The Big Analysis -- Louisiana Monroe

When the Hawkeyes have the ball

Defensive coordinator Troy Reffett's 3-3-5 defense seems as though it would be susceptible to a power O-line and running back, but Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said this week ULM brings bodies to the point of attack, which obviously has the potential to cause problems.

Reffett brought the scheme to ULM in 2009. In '08, the Warhawks allowed 444.7 yards of total offense per game. Last season, they whittled it to 347.0 yards a game.

This version of the 3-3-5 calls for the D-linemen to penetrate instead of clog. Nosetackle Kentarius Caldwell did just that against Florida State, picking up a pair of tackles for loss and a sack. Also against the Seminoles, the Warhawks had 10 defenders within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage on several running plays.

Last season, the Warhawks finished second in the Sun Belt in total defense and first against the run for the second straight year. ULM picked up six sacks against Grambling State and now tied for 16th in the nation with 3.3 a game. Ends Ken Dorsey and Troy Evans, who missed eight games last season because of injury, lead the team with 1.5 sacks apiece. Evans, a 6-foot-1, 251-pounder from Shreveport, La., also has a team-high 4.5 tackles for loss.

Linebacker Cameron Blakes (6-1, 231) is a preseason all-Sun Belt pick. Blakes and Jason Edwards (5-11, 235) are run-stoppers. The Warhawks held seven of 12 opponents to less than their season rushing average last season, including three to less than 100. So far this season, ULM has held Grambling and this little outfit in the ACC called Florida State to less than 100 yards. ULM is allowing just 108.3 rushing yards. For comparison, Iowa allows 157.0.

Ferentz said ULM's defense is a little like the 3-3-5 Rich Rodriguez took to Michigan, but he also said it's not exactly that and it's really nothing like what he's seen in 13 years at Iowa.

The Hawkeyes' offense experienced just about every emotion possible in last week's 31-27 comeback win over Pittsburgh.

Through nearly four quarters, junior quarterback James Vandenberg and the offense generated just three points. Down 24-3 with 3:11 left in the third, offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe went to a no-huddle, Vandenberg completed 17 of 20 for three TDs and Iowa's wide receivers caught everything except pneumonia.

The blemishes: Running back Marcus Coker averaged just 3.7 yards on 23 carries. That went hand-in-hand with the struggles of Iowa's three inside linemen. Junior Matt Tobin and freshman Brandon Scherff rotated in at left guard, but neither run with the opportunity. It's a revolving door with the possible return of sophomore Nolan MacMillan scheduled for Penn State.

After last week, when Ferentz says he and his coaches will call or do whatever it takes to win, you need to believe him. The big difference between Iowa State and Pitt was the level of desperation. It is fair to wonder when that kicks in. You don't live through a 24-3 deficit on a regular basis.

Advantage: Iowa

When the Warhawks have the ball

In his first year at ULM last season, coach Todd Berry put a ton of responsibility on freshman quarterback Kolton Browning. For the most part, the 6-1, 196-pounder delivered.

He was third among all freshmen in the country with 244.8 yards of offense a game. He threw for 2,552 yards, 12 interceptions and 18 TDs. He also wasn't afraid to pull the ball down and take off, finishing as the Warhawks' leading returning rusher with 385 yards and four TDs.

This year, junior Cody Wells has earned playing time. He played the second drive at TCU last week and directed an eight-play, 52-yard TD drive he capped with a 22-yard TD pass.

Ferentz said ULM runs two different offenses based on personnel group. Browning appears to be the one with the feet. He averages 8.3 yards on 26 carries. Wells hasn't seen a ton of time, but he's completed 10 of 13 for 89 yards and two TDs with only four rushes. It could be as simple as "running" and "passing" QBs.

Wide receiver Luther Ambrose (5-9, 185), an NCAA-level sprinter, led ULM last season with 65 receptions for 752 yards and six TDs. He's been found out this year, with just five catches. On the other hand, the top four receivers from '10 return.

Four starters return on the offensive line, but true freshman Joseph Treadwell (6-4, 290) won the job at left tackle. Before you think weak spot, the Pine Bluff, Ark., native already has starts against Florida State and TCU. Freshman Ben Risenhoover (6-1, 284) also sees time at right guard.

The Hawkeyes made four changes in the starting lineup going into last week and it paid off.

Yes, Iowa gave up big plays -- three rushes of 15-plus yards and five pass plays of 20-plus -- and points, but it produced five three-and-outs, including a crucial three-play, 5-yard drive in the fourth quarter, giving Iowa's offense a real shot at doing something. Against Iowa State, Iowa had three three-and-outs, none of which came after early in the second quarter.

There's also the raw data of third-down conversion. Iowa State converted 13 of 20, a losing number in every way, shape and form. The Hawkeyes held Pitt to 4 of 13, a number that gave Iowa a chance to comeback.

So, does the secondary of Jordan Bernstine and Tanner Miller at safety, Micah Hyde at corner and Dominic Alvis at defensive end and Thomas Nardo at tackle give the Hawkeyes the best chance to win? Iowa was better, but probably don't get too comfortable with any one lineup. This defense has five new starters and lost millions of dollars worth of talent to the NFL.

The Hawkeyes are in the midst of a re-brand on defense. It worked better last week than the week before, but there are no constants and least not yet.

Advantage: Iowa

Special teams

There is some flux here for ULM. True freshman Aaron Munoz handled kicking duties last week for the injured Radi Jabour. True freshman Tyler Cain returned punts. Munoz and Conner Fryoux split the punting duties. Munoz is an interesting story. When he punted last season against Arkansas State, it was the first time he punted in a game since eighth grade. His first kick went 60 yards. Fryoux would be 15th in the nation with a 45.4 average if he had the 15 punts required to be among the leaders. Manton is one of just eight freshman kickers in FBS.

After starting the season 7-for-7, sophomore Mike Meyer slowed down last week, hitting 1 of 3 against Pittsburgh. His misses were from 40 and 50. The 40-yarder banged off the left upright, while the 50-yarder fell short and wide right. Time to recognize punter Eric Guthrie, whose 44.38-yard average is third in the Big Ten. Four of his 13 punts have been inside the opponent's 20.

Senior Jordan Bernstine was close to breaking a kickoff return for a TD last week, having a 60-yarder called back after a penalty. Iowa's kick coverage showed signs of life. Against Iowa State it allowed more than 31.8 yards a return. Against Pitt, that number shrank to 19.8.

Advantage: Iowa

The Scoreboard

ULM has enough talent and speed on offense to give Iowa's defense a migraine. The spread offense, with the no-huddle twist,  is all over high school fields in the country and is here to stay, and it's something that has Iowa slowly changing personnel. Sophomores James Morris and Christian Kirksey are lighter, faster linebackers and might be the wave of the future, or at least until Wisconsin and Ohio State are back on the schedule.

Defensive coordinators now have to wonder how the Hawkeyes will beat them. ULM crams the line of scrimmage with defenders. Does Iowa run Coker into that 25 times or does Vandenberg get the green light? At this point, what's Iowa's best foot forward on offense? You can make an argument for Marvin McNutt, Keenan Davis and Kevonte Martin-Manley.

Iowa 38, ULM 17