Good grief. Christensen started every game in 2007 and by even Stanzi's admission he wasn't ready to play that year. From the first game in 2008, Stanzi was getting time with the 1's. Just pulling your QB who started every game the previous year without letting things be settled on the field is bad way to operate. Iowa won the first 3 games with Stanzi having slightly better stats against Florida International and Maine, and then Stanzi was awful against Iowa State, going 5-14 with 2 picks. Christensen was 4-5 in that game (didn't do much, just handed off to Shonn Greene and Brodell had the punt return). So then they went on the road to Pitt and KF let Christensen have his last stand and he was bad.
Stanzi was the starter going forward, and in his first 2 starts Iowa loses to Northwestern and Michigan State. But KF had made the right decision and didn't flip-flop back to Christensen again. That season finally turns around after the loss at Illinois (where Stanzi goes 11-29 with 2 picks, FYI). But KF stays the course and the rest is history.
Yes, the program values loyalty. But they play the best players. The list of true freshmen/new players who have got the opportunity to play over the past decade is staggering. Fant, Hockenson, Epenesa, Goodson, Hooker, Wirfs, A. Jackson, Daniels, Hankins, Brents, Stone, Jewell, A. Nelson, ISM, Brandon Smith, Tracy, Ragaini, Linderbaum, all either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen who played big roles immediately. That's just off the top of my head, there are others. Stanley was the backup QB to Beathard his true freshman year ahead of Wiegers. KF has many faults, but this myth they don't play the best guys is just not true.
