Tuesdays With Torbee: Gut punch loss to Little Brother sucked, but there's lots to play for still

[torbee]

Strangely, I wasn't that angry and upset walking out of Kinnick Saturday. For long stretches, Iowa dominated the game. But enough bad quarterbacking and poor coaching decisions mixed with some bad luck allowed the Clones to steal one they didn't deserve. I stil think this team has double-digit win potential and a very outside shot at the CFP.

A painful -but not fatal - gut punch

Iowa's path to a potential playoff berth narrows after agonizing rivalry loss

open.substack.com

 

[SoProudNole]

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Probably didn’t think you’d be pulling out the “Still lots to play for” column two weeks in, did you?

 

[hawkeye54545]

It's Groundhog Day for me anymore watching a Kirk Ferentz coached team. I understand being angry and frustrated but I can't understand the people that were surprised.

 

[Chishawk1425]

Inexcusable "loss"

 

[Here_4_a_Day]

Strangely, I wasn't that angry and upset walking out of Kinnick Saturday. For long stretches, Iowa dominated the game. But enough bad quarterbacking and poor coaching decisions mixed with some bad luck allowed the Clones to steal one they didn't deserve. I stil think this team has double-digit win potential and a very outside shot at the CFP.

A painful -but not fatal - gut punch

Iowa's path to a potential playoff berth narrows after agonizing rivalry loss

open.substack.com

Same shit, different year.........carry Cirt's water, boy!!

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Inexcusable "loss"

Shit happens. Move on.

 

[Here_4_a_Day]

Inexcusable "loss"

Awwwwwwww, honey, it's a Cirt trademark and you have enabled it for years!

 

[torbee]

Probably didn’t think you’d be pulling out the “Still lots to play for” column two weeks in, did you?

Always a possibility when stupid Little Brother is on the out-of-conference schedule.

Let's hope this year looks more like 2002 than 2014.

 

[torbee]

It's Groundhog Day for me anymore watching a Kirk Ferentz coached team. I understand being angry and frustrated but I can't understand the people that were surprised.

This game did not look at all like most Kirk Ferentz-coached Iowa games.

Which is why it is doubly annoying, IMO.

Old school "choke 'em out" boa constrictor style Ferentz wins this game.

 

[Here_4_a_Day]

Always a possibility when stupid Little Brother is on the out-of-conference schedule.

Let's hope this year looks more like 2002 than 2014.

"In Cirt We Trust"...........or is it rust? 😂 😂 😂 😂

 

[tumorboy]

Play not to lose often enough and you will get burned. That being said if Cade hadn’t have gone ice cold they win comfortably. Once Iowa was one dimensional the game changed.
Hopefully we no longer see anything but Johnson in goal line situations as well.

 

[torbee]

Play not to lose often enough and you will get burned. That being said if Cade hadn’t have gone ice cold they win comfortably. Once Iowa was one dimensional the game changed.
Hopefully we no longer see anything but Johnson in goal line situations as well.

I would submit that had Iowa "played not to lose" a little harder at several spots Saturday, they WOULD have won!

Chasing the two point converstion - dumb, but aggressive.

Trying to block a punt when you have a double digit lead and need to bleed the clock and getting a roughing penalty allowing Iowa State to win field position - dumb, but aggressive.

Trying misdirection running plays and passes inside the 3 yard line instead of handing it off up the gut to your 225 pound running back - dumb, but aggressive.

This past Saturday could have/should have been an ugly boa constrictor style win that we've seen so many times. Instead, Iowa went for several knockout punches and instead stepped on its own dick. It sucks, but it happens.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

2 of KF’s best seasons had a gut punch loss.

2002 ISU
2009 jNW

Just sayin.

 

[LuteHawk]

Torbee makes a valid observation about our QB Cade McNamara.
Is he physically or mentally impaired? Perhaps his lack of mobility
is a result of his bad knees. And mentally he could be afraid of
another injury which makes him tentative in his decision making.

Coach Ferentz needs to be open to the possibility of playing
Sullivan at QB. The Hawkeyes need a healthy quarterback who
can consistently make big plays.

 

[tumorboy]

I would submit that had Iowa "played not to lose" a little harder at several spots Saturday, they WOULD have won!

Chasing the two point converstion - dumb, but aggressive.

Trying to block a punt when you have a double digit lead and need to bleed the clock and getting a roughing penalty allowing Iowa State to win field position - dumb, but aggressive.

Trying misdirection running plays and passes inside the 3 yard line instead of handing it off up the gut to your 225 pound running back - dumb, but aggressive.

This past Saturday could have/should have been an ugly boa constrictor style win that we've seen so many times. Instead, Iowa went for several knockout punches and instead stepped on its own dick. It sucks, but it happens.

Yeah it’s not as if they had a Kittle in the receiving game to throw to in the end zone. If they were only up 12 to 7. I understand going for 2. But at 19-7 u want as many free points as possible. Credit ISU DB though. Cade was bad ,but they cover a ton of ground.

 

[gohawks50]

2 of KF’s best seasons had a gut punch loss.

2002 ISU
2009 jNW

Just sayin.

And in that 2009 season, Iowa had to block 2 field goals in a row to squeak out a win against UNI.

 

[tumorboy]

2 of KF’s best seasons had a gut punch loss.

2002 ISU
2009 jNW

Just sayin.

Every game is winnable but Ohio State.

 

[srams21]

This game did not look at all like most Kirk Ferentz-coached Iowa games.

Which is why it is doubly annoying, IMO.

Old school "choke 'em out" boa constrictor style Ferentz wins this game.

My concern is Cade. He clearly does not have arm strength for deep passes. This is 3 QBs in a row that have sucked for Iowa. Nate Stanley was the last decent one and even he had accuracy issues. OL and QB are still a big problem for this team. 2002 team didn't have those problems.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

And in that 2009 season, Iowa had to block 2 field goals in a row to squeak out a win against UNI.

Could have used another one Saturday 😢

 

[gohawks50]

My concern is Cade. He clearly does not have arm strength for deep passes. This is 3 QBs in a row that have sucked for Iowa. Nate Stanley was the last decent one and even he had accuracy issues. OL and QB are still a big problem for this team. 2002 team didn't have those problems.

His passing was off on Saturday, but what bothered me was there were a few times he could have run for the first down. Instead he chose to try to fit passes into tight coverage.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

My concern is Cade. He clearly does not have arm strength for deep passes. This is 3 QBs in a row that have sucked for Iowa. Nate Stanley was the last decent one and even he had accuracy issues. OL and QB are still a big problem for this team. 2002 team didn't have those problems.

Cade had a 64% completion rate in 2021 for Michigan. Seems he’s having an accuracy problem more than anything else. Starting to think his multiple injuries have totally screwed up his mechanics. I’d like to see Sullivan get some meaningful playing time but I’m not holding my breath…

 

[tumorboy]

His passing was off on Saturday, but what bothered me was there were a few times he could have run for the first down. Instead he chose to try to fit passes into tight coverage.

First offensive play in the second half. Throwing into a horrible spot. Why o why didn’t they continue to pound the ball to begin the second half. Smh. Worse case you chew another 4 minutes of the clock.

 

[Mister_Man]

Should have been a boat race after that interception. For whatever reason for the last number of years, the offense looks amazing for a couple of series and dreadful the rest of the game. The way the QB throws off the back of his foot, the INT was bound to happen.

 

[srams21]

Cade had a 64% completion rate in 2021 for Michigan. Seems he’s having an accuracy problem more than anything else. Starting to think his multiple injuries have totally screwed up his mechanics. I’d like to see Sullivan get some meaningful playing time but I’m not holding my breath…

Yea, he's had multiple knee issues so I wouldn't doubt that's causing problems. Might be why he throws off his back foot so often. I didn't watch him enough at Michigan to say but I know a common complaint among their fanbase was his lack of arm strength. Looks like it got worse.

I do like his mobility but he needs to be way more accurate than he was on Saturday. He was 5/18 with two picks after the first quarter against ISU. Hawks aren't going to win many games with QB play like that.

 

[srams21]

Cade had a 64% completion rate in 2021 for Michigan. Seems he’s having an accuracy problem more than anything else. Starting to think his multiple injuries have totally screwed up his mechanics. I’d like to see Sullivan get some meaningful playing time but I’m not holding my breath…

Also to your point ...

Cade has played 7 games at Iowa now. His completion pct here ... is 53%. Either the injuries are impacting him (in which case he shouldn't be starting imo) or this staff really really sucks at coaching QBs.

 

[torbee]

And in that 2009 season, Iowa had to block 2 field goals in a row to squeak out a win against UNI.

True story - my then 6-year-old son CALLED the second block!

Me and my friend were devastated when UNI was allowed a second chance.

Little Torbee looked at us and said "They blocked the first one. They'll block this one."

Smart little f---ker!

 

[srams21]

True story - my then 6-year-old son CALLED the second block!

Me and my friend were devastated when UNI was allowed a second chance.

Little Torbee looked at us and said "They blocked the first one. They'll block this one."

Smart little f---ker!

I see he takes after his mother

 

[BrunoMars420]

Biggest take aways from Saturday is Cade blows and Kirk coaches like a coward.

Offense is obviously night and day better but we need a damn QB to be able to make some easy throws. Also Cade has an arm of an 8th grader. That was an embarrassing hail Mary

 

[torbee]

My concern is Cade. He clearly does not have arm strength for deep passes. This is 3 QBs in a row that have sucked for Iowa. Nate Stanley was the last decent one and even he had accuracy issues. OL and QB are still a big problem for this team. 2002 team didn't have those problems.

Let's not throw Cade into the Deacon Hill basket just yet.

Even a gimpy, weak-armed, scared Cade McNamara is 1000% better at college football quarterbacking than Deacon Hill, who is the worst QB I've ever seen on a P5 roster.

 

[General Tso]

Always a possibility when stupid Little Brother is on the out-of-conference schedule.

Let's hope this year looks more like 2002 than 2014.

Based on the QB variable, I'm giving the 51% to 2014. (Sad face)

 

[srams21]

Let's not throw Cade into the Deacon Hill basket just yet.

Even a gimpy, weak-armed, scared Cade McNamara is 1000% better at college football quarterbacking than Deacon Hill, who is the worst QB I've ever seen on a P5 roster.

Of course not. Deacon should have never seen a Big Ten field except from the stands. Cade is an upgrade for sure as he can at least move and run an offense.

However, the Hawks were up 13-0 and driving in the third quarter when Cade threw that horrendous pick. ISU then went down and scored. Don't get me wrong as the loss isn't solely on him but he made multiple mistakes. Missing Kaleb Brown badly on the deep ball. The Gill one was tougher but Cade held onto it too long. I guess my biggest thing with Cade is I thought a guy this experienced would have better decision making. He seems to have a gunslinger approach without having a gun.

 

[torbee]

Based on the QB variable, I'm giving the 51% to 2014. (Sad face)

It's just hard to predict.

He's coming off bad injuries and is adapting to a brand new offense with the rest of the skill players.

I don't think it's unreasonable to project that he could still round into shape as an effective game manager - which really, is all Iowa needs to win double digit games - if his physical condition isn't compromised and most of the issues are mental/rust. It's just hard to know as a fan what the biggest obstacles to his better performance are.

 

[torbee]

Of course not. Deacon should have never seen a Big Ten field except from the stands. Cade is an upgrade for sure as he can at least move and run an offense.

However, the Hawks were up 13-0 and driving in the third quarter when Cade threw that horrendous pick. ISU then went down and scored. Don't get me wrong as the loss isn't solely on him but he made multiple mistakes. Missing Kaleb Brown badly on the deep ball. The Gill one was tougher but Cade held onto it too long. I guess my biggest thing with Cade is I thought a guy this experienced would have better decision making. He seems to have a gunslinger approach without having a gun.

The thing is, a LOT of dudes had bad days Saturday. Poor coaching decisions. Uncharacteristic secondary play allowing explosive plays and touchdowns. Personal foul on special teams. Mediocre distance on punts.

For once, I actually feel like the "we have some things to clean up, then we'll be better" is not just lame coach-speak, but accurate.

Of course, this could just be blind dumb hope on my part - but I didn't see a BAD football team out of Iowa Saturday, I saw an uncharacteristically sloppy and non-executing football team. That can (and needs to be!) fixed.

 

[ozzie8]

If they would just let him be a game manager, he would be fine and that is all Iowa needed Saturday. Iowa State had no answer for Iowa's running game. His play was atrocious in the 2nd half, but it never should have come to that.

 

[srams21]

The thing is, a LOT of dudes had bad days Saturday. Poor coaching decisions. Uncharacteristic secondary play allowing explosive plays and touchdowns. Personal foul on special teams. Mediocre distance on punts.

For once, I actually feel like the "we have some things to clean up, then we'll be better" is not just lame coach-speak, but accurate.

Of course, this could just be blind dumb hope on my part - but I didn't see a BAD football team out of Iowa Saturday, I saw an uncharacteristically sloppy and non-executing football team. That can (and needs to be!) fixed.

I don't think this is a bad football team either but I'm sick of "wasting" (using that word loosely here) potentially great seasons with great defenses all because the offense can't even reach mediocre. This is an OL with 4 SENIORS!!! And a senior QB to boot.

Yes, there are plenty of winnable games left but dare I say many of those are losable as well. Our staff always seems to be slow to realize things. For example, Kaleb Johnson is by far our best RB yet they want to act like it's a committee approach. They need to get KJ the ball as much as possible to get this offense going.

With an elite defense and a senior OL and a damn good RB, 9-3 would be a minor disappointment imo. 8-4 would be unacceptable. I say this because I think with all our losses on O and D, I think 2025 will be a lackluster year.

 

[torbee]

I don't think this is a bad football team either but I'm sick of "wasting" (using that word loosely here) potentially great seasons with great defenses all because the offense can't even reach mediocre. This is an OL with 4 SENIORS!!! And a senior QB to boot.

Yes, there are plenty of winnable games left but dare I say many of those are losable as well. Our staff always seems to be slow to realize things. For example, Kaleb Johnson is by far our best RB yet they want to act like it's a committee approach. They need to get KJ the ball as much as possible to get this offense going.

With an elite defense and a senior OL and a damn good RB, 9-3 would be a minor disappointment imo. 8-4 would be unacceptable. I say this because I think with all our losses on O and D, I think 2025 will be a lackluster year.

Well the defense let the team down badly twice in the second half yesterday, too.

This was a TOTAL team loss - which weirdly, is a step forward, lol?

 

[ozzie8]

Iowa's RBs should be getting 40-50 carries a game, combined. That's the strength of the offense, good backs, oline pretty decent run blockers. Ride that running game and take a few play action shots. Iowa tried to get cute Saturday and it cost them.

 

[srams21]

Well the defense let the team down badly twice in the second half yesterday, too.

This was a TOTAL team loss - which weirdly, is a step forward, lol?

That's true but overall the defense played pretty well. Two blown coverages away from elite.

You can't keep expecting the defense to bail out every game. They have been doing that for the past couple years. It's time for the offense to step up at least once in a while.

 

[torbee]

That's true but overall the defense played pretty well. Two blown coverages away from elite.

You can't keep expecting the defense to bail out every game. They have been doing that for the past couple years. It's time for the offense to step up at least once in a while.

Agree 100%

Overall, though, Saturday's performance despite ending up in a loss still LOOKED better most of the day than almost any game last season.