re: Iowa vs LSU breakdown

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OK now, you don't have to be like that. I am simply telling you that nearly everyone has attacked the LSU offense exactly like you've mentioned. As for blitzes, if your front four can create enough havoc then you don't need to. I just don't know of many defenses that can do that without sending extra guys every other play against LSU.

Also, my thoughts on the 3-4 were based mainly on the DC having the opportunity to be very creative with blitzes.

If you don't think that Iowa would have the personnel for the 3-4 then maybe they might be able to pull of something that Chavis used to do when DBU was in effect. He would use a 3-1-7 on third downs and passing distances. The coolest thing about the formation was that he would bring blitzes from so many different places that it was just as fun to watch that defense as it was to watch a high powered spread offense. He might just bring the typical four rushers but one would come from an unconventional angle.

I am not one of those guys who thinks lowly of Iowa's chances in the game at all. The biggest concern that I have is our inconsistent defense. One week we hold Johnny Football to 10 pts and the next we couldn't stop an Arky team that went winless in the SEC. (To their defense, they did stop them in the end)

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Sorry, have heard too much disrespect from several other posters on here. Typically pretty good at shrugging off the haters, but it was pretty rampant when I first showed up here this year.

The numbers I've seen are that Iowa has about a 15% blitz rate, which is pretty low.

The Hawks really do try to control the LOS with four guys and four guys only most of the time. They occupy blockers to keep the LBs running free to make plays. The LBs have been very, very good this year and fill so quickly that it might even appear to be a blitz, but they are just reading the play from their original postion and in many cases, already know what play is being run due to exhaustive film room work.

Just to gush a little more about the LBs, because the three seniors really do deserve it...

Chris Kirksey is our LEO who will line up strong side every play. When LSU goes 3 wide he will be on your slot receiver or the TE. This position isn't very glamorous as he's typically just providing leverage and taking particular players out of particular plays. He's doing the hidden dirty work that allows everyone else to get the glory. He has made plays (see strip, recovery and return for TD vs. Northern Illinois) and is #3 in tackles behind the other two LBs.

Anthony Hitchens is the WILL and has made the most improvement of the three from last year. Supposedly the coaches were having issues with him playing downhill and making the better plays that they knew he could, so they challenged him in practice to not worry about assignments and just go get the ball carrier every play. From there they were able to channel his reading ability and he has become an absolute tackling machine. Leads the team in tackles, is second in tackles for loss and third in sacks. He has played his best football these last two games. Had 8 tackles, 3 of them for loss, 2 hurries and a forced fumble and recovery to seal the win vs. Michigan. Had 7 tackles, 1 hurry, 1 pass breakup and 1 interception with a nice 18 yard return against the Huskers. He's been our biggest hitter on D.

James Morris (Lott Award finalist) mans the middle and along with FS Miller is the QB of the defense. Just an all-american kid who has a 3.8 GPA in pre-law. The four year starter was second on the team in tackles and lead the team in sacks and interceptions. I'm gonna save a lot of typing and just say he's everything you want in a football player and should have a very good career in the NFL.

All three of these guys were on the Butkus watch list and are the heart and soul of our defense. I will say that if the DL isn't doing its job, they can and will get caught up in the wash from the OL which makes it a lot tougher to do their job. Fortunately, the DL has been playing much better this year and is a huge part of the reason we've gone from 4-8 to 8-4. This team just continues to improve week by week.

Iowa is a low-risk, low-reward defense, but they all do their jobs and do them pretty darn well. I will add that it's not unusual for the Hawks to come out in just a simple base defense, which the opponent will sometimes just drive the length of the field on right out of the gate, only to find the rest of the sledding a lot tougher as adjustments are made.

Whichever team wins the LOS will win this game.