I think letting Bryce cook is the way, but knowing Iowa's defensive strategy (m)

Posted on September 24, 2026 at 05:59:20 PM by Spirit (edited September 24, 2026 at 06:00:37 PM)

Cover deep and to the outside, stuff the run, and dare the opposition to be patient with short passes down the field... makes me think we'll have another game like WMU, but without being -3 in turnover margin.

Do you think we'll realize we have more talent and try to exploit that or go conservative and try to outmanball them?

I want the former, but kind of expect the latter.

Back to the board

Thread:

McQ&A?* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 05:49:39 PM
- Sorry kiddo attention was required. Here I go.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:44:24 PM
- What’s the rhino % so far? (in Utah they were close to 60% of the snaps iirc). What’s the man coverage %? (answer only if you know off the top of your head :)* - By 6p September 24, 2026 at 06:40:33 PM
  - On the season, RHINO is about 45%, but has gone down 5-10 each week. I don't know on man, but I bet 75/25.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:59:03 PM
    - too high, too high. Thx* - By 6p September 24, 2026 at 07:32:40 PM
- anything definitive on Babs? is this going to linger the entire year?* - By Ronti September 24, 2026 at 06:24:35 PM
  - They were patient with the foot and then he reaggrivated something with the knee. So now they have to be patient again, and we won't know until we know when he pushes it.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:57:19 PM
- Were you under the Blue by 90 Tailgate Canopy at some point last Saturday? Went by on my way to a noon Vball match and didn't see you in there.** - By jBdub September 24, 2026 at 06:20:53 PM
  - I was not. Was planning on being there this weekend, but won't be again. Thinking maybe Penn State.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:56:10 PM
- Thoughts on swingers?* - By WOK September 24, 2026 at 06:09:48 PM
  - I mean I don't care what anyone does if they aren't hurting anyone, but I don't get it. I'd rather just be single. I only know a couple of couples who have done it, and it has not ended well.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:55:47 PM
- Who will win the punt match this weekend? Stiff competition for Brown.* - By LewisBullox September 24, 2026 at 06:04:34 PM
  - Brown has arguably been better. Hopefully punts less too.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:54:44 PM
- Aren't Marshall and Hansen better blockers, not to mention receivers, than Hoffman and Owens?* - By tman September 24, 2026 at 06:04:05 PM
  - Yes, but their roles were being taken by Beigel more than Hoffman in some ways. The staff has been looking for JJ from last year, and that was a mistake. Hoffman earned his role, but it doesn't fit his skills. What I've heard public and private is encouraging here.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:54:14 PM
    - I'm confused. "JJ from last year" = JJ Buchanan? He played wide receiver - By jon September 24, 2026 at 07:45:23 PM
      - Not full JJ, but Hoffman hasn't been an H-back. He's taken 70 something snaps inline, and 50 something at slot/out wide. I think Hansen is the guy and he wasn't healthy.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 08:06:22 PM
- nice Q&A you deadbeat! * - By Nikos September 24, 2026 at 06:00:25 PM
  - I WAS WITH MY SON!* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:52:46 PM
  - But, if you only have time for 1 Q, make it the ENM one* - By Prominence14 September 24, 2026 at 06:04:52 PM
  - McQueue* - By LewisBullox September 24, 2026 at 06:03:00 PM
    - lol* - By 6p September 24, 2026 at 06:47:01 PM
  - My wife has a habit of starting a conversation like this then leaves me hanging too. * - By django September 24, 2026 at 06:02:04 PM
    - LOL. That seems to be fairly universal wife behavior*** - By Craig September 24, 2026 at 06:04:08 PM
- I think letting Bryce cook is the way, but knowing Iowa's defensive strategy (m) - By Spirit September 24, 2026 at 05:59:20 PM
  - I don't think Iowa has the pass rush it typically has that makes the zone defense work. I think the talent advantage matters in this game, and the staff knows it. I think Michigan can be patient and explosive at the same time because they have the players to attack the zone.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:52:14 PM
    - Thanks... and please be right * - By Spirit September 24, 2026 at 06:57:26 PM
      - If you have time watch my Rise to the Victors today with the Iowa writer, he had some interesting stuff on the defense.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 07:14:58 PM
        
        Will watch tomorrow... along with F1 qualifying * - By Spirit September 24, 2026 at 07:36:41 PM
- In latest UFR, they were quite positive about OL (albeit UTEP). Blamed running woes on FB/TE/Rhino and backs. Your thoughts here?* - By Prominence14 September 24, 2026 at 05:55:24 PM
  - I was surprised how well Link at LT and Frazier at RT went. Hansen was a gamechanger. My issues with RHINO are less about Beigel, and more about pairing Beigel with Hoffman. So I'm guessing I largely agree?* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:50:23 PM
    - I almost never want 6 OL. With Hoffman it was 7. I'd rather have 5 and 1-2 TE because of the defense having to account for block or receiver from that position.* - By Rich September 24, 2026 at 07:09:11 PM
      - I don't mind running 12 not just because those tight ends are a threat from inline, but if you want to go tempo you can three or four wide with those players and not sub. Beigel takes away a threat at the line, and a potential split/slot option.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 07:14:18 PM
- Beigel to play? Nichols?*** - By Craig September 24, 2026 at 05:53:35 PM
  - Doubt it with Beigel, expect Nichols to play as of today.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:48:29 PM
- Is the staff rethinking things re:tight end utilization and running play mix?* - By Bluebuck September 24, 2026 at 05:53:24 PM
  - Yes, Beck has said so publicly. I think we'll see more downhill, inside zone, more inline tight end (Marshall, Hansen). Owens also said the tight ends have their own skillsets and need to earn roles.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:48:09 PM
- I thought of a good question for you within the last day or two, but now I've forgotten what it was (nm) - By danny September 24, 2026 at 05:53:06 PM
  - Well, let me know.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:47:04 PM
- What, if anything, can you share in regard to Sprague? * - By django September 24, 2026 at 05:51:47 PM
  - Standard injury, nothing crazy. I can't share what has made the situation weird, but let's say it's more politics than it has anything to do with Sprague or his injury.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:46:54 PM
    - Does the political stuff stem from the fallout over the report out of Utah that Whit pressed dudes to play hurt? * - By django September 24, 2026 at 06:49:28 PM
      - Not at all. Michigan problem, has been for years.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:52:34 PM
  - Concussion SZN?*** - By Craig September 24, 2026 at 05:52:14 PM
    - Rickets, imo * - By Spirit September 24, 2026 at 06:10:44 PM
      - Crickets * - By django September 24, 2026 at 06:13:55 PM
        
        Hashimoto’s (nm) - By danny September 24, 2026 at 06:23:13 PM
        
        I happen to suffer from this affliction despite not being an old woman* - By Boom King September 24, 2026 at 06:26:16 PM
        
        Same (nm) - By danny September 24, 2026 at 06:27:07 PM
- Who on the FB staff is most likely to be ENM?*** - By Craig September 24, 2026 at 05:51:46 PM
  - Micah Simon.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:45:35 PM
- Will Babalola take a snap this season? (nm) - By suede September 24, 2026 at 05:51:44 PM
  - I'll yes but not confidently.* - By gbmcq September 24, 2026 at 06:44:44 PM

The Victors

I think letting Bryce cook is the way, but knowing Iowa's defensive strategy (m)