It's said that one's greatest strength can also be their greatest weakness. I think that's the case with Kirk. His teams play with discipline and avoiding mistakes is a high priority. That's why Iowa is one of the least penalized teams in the country and usually has a great turnover ratio.Kirk is one of the best college football coaches ever, however, he is not great with QB’s. It’s a real blind spot for him. He gets so invested in a guy that he tends to play him regardless of the consequences. I understand the loyalty and admire it actually, and at the same time it’s his kryptonite.
That risk avoidance plays a big role in how he evaluates quarterbacks. He prefers the guy least likely to make a mistake over the one most likely to make a big play. Or rather, the one that appears that way. As such, we leave points on the table offensively. With Phil Parker coaching the D, you can get away with that much of the time.