What do you guys look at that makes you think we should be better than 7-5, 8-4

[TonyTheTiger.1865]

The stretch play behind Wirfs/Welsh was more effective than Render/Jackson. You do realize that you have take swings to get hits right? (I was a huge proponent for throwing early to open the run game later)
You wear the defense down, they’re a step slow to the gap, and pop — Wadley goes for 50. It just didn’t work that way this year because the OL wasn’t consistent enough. Just look at the rushing averages. We could’ve had Bo Jackson back there and not run well. THE RUNNING GAME didn’t work. We all know what Iowa Football is supposed to look like, and this year we couldn’t do it.

Next year, with WRs who are a year more veteran, with an OL a year stronger, quicker and aware, with a QB taking all the first team snaps in the spring. I expect that we’ll make teams pay more for stacking the box.

They did try and get Wadley in space. He was covered on screens, on draws, in the flats. Stanley did a very good job (especially as a first year player) at finding his first or second option. He’ll improve on whether to scramble or buy time next year.

We did utilize the TEs. It’s easier to bracket them in zone coverages. Not sure where you’re going here.

Untouched sacks were an area of concern. We’re going to see a lot of blitzing next year too. We’ve got an offseason to clean that up. This annoys me more than anything, because protection is #1 in the passing game. Stanley took too many hits.

Special teams. Coverage - Good. FG - Good. Punting - as bad as it gets. It’s really hard to regain confidence when you lose it. We lost games on punting differences alone. Just average punting probably gives our offense two more possessions at the 30, rather than possessions inside the 10. You have something like a 5% chance of having a scoring drive starting inside your own 10, and a 25% chance of scoring starting from your own 25.

That one score could be the difference in the MSU, NW, Purdue, or Penn State games.

We were 4-5 plays away from being a one-loss team.

Now, had we lost these four games by two TDs or more, then you might have a case. But just admit we were close, just not good enough to close. Only one game where we were outclassed. That’s a pretty good year for Iowa Football, especially in a year where we didn’t have our #1 threat (Wadley)

You are delusional!

 

[Hock-I]

every year, with the occasional pop, and an occasional drop.

In a state populated with 3.1 million people, with two state universities. I don’t think we should expect more than Minnesota, Nebraska or Illinois do.

But, Ferentz’s leadership has given us top wins seemingly every year. His players graduate. A good number go on to the NFL. I don’t see what’s not to like. I’ve always said I’d be happy to be contending every fourth year (with a senior QB).

I don’t think people realize what a short fall we have at the skill positions.

We don’t run an offense that’s as wide open as Ohio State’s, but then we don’t have the skill players to be successful in that system. Whereas in Ferentz system, we’re usually close, and when we minimize turnovers, and maximize execution, we usually win.

What exactly are you looking for? Ohio State records? Michigan records? Michigan State? Wisconsin?

What level of success would bring you happiness?

Me, I’m saying 7-5 in QBs first year, 8-4 in the next and contending for a B1G Championship in year 4.

Disagree. If you were around before Hayden showed up, would you have said the same thing? Hayden took us to a new level and Kirk has sustained it. Why can’t somebody take us to the next level?

Dantonio has done it at Michigan State - Michigan’s little bro. He doesn’t have the resources or tradition and has to compete with three heavyweights in the East for talent in the same conference. With the exception of last year and his rebuilding years, has done well.

 

[HawkNole09]

* BF was in year one. He didn’t even know whether he’d be in the booth or on the field. I can assure you year 1 meant many adjustments. The off-season will allow him to regroup, what worked, what didn’t new ideas. New analytics for what worked or didn’t work.
* Polasek was in year 1. Copeland, year 1. Players year 1: Stanley, Easley, Butler, Alaric, Wirfs, ISM
* The running game is unlikely to take a step back, it almost can’t go anywhere but forward. I like the backs we have returning, there’s plenty of strength, quickness and some speed. TEs will become bigger and stronger and help the run game.
* The passing game will be better. Protections will improve, routes will improve, WRs are more athletic, quicker twitch. TEs will go from contributors to studs.

The offense IS going to be better, potentially much better, more consistent, better able to keep our defense off the field. If you can’t see that and be excited by that then forget it — go cheer on Alabama it’s more fun.

 

[HawkNole09]

Disagree. If you were around before Hayden showed up, would you have said the same thing? Hayden took us to a new level and Kirk has sustained it. Why can’t somebody take us to the next level?

Dantonio has done it at Michigan State - Michigan’s little bro. He doesn’t have the resources or tradition and has to compete with three heavyweights in the East for talent in the same conference. With the exception of last year and his rebuilding years, has done well.

You do realize Dantonio plays the same style of game that we do.

 

[Hock-I]

You do realize Dantonio plays the same style of game that we do.

I wasn’t discussing style, just pointing out success can be reached even if you have several factors against you.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

I haven't "looked" at a Kirk Ferentz football team and thought they should be better than 6-6 or 7-5, since the summer of 2010. That's the honest truth. I often look at the talent level and find myself marveling at anything better than 4-8 or 5-7.

 

[HawkNole09]

I wasn’t discussing style, just pointing out success can be reached even if you have several factors against you.

I wasn’t discussing style, just pointing out success can be reached even if you have several factors against you.

Dantonio - 53-28 in B1G play, 3 conference championships, 9 bowl games
Ferentz - 86-69 in B1G play, 2 conference championships, 14 bowl games

Dantonio has the edge. Maybe he’s a better coach, and I can’t find Ferentz vs Dantonio, but Ferentz is 7-7 vs. Mich State so they’re probably a pretty even match. I would say Dantonio has benefitted from having the state of Michigan to recruit from. More athletic DB, WR, DL to recruit from.

I would love for Ferentz to have that record. Based on the recruiting gains the past two years I think we may see magic again.

 

[dawgs_04]

I always love that comment. Even if Ferentz gets fired after 2015 it's not a guarantee we improve in 2016 and 2017.. Actually short term there's a greater chance we are worse. Sorry I'll take an undefeated regular season and an inch away from the playoffs every time.

I always love your comment, too. You are focusing on 2016 and 2017 (short-term) while I'm thinking about the future. 2015 led to a bigger buyout; more years of the same ole same. Hopefully Ferentz retires so we never have to deal with the buyout, but my goodness what a terrible deal.

 

[cg8284]

* BF was in year one. He didn’t even know whether he’d be in the booth or on the field. I can assure you year 1 meant many adjustments. The off-season will allow him to regroup, what worked, what didn’t new ideas. New analytics for what worked or didn’t work.
* Polasek was in year 1. Copeland, year 1. Players year 1: Stanley, Easley, Butler, Alaric, Wirfs, ISM
* The running game is unlikely to take a step back, it almost can’t go anywhere but forward. I like the backs we have returning, there’s plenty of strength, quickness and some speed. TEs will become bigger and stronger and help the run game.
* The passing game will be better. Protections will improve, routes will improve, WRs are more athletic, quicker twitch. TEs will go from contributors to studs.

The offense IS going to be better, potentially much better, more consistent, better able to keep our defense off the field. If you can’t see that and be excited by that then forget it — go cheer on Alabama it’s more fun.

You would think all of these things would improve, usually more experience leads to better results. That just isn’t the case in the last 8-9 years with this program. Returning starters don’t matter, Stanley continuing to get better is not a given. They are the same every year and the only thing that varies is their conference schedule and if they’re going to lose 1 game they shouldn’t or 2 games they shouldn’t.