After 5 games

[hexumhawk]

Where did you realistically have this team at?

I had us at 3-2 but with a loss to ISU and a win against MSU.

We all knew it wasnt going to be a championship type year but there is a lot of time to improve. Remember, we were 1 play away from 4-1 and were in the MSU game. We just didnt make enough plays.

Now, we lose at home to Illinois on homecoming....then we got problems.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

Can't really argue with your overall point.

I think it was the wretched offensive and special teams effort against Michigan St that has many of us feeling worse about where we are than we might otherwise have expected from a 3-2 start.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

We are who we thought we were. I'm not sure why people freak out when the team as performed as expected. Yeah, I thought that Iowa could have come away with a victory at MSU too.

Play calling is what it is, but the execution is definitely lacking. Very disturbing that this team can't run the ball better.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

I also think part of what is happening is we have been handcuffed ALOT this year with field position as a field position team. We have started alot of drives inside our own 10 and that hasn't helped.

 

[hexumhawk]

I also think part of what is happening is we have been handcuffed ALOT this year with field position as a field position team. We have started alot of drives inside our own 10 and that hasn't helped.

Yes, this has been killing us all year and really put us in a hole this entire game.

Also, the lack of yardage on 1st down was the other glaring factor.

 

[BubsFinn]

I also think part of what is happening is we have been handcuffed ALOT this year with field position as a field position team. We have started alot of drives inside our own 10 and that hasn't helped.

You're right, we are a field position team. And given that field position is so critical to our game plan, there is no excuse for our return guy not knowing when to catch a punt and when to let it go into the endzone. There is no excuse for not having a punter who can't kick a 35 yard punt.

 

[Herkmeister]

I had us 5-0. But I'm not that bummed and my optimism gets out of control quite often. Like every year.

 

[nitewing]

I thought most were predicting a 6-6 record even Vegas set the over/under at 6.5 wins, youth is being served and the future is very bright

Stanley thru 5 games is avg'ing 207.6 ypg with a QB rating of 150.6 12 TD 1 INT
Stanzi in 13 games avg 150.5 ypg with a QB rating of 134.8 in 2008 14 TD 9 INT
CJ in 14 games avg'd 200.6 ypg with a QB rating of 139.5 in 2015 17 TD 5 INT 2015

looks like Stanley is on pace to pass them both statistically

Wadley thru 5 games despite defenses game planning to stop him is avg'ing 122.4 APY
there is not a lot to not like. considering there are 4 SR's in the starting Offense, the key losses will be Wadley and VandeBerg, OL Welsh and OL Myer next. people can make up their own minds how easy or not how hard it will be to replace them,

in the 2009 the running game amassed 1485 total rushing yards, in 2017 thru 5 games the Iowa run game has amassed 641 yards rushing

that 2009 season the OC was KOK, hmmm what's that tell posters that season ended up 11-2 and a #7 final AP ranking. in Stanzi's JUNIOR YEAR. that 2009 team racked up 4372 total yards for a 336.3 ypg avg. again KOK was the OC,

the 2017 team is avg'ing 335.8 ypg with BF as a 1st year OC with a SOPHAMORE QB.

 

[SoMplsHawkI]

I would grade Saturday's performance as FF - Fumbles and Field position.

Not that I think we are otherwise an exceptionally good team. I'm hoping for a record of 4 - 2 in the West. Losses to Wisco and NU.

 

[WhoaNellieCy]

We are who we thought we were. I'm not sure why people freak out when the team as performed as expected. Yeah, I thought that Iowa could have come away with a victory at MSU too.

Play calling is what it is, but the execution is definitely lacking. Very disturbing that this team can't run the ball better.

penn state game changed "who we thought we were", instead of a 3-2 team after 5 games, 1 play away from being a should've/could've been a 5-0 team.

 

[TKingpin]

We would have better field position if we weren't constantly going 3 and out. Agreed?

The real problem here is the downfield passing game. Look - if you are a defensive coordinator you tell your head coach what the game plan is: I am putting my CBs on an island because (a) Iowa WR can't get separation most of the times and (b) if the do beat us deep their QB regularly misses them and misses them badly. The one guy that can REALLY hurt us as a defense is Wadley, so Mr. Head coach, I propose we RUN BLITZ on every single down by having all 3 LBs and both safeties fly to the line of scrimmage the second the ball is hiked and they cannot possibly block us all.

My second brilliant idea is to fake their inexperienced QB out before the play is snapped: fake a QB blitz to get him to audible into a run. The minute he audibles, it is ALWAYS a run to the strong side, so once again we bring everybody running downhill into the line of scrimmage.

Conclusion from this Hawkeyes fan: we need a new QB that can hit open downfield WRs. This one has PROVEN he can't and until he can, our running game will suffer. I really like Nate Stanley and desperately want him to succeed, but he is hurting us right now.

Can Weigers make those throws? Time to find out, IMHO.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Kilroy, normally I would just ignore you but it's Monday and I am waiting on a fax. Do you honestly think comparing the numbers after playing non conference games and 2 conference games is a valid predictor of the rest of the season? Also, if you want to be taken seriously maybe try using numbers from a team where there are still players from that roster on this team as a good starting point. If your "ground" is "9 years ago" you might as well be talking about Nebraska NT or MN NT. This is a "what have you done for me lately buisness" NO No one cares that you think everyone is a crybaby it cruelly is a nature of the business and your the odd man out not the general population. Sorry I am on my phone so I cannot see the posters name who said we need to try a new kicker as field position has been a train wreck. I agree 100%. MOST PROGRAMS in Iowa's situation would have taken the 10th coach and hired a full time recruiting guru to up the talent level. We went with a special teams guy, ok that works, but we better play some damn good special teams and we don't.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Kingpin. The problem isn't stanley. He has struggled to show "touch" but I think we are investing in the future a little there IMO. This team would look alot different if we caught the balls that hit people in their hands. IMO MVB has been a bigger liability than Stanley. Dude is a senior and has dropped several balls that hit him in the hands. Wadley also fits in that bucket.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

This sounds stupid. But I think every "long ball" stanley throws m9ving forward he needs to think of as a back shoulder pass. He will hit our receivers in stride and only ISM might have to adjust back for it every now and then which I'm ok with. Chin up Hawks. Our boys have fought their tails off and need us to show our support behind them. #oniowa.

 

[nitewing]

thi

Kilroy, normally I would just ignore you but it's Monday and I am waiting on a fax. Do you honestly think comparing the numbers after playing non conference games and 2 conference games is a valid predictor of the rest of the season? Also, if you want to be taken seriously maybe try using numbers from a team where there are still players from that roster on this team as a good starting point. If your "ground" is "9 years ago" you might as well be talking about Nebraska NT or MN NT. This is a "what have you done for me lately buisness" NO No one cares that you think everyone is a crybaby it cruelly is a nature of the business and your the odd man out not the general population. Sorry I am on my phone so I cannot see the posters name who said we need to try a new kicker as field position has been a train wreck. I agree 100%. MOST PROGRAMS in Iowa's situation would have taken the 10th coach and hired a full time recruiting guru to up the talent level. We went with a special teams guy, ok that works, but we better play some damn good special teams and we don't.

this all go back to inexperience youth at the skill positions, as for the 10th coach he can't be hired until January of 2018,

do you count FG Defense as ST's, if not ok, but if you do all you have to do is look at the blocked FG's.

Jackson is a 1st year starter that is just starting to return punts, he has caught punts that might have gone into the end zone or might not have made it to the end zone.

KF just hired a NFL ST Guru as a advisor and these are who he is using
FR Marin-Manley is returning KO's, JR Jackson is the PR. they will only get better,

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Wait. So the special teams coach is or is not on the staff yet? I thought he already joined.

 

[nitewing]

Wait. So the special tea.s coach is or is it on the staff yet? I thought he already joined.

the ST coach is just a advisor and nothing more. in January of 2018 the 10th coach can be hired, the speculation could get interesting in December leading up to the day he/she is hired, [don't want to be labeled a male chovanist} excuse the spelling]

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

There is a person on this staff that is there specifically for special teams and our special teams have left ALOT to be desired. IMO that 10th position would be better used to get Someone on the staff that's sole purpose was to upgrade the talent as I think we would have gotten a larger benefit from that than the gains on special teams. I seem to remember plenty of game winning field goals and blocked punts/kicks in the past. I don't seem to remember just out "athleting" (made up word) anyone in our conference.

 

[MitchL]

Stanley's stats are misleading, imo. He's made some horrible decisions and frequently overthrows open receivers. I just am mystified that we don't utilize the TEs more inside the twenty.
BTW : ONE specific play in first quarter when a throw went to Fant toward the sideline and Fant had to look back DIRECTLY into the sun. You telling me our coaches can't be aware of such conditions?

 

[TKingpin]

Well, That was certainly a big problem in the first half against PSU. Don't recall MVB dropping the ball against MSU. I did see Stanley miss MVB on the very first play from scrimmage when MVB had a step on his defender. Remember that? To be fair, I did see Wadley drop one when he was just in front of the LOS on a crossing pattern and turned his head a split second to early because he knew he had to gain some yards to get to the first down marker. Only happened once, IIRC.

The other problem is stanley has been putting the ball on the carpet too much. This week he did it at the 5-yard line when no one was around him. I stand with my premise. I have no confidence that suddenly, magically, Stanley will become an accurate thrower of the ball down the field.

Our passing game is being totally disrespected by opposing defenses.

 

[nitewing]

Stanley's stats are misleading, imo. He's made some horrible decisions and frequently overthrows open receivers. I just am mystified that we don't utilize the TEs more inside the twenty.
BTW : ONE specific play in first quarter when a throw went to Fant toward the sideline and Fant had to look back DIRECTLY into the sun. You telling me our coaches can't be aware of such conditions?

every QB throw to receivers looking into the sun, this can't be helped or stopped, unless they put a dome over the stadium. or play at night only.

the stats are what they are. you nor I can change them, next up is Illinois if Iowa struggles against then it might be time to worry. the defense is improving as they held MSU to 88 yards rushing and 300 total yards. Epenesa is getting more snaps. even against PSU they sacked McSorley 3 times and recorded 1 INT.

but this board is a predictable and its [ the sky is falling and the chicken little's start jumping off the cliff after a loss]

 

[nitewing]

Well, That was certainly a big problem in the first half against PSU. Don't recall MVB dropping the ball against MSU. I did see Stanley miss MVB on the very first play from scrimmage when MVB had a step on his defender. Remember that? To be fair, I did see Wadley drop one when he was just in front of the LOS on a crossing pattern and turned his head a split second to early because he knew he had to gain some yards to get to the first down marker. Only happened once, IIRC.

The other problem is stanley has been putting the ball on the carpet too much. This week he did it at the 5-yard line when no one was around him. I stand with my premise. I have no confidence that suddenly, magically, Stanley will become an accurate thrower of the ball down the field.

Our passing game is being totally disrespected by opposing defenses.

that's because Stanley is a True SO and teams are going to concentrate on stopping Wadley and make Stanley beat them, they also know the receiving option are 1st year players or starters.

its just common sense [which some of you posters don't have] for the DC to game plan for

 

[MitchL]

every QB throw to receivers looking into the sun, this can't be helped or stopped, unless they put a dome over the stadium. or play at night only.

the stats are what they are. you nor I can change them, next up is Illinois if Iowa struggles against then it might be time to worry. the defense is improving as they held MSU to 88 yards rushing and 300 total yards. Epenesa is getting more snaps. even against PSU they sacked McSorley 3 times and recorded 1 INT.

but this board is a predictable and its [ the sky is falling and the chicken little's start jumping off the cliff after a loss]

I'm referencing the throw to the right sideline and you can see by the shadow that he was never going to see it. Run the exact same thing to the bottom of the field and it's a completely different scenario.
That's called "being aware of conditions ".

 

[nitewing]

I'm referencing the throw to the right sideline and you can see by the shadow that he was never going to see it. Run the exact same thing to the bottom of the field and it's a completely different scenario.
That's called "being aware of conditions ".

maybe: but what if the Receiver had caught the ball? that is why receivers wear that black under their eyes to cut down on the glare,

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Where did you realistically have this team at?

I had us at 3-2 but with a loss to ISU and a win against MSU.

We all knew it wasnt going to be a championship type year but there is a lot of time to improve. Remember, we were 1 play away from 4-1 and were in the MSU game. We just didnt make enough plays.

Now, we lose at home to Illinois on homecoming....then we got problems.

I had them at 7-5 overall. Not really surprised where they are currently.
Wishing there was more scoring and excitement on offense, but that is lacking in many seasons of watching Iowa.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

FWIW. On that play I noticed 3 things:
1. Fant has a hitch in his step (I'm not sure what the story with this is but he isn't 100%)
2. Stanley didn't even give fant a chance to catch that ball. If it were up the field he had a chance if it were the same angle but inbounds, he had a chance and a step... Stanley threw it 3 yards O.B.
3. Fant was pissed on the sideline. Not sure if that's being pissed he is slowed down or being pissed the qb missed an easy pitch and catch but he was hot.

 

[ThrowBones92]

Where did you realistically have this team at?

I had us at 3-2 but with a loss to ISU and a win against MSU.

We all knew it wasnt going to be a championship type year but there is a lot of time to improve. Remember, we were 1 play away from 4-1 and were in the MSU game. We just didnt make enough plays.

Now, we lose at home to Illinois on homecoming....then we got problems.

I think Iowa's last game was more about weird turnovers/plays than anything else, although, you could say the same things happened to PSU in that game that allowed Iowa to stay in the game. I don't see Iowa continuing to make those weird mistakes. I think Iowa is more the team that lead a really good Penn State until the final four seconds than the team that lost to MSU. Granted, Iowa gave up a TON of yards for PSU, but I was impressed with the team nonetheless.

Let downs happen, and that Penn State game at home and at night was likely very emotionally draining. I think that is where the ability of a coach to motivate it's players is extremely important, and I think Ferentz is probably a pretty good motivator. Iowa will be fine. There is really only one game I'd count as a loss for Iowa going forward (OSU).

They will be in a good position to win each of their other remaining games, but they also could lose a good number of them as well. It all depends on if they can play more consistently, which is every team's main goal.

Illinois is not very good. I see Iowa imposing it's will in the run game and having similar success the Husker's did on defense this past weekend.

 

[takai]

I had us at 4-1 with a loss to Penn State. Which is why I'm not too beat up about the loss despite it being soul crushing. Penn State has much more talent, yet it took PSU a miracle to win. I then had heightened expectations after that because I thought we'd finally gotten a groove going. Clearly I was wrong. On top of that, MSU is not a great team, let alone a good team yet they completely outplayed us. I suppose that's why I'm especially upset about that loss.

Another issue is that we're still facing the same problems after a decade. Our playstyle is archaic and cannot competitively compete with modern football. I guess I'm just tired of mediocrity.

In the end, as I've said before, this year doesn't matter. We have a new QB, new OC, and plenty of new receivers. The silver lining in all of this is that we've shown great potential. We just need more time and experience.

 

[nitewing]

to many expecting 600+ yards pg and 50+ ppg can forget it won't happen. Iowa will never go to a spread offense.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Your probably right Iowa will not go to a "spread offense". Would you like to discuss any one of the other 100 options Iowa could likely bring to the program? So kilroy, I have known of you for many years. Bobtarn, hawkeyebob etc. I have been "hawk-n-402" "hawk-n-402 part Duex" etc (I have actually gotten kicked off for going after you on a game day drunk one time hint "iwillnotpostdrunk". You are very outspoken in your support of KF my question is, why? Are you so convinced Iowa will screw the pooch in the next hire you don't trust them to make a good decision? Is it that you think we have out smarted the system by being the only program to hang onto a coach for so long and the other guy who was close had national chamionships and is now retired? I'm not saying I want change but you seem SO ingrained in support of KF and crew I have to beilve you are related to the family or you have something about change you hate. (Yes I know there is a part of your past which brought change upon you that was a terrible experience and I mean with 100% sensarity I'm sorry you had to deal with that and I have always wondered if the two are connected) anyways I don't want to put you in a bad spot I would just like to understand your logic.

 

[Ronman]

Now, we lose at home to Illinois on homecoming....then we got problems.

Frankly, even if we beat Illinois (which I suspect we will), we got problems!

 

[kceasthawk]

FWIW. On that play I noticed 3 things:
1. Fant has a hitch in his step (I'm not sure what the story with this is but he isn't 100%)
2. Stanley didn't even give fant a chance to catch that ball. If it were up the field he had a chance if it were the same angle but inbounds, he had a chance and a step... Stanley threw it 3 yards O.B.
3. Fant was pissed on the sideline. Not sure if that's being pissed he is slowed down or being pissed the qb missed an easy pitch and catch but he was hot.

It did seem like Fant had a "hitch in his step", as you said. I also wonder if MVB is still having issues with his foot. He doesn't seem to have the burst he had a couple of years ago. They tried to get Smith involved, and he promptly fumbled the ball. Need to keep pushing all these young pups forward.

 

[Johnsoda123]

It did seem like Fant had a "hitch in his step", as you said. I also wonder if MVB is still having issues with his foot. He doesn't seem to have the burst he had a couple of years ago. They tried to get Smith involved, and he promptly fumbled the ball. Need to keep pushing all these young pups forward.

I felt really bad for Smith. Hope he continues to get snaps. He's got the tools and I'm rooting for him.

 

[hexumhawk]

It did seem like Fant had a "hitch in his step", as you said. I also wonder if MVB is still having issues with his foot. He doesn't seem to have the burst he had a couple of years ago. They tried to get Smith involved, and he promptly fumbled the ball. Need to keep pushing all these young pups forward.

Yes Fant was noticeably slowed up Saturday. The 3rd and 2 flare screen to him that he turned up for about 10 yards is when I noticed. Looked like he was running weird.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Yea he was limping there and I thought it was weird he went OB instead of going hard into the defender or cutting to the middle. I don't hock getting more looks has to do with want and is more of an unknown need.

 

[volknut]

I could swear I head a lot of this same stuff in 2002, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2016 and few others in that time range...

 

[nitewing]

af

Your probably right Iowa will not go to a "spread offense". Would you like to discuss any one of the other 100 options Iowa could likely bring to the program? So kilroy, I have known of you for many years. Bobtarn, hawkeyebob etc. I have been "hawk-n-402" "hawk-n-402 part Duex" etc (I have actually gotten kicked off for going after you on a game day drunk one time hint "iwillnotpostdrunk". You are very outspoken in your support of KF my question is, why? Are you so convinced Iowa will screw the pooch in the next hire you don't trust them to make a good decision? Is it that you think we have out smarted the system by being the only program to hang onto a coach for so long and the other guy who was close had national chamionships and is now retired? I'm not saying I want change but you seem SO ingrained in support of KF and crew I have to beilve you are related to the family or you have something about change you hate. (Yes I know there is a part of your past which brought change upon you that was a terrible experience and I mean with 100% sensarity I'm sorry you had to deal with that and I have always wondered if the two are connected) anyways I don't want to put you in a bad spot I would just like to understand your logic.

after growing up in the 60's and 70's and seeing what happens to other teams after fans get what they feel they deserve. sorry if 5 top 10 finishes, 1 top 20 finish 2 Shared BT Championship is not good enough for you or otherwise I feel sorry for you.

the last 4 seasons, Iowa has had 1 8-0 BT West Division Title, 2nd place division finishes the last one happened last season, and 1 4th place finish.
again I feel sorry for you.

Iowa is a YOUNG team and there are 4 ex NFL coaches on the staff that I feel know what they are doing. the 13-14-15 class rankings were in the 50's because of all the changes being made, the 16 and 17 classes were ranked 41 and 40 with those 2 classes combined producing 18 FR players out of 46 commits.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I honestly thought we would be 2-3 at this point. I really did not like the Wyoming game and then ISU & PSU. I think Iowa is right where they belong at 3-2.

I will say this, even though we have two tough L's, both MSU & PSU are not push overs. Those two teams will go on to have good years. I really look to see how Iowa bounces back this week vs ILLINI. This is a team that needs to just get back to the basics and "EXECUTE." I think the coaches are putting the players in the right spots to be successful, the players are not executing the play. We either have a missed block or an overthrow or even a dropped pass.

I think Iowa can take out some frustration on Illinois this week. The defense should be able to contain them and the offense will get a chance to shine. Put a whooping on Illinois and come back ready to go for the rest of the season. I think Iowa will be just fine the rest of the season.

I even got a funny feeling that they might upset a team or two this year!

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

What teams are you talking about there kilroy? Who is this team that was so great and got a new coach and has never been able to return? Your going to say Nebraska to which I will say.. they are going to spend until they get a coach that takes them back to the promised land. Other than that most programs tend to build up these days with the amount of money on the table. There are have's and have nots and with the b10 we are a "have". What changes were being made in 13-14-15?