Iowa’s defense is one of the best in the nation
This is probably the biggest reason why I believe the Iowa football team can win the rest of their schedule.
Their defense is lights out, and it’s not even playing as good as I think they could be.
Phil Parker’s defense currently ranks sixth in the nation yards allowed and third in the nation in points allowed.
Against Penn State, the 12th best scoring offense in the nation, the Hawks allowed just 17 points, well below their 38.5 points per game average.
SportSource Analytics even put together a new graphic that compensates for defensive scoring based on the offenses they are playing.
#CFB Top 5 Defenses - Relative Scoring Defense (Opp. Adjusted)
— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) October 31, 2019
1️⃣ #OhioState ____29.5%
2️⃣ #Iowa __________35.3%
3️⃣ #Utah __________35.4%
4️⃣ #Georgia _______37.3%
5️⃣ #PennState ____38.0%
** Rel. Scoring Def. = The % of what a team gives up based on what the opp. normally scores.
That’s some pretty good company the Hawkeye’s defense is keeping.
And what’s even better is I don’t feel like this team has reached its fullest potential as they have been hit hard with injuries throughout the season, but against Wisconsin, the Hawks should be returning their starting middle linebacker, Kristian Welch. Moreover, in the past two games, we have seen a re-emergence of the 4-2-5 giving Iowa a better advantage against spread offenses.
This defense is allowing fewer than 11 points per game. That’s a pretty low bar for the offense to meet in order to win a game.