Game To Watch: #5 Iowa at Maryland: October 1, 2021
Iowa and Maryland will face off in a match-up of undefeated teams in College Park on Friday at 8:00 EST. Iowa has followed their defense to a 4 – 0 start, with big wins over Indiana and Iowa State. On the opposite sideline, Maryland has usually been good on offense on it’s road to 4 – 0 with wins over West Virginia and Illinois. One of these two unbeaten teams will fall Friday night, the Hawkeyes and Terps will battle to determine whose dream season continues.
Recent History
Iowa has won two of the three games between the two teams. Maryland won the first ever meeting in 2014, 38 – 31 at home. Iowa has hosted the last two games and the Hawkeyes won comfortably in both, the first in 2015 and the latest in 2018. With the home team winning all three match-ups to date, Maryland will look to continue that trend this year.
Top 25 Players
Iowa
| Player | Rank |
|---|---|
| Tyler Goodson | #23 RB |
| Sam LaPorta | #19 TE |
| Tyler Linderbaum | #1 G/C |
| Cody Ince | #17 G/C |
| Riley Moss | #25 CB |
| Jack Koerner | #23 S |
Iowa Hawkeyes Gear
What To Watch For…
Can Tagovailoa Solve Iowa’s Defense?
Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa is off to a fast start in 2021. He has completed 75.5 percent of his passes, is averaging 9.1 yards per attempt and has a 10 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio. He got off to a fast start in 2020, before having a poor performance against Indiana to finish his season after just four games. This year he has a chance to keep the positive momentum going, though it won’t be easy against a tough Iowa defense. The Hawkeyes have been excellent defensively in 2021, holding all four opponents to 17 points or less and giving opposing quarterbacks fits. The defense has held opponents to a 54 percent completion percentage, allowed just 5.8 yards per pass attempt and made 6 interceptions against just 3 touchdown passes allowed. Part of that success is the secondary, but part of it is the pressure the Hawkeyes put on the quarterback. Iowa has 13 sacks and 16 QB Hurries through four games this year. Tagovailoa will have to be at his best to beat a suffocating Iowa defense.
Can Iowa’s Offense Find it’s Identity?
Iowa has relied on their dominant defense to carry them early this season. The offense on the other hand, has struggled to get on track thus far. They have been held under 305 yards in three of their four games this season and are dead last in the Big Ten with a 293 yards per game average. The running game was solid against Indiana and good against Kent State but disappeared against Iowa State and Colorado State. The passing attack has done better against Kent State and Colorado State, but has not gone over 225 yards passing all year. Iowa is struggling to move the ball and does not seem to have an offensive identity right now. The Hawkeyes need to establish an identity and allow the rest of their offense to grow around that. Maryland’s defense ranks seventh in the Big Ten in yards against, tenth against the pass and fifth against the run. They may not be an intimidating unit, but they are no pushover either. Iowa will be challenged to find an offensive rhythm and begin to build their offensive identity against the Terps.
Who Wins the Turnover Battle?
Both of these teams have been excellent in turnover margin this year. Iowa is second in the Big Ten with a +5 turnover margin, while Maryland is fifth with a +3 margin. The Hawkeyes’ defense has taken it one step further and returned three of those turnovers for a touchdown. In modern college football it’s difficult for defenses to stop offenses consistently without turnovers or negative plays. Between up-tempo offenses, RPOs and quick whistles for targeting, pass interference or roughing the passer it is difficult to contain teams for four quarters. Turnovers are still the great equalizer, with one play the defense can end an offensive possession and create an advantage for their team. Iowa and Maryland have both used their ability to force turnovers and their offense’s ability to avoid them to win games this year, Friday’s game will likely be decided the same way.
Prediction
Iowa and Maryland bring contrasting styles to Friday’s match-up. Maryland uses their RPOs to put defenses in conflict and will challenge the discipline of the Iowa defense. Iowa is comfortable playing the ball control game and allowing their defense to create field position and scoring opportunities. Maryland will hit a few big plays and score some points, but Iowa’s defense and coaching will dictate the game and help the Hawkeyes pull out a big win on the road. Iowa 27 Maryland 20.
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Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa scrambles against West Virginia at Capitol One Field on September 4th(1) image taken by All-Pro Reels is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
