This is a coaching staff that is searching for something that works.
Just when the defense seems poured and ready to serve as a foundation, someone kicks the scaffolding out from under it. You all can rip Adam Shada. He was out of position on the 39-yarder to Hardy, but think about it. Today was his first day at free safety, ever. He said after the game that he knew Tuesday and practiced. I'm not trying to cushion the blow for Shada. He's a tough senior and can deal. But think about what it says about where the program is right now. The best option at No. 2 free safety is a starting corner? That's the problem.
No one player or position is the problem. That's the problem. That speaks to recruiting and development. And that's as good of a theory as any right now.
Did you know who Jammie Kirlew was before today? That was the launching of an all-Big Ten campaign on the backs of Iowa's O-line. How far away is this unit? It's young, but how long will that work for you Hawkeye people? Seth Olsen limped off in the fourth quarter. Can't imagine that'll help. Next year? Is it that far away?
It's easy to jump on Jake Christensen. He's the quarterback. He admitted to some throws getting away from him after the game. I really think it's impossible to give any sort of definitive opinion on Christensen when he's being sacked nine times and hurried six more. If he goes under the bus, then make sure there's room under there for the O-line and a young group of receivers who had their share of problems Saturday. Christensen needs to make more of the "makable" plays. That's the biggest hit on him. I just don't see how you focus on his issues when everything else is collapsing around him. Literally, at times.
Iowa blitzed on the fourth-and-7 play that saw Kellen Lewis throw a 24-yard laser to Brandon Walker-Roby that eventually set up a TD. That's two killing blitz burns on Iowa this season. I have no conclusions here, just observations. Obviously, consistent pressure from the front four would help, but I have a hard time knocking a unit that has been the spine of the team, even if it's a 2-3 team.
Bradley Fletcher should take his day with James Hardy as a learning experience. That was as tough a first start as you're going to get. There's really not much else to say here. Hardy is a Plaxico Burress starter kit.
Special teams are an unmitigated disaster. From Adrian Clayborn's late hit 15-yarder to Austin Signor's missed extra point to Daniel Murray's wayward 25-yarder, total team disaster and here we are, wrapping it up.
A healthy roster breeds healthy special teams. It also produces a solid No. 2 free safety so the starting corner doesn't have to switch five games into his senior year.
There's no single problem. It's problems, plural, and that is the problem.