10 Preseason Hawkeye Football Questions with HN Staff
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
I'm a little confused. So we have a great nucleus of proven players on the Offensive Line and Phil Parker just said he thinks his defensive line from top to bottom is the best he's had...and some are predicting 6-7 wins. Throw in that you have Akrum Wadley and another top tier Division 1 running back...and I'm not getting it.
When we are good to excellent on the OL and DL, doesn't that usually equate to at least 8 regardless of the schedule. The really good news is that these guys are practicing against eachother...the old sharpen steel with steel theory.
I'm just kind of shocked with a 6-7 win season prediction, even with a new QB.
When we are good to excellent on the OL and DL, doesn't that usually equate to at least 8 regardless of the schedule. The really good news is that these guys are practicing against eachother...the old sharpen steel with steel theory.
I'm just kind of shocked with a 6-7 win season prediction, even with a new QB.
tksirius
HN's Love Doctor
This^^
This isn't meant to call out any media members in particular, but it appears expectations are being unduly lowered by the media for some reason.
BigD
Well-Known Member
The question if I remember right is what record would you consider a successful season, not what you think their record will be. 7-5???? If those losses are to Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwest/Nebraska then what real quality team did we beat??? If the answer none or one how can that be considered successful???
All new linebackers and backfield next season and I would assume some offensive linemen also. Already set up for the excuse of 7-5 or 6-6 again. Not liking it.
I am going to go out on a limb and say 9-3 with a big bowl win to end the season at 10-3 this upcoming season. That's my idea of a successful season. Reality may be a different result but mediocrity is not being successful. I am sorry if that offends anyone but that's how I feel about it. A 7-5 season may be on the positive side of mediocrity but it's still mediocrity.
All new linebackers and backfield next season and I would assume some offensive linemen also. Already set up for the excuse of 7-5 or 6-6 again. Not liking it.
I am going to go out on a limb and say 9-3 with a big bowl win to end the season at 10-3 this upcoming season. That's my idea of a successful season. Reality may be a different result but mediocrity is not being successful. I am sorry if that offends anyone but that's how I feel about it. A 7-5 season may be on the positive side of mediocrity but it's still mediocrity.
Last edited:
To me it's on the QB QB and the QB... I think the receivers are capable. Just don't have crazy complicated route concepts that requires a ton of adjustments especially post snap of the ball like Davis seemed to employ. Let them be athletes and get open. TE route concepts are usually pretty simple. Use them. Play action will be our offenses best weapon due to our running game. How the QB (whomever that is) executes things is going to be the determining factor to how the year goes I think. They are as strong as they have ever been at the key positions so there's no excuses that I see telling me they can't be successful. Even against a PSU at home or Wisconsin. Heck I think we can give OSU a run for their money if everything goes right. I'm not going to say I expect 9 wins or more but 6 or 7 would probably disappoint me the more I think about it.
trj
Well-Known Member
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
So having Vandenburg back puts us a step ahead of last year...and then you add Quarrels, Easley, and what appears to be a much improved Devonte Young...then a few freshman that have turned some heads. I'll say we are light years ahead of the WR play last year.
I'm not buying the TE argument...losing Kittle hurts, but we have people who have played a couple of years in the group, plus a star in the making in Fant, who you know will be better...not buying that either.
At defensive tackle, you have Bazata and M.Nelson who have played a ton of football and who know what's required. Throw in Lattimore who is a year older and that's a solid rotation of three. Phil Parker's words are still ringing in my ears too. Maybe he knows something we don't.
I get DB...that's a legitimate concern...especially at safety. That position is scarey right now...and an injury puts us further behind. That being said, we are not devoid of talent and young athletes there.
QB- enough said, but it's not like first year QBs haven't been successful at Iowa. It happens.
The schedule the schedule the schedule. I get it's a tough start to the B10, but this team won't lose any of the first three. I can see the loss against Penn State, because they are going to score points...and I'm not sure we can outscore them. Other than Penn State, Wisconsin, and OSU...I'm not getting to 5 losses...with the experience in the trenches which usually sets the tone for Iowa football, we are going to be better than last year even with the inexperience at QB.
I think people made their predictions a long time ago and now the closer we get to the start of the season, the more positive buzz we are starting to hear. I would bet if Parker said this is the best front 7 he has coached 6 months ago, predictions would be a lot higher. Also if we knew about the 2 grad transfers 6 months ago, they would be higher.
Good point timing is everything... It wasn't that long ago people were and some still are wondering about the depth at DT with Bazata coming off an injury and unknowns beside him. Now Parker says it might be the best Dline group he's had and he's been there a long time and not one to really speak hyperbole... So truth might be in the middle somewhere but I do think they'll be solid.
The running game with Butler and Wadley and that Oline should be lights out awesome. I think they are being vastly under rated due to nothing more then lazy media. I saw just the other day that MNs old coach was bragging about how good their running game should be as a unit and I can only scoff at that. They lost some key Olineman... You factor in Iowa's line and 2 proven 1000k plus running backs (not to mention the other backs Iowa has but haven't played much) I just think they should be a top 5 in the country threat at that. Now the passing game should/will factor into their success too. But my hopes are high.
RobHowe
Administrator
What you've outline could come together. I'm just not there yet. I disagree with your assessments of the state of WR, TE and DT. Is there potential there? Yes. But that potential has to turn into results.
As I said in my game by game preview last week, I hope I'm wrong and it's a 10-win season. I've been wrong before. Seven wins is what I see on Aug. 24. I do previews and predictions of games each week during the season and those don't always line up with my preseason picks.
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
This is where I'm at as well.
I could see this going the way of the 2003 team.....salty running game, game manager at QB, an unknown named Ramon Ochoa as the top receiver (Mo Brown hurt a lot of the year), good/great defense. Or it could go like 2007....salty running game with a great tandem in Young and Sims, hurt by an inexperienced quarterback.
The reason I don't think it gets like 2007 is that year the offensive line was super young and about got JC killed (he certainly didn't help his cause either). This year's OL is a huge strength.
In 2003 we beat a really good Michigan team at home lost to an average MSU team, a great OSU team, and a pretty good Purdue team....all on the road. Then won a nailbiter at Wisconsin to end the season (after Gallery went rage monster on the trashcan at halftime). I could see something similar this year.....beat a really good PSU team at home, lose to an average NW team, a great OSU team, and a pretty good Wisconsin team....then finish up with a really good win at Nebraska to end the year.
trj
Well-Known Member
Even in '07 they lost to a 5-7 MAC team at home and a bad 3-9 ISU team. Win those 2 and they are 8-4. Granted we all know that wasn't a great Iowa team,but who knows how that season plays out if James Cleveland catches that ball at the goalline against ISU.
Bottom line, imo, this is the type of team where KF does his best work. A team under the radar with minimal expectations.
FirstDownHawkeyes
Well-Known Member
I think this looks a lot like the 2008 squad. That was IMO Ferentz's second best team after 2002. They just didn't settle on the right QB soon enough. Hope they settle in sooner this time...
