Last Call -- So close, so far

It's not what you want to hear, but it doesn't make it any less true.

When Iowa's offense breaks down, it's really is just one thing. One missed block, one bad read or one route thrown off. The "4-3 or die" defense works if everyone holds their gap, coverage or whatever.

The second-and-5 on Iowa's initial possession had the Hawkeyes in a two tight-end set with Allen Reisner in motion to the right. Two wide receivers on the strongside. Single back. The play called for longer routes against Ohio State's defense that really did set a pace for pass rush from minute one. Strong rush forced Stanzi out of the pocket for a scramble that netted nothing.

Very next play, third-and-5, the Hawkeyes executed perfectly. Single back. Three wideouts with Keenan Davis. The protection held up and QB Ricky Stanzi hit Reisner for an 11-yard gain and a first down.

Second-and-10 at OSU's 42, Iowa was in two TE with Reisner motioning to an H back spot. Linebacker Bryan Rolle blitzed and dropped RB Marcus Coker for a 3-yard loss. It was single back and Rolle read run and read right.

This forced a third-and-12. Three wide receivers. Single back (FB Brett Morse). Shotgun. Reisner motion to H position. Ohio State blitzed and Stanzi was forced to dump to Reisner for 2 yards.

The pressure unwound Iowa's 10-play opening drive and set up the game's theme. Stanzi said he missed the final play because he was picking up his teeth. Not much of an exaggeration. He was under pressure the entire three hours. Ohio State forced Iowa into a bunch of small mistakes that kicked the scaffolding out from under the offense. Nothing major. We're talking one-on-one battles and well-timed blitz schemes.

Iowa got theirs on Stanzi's 19-yard TD to McNutt, but the examples of the blitz beating Iowa -- timing and pressure and not sacks -- outweigh Iowa beating the blitz. It was pressure Iowa hadn't seen all year. It was defense Iowa hadn't seen all year.

Let's tune into the third quarter. Second-and-11 from OSU's 13. I formation, two WRs and Reisner motions to the right. McNutt streaks and is open briefly. Stanzi stares him down and maybe gets nervous about threading the ball over an OSU defender with his back turned to the play. He never sets his feet and kind of jumps, leaving the ball float low and outside.

Third-and-11. Single back and three WRs. Stanzi slides right and is forced to throw high and outside to RB Adam Robinson because WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos slipped and fell in the end zone. No one is open. Threw it away.

Iowa settled for a field goal because Stanzi was a half count late on a pass and because DJK slipped. Narrow margins.

First down with about seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Stanzi got sacked for a 6-yard loss when OSU DT John Simon bullrushed over OG Josh Koeppel. Drive died.

On OSU's fourth-and-10 conversion, the game-winner basically, QB Terrelle Pryor rolled right. It's hard to tell if Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn and DT Karl Klug executed a stunt. Clayborn made an inside swim move, ran into a double team and was shoved out of the play by center Mike Brewster.

Pryor continued to look downfield.

Klug ended up with outside contain, whether he knew it or not. He took three steps inside and was between the hashes when Pryor snapped his head to the left and saw a gaping hole in Iowa's defense. Klug took two more steps and planted, while Pryor was in full lean sprint mode to the left.

He made the decision to scramble and it was going to work. OSU OT Mike Adams pushed Klug back and the gate was open. ABC analyst Matt Millen said "He's got it" while Pryor was still running to his left 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Three steps. Narrow margin.

“Sometimes, we just didn't play quite good enough, whether it be gap integrity or just the right defense or blocking the right guy or covering the right guy on special teams,” senior defensive lineman Christian Ballard. “Just those things that will beat you in a conference like this.”

The philosophies are sound. (You can argue the "4-3 or die, especially after LB Troy Johnson on WR Dane Sanzenbacher to set up the game-winner, but that play isn't going to trigger wholesale changes. You know that in your heart, right?) The execution is off.

Last season, those three steps put the Hawkeyes on solid footing, when they were 4-2 in games decided by 7 or fewer and a BCS bowl team.

This season, those three steps have led them to 1-4 in seven-point games and off the plank.

When it's this close, it's no time tear up the playbook. Time to fine tune. The Hawkeyes have lost four games by a total of 15 points.

This is not a team in need of new schemes. It needs to be sharper. That's not going to be a popular opinion, but this team is close. Can't deny that.

On Iowa offensive player of the game

Terrelle Pryor's didn't blow your hair back, but he was able to dial up on fourth-and-10 the kind of athleticism that Ohio State has and most other teams in the Big Ten don't.

This has been a tremendous season for QBs in the Big Ten. Pryor, Stanzi, Dan Persa, Denard Robinson, Scott Tolzien, Kirk Cousins, Ben Chappell, Nathan Scheelhasse and, lately, Matt McGloin. That's four dual threats and four pocket passers, which surely can be debated at least a little. (If DeVier Posey catches that TD pass, Pryor's touch and not the fourth-and-10 is the topic.) No trend there, just a topic perhaps.

If you can get a QB with Pryor's athleticism, you try to get it. (Remember, Iowa went tooth-and-nail to get Scheelhasse, the son of former Hawkeye Natre Creer).

Runner-up: Ohio State receiver Dan Sanzenbacher was there when Pryor needed him time and time again Saturday. He finished with six catches for 102 yards. You can totally see him as a No. 3 receiver for the Colts.

On Iowa defensive player of the game

Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward had only two tackles, but they were both for loss, including an 11-yard sack that pretty much killed off the Hawkeyes' final drive. He also had a QB hurry.

Runner-up: OSU linebacker Brian Rolle had 10 tackles, including three for loss. He killed off Iowa's promising opening drive when he shot a gap and stopped RB Marcus Coker for a 3-yard loss.

On Iowa special teams player of the week

Ohio State's Devin Barclay drilled a pair of field goals, including a career-long 48-yarder. There are lots of Jenga pieces that go into this, but if you want to get simple, Barclay made his 48-yarder and Iowa's Mike Meyer left his 40-yarder wide left. Again, narrow margins and they add up.

One thing I noticed

When the Kinnick PA piped in the "Back in Black," the seniors weren't at the front of the line leading the players down the tunnel. They were in the back for the presentation with their parents.

The four players up front were Adam Robinson, Marvin McNutt, Keenan Davis and Tyler Sash. QB James Vandenberg was in there, too, just off to the side.

One thing I wonder

How bad is Robinson? That was his second concussion in a month and it looked like a serious one. Sure, this opens the door for Coker, who outperformed Robinson on Saturday, for the Minnesota game. But Robinson is someone you want healthy and able. I've written it before, but I really do believe he deserves respect. Self-made player.

Another thing I wonder

How do I get to the postgame from TCF Bank Stadium? And one more thing, why 2:30 next week for Iowa-Minnesota?

In case you're interested, we'll probably be at one of the Joe Sensor's in Minny on Friday night. I'll try to let you know which one. If you're around, stop and say hello.