You know how Meryl Streep is always nominated for an Oscar?
Even if she isn’t particularly good in the movie, she gets a nomination because it is Meryl Streep doing something dramatic.
She was nominated for “Julie & Julia” and won for “The Iron Lady,” but I personally do not think she displayed any great acting in either.
She is always in the ?running.
The 2014 Iowa Hawkeyes are not all that different from Meryl Streep.
They are 4-1 this season but have not looked convincing in a single one of those games.
Four of Iowa’s five games have been one-score ball games.
Its crown-jewel victory against Pittsburgh does not look so great now that Pitt has since lost both games to Akron and ?Virginia.
The Hawkeyes have been outgained in three games despite controlling the time of possession in four-of-five.
Pittsburgh outgained Iowa 435-311, and Ball State was leading 13-3 with three minutes left, yet Iowa won both games late.
The Iowa Hawkeyes, like Meryl Streep, always find some way to be in the running.
Their 30 penalty yards per game is the third best in the country.
They do not give away games, but they have been unable to persuasively win them, either.
For example, Iowa held Purdue to 176 total yards and had the ball for nine minutes more but only put up 24 points.
Its lone loss of the season was to a 1-4 Iowa State team that has lost to three top-25 teams but also Football Championship Subdivision North Dakota State.
Regardless of if the Cyclones are bad or not, Iowa getting held to 275 yards in that game is a red flag.
The defense appears to be the Hawkeyes’ most impressive aspect, allowing only 17.2 points per game.
In terms of yardage, though, certain dominations have skewed the stats.
For instance, Iowa held Ball State and Purdue to 129 and 72 yards, ?respectively.
When those games are taken out of the equation, Iowa gives up 295 pass yards per game.
Iowa appears to have a dominant rush defense. They have held four opponents to 90 rushing yards or less.
The only decent run game they have faced is Pittsburgh and they had 185 yards on 4.40 yards per carry.
I am sure the Iowa run defense actually is good, but Tevin Coleman will be the best running back they have faced.
My point is, Iowa does not seem to be that great on paper.
IU should be able to pass on the secondary if junior quarterback Nate Sudfeld has any time and the run game should generally hold its own.
The Iowa offensive attack has proven to be ?mediocre.
Its persona is always moving the ball through the power run game and controlling the clock, which doesn’t always work.
The problem with that is the fact that Iowa is 103rd in yards per carry.
Also, the Hoosier interior rush defense is the one area I feel confident ?defensively.
IU has proven to be respectable in that area throughout the season against good competition like Missouri.
The fun part is the Hawkeyes still find ways to win games or keep games tight when they are playing poorly.
They are mentally tough and they are winners despite some of their flaws.
IU, on the other hand, has proven to be capable of a lot but are maybe not so mentally tough.
At least they are not on a consistent basis.
My prediction: Indiana wins 27-24.
brodmill@indiana.edu
