I don't like Greg Davis. I don't like many aspects of our recruiting year in and year out. I don't like zone blocking. I don't like a lot of things about Iowa football, but it could be a lot worse. We've had it pretty good under Ferentz in comparison to our peers. That's assuming you don't think Ohio State and Michigan are our peers, although Ferentz is 6-5 against Michigan. We've competed fairly comparable to that of Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Penn State if you look at the Ferentz era as a whole. If you expect us to go to a BCS bowl more than once every 6 years like Ferentz has averaged than I urge you to look around the country and see how many blue chip schools haven't since the BCS era began. Look at Texas. They've had 3 losing seasons in the last 6 years, and they're well on there way to their 4th of the last 7 seasons including 3 losing seasons in a row. At least realize that things are harder at Iowa and appreciate the fact that we could easily fall off the college football landscape for a good decade.
Ferentz rarely has losing seasons. In fact, since 2001, he's had just 2 losing seasons if you don't count the 6-6 season as a losing season. 2 losing seasons in 16 years if we finish this season as a winning season (I think we will). Never a back to back losing season in over 16 years. That's valuable at the FCS level. And when those numbers are sprinkled with BCS bowls every 5-6 years on average, and New Year's Day bowls every 3 years or so on average it makes it worth the $4.5M he's being paid. Don't complain about that number. It shouldn't have anything to do with his future. He's earned $4.5M per year because of past results.
But what I don't understand why so many people are surprised about this season or are surprised our offense looked terrible against Wisconsin. I'm guessing it's because so many of you thought last season's 12-0 was some sort of legitimate, FCS level 12-0. Well it wasn't. Iowa was probably one of the worst 12-0 teams in the BCS era. Throw in 11-1 teams to that mix too. Iowa is probably the worst or very close to being the worst 12-0 or 11-1 regular season finishers in the BCS era. And the fact that Ferentz (or his agent) leveraged last season's bogus 12-0 season to get this contract extension combined with the fact Gary Barta agreed to it is appalling. 12-0 should be rewarded regardless if it was one of the most, if not the most, overrated 12-0 seasons in the BCS era. But it doesn't need to be rewarded with $4.5M through 2025. The $4.5M is perfectly fine. Through 2025 is asinine.
If you think last season's 12-0 was actually legit, here's why you're wrong:
You want Greg Davis fired because we weren't able to produce against one of the top 5 defenses in the nation? Michigan scored just 14 against Wisconsin. Michigan State just 6. LSU just 14.
If anything, want Greg Davis fired because of lack of recruiting. Want Ferentz fired because of lack of recruiting. But don't want Greg Davis fired because his offense struggled against one of the top 5 defenses in the nation.
We have the practice facility now so there shouldn't be any more excuses for anything other than top 30 classes. The pressure needs to be on Ferentz and recruiting. No more 50+ rated classes. There's no doubt about the contract in the near future. Go out and recruit athletes. We should have better depth at the skill positions. All the tools are there now. Stop saying we aren't sexy while collecting $4.5M per year. Stop talking about peaks and valleys. Stop reminding us about how hard it is here. Go out and get it done. Recruiting needs to get on par with what Dantonio did at Michigan State. That's how we're going to string together another decent run and avoid future losing seasons. Ferentz knows how to coach and develop talent. The quality of player he's developing needs improve. We need to go on the greatest 3-4 year recruiting run of the Ferentz era, and that should be expected from the fan base. The media needs to start challenging any sort of comment Ferentz makes otherwise.
On a totally different topic, I'm so glad Wisconsin hired this guy. They better enjoy it while it lasts while the end of Beilema's and Anderson's recruits are exhausted. This guy is a huge step backwards. No enthusiasm and just doesn't seem that bright. He has a belch like facial expression as he has to think about what to say. Not near the recruiter as that of Beilema or Anderson. Wisconsin is going to drop off. Mark my words.
Ferentz rarely has losing seasons. In fact, since 2001, he's had just 2 losing seasons if you don't count the 6-6 season as a losing season. 2 losing seasons in 16 years if we finish this season as a winning season (I think we will). Never a back to back losing season in over 16 years. That's valuable at the FCS level. And when those numbers are sprinkled with BCS bowls every 5-6 years on average, and New Year's Day bowls every 3 years or so on average it makes it worth the $4.5M he's being paid. Don't complain about that number. It shouldn't have anything to do with his future. He's earned $4.5M per year because of past results.
But what I don't understand why so many people are surprised about this season or are surprised our offense looked terrible against Wisconsin. I'm guessing it's because so many of you thought last season's 12-0 was some sort of legitimate, FCS level 12-0. Well it wasn't. Iowa was probably one of the worst 12-0 teams in the BCS era. Throw in 11-1 teams to that mix too. Iowa is probably the worst or very close to being the worst 12-0 or 11-1 regular season finishers in the BCS era. And the fact that Ferentz (or his agent) leveraged last season's bogus 12-0 season to get this contract extension combined with the fact Gary Barta agreed to it is appalling. 12-0 should be rewarded regardless if it was one of the most, if not the most, overrated 12-0 seasons in the BCS era. But it doesn't need to be rewarded with $4.5M through 2025. The $4.5M is perfectly fine. Through 2025 is asinine.
If you think last season's 12-0 was actually legit, here's why you're wrong:
- They didn't play Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State or Penn State in the regular season.
- They beat Wisconsin because of a very timely Wisconsin fumble on the yard line, and Wisconsin was without their best running back, Clement.
- They trailed an Iowa State that finished the season 3-9 until early third quarter when they tied it up. They remained tied with Iowa State until just over 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter.
- The led an Illinois team that finished the season 5-7 by just 3 points late in the 4th quarter. They kicked a fg to go up 6 with just 3:20 left in the game, and it was an untimely Illinois fumble that ended the game. Illinois had the ball late with a chance to win the game at Kinnick Stadium.
- They barely beat Minnesota, 40-35. A game that Greg Davis can be given a lot of credit for winning because it surely wasn't our defense.
- They were out gained against Purdue 405 yards to 387. This is a Purdue team that finished 2-10. The score of the Purdue game was just 20-13 late in the 3rd quarter before Beathard connected with Kittle for a touchdown. Purdue then drove all the way down to Iowa's 21 yard line on their next possession but turned it over on downs. Kept the game competitive though almost 3 and a half quarters.
You want Greg Davis fired because we weren't able to produce against one of the top 5 defenses in the nation? Michigan scored just 14 against Wisconsin. Michigan State just 6. LSU just 14.
If anything, want Greg Davis fired because of lack of recruiting. Want Ferentz fired because of lack of recruiting. But don't want Greg Davis fired because his offense struggled against one of the top 5 defenses in the nation.
We have the practice facility now so there shouldn't be any more excuses for anything other than top 30 classes. The pressure needs to be on Ferentz and recruiting. No more 50+ rated classes. There's no doubt about the contract in the near future. Go out and recruit athletes. We should have better depth at the skill positions. All the tools are there now. Stop saying we aren't sexy while collecting $4.5M per year. Stop talking about peaks and valleys. Stop reminding us about how hard it is here. Go out and get it done. Recruiting needs to get on par with what Dantonio did at Michigan State. That's how we're going to string together another decent run and avoid future losing seasons. Ferentz knows how to coach and develop talent. The quality of player he's developing needs improve. We need to go on the greatest 3-4 year recruiting run of the Ferentz era, and that should be expected from the fan base. The media needs to start challenging any sort of comment Ferentz makes otherwise.
On a totally different topic, I'm so glad Wisconsin hired this guy. They better enjoy it while it lasts while the end of Beilema's and Anderson's recruits are exhausted. This guy is a huge step backwards. No enthusiasm and just doesn't seem that bright. He has a belch like facial expression as he has to think about what to say. Not near the recruiter as that of Beilema or Anderson. Wisconsin is going to drop off. Mark my words.
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