Mark Stoops is an Iowa man through and through. He played defensive back for the legendary Hayden Fry and was molded by a brand of football that prioritizes tough, physical defense and a methodical, ball-control offense. After watching his alma mater actually open up the playbook a little in their win against Rutgers last night, the blueprint has never been clearer: Mark Stoops is trying to build the Iowa of the SEC.
For years, Iowa has been a model of consistency and a perennial top-25 program. They win by bruising opponents, dominating on defense and special teams, and avoiding critical mistakes on offense. Sound familiar? It's the exact formula Stoops has used to achieve his success at Kentucky.
A formula with a built-in ceiling
The "Iowa model" is a fantastic strategy for a program that knows it will often face a talent deficit against the conference elites. It keeps you in games, giving you a chance to win in the fourth quarter. It’s how Stoops has had his best years.
However, that philosophy also comes with a clear ceiling. Iowa is consistently good, but rarely great. They often struggle against top-tier opponents when their offense is inevitably asked to win a shootout. We've seen the same story play out in Lexington. Kentucky can beat teams at their own bruising game, but when they run into an elite offense from Georgia, Tennessee, or Alabama, their methodical style often can't keep pace.
The need for perfection
This style of play requires near-perfect execution to beat a more talented team. The defense must avoid giving up explosive plays, something Kentucky has struggled with this year. The offense cannot turn the ball over, and special teams must be flawless. When all those elements align, Kentucky can beat anyone. But the margin for error is razor-thin. While the desire to build a tough, consistent winner like Iowa is admirable, it's also a philosophy that may prevent the program from ever breaking through that final barrier to become a true SEC contender.
This is Mark Stoops way, and he learned it while playing and coaching in the Big 10. He is not going to change, so when he says something about it, just remember those are words. Look at his actions.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoyes downtime with his family and Premier League soccer.You can find him on X here.Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion