MILLER: Faith can be a dangerous thing

QB12 was not good in the first half against Illinois State.  He played poorly, as in I wonder if they will give the backup a shot poorly.  I didn’t think that would happen, partly because Kirk Ferentz was at home watching the game on the couch due to Iowa’s self-imposed suspension.  But if Kirk had been in the stadium, I still don’t think he would have made that move.  

It’s a good thing there are cooler heads on the sideline than what was on my Twitter feed (and to be honest, in the back in my mind) as McNamara turned in a fantastic second half.  You have seen all the stats and figures by now, but where Cade’s footwork was poor in the first half (choppy feed, throwing off his back foot and sometimes while leaning backward, which leads to short passes like the missed tuddy to Luke Lachey in the endzone), he was much improved in the second, and made some veteran throws along the way. 

The wide receivers made plays when balls were in their area, especially WR15. We can all get worked up over a solid showing from an Iowa wide receiver because such performances have been few and far between.  The thing I liked most about what we saw from Vander Zee was his body control in traffic, along with his vertical leap.  Iowa hasn’t had a true high-point option since Brandon Smith was on campus and then before that, such options were few and far between at the wide receiver position.   RVZ gives Iowa that option, and considering his frame to begin with, that is a tool that cannot stay in the box.

Kaleb Brown returns this week, and let's hope that he is more consistent this season, aka, eliminates the drops….and hey, there were not many WR drops this past week.  It doesn’t sound like Seth Anderson’s injury will keep him out too long, and as impressed as we were with the production from the wide receivers last week, it’s good to remind ourselves that Iowa was without its expected top two receivers for this game.  

The pass blocking was solid, as QB12 didn’t get sacked in the game.  Logan Jones had to leave the game for an extended period of time and Tyler Elsbury filled in just fine at center.  

The running game also got a boost in the second half when Kaleb Johnson was inserted into the game…and he made the most of his touches.  Coming out of the game, he is the RB1, but Iowa is going to use several, including Jazz Patterson who was a DNPCD.

Dare we say it?  This Iowa offense gave us plenty of reasons for optimism, and it’s been a long time since we could say that.  Yes, Iowa’s offense put up 39 last year in the early going (the defense scored a safety which gave Iowa 41 on the scoreboard) and yes it was just Illinois State, but I am not certain that an Iowa QB could have completed 68% of the pass attempts McNamara had on Saturday if it was against air in practice last November.  Be honest with me; are you?

Iowa won’t be throwing against air this coming week when Iowa State comes to town.  I watched a lot of Iowa State’s game against North Dakota and the most surprising thing for me was how effectively North Dakota ran the ball.   Yes, the Cyclones are depleted at linebacker and they lost arguably their most indispensable player on defense who will not face the Hawkeyes.  Still, the Cyclone defense bent but did not break.  

We all know that Iowa wants to establish the run.  As much as I hate the notion that everyone believes their favorite teams were holding plays back which contributed to their offensive meh in week one, both Iowa and Iowa State have a few wrinkles to throw out on Saturday.  It’s a highly emotional game and the way we think it will play out is often not how it plays out.  

Iowa State is dangerous on offense, but their offensive line might be gettable this week.  They have excellent play from their skill position athletes, but Iowa’s zone defense forces the opposing quarterback to be patient and take what is there underneath, and Iowa’s scheme dares you to throw over the middle…they make it look like some things are there that are not really there.  Ask Austen Arnaud (damn it I hate that I just did that, as Austen doesn’t need to be catching strays in Two Thousand and Twenty-Four).  In fairness to AA, Iowa’s defense made Ben Rothlisberger look silly, too…and many others.

On a personal level, I am laying the 2.5 points and taking Iowa, but I am parlaying it with the over 35.5.   Yes, I said the over.  Fade me in October, which would have made you a lot of money these past two years…but not September.   Then again, I am probably being dumb for taking the over but damn it, I believe…and faith can be a dangerous thing.

Iowa’s Reece Vander Zee (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Illinois State Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. © Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

AROUND THE B1G

*** Then No. 9 Michigan hosted Fresno State and won 30-10.  They were three-touchdown favorites, so the scoreboard matched what oddsmakers had in mind.  However, Michigan gained just 269 yards of total offense against Fresno State, which cannot be what the Wolverines drew up.  Michigan’s passing game was uninspired, their defense was below recent standards, although still salty and they still won the turnover and time of possession battle.  It’s one game, and it was the opener, new coaching staff, and the Wolverines lost a great deal from last season’s tainted Natty, but this is something to watch.

*** Minnesota gained just 244 yards in their season opener against North Carolina.  They gained just 14 first downs and just 78 yards rushing on 33 carries.  UNC is a solid opponent for week one, so I don’t want to pile on the Gophers too early, but their offense did not look good, but their defense was solid.

*** Michigan State gained just 292 yards of offense in a 16-10 home win over Florida Atlantic.  They scored all of their 16 points in the first half.  I guess you applaud their defensive effort and move on?

*** Western Michigan scored early in the 4th quarter of their road game at Wisconsin and the score was 14-13…and the sounds coming through the tv speakers from the Madison crowd sounded more like folks wanting to lay around than jump around.  However, the Badgers scored two more touchdowns to win 28-13, and the offense still looked shaky, as it did most of last year.  Imagine how Badger fans feel after decades of the best running game in college football, being forced to watch a bastardized version of the Air Raid, and it not performing well…you can be forgiven if a smile comes across your face.

*** Penn State’s 34-12 win at West Virginia was probably the ‘game of the week’ in the Big Ten, but it’s been a while since the league played such a lackluster slate of games to begin the season.  

Then again, that may be what everyone needed as there weren't many superlatives.   Iowa’s offensive outburst was probably the most significant statistical outlier for the week, despite Iowa playing an FCS opponent. 

*** The B1G went 17-1 in its opening weekend, with the lone loss being Minnesota falling to UNC at home.  I am standing in the rain shedding tears, if you couldn’t tell.