My Get Off My Lawn post

homes

homes

Well-Known Member
We are spoiled. We haven't known seriously bad times as Iowa football fans for 40 years, save for the last year of Fry and the first two of Ferentz. But that is nothing like the sustained mediocrity (in the good years) between 1961-1981. Those were hard times, truly. We whine and belly ache (me included) about going 7-5/8-4, and crow about not being perennial contenders for BT titles and the playoffs, when the reality for every program, save for Ohio State, is that is not true. Oh sure, Wisconsin has been on a run, but they haven't been there forever, and they will fall back, they just will. Michigan has struggled. MSU has, too. Penn State is in denial - would any of you really want to have that be the primary program you root for? Nebraska - they're a complete joke and only they don't know it, hearing them this past week only confirms it.

This is not to say we need to be completely satisfied with these results nor strive for the program to be better, but, at least for me, I consider myself lucky to be a fan of this program, and would not trade it for anything. People need to have a little bit of perspective. Live through perennial losing seasons with no hope in sight. It isn't much fun. No wonder Minnesota fans are so hateful. No wonder Indiana's stadium looks more empty now that they've added seats to the ones that weren't being filled in the first place. Illinois - they've seen success, but they've had so many, many poor seasons to make those faint memories leaving them grasping at straws. Purdue seems to be on the verge, but is also appears about to have the rug pulled out from under them; that didn't occur at Iowa, when we all thought it might in 2004 and no one wanted that to happen - let's not forget that. (Maryland and Rutgers - who really cares?) I don't need to apologize for one minute for being an Iowa fan, I want more, don't get me wrong, but I am proud to be a Hawkeye - that will never change.
 


Absolutely terrific post. There are 60 teams that would rather be where Iowa is at.

People say Iowa is so boring or "You know what you are going to get with Iowa", "know what they are going to run", etc. etc. They also say that ".....they are so physical" and ".....they are so fundamentally sound", or ".....they don't give up big plays". Iowa is always a tough out and a tough place to play in every other teams eyes.

Instead of bitching about the above, people need to reflect on the statements and take them as a compliment. This means a team has and identity and consistency. Iowa will be back to the BIG championship at some point, hopefully every so many years. People need to remember that Wisconsin was horrible and an easy out in the 1980's. They were the Indiana and Purdues of the time. It is cyclical for most teams. Keep it real people.
 




Iowa fans are spoiled. Good every year, once in a while really great. No huge dips (sans 2012) - That said, don't expect everyone to celebrate that fact. Iowa still has a shot at 9 wins and being ranked in the final poll in 2019. The fact that's not good enough for fans is a good thing IMO. Don't ever be satisfied....but don't get it twisted, Iowa is one of the better programs year in and out in college football. A lot of fans would love to route for that type of program. Unfortunately, after enough of being just "good" fans are going to want to be great. 2015 is a long time ago in the football world.
 


homes said:
We are spoiled. We haven't known seriously bad times as Iowa football fans for 40 years, save for the last year of Fry and the first two of Ferentz. But that is nothing like the sustained mediocrity (in the good years) between 1961-1981. Those were hard times, truly. We whine and belly ache (me included) about going 7-5/8-4, and crow about not being perennial contenders for BT titles and the playoffs, when the reality for every program, save for Ohio State, is that is not true. Oh sure, Wisconsin has been on a run, but they haven't been there forever, and they will fall back, they just will. Michigan has struggled. MSU has, too. Penn State is in denial - would any of you really want to have that be the primary program you root for? Nebraska - they're a complete joke and only they don't know it, hearing them this past week only confirms it.

This is not to say we need to be completely satisfied with these results nor strive for the program to be better, but, at least for me, I consider myself lucky to be a fan of this program, and would not trade it for anything. People need to have a little bit of perspective. Live through perennial losing seasons with no hope in sight. It isn't much fun. No wonder Minnesota fans are so hateful. No wonder Indiana's stadium looks more empty now that they've added seats to the ones that weren't being filled in the first place. Illinois - they've seen success, but they've had so many, many poor seasons to make those faint memories leaving them grasping at straws. Purdue seems to be on the verge, but is also appears about to have the rug pulled out from under them; that didn't occur at Iowa, when we all thought it might in 2004 and no one wanted that to happen - let's not forget that. (Maryland and Rutgers - who really cares?) I don't need to apologize for one minute for being an Iowa fan, I want more, don't get me wrong, but I am proud to be a Hawkeye - that will never change.
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Been careful there, you're trying to defend and pump up Iowa by at the same time it took Iowa going for and converting a 4th and 8 to beat that "complete joke" by 3 points at home.

But I hear what you're saying. Iowa is a pretty solid program. Over the last 40 years Iowa has had about 8 or 9 seasons that team really struggled. Outside of that they've been a "tough out" like you said.

My disappointment with the state of the program lies with the B1G West. Its a easy division to win and its never been easier to win than this season. And Iowa is the 4th best team in that division this season. 3-3 record. If Iowa played under the old Legends/Leaders format or the near round-robin schedule 8 wins looks a lot different.
 


Xerxes said:
My disappointment with the state of the program lies with the B1G West. Its a easy division to win and its never been easier to win than this season. And Iowa is the 4th best team in that division this season. 3-3 record. If Iowa played under the old Legends/Leaders format or the near round-robin schedule 8 wins looks a lot different.
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Yep. On one hand, I think Iowa had an unlucky draw in terms of timing when it played certain teams and had Iowa landed Purdue and Northwestern early and Wisconsin late, I think this ball club goes 11-1. But, on the other hand, Iowa was sitting on an experienced starter at QB and drew a ridiculously soft schedule in a majorly down year for the West. It really sucks to finish 3-3.
 


okeefe4prez said:
Yep. On one hand, I think Iowa had an unlucky draw in terms of timing when it played certain teams and had Iowa landed Purdue and Northwestern early and Wisconsin late, I think this ball club goes 11-1. But, on the other hand, Iowa was sitting on an experienced starter at QB and drew a ridiculously soft schedule in a majorly down year for the West. It really sucks to finish 3-3.
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At this point I think we can say this was a majorly down year of the Big Ten in general. You’ve got OSU and Michigan, neither of which is truly elite, and then a a bunch of teams in the middle.
 


BrianFerentzForPresident said:
At this point I think we can say this was a majorly down year of the Big Ten in general. You’ve got OSU and Michigan, neither of which is truly elite, and then a a bunch of teams in the middle.
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Depends on how we define truly elite. I know OSU got trucked by Purdue, but I still think they are one of the 4 or 5 best teams in the country. Hell, I even think they are one of only 3 teams (them, Clemson and Georgia) that even have a snowball's chance in hell of beating Alabama. Not saying they would, but they can throw it deep and have some athletes on defense, so if they got lucky and won the turnover battle by 3, it ain't outside the realm of possibility that they could narrowly beat Alabama.
 


okeefe4prez said:
Depends on how we define truly elite. I know OSU got trucked by Purdue, but I still think they are one of the 4 or 5 best teams in the country. Hell, I even think they are one of only 3 teams (them, Clemson and Georgia) that even have a snowball's chance in hell of beating Alabama. Not saying they would, but they can throw it deep and have some athletes on defense, so if they got lucky and won the turnover battle by 3, it ain't outside the realm of possibility that they could narrowly beat Alabama.
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I have to see more than one complete game. Their defense has been abysmal and Urban clearly still isn’t comfortable running a pass first offense. Maybe they’ll surprise me come bowl season, but I’m not convinced they belong any higher then 10. Michigan’s defense and special teams had a meltdown on Saturday, which certainly helps their opponent look good.
 


folks, we should be 12-0. we never should have lost the games we lost. it isn't necessarily being 8-4/7-5 that matters, it's why you are 8-4/7-5. we did not optimize the talent on our team or take full advantage of the opportunities we had. if we'd have wound up 6-6 in '12 instead of 4-8, THAT would have been optimizing opportunities and talent. but ending up 8-4 when it should have been 12-0, that is not and there in lies the frustration.

and to be clear, saying we should be 12-0 is not saying that is the expectation, but compared to the talent on each team we played and the talent we have, this season, 12-0. I would never start any Iowa season with the expectation that we should win every game. that isn't reality. what is reality is that we were better than all 12 opponents we faced this season.
 


ArvadaHawk said:
folks, we should be 12-0. we never should have lost the games we lost. it isn't necessarily being 8-4/7-5 that matters, it's why you are 8-4/7-5. we did not optimize the talent on our team or take full advantage of the opportunities we had. if we'd have wound up 6-6 in '12 instead of 4-8, THAT would have been optimizing opportunities and talent. but ending up 8-4 when it should have been 12-0, that is not and there in lies the frustration.

and to be clear, saying we should be 12-0 is not saying that is the expectation, but compared to the talent on each team we played and the talent we have, this season, 12-0. I would never start any Iowa season with the expectation that we should win every game. that isn't reality. what is reality is that we were better than all 12 opponents we faced this season.
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I hope no one is apologizing for this season. You are right, we have the best squad of our opponents. But over the long run we really have a lot to be thankful for. That doesn’t make this type of season okay.
 


okeefe4prez said:
Depends on how we define truly elite. I know OSU got trucked by Purdue, but I still think they are one of the 4 or 5 best teams in the country. Hell, I even think they are one of only 3 teams (them, Clemson and Georgia) that even have a snowball's chance in hell of beating Alabama. Not saying they would, but they can throw it deep and have some athletes on defense, so if they got lucky and won the turnover battle by 3, it ain't outside the realm of possibility that they could narrowly beat Alabama.
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Even the year O$U DID beat Bama, they really weren't the best team in the country. As good as "any" team? Sure. But basically, beyond two to three teams each year, it's always "everyone else".
 


BrianFerentzForPresident said:
I hope no one is apologizing for this season. You are right, we have the best squad of our opponents. But over the long run we really have a lot to be thankful for. That doesn’t make this type of season okay.
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yes, you are right. it is better to be frustrated over not being better than all 12 opponents you faced, but not winning 12 games and only 8, as opposed to not being better than all 12 opponents you faced.
 


ArvadaHawk said:
folks, we should be 12-0. we never should have lost the games we lost. it isn't necessarily being 8-4/7-5 that matters, it's why you are 8-4/7-5. we did not optimize the talent on our team or take full advantage of the opportunities we had. if we'd have wound up 6-6 in '12 instead of 4-8, THAT would have been optimizing opportunities and talent. but ending up 8-4 when it should have been 12-0, that is not and there in lies the frustration.

and to be clear, saying we should be 12-0 is not saying that is the expectation, but compared to the talent on each team we played and the talent we have, this season, 12-0. I would never start any Iowa season with the expectation that we should win every game. that isn't reality. what is reality is that we were better than all 12 opponents we faced this season.
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Were you predicting 12-0? I predicted 9-3, but only BECAUSE of what other teams lost, as well. New LBs, inexperience in other units, etc. 8-4 sucks in hindsight, but that's mainly because we saw how much talent we actually had, not because everyone knew coming in we were so good.
 


hawkeyebob62 said:
Even the year O$U DID beat Bama, they really weren't the best team in the country. As good as "any" team? Sure. But basically, beyond two to three teams each year, it's always "everyone else".
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That team that beat Bama showed the recipe, though. You need a really good defense. And on offense you either need a superstar QB like DeShaun Watson or you need a total freak WR (and a good WR corps) and RB tandem, like Thomas and Zeke on that OSU team.
 


In the past, every preseason I would end up picking the Hawkeyes to end the season 8-4. I've stopped picking them preseason. Every year it was 8-4. This just shows the consistency of them.
 


I think most fans realize what an 8-4 record is, depending on the circumstances. The 2008 season of 8-4 (prior to Bowl game) is nowhere near the same 8-4 record that we have this season. I know the difference between these 2 seasons. Even though the 8-4 record is identical. Call me spoiled all you want but I'll take 2008 over this season, all day, every day of the rest of my life.
Now, I'd love for someone to explain how I'm wrong and not look like a complete idiot. Go.
 


The win over Nebraska was terrific. It took a lot of guts for Ferentz to go for it on 4th and 8. It also was a vote of confidence in a quarterback who needed one.
 


lightning1 said:
I think most fans realize what an 8-4 record is, depending on the circumstances. The 2008 season of 8-4 (prior to Bowl game) is nowhere near the same 8-4 record that we have this season. I know the difference between these 2 seasons. Even though the 8-4 record is identical. Call me spoiled all you want but I'll take 2008 over this season, all day, every day of the rest of my life.
Now, I'd love for someone to explain how I'm wrong and not look like a complete idiot. Go.
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I think you should wait until Iowa's bowl game for this year is finished. Then, you can compare 2008 to 2018.
 




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