We should be OPTIMISTIC because we are just a few plays away from being undefeated

[Franisdaman]

1) If our D holds on the game's final play we beat the soon to be #3 ranked team in the country, Penn State

2) If the ball does not slip out of Stanley's hand, he has a man wide open in the end zone for the 7 points we needed to tie the game at Michigan State. Then who knows how that game ends.

Oh, oh so close to being 6-0.

Now we don't play for 2 weeks; hopefully we heal up and improve for the final half of the schedule.

 

[luvmyhawks]

And to think that msu team just went on to beat Michigan.

I don't think this Iowa team is all that bad this year. We will go toe to tie with Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is in the driver seat, so even when we beat them, it will be tough to win the division.

 

[SotaHawk87]

Couple plays from 3-3 as well but I get what you're throwing down

 

[BetterLuckNextTime]

And we were a foot away from the playoffs. Which means we'll have an awesome bowl game this year.

 

[And1Hawk]

There's some things to like about this team but we also just yielded 450 yards of offense to one of the worst power 5 teams in footballl. That includes allowing IL to rush for over 200 yards on the ground.

We have a tough schedule ahead with no gimmies. To top it off we are usually really bad the next game after coming off a bye week.

 

[dawgs_04]

Top 40 teams tend to look the results we've seen this year thus far

 

[General Tso]

Similar to a comment in another thread, this is iowa football in a nutshell. Always one or two plays from having a better record or having a worse record.

 

[larrygreenwallswildride]

The theme of this post is exactly the problem with Iowa football under Kirk, more often than not. Season after season over most of the last 10 years.... just never quite enough.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin does the opposite, more often than not.

People trying to mention the Badgers QB having a "weak arm." LOL.
They still found a way to stomp N and stay unbeaten.

Hawks will finish 4th in B10 West. Badgers 1st. That's about par for the course.

 

[SWIowahawks]

The theme of this post is exactly the problem with Iowa football under Kirk, more often than not. Season after season over most of the last 10 years.... just never quite enough.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin does the opposite, more often than not.

People trying to mention the Badgers QB having a "weak arm." LOL.
They still found a way to stomp N and stay unbeaten.

Hawks will finish 4th in B10 West. Badgers 1st. That's about par for the course.

4th in the division? Who is gonna finish ahead of Iowa? You better not say Nebraska. They won't finish ahead of Iowa.

 

[BigDelHawk]

The theme of this post is exactly the problem with Iowa football under Kirk, more often than not. Season after season over most of the last 10 years.... just never quite enough.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin does the opposite, more often than not.

People trying to mention the Badgers QB having a "weak arm." LOL.
They still found a way to stomp N and stay unbeaten.

Hawks will finish 4th in B10 West. Badgers 1st. That's about par for the course.

4th in Big 10 west is very pessimistic. We win the next three, lose to Ohio State and Wisconsin maybe. We barely lost to MSU And PSU, both of which have proven to be very good teams. MSU always has great skill players and our scheme kept them in check. Keep in mind we won a schloberknocker against ISU, and they have just shown they can hang with the best. If we keep healthy, we can beat anyone.

Bend but don't break is frustrating to watch, but it works.

 

[And1Hawk]

4th in Big 10 west is very pessimistic. We win the next three, lose to Ohio State and Wisconsin maybe. We barely lost to MSU And PSU, both of which have proven to be very good teams. MSU always has great skill players and our scheme kept them in check. Keep in mind we won a schloberknocker against ISU, and they have just shown they can hang with the best. If we keep healthy, we can beat anyone.

Bend but don't break is frustrating to watch, but it works.

Let's revisit after NW. We have to prove we can go in there after a bye week and beat them. It's very possible but we have thought this before. Close losses are still losses. There are reasons to be optimistic but also reasons to have serious concerns.

MSU was throttled by Notre Dame right before they beat us and Michigan was overrated given what they lost from last year along with their QB situation and offensive woes (all year). That lined up perfectly for MSU.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

And that is historically how seasons go under Ferentz. You will rarely see Iowa blow out a conference opponent, and you will rarely see Iowa get blown out. One or two plays here and there have been the difference between 11-2 seasons and 7-6 when you really think about it.

Look at the last two seasons Iowa finished in the Top 10 (2009 and 2015). In 2009, Iowa started the year having to block two UNI field goals, scored a Penn State-like TD on the last play at Michigan State, and came back at home to beat Indiana (after being down double digits in the 2nd half) after a fortuitous pinball interception Tyler Sash took back 90 + yards changed the momentum. 2015 had plenty of dramatic moments as well.

The point is when Iowa has those types of seasons--where the breaks go their way--then Ferentz is a genius and worth every penny of his $4 million/year salary. When Iowa is on the other side of those types of seasons, then obviously he is too stale, conservative, and boring. So in reality this conversation could be had almost every season, as far as Iowa being one or two plays away from being undefeated is concerned.

The sooner Iowa fans accept that fact the better off their mental health will be during seasons Iowa only wins 6-8 games. And this is not directed at the OP or anyone specifically on this thread, just a general observation.

 

[GolfHacker1]

What ifs and maybes are part of Iowa football, and college football as a whole.

I'm not normally a guy who plays what ifs and maybes about player development, but this season is different.

My what if an maybe is "wait until next year, and the next several season." We have a lot of young talent getting snaps, and the recruits coming in are getting better.

Not only is this season not lost yet, there is a lot of hope with Iowa football right now. More than I can remember for quite a long while.

 

[jimbob22]

Let's revisit after NW. We have to prove we can go in there after a bye week and beat them. It's very possible but we have thought this before. Close losses are still losses. There are reasons to be optimistic but also reasons to have serious concerns.

MSU was throttled by Notre Dame right before they beat us and Michigan was overrated given what they lost from last year along with their QB situation and offensive woes (all year). That lined up perfectly for MSU.

NW indeed is key to the season. Re/ PSU and MSU losses, it's possible they weren't too fired up about playing the Hawks, given where the program is. Let's face it, Iowa was fortunate to beat the Klownz, and the Illini outgained us. Without a couple of Jeff George mistakes, we're in deep trouble against the worst offense in Big Ten. Our DL is not Big Ten caliber. The pass rush is pathetic, and difficult to watch. Not sure if it is strategic, or a lack of talent. The last consistent pass rush was in 2009, Clayborn's junior year.

Upside: Stanley, tight ends, DBs are better than expected. Stanley is Stanzi-like, in that he doesn't let mistakes bother him.

Re/ NW, given our DL, I expect Thorson to pick us apart. We will need to score 45-50 points to win.

 

[bravehawks1]

To quote the obvious: "that's football"

 

[bagdropper]

I'm always optimistic. Then again, I look at seasons, not really games...

I utterly detest coulda woulda shoulda...Iowa lost those two games, in agonizing fashion. Can't change that.

Learn from every snap of every game win or lose, apply what you learned to better yourselves/team, move forward. This year, there's 6 more opportunities to go yet.

That being said, I love the fact we're seeing so many kids contribute and the staff changing things as far as what we see on the field during games, and while there will be steps back and forward in the process for both players and coaches, the future really (imho) looks bright. Like...big time bright.

I love where this program is going.

 

[Franisdaman]

And to think that msu team just went on to beat Michigan.

I don't think this Iowa team is all that bad this year. We will go toe to tie with Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is in the driver seat, so even when we beat them, it will be tough to win the division.

How many really good teams do you think are there?

And then after that, I just think the rest of the teams (including Iowa) can beat anybody, especially when you have them at home.

Michigan State had us at home and I think that helped them just like having Penn State at home was huge for Iowa.

I think this Iowa team is solid and very close to be pretty good. I think our 1st year QB, for example, has played better than expected.

I am worried about our OL taking a step back; we do have a new coach there, however, so I wonder if that is part of the issue?

what sucks is that Wisconsin has a very easy schedule this year and should cruise to the West division championship.

 

[Franisdaman]

And that is historically how seasons go under Ferentz. You will rarely see Iowa blow out a conference opponent, and you will rarely see Iowa get blown out. One or two plays here and there have been the difference between 11-2 seasons and 7-6 when you really think about it.

Look at the last two seasons Iowa finished in the Top 10 (2009 and 2015). In 2009, Iowa started the year having to block two UNI field goals, scored a Penn State-like TD on the last play at Michigan State, and came back at home to beat Indiana (after being down double digits in the 2nd half) after a fortuitous pinball interception Tyler Sash took back 90 + yards changed the momentum. 2015 had plenty of dramatic moments as well.

The point is when Iowa has those types of seasons--where the breaks go their way--then Ferentz is a genius and worth every penny of his $4 million/year salary. When Iowa is on the other side of those types of seasons, then obviously he is too stale, conservative, and boring. So in reality this conversation could be had almost every season, as far as Iowa being one or two plays away from being undefeated is concerned.

The sooner Iowa fans accept that fact the better off their mental health will be during seasons Iowa only wins 6-8 games. And this is not directed at the OP or anyone specifically on this thread, just a general observation.

Nice post. I don't live and die by the Hawkeyes, thank gawd LOL

Things I like: our QB, his arm, his decision making. Our WR's are getting open, finally. I think O'Keefe and the new WR coach have made a huge difference.

Our kicker is pretty good at FGs and kick offs

We switched punters, and things can't get worse.

Our TE's are pretty good.

Hooker and Snyder seem to be our safeties moving forward and both are ball hawks and make things happen.

Things that are concerning: Our OL seems to have taken a step back; why is that? Coaching?

Our DL is not getting the pressure I thought it would

But as you can see, the pluses outweigh the minuses right now as we go into a bye week.

 

[Franisdaman]

I'm always optimistic. Then again, I look at seasons, not really games...

I utterly detest coulda woulda shoulda...Iowa lost those two games, in agonizing fashion. Can't change that.

Learn from every snap of every game win or lose, apply what you learned to better yourselves/team, move forward. This year, there's 6 more opportunities to go yet.

That being said, I love the fact we're seeing so many kids contribute and the staff changing things as far as what we see on the field during games, and while there will be steps back and forward in the process for both players and coaches, the future really (imho) looks bright. Like...big time bright.

I love where this program is going.

Nice post.

I like that we are in every game; seems like we have a good game plan for every game and that is good coaching.

I believe 10 true freshman have played so far this year and 3 have fumbled but they are getting their feet wet and yes, the future does look bright.

 

[GolfHacker1]

I think it's 13 freshman, and red shirt freshman. And that might be a higher number now.

Anyone have this actual number?

 

[Nitwit]

After watching the PSU game yesterday, you will have no trouble against Northwestern. Their offensive line is horrible and they have no offense to speak of. Also, their pass defense is very weak. If Stanley has time to throw, he will pick them apart, and Iowa may get a turnover or two from the defense. I can easily see a 17 or 21 point Hawkeye win.

Wisconsin which somehow always seems to benefit from a cupcake schedule, with no games against MSU, OSU, or PSU, is a legitimate top 10 team, and will likely be a huge challenge. They have become a consistent power in the west.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

I don't know man. We are pretty unlucky about having a mid tier qb play the game of their life against us.

 

[JerNHawk]

1) If our D holds on the game's final play we beat the soon to be #3 ranked team in the country, Penn State

2) If the ball does not slip out of Stanley's hand, he has a man wide open in the end zone for the 7 points we needed to tie the game at Michigan State. Then who knows how that game ends.

Oh, oh so close to being 6-0.

Now we don't play for 2 weeks; hopefully we heal up and improve for the final half of the schedule.

It feels like most years that Iowa is five plays away from either being 6-6 or 11-1.

 

[bagdropper]

After watching the PSU game yesterday, you will have no trouble against Northwestern. Their offensive line is horrible and they have no offense to speak of. Also, their pass defense is very weak. If Stanley has time to throw, he will pick them apart, and Iowa may get a turnover or two from the defense. I can easily see a 17 or 21 point Hawkeye win.

Wisconsin which somehow always seems to benefit from a cupcake schedule, with no games against MSU, OSU, or PSU, is a legitimate top 10 team, and will likely be a huge challenge. They have become a consistent power in the west.

That Nebraska/Wisconsin game yesterday...fascinating, cause I've seen it many times before.

I dunno how they build those road grader o-lines like they do...and Taylor looks like a copy of Gordon all over again.

If a team can at least not let them run at the very least somewhat (say 150ish yards) where they must pass...they can be beat. Iowa will have to play a lot better run defense to accomplish that...and then you still have to score against their very fine defense.

If I'm a Badger fan, I'd book a hotel to Indy today.

 

[Hawkeyeinsoutherncalifornia]

Very well said Frans! I would have to agree with you on this

1) If our D holds on the game's final play we beat the soon to be #3 ranked team in the country, Penn State

2) If the ball does not slip out of Stanley's hand, he has a man wide open in the end zone for the 7 points we needed to tie the game at Michigan State. Then who knows how that game ends.

Oh, oh so close to being 6-0.

Now we don't play for 2 weeks; hopefully we heal up and improve for the final half of the schedule.

Well

 

[ctghawk]

My glass is generally half full, and I hope for the best but plan for the worst.

That being said, I need some of what the OP is smoking.

 

[Muskie5]

There's some things to like about this team but we also just yielded 450 yards of offense to one of the worst power 5 teams in footballl. That includes allowing IL to rush for over 200 yards on the ground.

We have a tough schedule ahead with no gimmies. To top it off we are usually really bad the next game after coming off a bye week.

It's all Bower's fault. Ask anyone....

 

[BetterLuckNextTime]

I agree with the OP, I in particular find it hard to quell my high hopes for the team this year. I expect the offense to explode at any time.

 

[Franisdaman]

That Nebraska/Wisconsin game yesterday...fascinating, cause I've seen it many times before.

I dunno how they build those road grader o-lines like they do...and Taylor looks like a copy of Gordon all over again.

If a team can at least not let them run at the very least somewhat (say 150ish yards) where they must pass...they can be beat. Iowa will have to play a lot better run defense to accomplish that...and then you still have to score against their very fine defense.

If I'm a Badger fan, I'd book a hotel to Indy today.

They raise big ol' farm kids in Wisconsin, and they keep them in state. And they don't give up on the run and figure by the 4th qtr they will have your defense worn out. It works for them, that is for sure. I think 28 of the last 30 plays they ran were runs; Nebby knew it was coming and could not stop it. The poor black shirts were tired and tapped out!

Crazy that they have a freshman starting at RB, too

I know Nebby fans are getting tired of getting destroyed by Wisky, that is for sure; so much for the 1997 co-national championship team inspiring the 2017 bunch; i think the 1997 players were embarrassed

 

[Franisdaman]

My glass is generally half full, and I hope for the best but plan for the worst.

That being said, I need some of what the OP is smoking.

i just don't live and die with sports any more; its better for the health LOL