Iowa is 110th in the nation in tackles for losses (but 6th in scoring defense)

That tackles-for-losses statistic sort of threw me for a loss.

I was looking through the NCAA stats this afternoon, seeing where the Hawkeyes and other teams ranked in this and that. In late November, stats have meaning. Many stats, anyway.

But 110th in tackles for losses? With a star-studded defensive line?

Iowa averages 4.45 tackles for losses per game. By comparison, national-leader Boise State averages 8.8, Purdue 7.6. Northwestern 6.18.

That stat can probabsly be a little misleading given the styles of offenses you face and the quality of those offenses. But the Hawkeyes rank last in the Big Ten in that particular category, and most of the 10 teams below them nationally are not very good. Duke, Kansas, North Texas, New Mexico State, Rice ... that ilk.

To try not to be a total Negative Nate, let me add that Iowa is sixth in the nation in scoring defense (15.45 points per game). I'd guess there are roughly 120 FBS head coaches who would suggest that statistic is a lot more important than tackles for losses. 

Iowa is second in the nation in turnover margin, with +1.27 per game, which is outstanding, actually.

If the 7-4 won-lost record (the ultimate football statistic) wasn't casting such a shadow on Iowa's season, the team could point at other stats as things to treasure. Like losing just three fumbles this season. Only Ohio State and Oregon State have fewer fumbles lost (2), and Oregon State has played 10 games to Iowa's 11. Wisconsin is the only other team in the nation with just three lost fumbles this year.

Adam Robinson, out for Saturday's game because of injury, is not a fumbler.

Then again, lost fumbles may not be the most-meaningful stat in the books, either. Oregon and Nebraska have lost 12 fumbles each, Boise State and LSU 10. Combined, the four are 40-3.

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