Here are the numbers: Iowa 260, ISU 63. That disparity will almost always reflect itself in the overall outcome.
At halftime it was Iowa 186, ISU 58 but yet the Cyclones held a 17-10 advantage on the scoreboard. You just knew at the break that lead and the Cyclones standing in the game was dubious at best.
This has long been a product of issues with the O-line centered mostly around the personnel it takes to be physical at the point of attack and open the middle. I've chronicled at length why in year 7, we continue to have problems with the O-line and even though positive steps have been taken to correct the mess we've been in, depth is still a major problem. Couple that with youth and inexperience at RB, it should be little surprise the Cyclones have yet to establish a serviceable running attack. We had virtually no experience at running back coming into the season so it was always going to take a little time. The mistakes by Brown, Warren, Thomas will diminish as we move forward, but they will need help up front which will also likely develop as we move ahead, barring any long term injury.
When the Cyclones turn those rushing totals around with improved play by a more healthy and deeper line (and that will happen eventually), Sam will become more effective and a vertical pass game will emerge.
Defensively, those gaudy run totals from the past two seasons will be cut down to a more manageable level with much better talent dotting the front 7.
Sam has never dealt well with pressure or the blitz coming at him much less not having an effective run game. He's just not good enough to overcome limited protection and absence of a run game. Hopefully these backs get better soon so Defenses don't load up the line of scrimmage so much. Then, Sam can have more time in the pocket to make some plays.
If not Sam, can Joel Lanning perform? We don't know, but we really need to find out if he can play because it's a good bet Sam will get hit one too many times and Lanning needs to get some meaningful snaps so he'll be ready to go when pressed into full time service.
At halftime it was Iowa 186, ISU 58 but yet the Cyclones held a 17-10 advantage on the scoreboard. You just knew at the break that lead and the Cyclones standing in the game was dubious at best.
This has long been a product of issues with the O-line centered mostly around the personnel it takes to be physical at the point of attack and open the middle. I've chronicled at length why in year 7, we continue to have problems with the O-line and even though positive steps have been taken to correct the mess we've been in, depth is still a major problem. Couple that with youth and inexperience at RB, it should be little surprise the Cyclones have yet to establish a serviceable running attack. We had virtually no experience at running back coming into the season so it was always going to take a little time. The mistakes by Brown, Warren, Thomas will diminish as we move forward, but they will need help up front which will also likely develop as we move ahead, barring any long term injury.
When the Cyclones turn those rushing totals around with improved play by a more healthy and deeper line (and that will happen eventually), Sam will become more effective and a vertical pass game will emerge.
Defensively, those gaudy run totals from the past two seasons will be cut down to a more manageable level with much better talent dotting the front 7.
Sam has never dealt well with pressure or the blitz coming at him much less not having an effective run game. He's just not good enough to overcome limited protection and absence of a run game. Hopefully these backs get better soon so Defenses don't load up the line of scrimmage so much. Then, Sam can have more time in the pocket to make some plays.
If not Sam, can Joel Lanning perform? We don't know, but we really need to find out if he can play because it's a good bet Sam will get hit one too many times and Lanning needs to get some meaningful snaps so he'll be ready to go when pressed into full time service.
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