Former Florida Gators, Ohio State Buckeyes, Jacksonville Jaguars turned FOX Spots analyst Urban Meyer had high praise this week for Iowa Hawkeyes defensive coordinator Phil Parker.
In the latest "Urban Analysis" Meyer made it a point to talk about the 60-year-old defensive coordinator.
"I think he is one of the most undervalued position coaches in college football," Meyer said. "You put his defense and him with one of these high-powered offenses, which Iowa obviously does not have, that's a recipe for a national title."
Meyer then added, "When you think of Iowa's defense, you think of effort and toughness."
"I think he is one of the most undervalued position coaches in college football."
Phil Parker annually leads one of the nation's top defenses. @CoachUrbanMeyer breaks down what makes his @HawkeyeFootball units so great on the latest ????? ????????. ?? pic.twitter.com/79R5SSbmU3
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 13, 2023
Parker has been calling defensive plays for the Hawkeyes since 2013, but has been with the program since 1999. Beofe that, he was with Toledo from 1988-1998 and Michigan State as a graduate assistant in 1987.
This season, the Hawkeyes have only allowed opponents to score 16.3 points per game. The most they allowed was 31 on the road against the Penn State Nittany Lions.
In Week 7, they knocked off the Purdue Boilermakers, winning 20-14. The Boilermakers had just seven points until 2:54 left in the game when Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee had a two-yard score.
The Hawkeyes defensive prowess is nothing new. Just look at the points they've allowed per game over the last five seasons:
- 2022-23: 14.2
- 2021-22: 19.2
- 2020-21: 16.0
- 2019-20: 14.0
- 2018-19: 18.1
The last time the Hawkeyes allowed more than 20 points per game was 2015-16 with 20.8 points allowed per game.
Now, if only the offense could pick things up—they score just 21.8 points per game, which is 95th in the country.
In Week 7, they'll battle the Wisconsin Badgers in what will be a defensive battle throughout. They'll be on the road, playing at 4:00 pm ET. The Hawkeyes look to improve to 6-1 on the year and continue to fight for a spot in the Big 10 Championship later this year.
