Some things never change. The Hawks haven't had a big game quarterback since CJ Beathard. That's right, a Big 10 team with Iowa's mega-sports budget has not managed to have a Big 10 quarterback in EIGHT years. Kirk seems set on keeping it that way. It wasn't just that the Hawks lost to Ohio State...it was the way the lost. Playing not to lose is cute when you're ahead of Northwestern by 3 and playing on Peacock. But when you're playing in prime time on CBS at the Horseshoe and only behind the #3 team in the nation by 7 points, you would think a coach paid $8,000,000 per year would actually seize the opportunity. The paranoid timeout and subsequent shank punt on 4th and inches from the 50 yard line was unforgivable. But with that kind of loser mentality, the Hawks get humiliated 35-7, and it really wasn't even that close.
1. Unaccountable OLine & Coach Underperforming. Can anyone blame Kayden Proctor for understanding he'd get far superior coaching at Alabama? Iowa's OLine has more seniority and more starts than any other line in the Big 10. They were the worst in the conference 2 years ago but they were young. They were bad last year, but they were "improving." For that reason, Kirk routinely gave their coach a pass. But here we are in year 3 of the exact same doughy fat guys charged with protecting the QB. They just don't have it and their coach isn't a good enough recruiter or Xs and Os coach to make any improvements next year. The entire line graduates this year and it makes fans wonder...if these guys are the best Iowa had over the past 3 years, how bad must the depth be behind them? Next year it's going to be portal or bust...and based on Kirk's portal recruiting, count on bust. One thing's for sure...the OLine coach will get a raise regardless of performance.
2. Cade's Union Card Needs to be Declined. Enough is enough. Cade was adequate as a game manager at Michigan when surrounded by NFL linemen, NFL running backs, and NFL WRs. At Iowa, more is needed from the QB position. Cade will never get there. 14/20 for just 98 yards and 3 turnovers (and another fumble that Iowa recovered)...after throwing for just 62 yards last week. His noodle armed poorly under thrown ball to a wide open Wetjen just 25 yards down was the last straw. The guy's mechanics are worse than most high school QBs and his arm strength isn't much better. Did I mention he's as immobile as most offensive linemen? Aside from his innate ability to randy around, what does Cade have that Iowa's backups don't? Can someone tell me why Sullivan only threw 1 pass all game in a 28 point blowout loss?
3. Higgins Rises to the Top. When Higgins came from nowhere to lead the nation in tackles last year, it took most people by surprise. But this year, he's building on last year's performance and proving it wasn't a fluke. 14 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tfl, and forced fumble are worthy of Big 10 defensive player of the week honors. Sadly, his cohort Nick Jackson hasn't shown the same level of improvement and finished the game with just 3 tackles.
4. Lachey Overrated? At tight end U, 4 star senior TEs are expected to be game changers. Lachey received more hype than anyone else on offense before the season started, deservedly so. Unfortunately, the guy has just 17 catches in 5 games this year and his sweet spot seems to be catching 2 yard dump off passes on 3rd and 9. Lachey led the team with 5 catches for 39 yards, but he's just not the difference making weapon that most of us hoped he'd be. By comparison, out of Big 10 tight ends, he ranks 9th in yards per game. At a school that overutilizes the tight end, that is pretty bad.
5. Johnson Underutilized. Despite running against a loaded box who knew Cade couldn't beat them with his arm, and despite weak run blocking by the Twinkie boys up front, Johnson still managed nearly 6 yards per carry against the best run defense in the country. So why, pray tell, did he only get 15 carries all game? Johnson's two 28 yard runs were Iowa's only two big plays and he was just getting warmed up in the second half. Not to mention this game meant more to Johnson than most...gotta feed your star player.
6. Castro Improving. Castro was an all-American last year and was expected to come back and improve his draft stock. While he hasn't quite met expectations, he played great against Ohio State. 6 tackles, a sack, and an interception were huge in keeping the Hawks in the game in the first half. Castro is the best open field tackler on the team and he seems to be hitting his stride.
1. Unaccountable OLine & Coach Underperforming. Can anyone blame Kayden Proctor for understanding he'd get far superior coaching at Alabama? Iowa's OLine has more seniority and more starts than any other line in the Big 10. They were the worst in the conference 2 years ago but they were young. They were bad last year, but they were "improving." For that reason, Kirk routinely gave their coach a pass. But here we are in year 3 of the exact same doughy fat guys charged with protecting the QB. They just don't have it and their coach isn't a good enough recruiter or Xs and Os coach to make any improvements next year. The entire line graduates this year and it makes fans wonder...if these guys are the best Iowa had over the past 3 years, how bad must the depth be behind them? Next year it's going to be portal or bust...and based on Kirk's portal recruiting, count on bust. One thing's for sure...the OLine coach will get a raise regardless of performance.
2. Cade's Union Card Needs to be Declined. Enough is enough. Cade was adequate as a game manager at Michigan when surrounded by NFL linemen, NFL running backs, and NFL WRs. At Iowa, more is needed from the QB position. Cade will never get there. 14/20 for just 98 yards and 3 turnovers (and another fumble that Iowa recovered)...after throwing for just 62 yards last week. His noodle armed poorly under thrown ball to a wide open Wetjen just 25 yards down was the last straw. The guy's mechanics are worse than most high school QBs and his arm strength isn't much better. Did I mention he's as immobile as most offensive linemen? Aside from his innate ability to randy around, what does Cade have that Iowa's backups don't? Can someone tell me why Sullivan only threw 1 pass all game in a 28 point blowout loss?
3. Higgins Rises to the Top. When Higgins came from nowhere to lead the nation in tackles last year, it took most people by surprise. But this year, he's building on last year's performance and proving it wasn't a fluke. 14 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tfl, and forced fumble are worthy of Big 10 defensive player of the week honors. Sadly, his cohort Nick Jackson hasn't shown the same level of improvement and finished the game with just 3 tackles.
4. Lachey Overrated? At tight end U, 4 star senior TEs are expected to be game changers. Lachey received more hype than anyone else on offense before the season started, deservedly so. Unfortunately, the guy has just 17 catches in 5 games this year and his sweet spot seems to be catching 2 yard dump off passes on 3rd and 9. Lachey led the team with 5 catches for 39 yards, but he's just not the difference making weapon that most of us hoped he'd be. By comparison, out of Big 10 tight ends, he ranks 9th in yards per game. At a school that overutilizes the tight end, that is pretty bad.
5. Johnson Underutilized. Despite running against a loaded box who knew Cade couldn't beat them with his arm, and despite weak run blocking by the Twinkie boys up front, Johnson still managed nearly 6 yards per carry against the best run defense in the country. So why, pray tell, did he only get 15 carries all game? Johnson's two 28 yard runs were Iowa's only two big plays and he was just getting warmed up in the second half. Not to mention this game meant more to Johnson than most...gotta feed your star player.
6. Castro Improving. Castro was an all-American last year and was expected to come back and improve his draft stock. While he hasn't quite met expectations, he played great against Ohio State. 6 tackles, a sack, and an interception were huge in keeping the Hawks in the game in the first half. Castro is the best open field tackler on the team and he seems to be hitting his stride.
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