Nov. 15, 2012
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker played and coached at Michigan State, so he, more than most, knows what the Hawkeyes are up against Saturday at Michigan.
“It’s Michigan. It’s a great program and they have great players,” Parker said Thursday in an exclusive interview with hawkeyesports.com.
Parker and offensive coordinator Greg Davis discussed Iowa’s game in Ann Arbor that will kick off at 11 :01 a.m. (CT) Saturday. The Hawkeyes are 4-6 overall, 2-4 in the Big Ten Conference; Michigan is tied for the Legends Division lead at 7-3, 5-1.
Once again, Parker’s defense prepares for the likelihood of facing more than one quarterback in Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner. Robinson is third in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game; Gardner leads in pass efficiency.
Parker said the Hawkeyes will continue to rotate personnel up front and could substitute more freely on the back end of the defense as well.
For Iowa’s offense to succeed, Davis said it will need to stay out of “third-and-obvious” situations. Michigan is tops in the league in pass defense and second in total defense.
“They are playing with a lot of confidence and they do a god job with situational football,” Davis said of the Wolverines.
A key to moving the chains could revolve around the Hawkeyes’ ability to get the running game in gear, and executing play-action passing off the run.
To watch an interview with Parker and Davis, click HERE.