10-2 and here's why.

[roetbombaaa]

I know I know...I'm gonna be that guy and quote DJK's facebook status, but I'm doing this to prove a point.

"Can't say I've ever been more disappointed after a loss. This one definitely hurts. But tomorrow's a new day, a new opportunity, and another step on our journey toward a Big Ten title. Have faith, Hawks! We're going to make you proud!"

This, for me, is very reassuring. These guys did NOT take this loss lightly. I'm sure they watched the film, internalized the goods and the bads, and realized that this game was theirs.

It would have been different if Wiscy came in here and beat us by 10, but that doesn't happen to these Hawks. If they get beat, they get beat by no more than a touchdown, typically. As a player, how would you feel if every game you lost during your tenure at Iowa could have been yours if one more thing would have went your way?? 2008 they lost the close ones, 2009 they won "most" of the close ones but still fell short on 2 very winnable games, and 2010 seems like a possible repeat of 2008, where they just barely fall short.

I don't buy it. There is too much leadership on this football team for these guys to just fall into a coma and go 8-4 or worse. As Jon posted in another thread, this team is not built like that. While I can't predict the rest of the season, I can assure you that these kids will go out swinging, and with their heads up. Don't expect another close loss, cause' you're not gonna get one.

 

[stlrnhwk]

8-4, possibly 7-5, end the season with 3 straight losses at home, and lose one to either NW or Indiana, NW owns us recently and Indiana has a good offense that could give us trouble. Could be an ugly senior day walking off the field after the OSU game, similar to how Albert Youngs final game went vs WM

last year the close games went our way, this year that hasn't been the case.

If Wisconsin can pound it down our throat and avoid even one 3 and out, then MSU with a 3 headed running back monster and a better QB should have even more success.

 

[hawkfarmer]

8-4, end the season with 3 straight losses at home, and lose one to either NW or Indiana, NW owns us recently and Indiana has a good offense that could give us trouble. Could be an ugly senior day walking off the field after the OSU game, similar to how Albert Youngs final game went vs WM

last year the close games went our way, this year that hasn't been the case.

If Wisconsin can pound it down our throat and avoid even one 3 and out, then MSU with a 3 headed running back monster and a better QB should have even more success.

If we lose the next 2 home ones and one to indiana or NW then Iowa goes 7-5 not 8-4. I think we get to 8-4, but this team isn't as good as last years. When you lose Edds, Angerer and Spievey from the D, Iowa can't replace those guys immediately. Iowa isn't Alabama and have the guys that are of equal talent. It takes time to build these guys and Troy Johnson isn't the answer at at MLB, or is Morris yet (He will be). Nielsen is very good, but he is not Edds, and that's why so many passes are being completed in the flat compared to last year. And Hyde is learning, but he's not Spievey (the best corner Norm has ever had) and it shows. This D is not what it was last year, by a long shot.

 

[HawkeyeTech]

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!!!!!

 

[CallMeDragon]

I am only worried about going 1-0 this weekend. I think we will see a very inspired Iowa team, much like OSU ofter their loss to Wisconsin. The season is far from over.

 

[PeoriaHWKI]

Its not our Defense.... Special teams lost that game...and Tolzien played amazing.

 

[PJHawk]

This, for me, is very reassuring. These guys did NOT take this loss lightly. I'm sure they watched the film, internalized the goods and the bads, and realized that this game was theirs.

Hurt is right, Clayborn was in tears for the post game interviews and at one point even stopped to compose himself. If they can channel that emotion into on field performance Saturday watch out MSU.

 

[clicheusername3]

The thing that scares me is they will watch the tape, and then not change anything. You can rationalize it any way you want but a loss is a loss. Coming out pumped up isn't always necessarily a good thing. Stanzi seems like the type that could press if he's too pumped up and not let the game come to him, which is a bad idea against a good and talented defense.

 

[EyeAmHawk]

8-4, end the season with 3 straight losses at home, and lose one to either NW or Indiana, NW owns us recently and Indiana has a good offense that could give us trouble. Could be an ugly senior day walking off the field after the OSU game, similar to how Albert Youngs final game went vs WM

last year the close games went our way, this year that hasn't been the case.

If Wisconsin can pound it down our throat and avoid even one 3 and out, then MSU with a 3 headed running back monster and a better QB should have even more success.

Do you feel the same way, if Iowa would have been able to kick a field goal at the end of the WI game to win? How is the team much different if that happens? It was a disappointing loss, but we've had those before. It was just one game.

 

[thecaptain]

DKJ is an awesome Hawkeye. I met him at an establishment Sat night where we were eating dinner. All I can say is that you could tell he was disappointed but he also was already looking forward to the next game. Have faith in the Hawks! Remember last year we had two losses as well. MSU is a HUGE game!!!! Eliminate mistakes and we will be fine!!!!

 

[nationalchamps]

7-5. Lose to MSU, NW and tOSU

 

[TChawk]

Its not our Defense.... Special teams lost that game...and Tolzien played amazing.

Yeah it is our defense...when you can't even hold Wiscy to a 3 and out and they just move the ball at will showing it down your throat there is a probelm and it is that our defense stinks up the place.

 

[ATLHawkeye]

Yeah it is our defense...when you can't even hold Wiscy to a 3 and out and they just move the ball at will showing it down your throat there is a probelm and it is that our defense stinks up the place.

Maybe our defense didn't play their best game, or have the best game plan in place.... but stinks up the place?

There are a bunch of teams, including most in the top 25, that would like to have their defense "smell" like ours.

 

[roetbombaaa]

Its not our Defense.... Special teams lost that game...and Tolzien played amazing.

That's right. The D made the stop when they had to in the 4th quarter. The fact that they didn't even expect the fake was what lost that drive. That's coaching.

 

[roetbombaaa]

The thing that scares me is they will watch the tape, and then not change anything. You can rationalize it any way you want but a loss is a loss. Coming out pumped up isn't always necessarily a good thing. Stanzi seems like the type that could press if he's too pumped up and not let the game come to him, which is a bad idea against a good and talented defense.

True. Maybe not "pumped," but to come out playing with a chip on their shoulder. They haven't done that this season. Now they have a reason to. They know they are hanging on by a thread, in regards to the B10 chip, and they know it. I get what your saying though. They could very well come out too pumped and have that translate into mental mistakes.

 

[austinhawk]

8-4, end the season with 3 straight losses at home, and lose one to either NW or Indiana, NW owns us recently and Indiana has a good offense that could give us trouble. Could be an ugly senior day walking off the field after the OSU game, similar to how Albert Youngs final game went vs WM

last year the close games went our way, this year that hasn't been the case.

If Wisconsin can pound it down our throat and avoid even one 3 and out, then MSU with a 3 headed running back monster and a better QB should have even more success.

You call yourself a fan?? Never give up!! They could be 0-12 and I would still be thinking positively. You are a disgrace to every Hawkeye fan. You should move to Ames!! Nice prediction Nostra-*******!

 

[dsmhawkluva]

you know what? as grossed out as i still feel today i still believe it can happen(10-2), if you break it down hawknation--- the mistakes and issues we have are actually easy mistakes that should be correctable. these coaching mistakes should never happen again, never, period. Just take out the bad coaching on the fake punt and time out-- this game is won. Those are the type of mistakes that can be fixed overnight--- field goals--it's going to be an issue all year long-- but i know the Point after can be fixed (should be) readily easily.

The only thing that sucks is that even if we go 10-2, we're more than likely out of a BCS At -large bid if wisky wins out (which i think they do and i hate them right now, but they'd deserve it, give their o-line and backs the credit they deserve)

a 10-2 season just "seems" like it should qualify for bcs at large--adn the capital one or outback wouldnt' seem right..... unless we hope MSU drops another game other than us--- whiiiiich they're not going to, unless they randomly lay an egg at PSU.... which highly seems unlikely this year.

 

[homes]

you know what? as grossed out as i still feel today i still believe it can happen(10-2), if you break it down hawknation--- the mistakes and issues we have are actually easy mistakes that should be correctable. these coaching mistakes should never happen again, never, period. Just take out the bad coaching on the fake punt and time out-- this game is won. Those are the type of mistakes that can be fixed overnight--- field goals--it's going to be an issue all year long-- but i know the Point after can be fixed (should be) readily easily.

The only thing that sucks is that even if we go 10-2, we're more than likely out of a BCS At -large bid if wisky wins out (which i think they do and i hate them right now, but they'd deserve it, give their o-line and backs the credit they deserve)

a 10-2 season just "seems" like it should qualify for bcs at large--adn the capital one or outback wouldnt' seem right..... unless we hope MSU drops another game other than us--- whiiiiich they're not going to, unless they randomly lay an egg at PSU.... which highly seems unlikely this year.

It's like Denard Robinson winning the Heisman, then Taylor Martinez. There is way too much football left to play to count Iowa out of a BCS game, including the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin is a nice team, but not unbeatable, by any strech. Michigan State is still Michigan State - just give them time.

 

[ICAlumni]

Doesn't it feel good to have a team that should be able to tweak a few things and win games? It does to me. It means that you have a quality team with talent. It means that you have a successful program that you expect to win every week. It's much better than having Randy Reiners at QB and wishing we were just decent. It's better than wallowing in your own ineptitude and waiting for wrestling/basketball to start.

We have a good program and a good team here. We compete every game, we have tons of talent, we play hard, we are harder than hell to beat at home, we beat Top 25 teams, we get lots of TV exposure, and our coach is continually courted by the NFL. We win the right way with quality kids and a stable coaching staff. Enjoy what we have here people, there are TONS of other programs (many of them in top leagues) that would kill to have what we have.

Imagine what it would be like to be a team who couldn't flip a switch, or tweak a few things and beat top 10 teams (Illinois, MN, Indiana, NW, Purdue, PSU - just in our league.) Do any of you really think we can't beat MSU on Saturday? Do you think Vegas is really making Iowa the favorite just for ***** and giggles?

 

[CallMeDragon]

Saturday will tell me everything I need to know about this team (players and staff). Hosting the #5 team in the country is a great opportunity to redeem a tough loss, and show the rest of the conference/country that the Iowa Hawkeyes are for real.