2-Minute Drill: Stanford Cardinal

Breaking down Friday's Rose Bowl between No. 5 Iowa and No. 6 Stanford (4 p.m., ESPN).

IOWA RUSH OFFENSE VS. STANFORD RUSH DEFENSE

This matchup will show explicitly how much yards are valued between the Big Ten and Pac-12. This isn't to say one way is better than the other, it's just the leagues operate very, very differently. In the Pac-12, you have wide-open spread offenses and coaches holding up sheets on the sidelines to hide their signals from the opponent.

The Cardinal faced Oregon, California, Arizona, Washington State, USC (twice) and UCLA this season. All feature mostly spread offenses with speed on the outside.

The Cardinal defense allowed 5.69 yards per play, fourth in the Pac-12. That number would've been 10th in the Big Ten, which, for the most part, is slug-and-plug.

Stanford defensive coordinator Lance Anderson is in his second full season and, despite some personnel setbacks this year, he has kept the Cardinal defense within the area code of standard, not easy given the fact that nine defensive starters were lost. Yes, the yards per play is high, but Stanford is No. 38 in the country with 23.1 points allowed, a workable number in the Pac-12.

The Cardinal run a 3-4 alignment without a lot of depth on the defensive line. Defensive end Aziz Shittu (6-3, 279) emerged as a first-team all-Pac-12 selection (47 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss), defensive end Brennan Scarlett (6-4, 264) didn't miss a game (34 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss) and highly recruited redshirt freshman DT Solomon Thomas (6-3, 271) also had a productive first season (35 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss).

Stanford linebackers have had to have been an active group this season. Linebacker Blake Martinez, an all-Pac-12 pick and the league leader with 131 tackles. outside linebackers Kevin Anderson and Peter Kalambayi are legitimate pass rush threats off the edge. This group also will likely have to track Iowa QB C.J. Beathard, who's done business as a scrambler this season.

Iowa's offensive line has a chance to create an advantage. Center Austin Blythe and guards Jordan Walsh and Sean Welsh have brought a bully mentality every week. Fullbacks Macon Plewa and Adam Cox have made an art out of taking on blockers through the hole. This fivesome has been a machine.

Running back is a bit of a mystery box. Senior Jordan Canzeri should be back from the sprained ankle that cost him most of the Big Ten championship game. Sophomore Akrum Wadley showed some gears in the B1G title game that Iowa will have to take advantage of. Iowa has a personnel advantage on the line of scrimmage. It'll be up to the running backs to exploit it.

Advantage: Iowa

IOWA PASS OFFENSE VS. STANFORD PASS DEFENSE

Martinez and cornerback Ronnie Harris struggled with ankle injuries late in the season, but are expected to be full go for the Rose Bowl. Harris is Stanford's best cover corner, a second-team all-Pac-12 pick who finished third in the league with 10 pass breakups.

Three elements leave the Cardinal somewhat vulnerable. Stanford doesn't have a premier pass rusher. It finished sixth in the Pac-12 with 27 sacks, with outside linebacker Mike Tyler (6-5, 234) and Thomas leading with 4.5 sacks. Stanford also hasn't put up big takeaway numbers this season, with just seven interceptions and 12 overall takeaways. Also, the Cardinal have allowed 15 runs of 20-plus yards and 40 pass plays of 20-plus. Those sound like big numbers, but are relative to the Pac-12 (fourth and third in the league, respectively). Iowa, meanwhile, allowed seven rushes of 20-plus and 38 pass plays.

It's the bowl game, so this is a relative statement (everybody has played 13 games), but the Cardinal have three first-year starters in the secondary — sophomore cornerback Alijah Holder (6-2, 184), free safety Kodi Whitfield (6-2, 202) and strong safety Dallas Lloyd (6-3, 207). Stanford lost its top five defensive backs from 2014, so this unit was headed to a break-in period, either way. Whitfield and Lloyd, both of whom came from the offense, are seniors.

Iowa and Stanford share many traits, but perhaps the most common is the defense trying to force the opponent into a one-dimensional attack. Despite being held to a season-low 52 rushing yards in the Big Ten title game against Michigan State, Iowa held a 13-9 lead late into the fourth quarter on an 85-yard C.J. Beathard-to-Tevaun Smith TD pass.

Can the Hawkeyes find consistent rhythm in the passing game to keep the numbers game at the line of scrimmage manageable? Yes, it can. Stanford is a step up in weight class, but so was Michigan State. What makes the Spartans a CFP final four team and Stanford a Rose Bowl team? Not a lot, but the Cardinal don't have defensive end Shilique Calhoun and MSU does. He sacked Beathard twice and had a great argument for B1G title game MVP.

Iowa tight ends Henry Krieger Coble and George Kittle will have a chance to factor, as blockers and pass catchers. Iowa should be able to run two-TE sets to keep the Cardinal off balance.

Iowa's deep passing game nearly took the Hawkeyes to a B1G title. Smith is No. 2 in the Big Ten with 18.20 yards on 30 receptions. Junior wide receiver Matt VandeBerg is seventh in the Big Ten with 61 receptions, but also showed deep wheels vs. Michigan State. The deep ball is there. There's been no stage too big for Beathard this year. Don't expect anything different. He has a chance to be a differentiator in this game.

Advantage: Iowa

IOWA RUSH DEFENSE VS. STANFORD RUSH OFFENSE

Stanford is all about running power. The Cardinal want to run the ball (they've run 576 times to 297 passes, that's 66 percent run plays). Stanford has rushed at least 40 times a game every week since an opening weekend loss at Northwestern (just 27 rushes for 85 yards). The Cardinal want running back Christian McCaffrey to run the ball. McCaffrey, who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Alabama's Derrick Henry, goes into the Rose Bowl with 1,847 rushing yards (5.79 yards per carry).

McCaffrey (6-0, 201) makes this work with excellent patience, quickness and vision. McCaffrey lets blocks set up and has the feet to exploit the smallest opening.

Quarterback Kevin Hogan (6-4, 218) is a tricky-good runner. The senior is adept in the read-option game and that allows the Cardinal to run power plays out of spread formations. Basically, if Iowa linebackers only key on McCaffrey, Hogan or running back Barry Sanders (5-10, 198) might be able to run behind guard Joshua Garnett (6-5, 321), who was named the winner of the Outland Trophy this season.

Stanford's super power is power. The Cardinal have their mega, seven-O-linemen formations, with a wildcat package that features McCaffrey. Against Washington this season, the Cardinal ran an 8-OL front. Stanford finished 18th in the nation in rushing (225.08) and rolled up 32 rushing TDs. That speaks to the cohesiveness the Cardinal have between McCaffrey and scheme.

Running back Remound Wright is McCaffrey's short-yardage counterpart. He leads the nation with his average of a touchdown per five touches. He keeps the Cardinal alive on third-and-short and in the red zone. The Cardinal also have speedster Bryce Love, one of the fastest players in the Pac-12, and Barry Sanders.

Out of necessity, Iowa rotated more defensive linemen late in the season. With almost a month between games, will defensive tackles Jaleel Johnson and Nathan Bazata have their legs back? Defensive end Nate Meier fought off several injuries (groin, shoulder, neck) to play in the Big Ten title game. How much can his health improve in a month (because you know he's going to play)?

Yes, the last time out, the Iowa defense allowed a 22-play, 82-yard and 9:04 drive that cost it the Big Ten championship. One element that helped lead to the leaks that Michigan State found was misdirection. The Spartans showed a lot of jet sweep action. They held Iowa linebackers' attention enough to create space in the middle.

Iowa has some rebuilding to do here. Nine of the 10 rushing TDs Iowa allowed this season came over the last five weeks of the season. The group has a chance to erase 22 plays and make a Rose Bowl memory.

Advantage: Stanford

IOWA PASS DEFENSE VS. STANFORD PASS OFFENSE

Cardinal QB Kevin Hogan really had a brilliant season. Aside from his legs (he's had 20-plus rushes in four games this season), Hogan threw for 2,644 yards (9.3 yards per attempt) with 24 TDs and just seven interceptions. He's that 'guy,' that senior dude who makes plays for his offense and sees the game with an IQ of a senior. Stanford coach David Shaw has said this season that Hogan has repeatedly put the Cardinal in position to exploit defenses in pre-snap reads.

Stanford, like Iowa, loves its tight ends, but does feature good receivers. In the Cardinal's win over Notre Dame, perhaps its biggest this season, receivers Devon Cajuste (6-4, 227), Michael Rector (6-1, 189) and Trenton Irwin (6-2, 199) all made huge catches to make the Irish pay for stacking the box against McCaffrey. Rector has 32 catches for 486 yards and five TDs. Tight end Austin Hooper (6-4, 248) has 31 catches for 415 yards and six TDs.

Surprise, McCaffrey is Stanford's leading receiver with 41 catches for 540 yards and four TDs. This is why he was a Heisman finalist, the 3,496 all-purpose yards (8.5 yards on 410 touches). McCaffrey led the nation with 268.9 all-purpose yards a game. Will Iowa be able to roll out a third-down speed package? If Iowa does go 'raider,' does Stanford audible into a run and truck three standup D-linemen on the line of scrimmage? Then again, Iowa might have to tinker with personnel or it will risk McCaffery in space against a linebacker. It likely will risk that anyway, but the Hawkeyes will have to keep that damage to a minimum.

When Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has had national-level teams the go-to line has been the Hawkeyes 'don't beat themselves.' This year, that translates to turnover margin. The Hawkeyes tied for 10th in the nation with a plus-12 turnover ratio. The Hawkeyes' 26 turnovers gained tied for 14th in the nation.

McCaffery and Stanford's power scheme will give Iowa plenty to worry about. Iowa's pass coverage, however, has been among the B1G's best this season as far as turnovers go. Iowa led the Big Ten with 18 interceptions, led by junior cornerback Desmond King, the McCaffrey counterpart as far as the big, mighty awards go (King won two national defensive back of the year awards). Linebacker Josey Jewell also has three interceptions this season.

The Hawkeyes' sack numbers were great down the stretch (just five in the last five games this season), but the pressure was there to make it difficult to throw on Iowa (6.0 yards per attempt against was No. 4 in the Big Ten). Can Hogan and Stanford get Iowa here? Of course, but Iowa's secondary has been among the best in the nation. Even with King, it's perhaps the least-talked about unit for the Hawkeyes.

Advantage: Push

SPECIAL TEAMS

McCaffrey is ninth in the nation with 28.9 yards per kick return (his 1,047 yards is No. 2). Stanford kicker Conrad Ukropina (17-of-19 on field goals) has made six of his last seven kicks. Ukropina, a Pasadena native, drilled the game-winner against Notre Dame and earned a Stanford scholarship after sealing a victory at USC earlier this year. Punter Alex Robinson (42.9 yards a punt) has downed 14 of his 35 punts this season inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

Stanford allowed 5.5 yards per punt return (second in the Pac-12) and 21.1 a kick return (fifth in the league). Iowa's numbers here aren't great, allowing 9.75 yards a punt return (eighth in the B1G) and 23.2 per kick return (12th in the league). These numbers carry some meaning, but they really add up in efficiency. Is Stanford starting a possession at its 35 or beyond? That's clearly advantage Stanford.

Football Outsiders track several stats that go into a measure for special teams efficiency. It measures per possession scoring value. It's fairly wonky and might not mean anything to you, but latch on to the 'efficiency' part. This plays into field position, which obviously plays into a comfort zone for offense and defense and, ultimately, points.

The Cardinal are ranked No. 5 nationally, while Iowa is No. 37. Maybe it's something, maybe it's really not.

Advantage: Stanford

INTANGIBLES

1. Rose Spotlight 1 — This is Iowa's first Rose Bowl in 25 years. Iowa QB C.J. Beathard has said the team will go down in history if it wins. (It will.) The Iowa Department of Transportation, which, coincidentally, is located in Ames, put this on the electronic signs that stand over highways around the state: Buckle up and Smell the Roses. There is a certain weight that comes with this because Iowa Rose Bowls have been a scarce commodity. The players could feel it. This is Iowa's sixth Rose Bowl . . .

2. Rose Spotlight 2 — . . . and this is Stanford's 15th Rose, including three in the last four years. Stanford players and coaches have been asked throughout the week if the Rose Bowl has become just another trip south for the Cardinal. To a man, they argued that they know the Rose Bowl ground is hallowed and they are honored for another chance to walk it. Still, when a Hawkeye slips up on Friday, it will be the first Hawkeye mistake made in the Rose Bowl in 25 years. When a Stanford player does that, it'll be the first mistake in the Rose since 2014. The Cardinal have processed the bigness of what's in front of them. Iowa got a taste in Indianapolis for the B1G title game, but this is a much bigger pizza.

3. Character Bowl — The leadership/citizenship quotient on both of these teams is a total push, but it's sure worth a mention. Stanford example: Last December on the night of the team banquet, Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan's father died. It was a shock to the system. He spent time with his family and then returned to the team to lead the Cardinal to a Foster Farms Bowl victory. Iowa example: Clearly not the same stakes as someone's father dying, and Iowa senior defensive end Drew Ott would be the first to admit this. Still, Ott had his senior season shattered by injuries, dislocating an elbow at Iowa State and then tearing an ACL against Illinois. He sat at a Rose Bowl 'hot dog' booth on media day. It's a lonely seat away from his teammates, a table on a riser with a microphone. He's had surgeries on both limbs. He's not going to play Friday (no chance). And yet, he was a good sport with questions and kept the sense of humor that he brought from Trumbull, Neb., on his first day as a Hawkeye.

'I was a little hungry,' Ott said of the Lawry's Beef Bowl and trying for a third slab of prime rib. 'Thought it was supposed to be a challenge or something like that, so I was starving myself.'

IOWA WILL WIN IF ... The Hawkeyes' best shot at victory is the reverse Michigan State. They need to have long, sustained, efficient drives to help save a defense that hit a physical wall at the end of the season. Very few teams in the country have what Stanford has in Christian McCaffrey. The Cardinal also lead the nation in time of possession. That number is going to go a long way in determining the winner. Iowa's offensive line will have to howl its loudest.

STANFORD WILL WIN IF ... McCaffrey is the headliner and he should be. That's not all the Cardinal have. QB Kevin Hogan is an excellent athlete and runs a tight read-option game behind a massive O-line. RB Bryce Love is one of the fastest players in the Pac-12. Stanford's core receiving group goes 6-4, 6-4 and 6-3. So many weapons at the disposal of head coach David Shaw, a master playcaller who does call the Cardinal's plays. Iowa's defense is the question in this game. Stanford has a million ways to soften it.

PREDICTION: Iowa 34, Stanford 31

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com