. Has no touch on his passes and he threw almost everything off his back foot. Unfortunately I don't believe Penix is over the mental aspect coming back from his most recent ACL tear. Line play is what it is at this point, but there's 11 games left in the season and this team is going nowhere if it turns the ball over that many times and completes such a low percentage of passes. If Penix can't overcome the mental aspect of stepping into throws he shouldn't be out there. Outside of Cincinnati and Ohio State who have juggernaut offenses, defense is good enough to keep this team in games so long as the quartback can mange the game and keep drives rolling without turning the ball over. Penix needs to show a ton Saturday.
3. Preparedness. Iowa flat outplayed and outcoached IU from the start. That falls solely on Tom Allen. This isn't a fire Tom Allen rant at all, but all this rah-rah and #LEO talk is only going to take IU so far going forward. Iowa didn't play all that well in my opinion, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but outplayed Indiana in every phase of the game and really did it without breaking a sweat. Season is far from over and there's plenty of opportunities left at marquee wins starting with Cincy on 9/18, but fail to show up against the Bearcats will erase a ton of momentum that has been built the last 12-18 months.