This was fun last year, let's do it again: Iowa/ISU - Position vs. Position
- Thread starter DJK15
- Start date
I'll bite. Only doing the skill players because I don't know enough about ISU's Oline and Dline and what they have returning...
QB's
Arnaud vs Stanzi - What can be said here that hasn't been said by everyone a hundred times? They are both good in the system they are in. Hawk fans will always take stanzi, Cyclone fans will always take Arnaud. Stanzi had slightly better passing numbers. Arnaud had great rushing numbers tho, at a tad better than 500 yards. I'll just say push and leave it at that. If either QB was to transfer, I have a hard time seeing them win the starting job at the other school.
RB's ADV ISU
Sure, Iowa get's Jewel Hampton back, but what do we really know about him? He's a tough runner and was good in a backup role, but he has only rushed for about 500 yards in his career, if i remember right. We also have OUR A.rob, who is a tough runner. I expect wegher to redshirt possibly, or be used as a slot receiver occasionally. ISU has A.Rob coming back and he ran for nearly 1200 yards last year. Should have a good year, as long as he can stay injury free. Only 6 touchdowns last year for him though, I look for him to improve on that.
WR's Adv Iowa
Iowa has what most Hawkeye fans consider excellent WRs (for Iowa) coming back. Iowa never really has that "feature" WR but DJK and Mcnutt are both excellent athletes. Mcnutt in particular has all the "measurables" that would make an excellent NFL WR, if he improves his skills. I look for him to have a HUGE year and be a safety blanket for Stanzi. Plus he has two more years. DJK is our "clutch" WR, in the sense that nearly every catch is a first down. He also has a knack for getting open on third downs. We'll also have Keenan Davis probably making a push for quite a bit of playing time.
ISU loses Hamilton, their best WR. Behind him they have a pretty big group of guys who got anywhere from 100-350 yards or so last year. Arnuad spread the ball around quite a bit. Doesn't look like there are any "clear cut" starters out there for you guys. I'm sure they'll be decent, but look (from looking at the stats) fairly untested.
TE's Push
Iowa has Reisner returning
ISU has Franklin returning
Doesn't seem to be much remarkable about either of these players.
Somebody else can do the defenses...
QB's
Arnaud vs Stanzi - What can be said here that hasn't been said by everyone a hundred times? They are both good in the system they are in. Hawk fans will always take stanzi, Cyclone fans will always take Arnaud. Stanzi had slightly better passing numbers. Arnaud had great rushing numbers tho, at a tad better than 500 yards. I'll just say push and leave it at that. If either QB was to transfer, I have a hard time seeing them win the starting job at the other school.
RB's ADV ISU
Sure, Iowa get's Jewel Hampton back, but what do we really know about him? He's a tough runner and was good in a backup role, but he has only rushed for about 500 yards in his career, if i remember right. We also have OUR A.rob, who is a tough runner. I expect wegher to redshirt possibly, or be used as a slot receiver occasionally. ISU has A.Rob coming back and he ran for nearly 1200 yards last year. Should have a good year, as long as he can stay injury free. Only 6 touchdowns last year for him though, I look for him to improve on that.
WR's Adv Iowa
Iowa has what most Hawkeye fans consider excellent WRs (for Iowa) coming back. Iowa never really has that "feature" WR but DJK and Mcnutt are both excellent athletes. Mcnutt in particular has all the "measurables" that would make an excellent NFL WR, if he improves his skills. I look for him to have a HUGE year and be a safety blanket for Stanzi. Plus he has two more years. DJK is our "clutch" WR, in the sense that nearly every catch is a first down. He also has a knack for getting open on third downs. We'll also have Keenan Davis probably making a push for quite a bit of playing time.
ISU loses Hamilton, their best WR. Behind him they have a pretty big group of guys who got anywhere from 100-350 yards or so last year. Arnuad spread the ball around quite a bit. Doesn't look like there are any "clear cut" starters out there for you guys. I'm sure they'll be decent, but look (from looking at the stats) fairly untested.
TE's Push
Iowa has Reisner returning
ISU has Franklin returning
Doesn't seem to be much remarkable about either of these players.
Somebody else can do the defenses...
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QB: Push. I agree with the OP that both quarterbacks are good for the system they play in. Both really need to cut down on the int's.
RB: slight Adv ISU. ISUA-Rob is the best of the bunch, however I think Iowa has 2-4.
WR: ADV Iowa. Unlike last year, I think when we do the "all-star" team using both squads, Iowa will have the starting two receivers.
TE
ush. Nothing really to say here. Both starting TE's are serviceable players. The only X-factor could be the new freshman for Iowa, but I don't think he'll be polished enough of a blocker to see much playing time.
OL: Adv ISU. Iowa returns two players who played alot last year. ISU returns 4 but lose a key player. Still, anytime you have 4 returning o-linemen, it's a good thing.
DL:Adv Iowa-One of the nations best d-lines for Iowa
Lb: ?-both teams must basically replace their starters. I suppose I'd give a slight edge to Iowa because of Hunter, but really it's just a guess at this point.
DB: slight adv Iowa-I think Iowa has a little better depth here
ST: Adv Iowa-Basically because of Donahue.
RB: slight Adv ISU. ISUA-Rob is the best of the bunch, however I think Iowa has 2-4.
WR: ADV Iowa. Unlike last year, I think when we do the "all-star" team using both squads, Iowa will have the starting two receivers.
TE
ush. Nothing really to say here. Both starting TE's are serviceable players. The only X-factor could be the new freshman for Iowa, but I don't think he'll be polished enough of a blocker to see much playing time.OL: Adv ISU. Iowa returns two players who played alot last year. ISU returns 4 but lose a key player. Still, anytime you have 4 returning o-linemen, it's a good thing.
DL:Adv Iowa-One of the nations best d-lines for Iowa
Lb: ?-both teams must basically replace their starters. I suppose I'd give a slight edge to Iowa because of Hunter, but really it's just a guess at this point.
DB: slight adv Iowa-I think Iowa has a little better depth here
ST: Adv Iowa-Basically because of Donahue.
QB: Push. I agree with the OP that both quarterbacks are good for the system they play in. Both really need to cut down on the int's.
RB: slight Adv ISU. ISUA-Rob is the best of the bunch, however I think Iowa has 2-4.
WR: ADV Iowa. Unlike last year, I think when we do the "all-star" team using both squads, Iowa will have the starting two receivers.
TE
OL: Adv ISU. Iowa returns two players who played alot last year. ISU returns 4 but lose a key player. Still, anytime you have 4 returning o-linemen, it's a good thing.
DL:Adv Iowa-One of the nations best d-lines for Iowa
Lb: ?-both teams must basically replace their starters. I suppose I'd give a slight edge to Iowa because of Hunter, but really it's just a guess at this point.
DB: slight adv Iowa-I think Iowa has a little better depth here
ST: Adv Iowa-Basically because of Donahue.
Last year at this time many ISU fans wouldn't even entertain the possibility that Arnaud and Stanzi were comparable. They were wrong. This year Iowa fans will try to argue that the rb situation is close. It's not. Robinson with a bad groin is on par with Iowa's guys, but when healthy he's just better.
But they only have one Robinson, while Iowa has a Wegher and Hamton to go along with theirs. If Robinson (for ISU) gets hurt, say goodbye to the ISU running game.
Hence the reason why I put the RB at even. ISU's top guy is the best, but Iowa has depth that has shown it can produce.
Agree with what most have said here. Alexander Robinson is the most important and impactful skill player for either team, but it really is a bunch of question marks behind him. iowa has better depth at RB, but none of those RBs have the total skill set A-Rob has.
As for receivers, ISU needs to make a lot of improvement in this department. A great deal was made last year about route running and seperation, and ISU's receivers, except for Hamilton, didn't really accomplish this. I do think losing Money Reynolds mid way through the year hurt the corps though.
The QB debate has been hashed and rehased hundreds of times. Arnaud is a better athlete and is the dual threat. Stanzi, when he's on, can be pretty good, but the problem is that both can look like an all-conference performer one play, and then an overmatched freshman the next.
As for receivers, ISU needs to make a lot of improvement in this department. A great deal was made last year about route running and seperation, and ISU's receivers, except for Hamilton, didn't really accomplish this. I do think losing Money Reynolds mid way through the year hurt the corps though.
The QB debate has been hashed and rehased hundreds of times. Arnaud is a better athlete and is the dual threat. Stanzi, when he's on, can be pretty good, but the problem is that both can look like an all-conference performer one play, and then an overmatched freshman the next.
Offense
QB: Push. While different types of players, Arnaud and Stanzi have some eerie similarities. Both are prone to interceptions, but also have a knack for making huge plays with games on the line. Comparing them as a passers, it seems Stanzi throws more costly picks, but Arnaud threw a lot more uncatchable ground balls. As far as running the ball, Arnaud is clearly superior. Stanzi has won more games, but I think any rational person can agree that Iowa's success has more to do with defense than offense. I think in ISU's system, Stanzi would be ineffective, because it requires a mobile QB. By the same token, I'm not sure if Arnaud's mobility would be much of a boon to Iowa if he was their QB.
RB: ISU. Iowa has more proven depth, but Alexander Robinson is the best running back in the state. While all of Iowa's guys have shown ability to be solid, none have shown the game breaking potential that Alexander has shown. A 1000 yard rusher despite missing several games, and having limited PT in others, it's hard to argue with.
WR: Iowa. IMO, Iowa's receiving corps is the most underrated group on their team. They don't have a house hold name, but McNutt and Koulianos both have a lot of big play potential, and get more separation than any of ISU's guys. ISU loses their best player at this position in Hamilton, and Reynolds, while showing lots of potential has proven far less than any of his counterparts in Black and Gold.
TE: VERY slight advantage ISU. Franklin has shown more than Reisner. Iowa loses a GREAT player in Moeaki, but they bring in a great prospect in Fiderowicz (sp?). Not sure if he plays at all this year or not. ISU brings in highly touted JUCO Howard, who might be more of an immediate impact player this year.
OL: ISU. Both were very good lines last year, and ISU loses less. Maybe by the end of the year this will be narrower, but I think at the start of the year ISU's guys will be more cohesive, due to prior experience playing together.
Defense
DL: Iowa. This is the widest margin in this whole comparison. Iowa will have one of the best DLs in the nation. Clayborn is a beast and could be a first round pick after the next season, and the rest of the guys aren't half bad either.
LB: Iowa. This is a huge question mark for both teams, and when (if) we do this a year from now, ISU may have the advantage, but I'm going to assume that the guys Ferentz has recruited into this spot probably have more raw talent than ISU's guys.
DB: Slight edge Iowa. Iowa loses Spievey who quietly became one of their best Dbacks ever. ISU loses Smith and Banks, but returns a lot of guys who received a ton of playing time, while showing lots of talent in Johnson, Benton, and David Sims, who is probably the best player between the two units. On the flipside, Tyler Sash is one of the most disciplined football players I've ever seen. He's always EXACTLY where he's supposed to be.
SP: Iowa. It's a push all over the place, but Donahue comes back at P, and ISU loses Brandtner, one of the best we've ever had.
QB: Push. While different types of players, Arnaud and Stanzi have some eerie similarities. Both are prone to interceptions, but also have a knack for making huge plays with games on the line. Comparing them as a passers, it seems Stanzi throws more costly picks, but Arnaud threw a lot more uncatchable ground balls. As far as running the ball, Arnaud is clearly superior. Stanzi has won more games, but I think any rational person can agree that Iowa's success has more to do with defense than offense. I think in ISU's system, Stanzi would be ineffective, because it requires a mobile QB. By the same token, I'm not sure if Arnaud's mobility would be much of a boon to Iowa if he was their QB.
RB: ISU. Iowa has more proven depth, but Alexander Robinson is the best running back in the state. While all of Iowa's guys have shown ability to be solid, none have shown the game breaking potential that Alexander has shown. A 1000 yard rusher despite missing several games, and having limited PT in others, it's hard to argue with.
WR: Iowa. IMO, Iowa's receiving corps is the most underrated group on their team. They don't have a house hold name, but McNutt and Koulianos both have a lot of big play potential, and get more separation than any of ISU's guys. ISU loses their best player at this position in Hamilton, and Reynolds, while showing lots of potential has proven far less than any of his counterparts in Black and Gold.
TE: VERY slight advantage ISU. Franklin has shown more than Reisner. Iowa loses a GREAT player in Moeaki, but they bring in a great prospect in Fiderowicz (sp?). Not sure if he plays at all this year or not. ISU brings in highly touted JUCO Howard, who might be more of an immediate impact player this year.
OL: ISU. Both were very good lines last year, and ISU loses less. Maybe by the end of the year this will be narrower, but I think at the start of the year ISU's guys will be more cohesive, due to prior experience playing together.
Defense
DL: Iowa. This is the widest margin in this whole comparison. Iowa will have one of the best DLs in the nation. Clayborn is a beast and could be a first round pick after the next season, and the rest of the guys aren't half bad either.
LB: Iowa. This is a huge question mark for both teams, and when (if) we do this a year from now, ISU may have the advantage, but I'm going to assume that the guys Ferentz has recruited into this spot probably have more raw talent than ISU's guys.
DB: Slight edge Iowa. Iowa loses Spievey who quietly became one of their best Dbacks ever. ISU loses Smith and Banks, but returns a lot of guys who received a ton of playing time, while showing lots of talent in Johnson, Benton, and David Sims, who is probably the best player between the two units. On the flipside, Tyler Sash is one of the most disciplined football players I've ever seen. He's always EXACTLY where he's supposed to be.
SP: Iowa. It's a push all over the place, but Donahue comes back at P, and ISU loses Brandtner, one of the best we've ever had.
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Big assumption. ISU has a handful of guys who have impressed on the practice squad in Blankenship, White, and yes, even the over hyped Bo Williams. I was at the A&M game, which probably < 100 people on this board witnessed with their own eyes, and his 50 yard run wasn't a fluke. The guy has talent, but some definite issues grasping the offense. If he "gets" it, he'll be a very serviceable back up.
I'm not saying ISU is stacked at RB, but the ISU running game isn't automatically kaput if A-Rob goes down. Probable? Yes, but we won't be able to answer that question unless it happens.
This year is odd to me....Usually it is ISU getting the check mark at QB/WR and Iowa getting the checkmark at RB/OL. This year, ISU has the best RB in the state (though Iowa has more depth, as indicated by the above posters), and a great OL, but I think Iowa has the advantage at QB and WR.
Also, I'd give Iowa the advantage at TE. Reason #1 being that the TE is such a heavy emphasis in Iowa's system that Iowa just tends to reload there. Can you name me the last starting Iowa TE that didn't get drafted? You'll need to go back to 1999 to answer that question, if my memory serves me correctly. When was the last time ISU put a TE in the league? Reason #2 being that KF said after fall camp last year that Reisner may have improved more than anyone else on the team.....and he looked good in 08. I fully expect a breakout year from Reisner this season, based both on the history of Iowa TE's and what KF has said about the young man. One last note about TE: does ISU use the TE a lot in their spread system as a blocker, or is the ISU TE used almost exclusively as a pass catcher?
I'd give Iowa the checkmark across the board on defense, and the reasoning is pretty simple: anytime you have LB's and DB's playing behind one of the best (if not the best) defensive line in the country, it will make those guys look really good, even if they are simply average (though I certainly believe Iowa's LB's/DB's are above average).
So, to summarize, I'd give ISU the advantage at RB/OL and Iowa the advantage everywhere else.
Also, I'd give Iowa the advantage at TE. Reason #1 being that the TE is such a heavy emphasis in Iowa's system that Iowa just tends to reload there. Can you name me the last starting Iowa TE that didn't get drafted? You'll need to go back to 1999 to answer that question, if my memory serves me correctly. When was the last time ISU put a TE in the league? Reason #2 being that KF said after fall camp last year that Reisner may have improved more than anyone else on the team.....and he looked good in 08. I fully expect a breakout year from Reisner this season, based both on the history of Iowa TE's and what KF has said about the young man. One last note about TE: does ISU use the TE a lot in their spread system as a blocker, or is the ISU TE used almost exclusively as a pass catcher?
I'd give Iowa the checkmark across the board on defense, and the reasoning is pretty simple: anytime you have LB's and DB's playing behind one of the best (if not the best) defensive line in the country, it will make those guys look really good, even if they are simply average (though I certainly believe Iowa's LB's/DB's are above average).
So, to summarize, I'd give ISU the advantage at RB/OL and Iowa the advantage everywhere else.
Did Scott Chandler get drafted? I have no idea, which is why I'm asking.
I really think that there isn't an advantage for either side at QB. Stanzi works for Iowa, but would be a trainwreck for ISU. With ISU's defense, pick 6's are not something you can give the other team. Period. Iowa can get away with it.
In the end Stanzi works for Iowa, and that's all that matters. Arnaud works for ISU. Iowa would be better off with Alexander Robinson and ISU would be better off with Adrian Clayborn. I don't think you can say that at QB. Arnaud wouldn't improve Iowa and Stanzi would hurt ISU.
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Yep, Chandler got drafted in the 4th round (? I believe, I know he got drafted though, the Chargers drafted him).
As for the Stanzi/Arnaud debate....the thing about that is this: Stanzi is a proven, effective winner. Stanzi is 17-3 in games he was the starter (I am not including NW here, but I have little doubt that Iowa would have beat NW had Stanzi of remained healthy. Iowa led that game 10-0 with Stanzi in, when he got injured they lost 17-10). Stanzi can make mental lapses throughout the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but when the game is on the line, he won't make mistakes. He led game winning drives against UNI, Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and most memorably, Michigan State. Watching ISU this past year, I felt that ISU won games in spite of Arnaud, not because of him. If not for ISU having the OL/running game they had, ISU would have lost a few more ball games. Stanzi, while giving up a few too many INT's, also led game winning drives in clutch moments and won Iowa a few games that it looked like Iowa would lose.
Further, I'd argue that Stanzi is in his 5th season in the same system. Arnaud is now a SR, but has been through 2/3 different systems, and this is only his second year in Herman's offense. On top of the experience advantage that Stanzi has, he also has a better 1/2 punch at WR. I truly believe Marvin McNutt will be the first Iowa WR drafted since.....well since I can remember (when was the last time an Iowa WR was drafted? I'm guessing sometime in the 90's but I have no clue). McNutt's combination of route running/ball skills is the best I've seen from a KF era WR. DJK is damn talented as well, but he can make some major mental lapses at times. I think if he gets it together mentally, DJK can be drafted as well.
Though I agree that there isn't a huge difference between Stanzi and Arnaud, I think Stanzi has done enough to earn the checkmark. Stanzi is a proven winner, has a serious experience advantage, and maybe most importantly, has superior talent to help him out at the WR position. For those reasons, I give him the check over Arnaud.
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No, he's really not. He nearly lost the Insight Bowl for us after his receiver caught countless deep balls. He and Kennard Banks lost the K-State game by allowing a 3rd and a mile conversion for a touch down. Go back and watch some of the games, LJ is always getting burned. The kid can hit for sure, but cannot cover to save his life.