So which past season, going back as far as you can remember, will this season most closely resemble?
I'm thinking of 1994 - near the end of the season they start to find their identity.
Hoping it's like 1987. Hartlieb was 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart after the spring game. "Hartlieb emerged as the Hawkeyes' starting quarterback in 1987, winning the job from Dan McGwire. He passed for 3,092 yards and 19 touchdowns en route to a 9–3 record."