The 2016 season has completed the month of September for Iowa. After a 12-0 perfect season in 2015, expectations were high. Well, ND State reminded Iowa fans and the nation that good teams are in danger to a good FCS program, not just traditional bad ones.
Iowa joined ISU, Kansas, Kansas State and Minnesota. By the way, if Nebraska is a Blue Blood (#7), why isn't Minnesota for the MNC they have over the golden years?
The 2016 season certainly shows Iowa has a good schedule ahead, with 3 Top 25 opponents coming to Kinnick, with UW, Michigan and Nebraska.
If Iowa doesn't find their Mojo, they certainly can play a spoiler role in 2016.
QB - the future has excitement ahead. In 2014, fans were looking forward to our #2. Well, we have that again for the future. However, what fans want more is C.J. Beathard throwing/leading offense like Week 2 and showing more mobility like Week 4.
RB - After 2 tries of running for a 75 yard TD to open the 2nd half, how soon will it take that Iowa executes it right?
Daniels and Wadley are playing well. Need to increase touches in both running and passing game. DMX out.
OL - What do they say about improvement between Week 1 and Week 2? Well, next week vs. NW; Daniels and Welsh back should improve productivity for Homecoming.
TE - Iowa is missing that 2nd TE production in 2016, but they do have George Kittle back. He missed a target for 6 in Week 1. Heck, he could or should have maybe had one each week, had right strings pulled into place. On Iowa!
WR - Matt VandeBerg is a good one. This position will likely unfold, as season goes, J. Smith had a nice 24 yarder at Rutgers.
PK - Keith Duncan has made all his kicks. Ultimately, we want XPs over FGs in Red Zone.
DE - Tackle stats improved in Week 4 over Week 3, including 4 sacks. This is a young group and we have seen a drop in production.
Raider package has returned. The DL is a group to watch, especially, if Iowa is going to make a move in the B1G West again.
DT - three man rotation right now. Iowa is playing a true. He likely will see spot time, especially at Kinnick, after Iowa wins first Road Test of year.
Over the years under KF, how often has Iowa gone into a new venue, true road game and win?
Arizona, first time at Pitt, Maryland, Arrowhead ... Iowa win on Saturday bucked a trend. Positive, though minor feat.
LB - They are growing as a unit. Josey Jewell is the leader. We want them leading this team in tackles.
Secondary - Some good play, some misplay. Brandon Snyder had a career day. 13 tackles is a high number. Ideally, others would have more. Key TO lead to points, win. CB play, nickel/dime with Raider package is something many should be happy to see, as B1G season has kicked off.
Punter/KO - Ron Coluzzi looks very solid in Black & Gold. Very nice addition for one year.
It is too early to know who the Final 4 for the CFP are going to be or even who will win the Big Ten. Plenty of football to play.
1. OSU - win @ OU was impressive, but the Sooners have 2 losses, lost to Texas last year and have not been fully in sync, so are the Buckeyes going to finally pull off a perfect regular season? Only 2 did last year and a repeat by one is clearly out.
2. Wisconsin - wins over LSU and @ MSU appear to be impressive, but both those opponents also have questions, especially the Tigers, who fired HC & OC on Sunday.
3. Michigan - who have they beat? No question they will earn something with a win in Ann Arbor this week. First road trip is @ Rutgers.
4. Nebraska - undefeated, but Colorado just beat Oregon on the road, so just what should one think? Defense needs to earn Blackshirt rep, since not there yet. Turnovers still showing up, including several at goal line.
5. Michigan State - the Spartans only beat Rutgers 31-24 early B1G in 2015, so maybe they will be a slow starter again? Wisconsin is not Rutgers, so slow starts aren't good in 2016.
6. Iowa - who are the Hawkeyes in 2016?
We shall see, but they are 1-0 in the division.
7. Maryland - are the Terps the best pick here? We will not likely see them.
8. Minnesota - experience at QB helps, but will they keep winning, after 3-0 start in OOC?
9. Penn State - it will be an interesting season in Happy Valley. They are 2-2 and they celebrated 50th anniversary of hiring of Joe Pa.
10. Rutgers - do they keep beating IU in Year 3?
11. Indiana - they went to a bowl, but do they have a QB for success in B1G?
12. Northwestern - they beat Duke! But, three other games at home were ugly losses.
13. Purdue - this is a dangerous number. The Boilermakers are better than this?
14. Illinois - not sure Lovie Smith has the parts here for success in 2016, depsite a senior QB?
Some interesting news after 4 weeks in September.
Iowa joined ISU, Kansas, Kansas State and Minnesota. By the way, if Nebraska is a Blue Blood (#7), why isn't Minnesota for the MNC they have over the golden years?
The 2016 season certainly shows Iowa has a good schedule ahead, with 3 Top 25 opponents coming to Kinnick, with UW, Michigan and Nebraska.
If Iowa doesn't find their Mojo, they certainly can play a spoiler role in 2016.
QB - the future has excitement ahead. In 2014, fans were looking forward to our #2. Well, we have that again for the future. However, what fans want more is C.J. Beathard throwing/leading offense like Week 2 and showing more mobility like Week 4.
RB - After 2 tries of running for a 75 yard TD to open the 2nd half, how soon will it take that Iowa executes it right?
Daniels and Wadley are playing well. Need to increase touches in both running and passing game. DMX out.
OL - What do they say about improvement between Week 1 and Week 2? Well, next week vs. NW; Daniels and Welsh back should improve productivity for Homecoming.
TE - Iowa is missing that 2nd TE production in 2016, but they do have George Kittle back. He missed a target for 6 in Week 1. Heck, he could or should have maybe had one each week, had right strings pulled into place. On Iowa!
WR - Matt VandeBerg is a good one. This position will likely unfold, as season goes, J. Smith had a nice 24 yarder at Rutgers.
PK - Keith Duncan has made all his kicks. Ultimately, we want XPs over FGs in Red Zone.
DE - Tackle stats improved in Week 4 over Week 3, including 4 sacks. This is a young group and we have seen a drop in production.
Raider package has returned. The DL is a group to watch, especially, if Iowa is going to make a move in the B1G West again.
DT - three man rotation right now. Iowa is playing a true. He likely will see spot time, especially at Kinnick, after Iowa wins first Road Test of year.
Over the years under KF, how often has Iowa gone into a new venue, true road game and win?
Arizona, first time at Pitt, Maryland, Arrowhead ... Iowa win on Saturday bucked a trend. Positive, though minor feat.
LB - They are growing as a unit. Josey Jewell is the leader. We want them leading this team in tackles.
Secondary - Some good play, some misplay. Brandon Snyder had a career day. 13 tackles is a high number. Ideally, others would have more. Key TO lead to points, win. CB play, nickel/dime with Raider package is something many should be happy to see, as B1G season has kicked off.
Punter/KO - Ron Coluzzi looks very solid in Black & Gold. Very nice addition for one year.
It is too early to know who the Final 4 for the CFP are going to be or even who will win the Big Ten. Plenty of football to play.
1. OSU - win @ OU was impressive, but the Sooners have 2 losses, lost to Texas last year and have not been fully in sync, so are the Buckeyes going to finally pull off a perfect regular season? Only 2 did last year and a repeat by one is clearly out.
2. Wisconsin - wins over LSU and @ MSU appear to be impressive, but both those opponents also have questions, especially the Tigers, who fired HC & OC on Sunday.
3. Michigan - who have they beat? No question they will earn something with a win in Ann Arbor this week. First road trip is @ Rutgers.
4. Nebraska - undefeated, but Colorado just beat Oregon on the road, so just what should one think? Defense needs to earn Blackshirt rep, since not there yet. Turnovers still showing up, including several at goal line.
5. Michigan State - the Spartans only beat Rutgers 31-24 early B1G in 2015, so maybe they will be a slow starter again? Wisconsin is not Rutgers, so slow starts aren't good in 2016.
6. Iowa - who are the Hawkeyes in 2016?
We shall see, but they are 1-0 in the division.
7. Maryland - are the Terps the best pick here? We will not likely see them.
8. Minnesota - experience at QB helps, but will they keep winning, after 3-0 start in OOC?
9. Penn State - it will be an interesting season in Happy Valley. They are 2-2 and they celebrated 50th anniversary of hiring of Joe Pa.
10. Rutgers - do they keep beating IU in Year 3?
11. Indiana - they went to a bowl, but do they have a QB for success in B1G?
12. Northwestern - they beat Duke! But, three other games at home were ugly losses.
13. Purdue - this is a dangerous number. The Boilermakers are better than this?
14. Illinois - not sure Lovie Smith has the parts here for success in 2016, depsite a senior QB?
Some interesting news after 4 weeks in September.
