Hawkeyes driven by talented defense

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez doesn't need to see the stats - he can see on film what Iowa's strengths are.

"Defensive, it starts there," Rodriguez said. "Their front four is as good as anybody's in the country. I think there's six or seven seniors starting, and another two or three seniors in the backup role. They know their scheme. They're very good at it."

In short, when the No. 15 Hawkeyes arrive at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, they'll bring a lot of talent.

Their defensive line begins with end Adrian Clayborn, named a preseason All-America by several publications and coming off a huge season of 20 tackles for loss and 11 ½ sacks. He's essentially an unblockable force on the edge.

Next to him in the middle is Karl Klug, who had 13 tackles for loss last year, with Christian Ballard at the other tackle and Broderick Binns, another potential NFL player, on the outside.

The Hawkeyes have a more intense front than the Wolverines have seen this year, and it's the core of a defense that ranks fourth nationally in total defense (242 yards per game), second in rush defense (63 yards per game) and first in scoring defense (10.2 points per game).

"They'll blitz when they have to on occasion, and they'll change some things up," Rodriguez said. "But they're so good up front that they can get pressure with a four-man front. They can stop the run with their four-man front and play their base defense just against about anybody.

"They don't stay blocked. They're a team that, you know, you may put a hat on a hat, but that hat on a hat doesn't stay there very long because they get off blocks. That is most impressive."

That puts pressure on Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, who struggled last week against the first strong defense he faced - Michigan State - but he still has that lightning-at-any-moment potential.

"They'd better understand what their role is, what their assignment is," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday about his defensive line. "If you get out of your lane or whatever your area of responsibility might be against (former Iowa QB) Nathan Chandler, OK, who's a good quarterback for us, but it's not quite as critical. But if we leave a little window open there, this guy (Robinson) may just pull it down and go, and we've got a bunch of folks chasing him then.

"It's a little different dynamic that way. You still have to be aggressive, but you can't be careless at all, because it's hard."

The Spartans relied heavily on their linebacker and secondary play, presenting less of an impact up front. Because Iowa's defense is set up differently, finding a crease and hitting it quickly - with no hesitation, Rodriguez said this week - will be crucial for Robinson and U-M's tailbacks.

The pressure is on Robinson's protectors, the Michigan offensive line, to keep Iowa's front from controlling the tempo and attacking Robinson and the tailbacks.

The Wolverines' offensive line might be the most underrated part of the team this year, with Robinson and the receivers drawing most of the headlines.

Up front, U-M has at least three players with pro potential in guards Steve Schilling and Patrick Omameh and redshirt freshman tackle Taylor Lewan, plus center David Molk.

"We've got more experience up front in the O-line than we've ever had, and those guys have gotten bigger," Rodriguez said on his radio show Thursday. "They still always (get a) challenge and can play a little better, but they have been our most consistent group all year . . . from an assignment standpoint.

"The next part is being physically able to handle (defensive) guys, and that's what's going to happen this weekend. We've gotten bigger and stronger, but we're going against a very good defensive front. We've got to be able to match them strength for strength, and I'm anxious to see if we can do that."

By Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press