What I'd like to see for next year

[HawkPT]

Next year promises more excitement. As we all know, the prospects of an excellent season are pretty good, but Iowa doesn't always seem to perform well with high expectations and a target on their back. Outcomes are difficult to predict and even worse to expect.

Therefore, I'll simply outline some of the things I'd like to see in 2016 that aren't outcomes-based:

• First of all, I want King and Ott back. That would be huge for our defense as we have so many more options with a better pass rush and quality cover corners. That said, I want what's best for them, so I'm certainly OK if King decides to turn pro.
• Wadley as #1 RB, Mitchell as #2, and Daniels as #3 (or re-position to FB).
• A more balanced OL with better ability to pass protect.
• Opportunities to get Wiegers some meaningful snaps, which will be good if CJB goes down and for our prospects in 2017 and beyond.
• An offensive scheme that is a little less predictable. One that continues to develop the ability to work counter to our tendencies, and, on a related note, more counter action in the run game. We saw some of that in 2015; we need to see more. We need an offensive gameplan that identifies opponents' weaknesses and strategizes to manipulate those weaknesses to our advantage.
• A true and consistent deep threat in our passing game. Is JS up to the task?
• Better pressure on the quarterback from our front four. On a related note, I'm excited to see the physical development of Parker Hesse. If we cannot generate a pass rush, we need to blitz more often.

Biggest challenges for 2016:

• Replacing King, Blythe, and the FBs. I do believe that the experience that JD got this year will help this transition away from Blythe at center to go much more smoothly.
• Developing our WR corp. Do we have the talent there to take a big step forward in 2016?
• Staying hungry after a taste of success. I think an embarrassing loss in a big bowl will help us stay motivated in the off-season.

What I expect for 2016:

• I don't expect to have King or Ott next year.
• Maybin will have a break-out year. The bullets he had to duck this year will make him a seasoned leader in the back four next year.
• Jaleel Johnson will have an All Big Ten year and remind us of some past Hawkeye DT greats.
• A healthy CJB will earn 1st Team All Big Ten accolades and will be only the second Hawkeye QB drafted since Matt Rodgers. I expect him to be drafted in the 3rd or 4th round, but he could possibly be one of the top 5 QBs drafted.
• Miles Taylor will prove to be a worthy replacement at safety.
• At least two, maybe three, Hawkeye offensive linemen will earn All Big Ten honors.
• George Kittle will become the latest TE to carry the Hawkeye mantle and will be drafted in the 4th or 5th round of the 2017 NFL draft, which is an amazing accomplishment because the 2017 TE class is deep.
• Iowa will be very good but will not be able to capture lightning in a bottle like 2015. They will play in a very good bowl game in 2017, though.

 

[MIHawk]

We need to scheme more our opponents. Time after time we hear about how they know exactly what we are going to do. Last night it seemed like Stanford was in our huddle. About every 4-5 years, the breaks go our way and we have just enough to hang on for most games. But it sure seemed clear that we not only are 2 steps behind the big boys in terms of talent, but we worsen the situation by doubling down on all conservative base schemes.

 

[HawkPT]

Yes, and I think a team having 4 weeks to prepare for our predictability works to our disadvantage most times.