Offensive Line Domination
This was the best game Iowa's offensive line has played this season as they absolutely dominated Indiana up front. Not only did Nate Stanley have plenty of time, but both Toren Young and Mekhi Sargent had huge holes to run through the entire game. The entire game is one of the big keys as Iowa's offensive line has really done its best work by wearing down teams in the first half before getting those big runs in the second half. In this one, they dominated from play one. Still, the best moment was near the end of the game. Iowa faced a 3rd and 13, and it was clear that they decided to just go for a field goal and called a run play. The only problem was the offensive line dominated to such an extent that Mekhi Sargent went for 14 yards and kept the drive alive for Nate Stanley to get his sixth touchdown pass. When Iowa is doing their conservative play calls, and they're still leading to big plays, things are going really, really well up front.
The Underrated Linebackers
I would just like to take some time to give some love to Iowa's linebackers. It was by far the biggest question mark heading into this season as the Hawkeyes graduated all three starters from last year. The most sure thing, Amani Jones, lost his job after one game. His replacement, Jack Hockaday, got injured, and yet Iowa still kept marching on. Even though Iowa primarily played two linebackers today in Kristian Welch, and Dijmon Colbert, they know where to be and just don't make big mistakes. Competence is an underrated attribute as these guys knowing where to be means that it's really hard to exploit any specific aspect of the Iowa defense.
Amani Hooker Makes the Defense
The reason Iowa was only able to play two linebackers for most of the game was that Amani Hooker basically acted as a third linebacker in Iowa's defense, and this forced change may be the best thing to happen to Iowa. Playing two linebackers and Hooker at the nickel back position means that Iowa doesn't give up a noticeable amount in the run game while being much, much better in defending the pass. Iowa has always struggled with the changing college football game as teams are able to spread out Iowa and attack the linebackers with speedy receivers, but with Hooker in the game, it diminishes those opportunities. Also, at safety, up in the box, hell, probably even on the defensive line, Hooker just knows where to be on a football field, and he can consistently make plays because of that. Iowa had two safeties with interceptions today, and Hooker was still not just the best safety on the field, but maybe the best defensive player period. He's the puzzle piece that completes the defensive picture for the Hawkeyes.
We Want Bama
I'm only half joking. I watch this Iowa team, and it has gone from, "Is this team really freaking good?" to "Holy shit, this team is really freaking good." Iowa gave away that Wisconsin game which sucks, but it's not all that hard to see Wisconsin losing twice on the B1G schedule while Iowa has a legitimate chance to run the table. They will be heavy favorites in every game but at Penn State, and Penn State is a very good team, but I'm honestly not sure if they are better than Iowa. The offensive line is improving, the tight ends are unstoppable, the running game is solid, Brandon Smith has given Iowa legitimate receiver, and Nate Stanley has shown tremendous improvement throughout this season and just keeps getting better. Also, the defense, especially with a healthy Matt Hankins (I have a suspicion that Julius Brents may have usurped Ojemudia as the other starter) is downright terrifying. Run the table, and then take out Ohio State, why can't we take on Bama in the Playoff? And up until that last sentence, it's not just me being a homer; this Iowa team looks special, and I am so excited for the rest of the season.
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