So this week where are the matchups you see being key to Iowa State's success or demise?
I see:
1. Crick & Allen vs. a possibly Lamaak-less line. NU line has been good, but not great this year can our newfound running game continue to role?
2. Collin Franklin vs ? Being realistic I don't think our receivers will be winning their matchups very often with NU lockdown press man-coverage, but I think using Franklin creatively could create some mismatches over the middle of the field.
3. Lattimer/Parker/Neal/Maggit vs NU tackles. Assuming Martinez plays we will need a smart game from the ends. My opinion of the zone-read NU attack this week is our interior line has played well and so have our linebackers so every zone-read I would love for our DE to just smash Martinez on not focus on Helu at all. Now that will open a hole, but if you us that as a gameplan you can change the backers reads and overplay the RB. Downside is if the ends don't play smart and bite on the fake Martinez won't stop running till Christmas.
4. Protection NU runs some serious man press coverage with safety help. As I mentioned above I don't think our receivers can win a lot of those matchups, BUT if NU doesn't bring a lot of pressure or A-Rob can do a great job in blitz pickup this MIGHT be an advantage. We have done a good job in pass protection all year and we aren't a vertical threat offense we are a space offense meaning the safety help won't be as noticeable. Our drags and slants might work very well if we have enough protection to allow our receivers to get off the jams and start to run because we do have some athletic ability at receiver with guys like Lenz and Reynolds.
These are just a few of the matchups I'll be looking at more in-depth this week. Curious what everybody thinks of not only of what I'm watching for, but other things you are looking for
I see:
1. Crick & Allen vs. a possibly Lamaak-less line. NU line has been good, but not great this year can our newfound running game continue to role?
2. Collin Franklin vs ? Being realistic I don't think our receivers will be winning their matchups very often with NU lockdown press man-coverage, but I think using Franklin creatively could create some mismatches over the middle of the field.
3. Lattimer/Parker/Neal/Maggit vs NU tackles. Assuming Martinez plays we will need a smart game from the ends. My opinion of the zone-read NU attack this week is our interior line has played well and so have our linebackers so every zone-read I would love for our DE to just smash Martinez on not focus on Helu at all. Now that will open a hole, but if you us that as a gameplan you can change the backers reads and overplay the RB. Downside is if the ends don't play smart and bite on the fake Martinez won't stop running till Christmas.
4. Protection NU runs some serious man press coverage with safety help. As I mentioned above I don't think our receivers can win a lot of those matchups, BUT if NU doesn't bring a lot of pressure or A-Rob can do a great job in blitz pickup this MIGHT be an advantage. We have done a good job in pass protection all year and we aren't a vertical threat offense we are a space offense meaning the safety help won't be as noticeable. Our drags and slants might work very well if we have enough protection to allow our receivers to get off the jams and start to run because we do have some athletic ability at receiver with guys like Lenz and Reynolds.
These are just a few of the matchups I'll be looking at more in-depth this week. Curious what everybody thinks of not only of what I'm watching for, but other things you are looking for
