The Future Schedule is Very Bleak. 6 and 6 or worse in 2025.

[IowaHawk1994]

Iowa is always going to have 2 patsies in OOC + ISU, who isn’t going to sustain success. They should win those 3 games 8/10 seasons.

Theyre always going to play Wisconsin and Nebraska and it will nearly always be a toss up.

They’re always going to play Minnesota and they should win that game 7/10 seasons.

Half the schedule is baked with teams at or below Iowas level.

Theyre not going to get UM, tOSU, PSU, USC, Oregon, and Washington all on the same season. They’ll probably get 2 of the 6 in most seasons, maybe 3 some years

Anyone else in the entire league is soundly beneath Iowa in terms of history & tradition, fan support, and a culture of commitment to the program.

Anyone else in the entire league is soundly beneath Iowa in terms of history & tradition, fan support, and a culture of commitment to the program.

Oh are you setting yourself for some major disappointment. Most if not all have their own history and tradiitions, many of them storied. Fans show to every game every stadium. Culture lol ... keeping a middling washed up coach around for 30 years, one that hasn't really won anything in 3 decades and doesn't recruit talent. Doesn't sound like a winning culture.

 

[HawkGem11]

@Iowa State, Indiana, Penn State, @Nebraska, @Wisconsin

I think we could win 3 of these 5.

However betting odds are they more likely to lose all 5 and none will prob be close

 

[stanzithemanzi12]

However betting odds are they more likely to lose all 5 and none will prob be close

K

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

Anyone else in the entire league is soundly beneath Iowa in terms of history & tradition, fan support, and a culture of commitment to the program.

Oh are you setting yourself for some major disappointment. Most if not all have their own history and tradiitions, many of them storied. Fans show to every game every stadium. Culture lol ... keeping a middling washed up coach around for 30 years, one that hasn't really won anything in 3 decades and doesn't recruit talent. Doesn't sound like a winning culture.

lol.

Maryland - Rutgers - Purdue - Indiana - Illinois are all solidly below Iowas program over the last half century. Michigan State is equal to Iowa.

UCLA is in shambles; the best bowl they’ve played in since Y2K is the Holiday and Alamo, and they can’t even get people to go to their games, seeing the largest decline in attendance in P5 since 2016.

 

[BetterLuckNextTime]

On the bright side. It will get rid of the "but we won 10 games last year" crowd. One of them being Kirk!

They'll just say "but we won 10 games two years ago", then they'll keep incrementing it until they're referencing a time 20+ years in the past.

 

[swagsurfer02]

Iowa is always going to have 2 patsies in OOC + ISU, who isn’t going to sustain success. They should win those 3 games 8/10 seasons.

Theyre always going to play Wisconsin and Nebraska and it will nearly always be a toss up.

They’re always going to play Minnesota and they should win that game 7/10 seasons.

Half the schedule is baked with teams at or below Iowas level.

Theyre not going to get UM, tOSU, PSU, USC, Oregon, and Washington all on the same season. They’ll probably get 2 of the 6 in most seasons, maybe 3 some years

Anyone else in the entire league is soundly beneath Iowa in terms of history & tradition, fan support, and a culture of commitment to the program.

You’re right, they will get at least 2 or 3 of those larger programs on their schedule every year. Wisconsin and Nebraska will be toss ups more years than not.

As far as Minnesota and Iowa St goes, Iowa should beat them more often than not.

I would say that, and it sounds like you agree the schedule is more difficult.

 

[tdburg11]

Games Iowa should win in 2025:

Home against Umass, Albany, and Minnesota.

Toss Up Games:
Home against Michigan State and @Rutgers

Games where Iowa will not be favored:
@Iowa State, Indiana, Oregon, Penn State, @Nebraska, @Wisconsin, @USC.

Heck, even getting to five wins might be an accomplishment. It’s time to change before we get left behind.

We got left behind years ago. That ship has sailed.

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

You’re right, they will get at least 2 or 3 of those larger programs on their schedule every year. Wisconsin and Nebraska will be toss ups more years than not.

As far as Minnesota and Iowa St goes, Iowa should beat them more often than not.

I would say that, and it sounds like you agree the schedule is more difficult.

For sure the difficulty is going to go up. But they’re not going to get some impossible road and the power center of the CFB world has been totally consolidated to the Big Ten and SEC. Each will have 3-4 teams in the playoffs after the dust settles on the long term fallout from the mass realignment

 

[swagsurfer02]

For sure the difficulty is going to go up. But they’re going to get some impossible road and the power center of the CFB world has been totally consolidated to the Big Ten and SEC. Each will have 3-4 teams in the playoffs after the dust settles on the long term fallout from the mass realignment

I think the SEC will get 4 teams in. One of which won’t be Bama (although I think they would be in the top 3 teams of the Big Ten.

If Iowa was going to get into the playoff, this was the year to do it. We miss all the big time power teams besides Ohio St.

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

I think the SEC will get 4 teams in. One of which won’t be Bama (although I think they would be in the top 3 teams of the Big Ten.

If Iowa was going to get into the playoff, this was the year to do it. We miss all the big time power teams besides Ohio St.

The power balance of the top 4 of the league—the teams that will contend for playoff spots—will rotate. Ohio State is probably the only one who will be in that group year in and year out. Michigan sucks this year. I’d feel confident in Iowa slugging it out with them right now if Castro gets back. Their offense is damn near Iowa level bad, maybe even worse than current Iowa. USC isn’t very good either—record of 5-9 over their last 14 games. Lost 3 straight. Murderous schedule, but theyre not playing powerhouse football in any form and have losses to Minnesota and Maryland FFS.

 

[Muscles1989]

This year is trending down, could see losing a few known names after this year, next year the cupboard is gonna empty out completely. KF will get the big ten record but fall into it in an ugly fashion. Program will be left almost how he got it years ago as he rides off.

 

[2D_]

I made a similar thread like this a few months ago and was called chicken little for it.

It's almost like I know what I'm talking about.

 

[swagsurfer02]

The power balance of the top 4 of the league—the teams that will contend for playoff spots—will rotate. Ohio State is probably the only one who will be in that group year in and year out. Michigan sucks this year. I’d feel confident in Iowa slugging it out with them right now if Castro gets back. Their offense is damn near Iowa level bad, maybe even worse than current Iowa. USC isn’t very good either—record of 5-9 over their last 14 games. Lost 3 straight. Murderous schedule, but theyre not playing powerhouse football in any form and have losses to Minnesota and Maryland FFS.

I don’t like Iowa playing Michigan if that Alex Orji kid was playing QB. Big, physical and fast. Our secondary isn’t great but if he hit a couple over the top we have to respect the passing game which isn’t great due to his running ability. Us not having an offense is a hindrance.

As far as USC goes, I’m not sure what their deal is. I thought they looked much improved on defense when they played LSU. I’m not sure what the deal with Maryland was either. They were up a couple scores and then stopped scoring and let Maryland climb back into the game.

 

[radicalhawk]

There are very few programs in major college football that never have losing seasons. Like, maybe only a handful. Iowa is not one of them. We’ve been very fortunate over the years under Ferentz. Since 2000, only 2 losing seasons… 2006 and 2012. Unfortunately, we’re due for another one. Doesn’t mean it’ll actually happen or that I’m ok with it. But if it does, meh, we’ll be back. As Ray Liotta said as Henry Hill in Goodfellas, “The way I see it, everybody takes a beating sometimes.”

All that said, I still think Ferentz will be done after this season or next, and I’m ok with that. He’s been great here, but time for new blood.

Right, only two losing seasons since 2000 but very little beef in the patty as far as conference titles, signature wins, big time Bowl wins.

 

[MAXIMUSHAWKEYE]

Name 9 programs in the big ten who have had more sustained success over the last half century than Iowa. This notion that Iowa is screwed because some PAC schools came into the league is dumb. Iowa has the resources, fan support, and brand to consistently be in the upper half of the league. Iowa needs to stop thinking it can play football without a real QB. This a program that would be 6-1 right now if they had even below average QB play.

I believe we do have a QB that would have won ISU and a chance at MSU. But KF is too stubborn/stupid to play him

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

I believe we do have a QB that would have won ISU and a chance at MSU. But KF is too stubborn/stupid to play him

Iowa wins both those games with a mediocre QB that can make routine throws.

 

[BonzoFury]

Name 9 programs in the big ten who have had more sustained success over the last half century than Iowa. This notion that Iowa is screwed because some PAC schools came into the league is dumb. Iowa has the resources, fan support, and brand to consistently be in the upper half of the league. Iowa needs to stop thinking it can play football without a real QB. This a program that would be 6-1 right now if they had even below average QB play.

Today's B1G is not that same B1G of the last half century, it's a new landscape.

Also...Iowa doesn't have "even below average QB play" or a head coach that understands it, That's the problem Every team would be 6-1 if they had something that they currently don't.

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

Today's B1G is not that same B1G of the last half century, it's a new landscape.

Also...Iowa doesn't have "even below average QB play" or a head coach that understands it, That's the problem Every team would be 6-1 if they had something that they currently don't.

yeah, you’re right, every team would be 6-1 if they just had mediocrity or slightly worse at the most important position on the field.

 

[BonzoFury]

yeah, you’re right, every team would be 6-1 if they just had mediocrity or slightly worse at the most important position on the field.

You said we'd be a good team with even below average QB play. Yes we would. But EVERY team would be good if they had the key ingredient they're missing. That's what I meant.

Bottom line: We don't and likely won't under the current regime. We have a HC who doesn't seem to understand the importance of the most important position on the team...the quarterback. It's mind-boggling

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

You said we'd be a good team with even below average QB play. Yes we would. But EVERY team would be good if they had the key ingredient they're missing. That's what I meant.

Bottom line: We don't and likely won't under the current regime. We have a HC who doesn't seem to understand the importance of the most important position on the team...the quarterback. It's mind-boggling

Jesus Christ my guy, I get what you’re saying. And what I’m saying is most teams aren’t a mediocre to below average anybody from being 6-1.

 

[BonzoFury]

Jesus Christ my guy, I get what you’re saying. And what I’m saying is most teams aren’t a mediocre to below average anybody from being 6-1.

Take it easy, I get ya man. It's hypothetical. I understand that there are teams that are farther away.

We're missing more than a QB, we're also missing the mentality to get/coach/use one the right way. For all we know we have that QB on the team...but we may never know. It's the head man as much as the player(s)

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

Take it easy, I get ya man. It's hypothetical...we're veering into clone fan territory with the "what ifs". I understand that there are teams that are farther away.

We're missing more than a QB, we're also missing the mentality to get/coach/use one the right way. For all we know we have that QB on the team...but we may never know. It's the head man as much as the player(s)

Oh I’m not worked up here, I talk like that all the time. I agree this team has tons of holes, but it is legitimately one of the few teams in the country that is a mediocre player away from being 6-1 and in the playoff conversation. It is laughable and a huge indictment on the Ferentz dynasty.

 

[tippet1]

I would be shocked if USC doesn't have a new coach. Who knows how that would turn out.

 

[CerroGordoHawk]

They'll just say "but we won 10 games two years ago", then they'll keep incrementing it until they're referencing a time 20+ years in the past.

Exactly. There are still people who bring up the Big Ten championship from twenty years ago.

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

I would be shocked if USC doesn't have a new coach. Who knows how that would turn out.

Pete Carrol left SC after the 2009 season. After this season, it is likely they will have finished unranked 7 times and ranked 7 times. They’ve yet to make the playoff, and they have 1 major bowl win in that time. Their next coach will be the 5th since PC.

 

[ExcellentBread]

In a traditional sense there is not a single team on that schedule that is a guaranteed loss. Just like Iowa, all teams will be completely different next year. Last years national champion is garbage despite all their resources to buy talent.

 

[MitchLL]

If we're all thinking next year is 6-6, that's the time KF pulls a 10-2/11-1 out of his behind. It's just how it's been for 26 years.

We'll have another year in Lester's offense, so hopefully that jump is good.....especially if Sully sticks around and gets a full year (winter workouts, spring ball, summer/fall camp) with Lester. The receivers, at least on paper, look to be fairly decent.....by Iowa's standards anyway.

I do like some of the athleticism we can bring to the D line with Brian Allen and Max Llewellyn at DE and another year of Graves.

Honestly, I'm ready for Schulte and X to be done. Both have been complete disappointments.

Your last paragraph is unfortunately true.

They're playing like true freshmen.

 

[thunderstruck1]

Meh, I ain't scared. We need people to step up, but our passing game will have to get better by a million by then. We have some good backs who have waited their turn. We do have some positions that have been doing that and it is turning into an NFL pipeline. So I ain't scared. Don't sing it, bring it,

 

[swihawk]

Games Iowa should win in 2025:

Home against Umass, Albany, and Minnesota.

Toss Up Games:
Home against Michigan State and @Rutgers

Games where Iowa will not be favored:
@Iowa State, Indiana, Oregon, Penn State, @Nebraska, @Wisconsin, @USC.

Heck, even getting to five wins might be an accomplishment. It’s time to change before we get left behind.

Looks like 10-2 or 9-3.

 

[2D_]

With the difficult schedule and massive attrition on both sides of the ball, I can see the next few years being like the final years of Hayden Fry. Painful and full of terrible beatings. Things are about to get a lot worse. We had our chances with elite defenses the past few years, but squandered them because of Brian and Kirk. Kirk will tank this program because of his short-sightedness and bias towards his son.

Programs like Indiana, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and even worthless little debbie are on the up-swing. Iowa and USC on the other hand are trending down, and very quickly. We can only hope Beth is ready to make some very tough decisions.

 

[IChawkeye45]

Looks like 10-2 or 9-3.

Sooooooo our record should be 11 and 1 this season then. But we are staring 7 and 5 right in the mouth.

 

[thunderstruck1]

With the difficult schedule and massive attrition on both sides of the ball, I can see the next few years being like the final years of Hayden Fry. Painful and full of terrible beatings. Things are about to get a lot worse. We had our chances with elite defenses the past few years, but squandered them because of Brian and Kirk. Kirk will tank this program because of his short-sightedness and bias towards his son.

Programs like Indiana, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and even worthless little debbie are on the up-swing. Iowa and USC on the other hand are trending down, and very quickly. We can only hope Beth is ready to make some very tough decisions.

The difference between elite and below avg in Iowa football has always come down to a few exceptional players. When we have had a couple outstanding OL? Our OL has dominated. When we have had a couple exceptional DL? Our DL has dominated. Same goes for every position group. The down years in any position group is when none really stand out. We obviously want as many of those standouts at a time as we can get, but to think there aren't any that have been grinding and waiting their turn is not very well thought out and does not follow the pattern of what the program has been doing for many years, and that is, to develop talent to it's potential.

 

[swagsurfer02]

I would be shocked if USC doesn't have a new coach. Who knows how that would turn out.

I will bet money Lincoln Riley doesn’t get the boot in the next couple seasons. I believe his package was a pretty penny.

You could tell they were a better football team defensively vs LSU than at any point last year. I believe they led almost right up to the end in the Michigan and Maryland games (I can’t remember the Minnesota game).

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

We have a HC who doesn't seem to understand the importance of the most important position on the team...the quarterback. It's mind-boggling

You just outed yourself. You are no Iowa fan. All true Iowa fans know that punter is the most important position on the field.

 

[intrepodor]

I believe we do have a QB that would have won ISU and a chance at MSU. But KF is too stubborn/stupid to play him

Certainly he cant be worse.

 

[swihawk]

Sooooooo our record should be 11 and 1 this season then. But we are staring 7 and 5 right in the mouth.

We are staring at 9-3.

 

[IChawkeye45]

We are staring at 9-3.

We are also staring at 4 and 8 then.