Grading the Bucks--Week 8: Iowa

Offense: B+
Overall, this was a nice game for the offense.  Hyde ran hard, Braxton looked good both throwing and running, receivers caught passes, and the line did their job.  It's not an A because nothing special happened.  Iowa is a so-so team and I didn't see the absolute dominance that I believe we should have seen.  Wilson was affecting the game in multiple ways (see the safeties reaction to play action on the Philly Brown TD).  He is certainly a weapon, but his size may be a liability down the road.  Hyde was beastly when we needed.  Not too much to complain about except only 34 points against Iowa... I like the 0 in the turnover column, but that fumble by Braxton at the end of the game...can. not. happen.

Defense: C
I'll take the flack for this from the 'bloggers' and those that want to do their best to seem unbiased: the Roby hit was not an ejectable offense.  The helmets grazed but only after the tight end turned into it.  Roby's hit was with the shoulder and the follow-through caught the edge of the helmet.  Many say it's textbook targeting, but I completely disagree.  His feet do not leave the ground; the crown of the helmet makes no contact; intent is clearly to dislodge the ball, not to injure a 'defenseless' receiver.  We've gotten to a point that laudable defensive plays are now illegal.  Ask Ferentz and I'm sure he'd say it was a good hit (but probably not to the media).  Perhaps that's where we're at in football now, but I firmly believe that you can indeed judge intent and the helmet to helmet was an incidental blow.  He absolutely wrecked the receiver, but not in a way that wasn't in line with the rules (or if you want to really argue, my belief in the rules).
Now, about the defense.  Iowa is not good.  I was less concerned with the pass defense (I know they suck) than I was with the run defense.  Our rush ends are very fast (like SEC fast--sarcasm), but Iowa played traditional B1G football and pushed us back.  The line of scrimmage was habitually established 3 yards downfield.  Seems that the recruitment of big fat cornfed boys might be needed at times.  The boons to the defense were the adjustments made in the second half.  Sans one total break down play (how does a safety or CB not catch a tight end?) the defense was quite good in the second half.  Tressel's teams were always slow after a bye and hopefully, this is a bye hangover.  Need to bring it at all times and we didn't bring consistent energy and enthusiasm for 60 minutes.

Special Teams: B
No punts...no problems...no missed kicks.  Woo.

Coaching: B+
The defensive coaches did a very nice job at halftime fixing the issues.  I thought the intensity (overall) in the second half was increased and that's a coaching plus.  For the intensity of the first half being lax...that's a minus.  The offense looked pretty good, but not very many explosive plays.  I still question if the coaches trust Braxton to throw the deep ball on a consistent basis. Our receivers are better than they get credit for.  Use them.  Not a knock on Hyde, but his beastliness should open up the passing game.

Overall: B
Win.  Yay! 10 points over Iowa. Hmmm... Style points don't matter (and never really have) with the schedule.  Just keep winning and let the other teams fall by the wayside.