2019 - Expectation: B10 Championship?

[WinOneThisCentury]

I've clearly failed at an effort to not get ahead of the current Hawkeye team...and let them play the 2018 season to whatever result...but if you look at the roster and where things are (barring injury)...you have to think 2019 could shape up to some extreme expectations. Now with that said, expectations and Iowa Football seriously go together like oil and water, Shaq and Kobe, etc.

Hear me out as there are several positives that will only get better with more experience in 2018.
Offense
1) Offensive line...our two huge offensive tackles will be juniors...and likely 325 each and athletic as hell.
2) Ezra Miller will be vying for one of the guard spots...he's 6'7" 310 pounds as a junior in high school...and mauling kids at the elite camps. To steal from another poster...everyone will have to be "Better than Ezra" to keep him off the field.
3) Nate Stanley is a seasoned senior going for most of the passing records in Iowa History.
4) We will have found WRs by then who can get open and stretch the field (ISM / David Bell / Mr. Smith).
5) Fant is gone, but Hockenson is a All American.
6) We have plenty of talent at RB.

Defense
1) Defensive line will be scary. AJ, A. Nelson, Lattimore, Shannon, Nixon, Gholson...Waggoner...and of course...Juan Harris.
2) Corners and Safeties will be really good and LB's will be seasoned.

I'll say this...if these guys progress as per typical offensive and defensive lines...this will be the deepest talent pool for both units since 2009/2010 and could match that group for talent on the defensive line.

The future is bright...

 

[uihawk82]

I could be there for the taking but let's see what happens in 2018. Will AJE take some big strides, will Stanley improve in even subtle ways as well as on the deep ball, do we have great Off Linemen, etc.

Is BFerentz going to improve and make D Coord dizzy which is a big question.

 

[revkev73]

Fran and Kirk are both on "Show Me" status for me...

 

[SmokeTownHawk]

We may have the talent to get back to Indy and win but does KF have the drive to do what it takes each and every game to put teams away all across the season schedule rather than playing not to lose?

 

[NCHawker]

Iowa will win 7 or 9 games

 

[mrolympia]

Iowa will win 7 or 9 games

but not 8?

 

[westender]

I've clearly failed at an effort to not get ahead of the current Hawkeye team...and let them play the 2018 season to whatever result...but if you look at the roster and where things are (barring injury)...you have to think 2019 could shape up to some extreme expectations. Now with that said, expectations and Iowa Football seriously go together like oil and water, Shaq and Kobe, etc.

Hear me out as there are several positives that will only get better with more experience in 2018.
Offense
1) Offensive line...our two huge offensive tackles will be juniors...and likely 325 each and athletic as hell.
2) Ezra Miller will be vying for one of the guard spots...he's 6'7" 310 pounds as a junior in high school...and mauling kids at the elite camps. To steal from another poster...everyone will have to be "Better than Ezra" to keep him off the field.
3) Nate Stanley is a seasoned senior going for most of the passing records in Iowa History.
4) We will have found WRs by then who can get open and stretch the field (ISM / David Bell / Mr. Smith).
5) Fant is gone, but Hockenson is a All American.
6) We have plenty of talent at RB.

Defense
1) Defensive line will be scary. AJ, A. Nelson, Lattimore, Shannon, Nixon, Gholson...Waggoner...and of course...Juan Harris.
2) Corners and Safeties will be really good and LB's will be seasoned.

I'll say this...if these guys progress as per typical offensive and defensive lines...this will be the deepest talent pool for both units since 2009/2010 and could match that group for talent on the defensive line.

The future is bright...

A great year to have to go to Ann Arbor and take on Michigan followed by Penn State at home, and Nate Stanley going into Madison to slay the dragon in his senior year.

 

[westender]

2019 is one big crap sandwich for a home schedule for the Hawks.

 

[guffus]

Expectations

2018: 9-3 6-3 with easier Big Ten schedule
2019: 8-4 5-4 with harder Big Ten schedule
2020: 7-5. 4-5. with even harder Big Ten schedule

 

[SteveGarvey1]

Fran and Kirk are both on "Show Me" status for me...

Didn't Kirk show you it's possible in 2015?

 

[ibahawkeye]

WR, LB and DL are the 3 positions that are unproven. Throw in the punter and even RBs although I’m not so worried about the backs.

But too many areas to predict to compete for a conference championship in my opinion.

I know everybody is tired of the 8 win seasons but that’s about what I see for next year.

 

[revkev73]

Is 2015 the year Kirk signed the "no compete" clause with Stanford?

 

[hawkeyes87]

Two words: "senior quarterback".

Expect to be disappointed...

 

[HawkGold]

I've clearly failed at an effort to not get ahead of the current Hawkeye team...and let them play the 2018 season to whatever result...but if you look at the roster and where things are (barring injury)...you have to think 2019 could shape up to some extreme expectations. Now with that said, expectations and Iowa Football seriously go together like oil and water, Shaq and Kobe, etc.

Hear me out as there are several positives that will only get better with more experience in 2018.
Offense
1) Offensive line...our two huge offensive tackles will be juniors...and likely 325 each and athletic as hell.
2) Ezra Miller will be vying for one of the guard spots...he's 6'7" 310 pounds as a junior in high school...and mauling kids at the elite camps. To steal from another poster...everyone will have to be "Better than Ezra" to keep him off the field.
3) Nate Stanley is a seasoned senior going for most of the passing records in Iowa History.
4) We will have found WRs by then who can get open and stretch the field (ISM / David Bell / Mr. Smith).
5) Fant is gone, but Hockenson is a All American.
6) We have plenty of talent at RB.

Defense
1) Defensive line will be scary. AJ, A. Nelson, Lattimore, Shannon, Nixon, Gholson...Waggoner...and of course...Juan Harris.
2) Corners and Safeties will be really good and LB's will be seasoned.

I'll say this...if these guys progress as per typical offensive and defensive lines...this will be the deepest talent pool for both units since 2009/2010 and could match that group for talent on the defensive line.

The future is bright...

Didn't we lose a corner? Seasoned LB's? Maybe after they play a season. Fant no big deal right? Missing Wadley. We've found WR's? Where were they?

Isn't the OC that torched OSU and celebrated by plunging into the the Badger DL for 66 yards and stating that we didn't run enough still there?

 

[SteveGarvey1]

Is 2015 the year Kirk signed the "no compete" clause with Stanford?

No, I think it was "we were emotionally empty even for the Rose Bowl because we were one play away from winning the B1G Championship" card that was played.

 

[revkev73]

No one should doubt Kirk can motivate himself (and the team) to have a nice season once in a while...but, realistically, his play it safe, "7-5 is a nice season" philosophy doesn't allow for much of a...go for it all...campaign.

If you are a "go for it all" coach...you don't hire an OC with zero experience....even if it is your son.

He doesn't have the heart of a tiger...it is painted vanilla.

Jeff Fisher of college FB...

 

[lightning1]

4) We will have found WRs by then who can get open and stretch the field (ISM / David Bell / Mr. Smith).
NOPE. - history made me do this.

 

[mopkins]

everyone will have to be "Better than Ezra" to keep him off the field.

and of course...Juan Harris.