These guys weren't impressed by the Iowa Offense during their camp visit. They continue to make snide comments about what they expect during the coming season for the Iowa offense. Watching a discussion with Revsine, Perry, and Wanstadt...it wasn't pretty when they talked about their camp visit and evaluation of the talent on the offense. The effusive praise of the Illinois, Wisconsin, Purdue, Nebraska, and Minnesota camp visits is getting old. Three of those team haven't beaten us in over 8 years. How about some respect please.
I think they are underestimating how good this offense could be. We do have a starter at QB who once won 12 games in a row. We have a good nucleus of young players on the OL too...and all have natural size. Experience...not so much. Does anyone remember how much Wirfs improved from year 1 to year 2? I do. He was a freaking wrecking machine. I fully expect Colby and Richmond to make similar gains with the experience they now have. If Plumb is solid, i know...still to be seen...that's a pretty solid core to build upon. Jones is a four star athletic freak...all positive...and Dunker...Elsbury...and Stephens are all big dudes...and athletic. They are also competing against a front seven in practice...where you could argue...they may not see a better group all year. That's positive too.
I think the running game is going to show up. That bodes well for all the play action stuff we run. Our personnel groups could get really interesting. Three TEs, four TEs? If Ragaini is still hurt...I would love to see them put Patterson in the slot to get another playmaker on the field...similar to the way Hayden Fry used Ronnie Harmon when he came to Iowa. He was a receiver. If he has good hands...find a way to get these guys on the field.
When Iowa can run the ball...our passing game is much, much tougher to defend. I like our chances on surprising to the upside and shutting these B10 commentators down.
I think they are underestimating how good this offense could be. We do have a starter at QB who once won 12 games in a row. We have a good nucleus of young players on the OL too...and all have natural size. Experience...not so much. Does anyone remember how much Wirfs improved from year 1 to year 2? I do. He was a freaking wrecking machine. I fully expect Colby and Richmond to make similar gains with the experience they now have. If Plumb is solid, i know...still to be seen...that's a pretty solid core to build upon. Jones is a four star athletic freak...all positive...and Dunker...Elsbury...and Stephens are all big dudes...and athletic. They are also competing against a front seven in practice...where you could argue...they may not see a better group all year. That's positive too.
I think the running game is going to show up. That bodes well for all the play action stuff we run. Our personnel groups could get really interesting. Three TEs, four TEs? If Ragaini is still hurt...I would love to see them put Patterson in the slot to get another playmaker on the field...similar to the way Hayden Fry used Ronnie Harmon when he came to Iowa. He was a receiver. If he has good hands...find a way to get these guys on the field.
When Iowa can run the ball...our passing game is much, much tougher to defend. I like our chances on surprising to the upside and shutting these B10 commentators down.