"Iowa, Illinois and Purdue should have their moments, just not enough of them." TSN comments entering the 2002 season. Iowa was picked #6, while defending champion Illinois was #7.
Kirk Ferentz was 11-24 heading into the fourth season with OC KOK and Norm Parker. The record is better under Greg Davis and Phil Parker, but after success during the early part of KF, we know the fanbase is down. Many are ready for a change.
The 1981 Iowa Hawkeyes leaned heavily on defense for success in Hayden Fry's third season. The formula worked for Iowa that year, so maybe the Hawkeyes can build on some of that in 2015?
In 2002, one of the top players noted was #19 Benny Sapp. He would not make it to the season, back 13 years ago, during Fall camp. As we all know, there are ups and downs this time of the year.
In 2002, it was Dallas Clark. Can the combination of George Kittle and hopefully a healthy Jake Duzey by Big Ten play help Iowa at TE. Kittle is a junior, who figures to be ready for a breakout season?
Iowa clearly doesn't have the offensive line that the 2002 season had. However, the lines in 1981 or 1990 weren't at that level either.
Iowa hopefully has parts to hopefully plug and play, as the season goes on. As I mentioned in another thread and the tone appears be sounding, Iowa will likely see true freshman James Daniels at some point in the 2015 season. Here's to an Alex Kozan type impact in Iowa City.
2015 is the 120th season of the Big Ten Conference. I pulled out the official Big Ten Centennial Football Guide the Big Ten put together. It has some similar style to the online Spring and Preseason guides available today on the Big Ten web site.
Back in 1995, the Big Ten celebrated a century of play. Iowa was coming off 5-5-1 season. Iowa gave up 42 points to Minnesota that year, but pulled off a win in the Dome 49-42. The Golden Gophers were 1-7 that year, beating Big Ten champion, Wisconsin.
Iowa come out of no where in seasons before. Fry did it in 1990 and 1981. Ferentz did it in 2002. Fry's 1990 team was picked #5 by TSN. The staff was witnessed change over, as well.
Ironically, Iowa best finishes in the Polls under both Ferentz (7th) and Fry (10th) were seasons Iowa didn't finish first in the Big Ten.
1995 Big Ten Conference Standings
Team W L T W L T PF PF/G PA PA/G DIFF Coach AP #
Northwestern Wildcats 8 0 0 10 2 0 311 25.9 181 15.1 130 Gary Barnett 8
Ohio State Buckeyes 7 1 0 11 2 0 475 36.5 220 16.9 255 John Cooper 6
Michigan Wolverines 5 3 0 9 4 0 338 26.0 223 17.2 115 Lloyd Carr 17
Penn State Nittany Lions 5 3 0 9 3 0 399 33.3 259 21.6 140 Joe Paterno 13
Iowa Hawkeyes 4 4 0 8 4 0 368 30.7 259 21.6 109 Hayden Fry 25
Kirk Ferentz was 11-24 heading into the fourth season with OC KOK and Norm Parker. The record is better under Greg Davis and Phil Parker, but after success during the early part of KF, we know the fanbase is down. Many are ready for a change.
The 1981 Iowa Hawkeyes leaned heavily on defense for success in Hayden Fry's third season. The formula worked for Iowa that year, so maybe the Hawkeyes can build on some of that in 2015?
In 2002, one of the top players noted was #19 Benny Sapp. He would not make it to the season, back 13 years ago, during Fall camp. As we all know, there are ups and downs this time of the year.
In 2002, it was Dallas Clark. Can the combination of George Kittle and hopefully a healthy Jake Duzey by Big Ten play help Iowa at TE. Kittle is a junior, who figures to be ready for a breakout season?
Iowa clearly doesn't have the offensive line that the 2002 season had. However, the lines in 1981 or 1990 weren't at that level either.
Iowa hopefully has parts to hopefully plug and play, as the season goes on. As I mentioned in another thread and the tone appears be sounding, Iowa will likely see true freshman James Daniels at some point in the 2015 season. Here's to an Alex Kozan type impact in Iowa City.
2015 is the 120th season of the Big Ten Conference. I pulled out the official Big Ten Centennial Football Guide the Big Ten put together. It has some similar style to the online Spring and Preseason guides available today on the Big Ten web site.
Back in 1995, the Big Ten celebrated a century of play. Iowa was coming off 5-5-1 season. Iowa gave up 42 points to Minnesota that year, but pulled off a win in the Dome 49-42. The Golden Gophers were 1-7 that year, beating Big Ten champion, Wisconsin.
Iowa come out of no where in seasons before. Fry did it in 1990 and 1981. Ferentz did it in 2002. Fry's 1990 team was picked #5 by TSN. The staff was witnessed change over, as well.
Ironically, Iowa best finishes in the Polls under both Ferentz (7th) and Fry (10th) were seasons Iowa didn't finish first in the Big Ten.
1995 Big Ten Conference Standings
Team W L T W L T PF PF/G PA PA/G DIFF Coach AP #
Northwestern Wildcats 8 0 0 10 2 0 311 25.9 181 15.1 130 Gary Barnett 8
Ohio State Buckeyes 7 1 0 11 2 0 475 36.5 220 16.9 255 John Cooper 6
Michigan Wolverines 5 3 0 9 4 0 338 26.0 223 17.2 115 Lloyd Carr 17
Penn State Nittany Lions 5 3 0 9 3 0 399 33.3 259 21.6 140 Joe Paterno 13
Iowa Hawkeyes 4 4 0 8 4 0 368 30.7 259 21.6 109 Hayden Fry 25
