Stat Review: Iowa Hawkeyes

For the third time in 13 years, the Florida Gators will end their season in Tampa, Fla. against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Outback Bowl.

Both teams are sliding in different directions right now, as the Gators are coming off back-to-back losses against Florida State and Alabama by a combined 85-31, the Hawkeyes have won their last three (including two ranked wins) by a combined 82-23 – although they only averaged 205 yards of offense per game during that winning streak.

With that said, this game will feature the 115^th and 120^th ranked offenses against the 6^th and 24^th ranked defenses, so there is a chance no points could be scored, and while that’s not likely, it will certainly be an unpredictable game.

And with Iowa City 977 miles away from Gainesville, little is talked about the Hawkeyes here in Florida (and right now, Gators fans seem to have other things on their mind), so let’s take a deeper look.

Two-Headed Rushing Attack

The Hawkeyes boast a quality two-back system that averaged 5.75 yards per carry and had 20 total touchdowns.

LeShun McDaniels and Akrum Wadley both averaged more than five yards per carry – 5.12 and 6.62, respectively – with each scoring 10 total touchdowns and averaged more than 80 yards per game.

Over the last three games, Iowa averaged 230 yards per game rushing with six touchdowns including against the 13^th and 34^th ranked rushing defenses.

But, Not Very Good on Third Down Rushing

Iowa ran the ball 77 times on 3^rd down during the season and only ran for 37 yards for a 0.48 yard per rush average with only 26 of their 77 rushes (20 of 39 on 1-3 yards away from a 1^st down) resulting in a first down.

On the season, the Gators allowed 206 yards on 62 rushes with 25 first downs.

And How the Excel in Rushing They Don’t in Passing

On the season, Iowa ranked 114^th in the country in yards per game passing.

Quarterback CJ Beathard, son of famous country music legend Casey Beathard and brother of current singer Tucker Beathard, threw for a paltry 1874 yards on 58.6% passing with a 6.7 yard per attempt average and a 2.43 TD:INT ratio.

The highest receiving receiver on Iowa amassed only 506 yards and four touchdowns and averaged 42.2 yards per game – Riley McCarron.

Their 6.77 yards per attempt and 11.52 yards per pass completion rank 90^th and 95^th in the country – so expect another slow day for Jalen Tabor, Quincy Wilson, and the rest of #DBU.

And, You Guessed It – They’re Very, Very Slow

Iowa ranks 113^th in the country in time per second per play at 28:41 per play. Couple that with the 28:06 seconds per play the Gators average and you could have the slowest game in college football history.

In fact, You May Not See Any Offense

The Iowa Hawkeyes rank 100^th or worse in the country in 3^rd Down Conversion, Offensive Plays Per Game, Passing Attempts, Passing Completions, Passing Yards, Passing First Downs, Total First Downs, and Total Yards Per Game.

However, They Can Play Defense

As noted before, the Hawkeyes boast the 24^th ranked defense in the country, including ranking 6^th in lowest completion percentage, 12^th in red zone defense, and 10^th in scoring defense.

Those numbers aren’t great for the Gators considering they rank 56^th in offensive pass completions, 127^th in red zone offense, and 110^th in scoring offense.

And Hopefully the Gators Can Take Advantage of…

Their rush defense that allows 153.17 yards per game. Their low turnover (89^th) and interception margin (100^th). Their inability to sack (64^th) or tackle for loss (112^th), which ranks them 99^th in the country in percentage of plays that result in a turnover, sack, or tackle for loss.

In the End…

It is a match-up that pairs two bad offenses against two great defenses that are great at the thing the other is really bad at, so this game is a true toss-up of who executes better and who wants it more.