Iowa Football: Offensive problems and how to fix them
By Matt Opad
Let your playmakers make plays
Iowa has two potentially great receivers in Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Brandon Smith. The beauty is that their games are different.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette is probably going to be able to outrun any opponent left on the schedule, maybe even Wisconsin. Take a few shots with him.
The guy on the other side, Brandon Smith, is a different type of matchup nightmare. Balls typically considered to be 50/50 are more like 80/20 when throwing to Smith.
Maybe I’m alone here, but I would be more content with a couple more interceptions due to Stanley taking chances on 50/50 balls to Brandon Smith.
Iowa football finally has skill players that can win these battles. I want to start seeing them use them.
The final resource allocation problem I see pertains to the use of the running backs. There’s an old football saying, “if you have two quarterbacks, you actually have none”.
While the math isn’t the same with running backs, the concept is. When you have three (or four) running backs, you have no running game.
I do not think it has to be this way. When Iowa utilizes running backs with a plan in mind, a three running back system can work.
In 2015, Iowa had four running backs in Canzeri, Daniels, Wadley, and Mitchell. They were utilized incredibly well.
Canzeri was used as the feature back, with Daniels playing the power back role and Mitchell being in a third-down back role. Wadley had replaced Canzeri while he was injured.
In 2019, it makes sense to utilize the player that serves as the best matchup for that particular opponent.
Did you know that we have a running back that averaged 4.1 yards per carry against Penn State and Michigan? As much of a fan as I am of Tyler Goodson, I’m actually referring to Toren Young.
I like all of our running backs this year, but when you have a guy averaging over 4 yards a carry against two teams that don’t give up yards, the thought of making this guy your featured back has to cross your mind.
I think this is probably the most frustrating slide about our offense. There are things that work, but Iowa football doesn’t seem to continue these things enough.