Where is this all gonna lead?

[broth87]

Let's look just briefly beyond this season. The West division is ripe for someone to take control. Assuming Dez comes back like he's said in the past he planned to do, we have to be the favorite again next year. In theory, we should see a boost in recruiting with this season and if we can stack a couple of big seasons together, we have a HUGE opportunity right now to really elevate the Iowa program and become a regular in national conversations. Michigan State showed it's possible.
Nebraska and Wisconsin are both messes right now with their choosing changes. I'm not sold on Riley or Chryst. Plus they both come to Iowa City next year. Northwestern, Fitzgerald is a great coach bit what he's doing right now is probably about as good as it gets at northwestern. I like the coach at Illinois but I just don't see them being able to make that jump. Same for Minnesota. Claeys will be good for keeping continuity in the program bit I don't see them ever being a division contender. And Purdue? Um no. It's our time. Kirk has a lot of years under his belt. A LOT of lessons learned. This is his chance to cement his legacy if he can put this program at the head of the class in the west.
First things first tho. Gotta finish this season strong. Take care of Minnesota first.

 

[EndzoneSeat]

Haven't looked at our schedule for next year for a while, and forgot we host Michigan next year. That should be a great game!

 

[FranklinHawk]

Not sure I'd call Wisconsin a "mess" right now. While they have dropped off from the prior few years, they are still on schedule to win 10 regular season games (which is about where they have been).

 

[Herkmeister]

DAMN IT BROTH!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy the moment my man. We have a long long off season to discuss these points. ENJOY THE MOMENT 'CAUSE THIS MY FRIEND IS A MOMENT!!!!!

 

[DrVenkman]

I am not ready to think at all about the future. I hope its good but there is a special season happening right now.

Today's ESPN drama has Iowa listed in the Apocalypse article this am- that an undefeated Iowa team- includes beating O$U- could be left out of the final four and thus excluding the BIG Ten from the playoff- oh the love from the world of football journalists.

http://espn.go.com/college-football...arios-how-power-5-conference-get-left-playoff

 

[Hawk_4shur]

THIS is what everyone said about 2010, and we all know how that turned out.

 

[RocknRollface]

I am not ready to think at all about the future. I hope its good but there is a special season happening right now.

Today's ESPN drama has Iowa listed in the Apocalypse article this am- that an undefeated Iowa team- includes beating O$U- could be left out of the final four and thus excluding the BIG Ten from the playoff- oh the love from the world of football journalists.

http://espn.go.com/college-football...arios-how-power-5-conference-get-left-playoff

IT can't be stressed enough that ESPN has no say in who makes it even though they want to create the illusion that they do.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I am not ready to think at all about the future. I hope its good but there is a special season happening right now.

Today's ESPN drama has Iowa listed in the Apocalypse article this am- that an undefeated Iowa team- includes beating O$U- could be left out of the final four and thus excluding the BIG Ten from the playoff- oh the love from the world of football journalists.

http://espn.go.com/college-football...arios-how-power-5-conference-get-left-playoff

Did you read the article? It had "doomsday" scenarios for several teams/conferences. They aren't picking on Iowa. They even have a doomsday scenario for the SEC.

So much "little brother" in this fan base.

 

[Suterman]

I think you are right Broth. Good things could be in store after this year. We need to finish this year out STRONG and people will be back on the Iowa bandwagon going forward. Let's beat Minnesota and make it 10!!!!!

 

[83Hawk]

Schedule will be tougher next season for sure...but as long as we have CJ, we should be able to compete with any team in the Big 10.

I would gladly trade a last place finish next season for a national championship this year!

 

[broth87]

I am enjoying this season and this moment. Mid week, thought maybe a little fun topic to discuss. Someone has to seize control of the west division. Wisconsin isn't the Wisconsin of the last several years. There is an opening and a chance, maybe the best chance we've had, to elevate this program. i agree about 2010 and having been here before. Hopefully our coaching staff has learned. It took Nebraska and osborne 20 some years to figure it all out. We're not at that level by any stretch. All I'm saying is maybe we're at that place, and maybe Kirk has learned.

 

[hawkeyemark]

I like where we sit and between Kirk and Brian who has the looks of Kirk's successor at some point this program sits in good shape for the foreseeable future. Not sold on Christ at Wisconsin either. He didn't really do that much at Pittsburgh and I don't think they would have hired him if not for his Badger ties. Riley at Nebraska may get them on the right track yet but he represents a stopgap solution at best at his age. If Minnesota hires the right coach that program has potential but we'll see what direction they go. Illinois I think would do well to keep their interim coach around for a few years but hard to tell what will happen there. For the first time in awhile I agree we look in really good shape relative to our competition.