2021 season look ahead, just for fun

D

dirtwrap

Guest
While I am certainly not writing off the 2020 season, but we do face a rather daunting schedule with games at OSU and PSU, and a tricky game at Minnesota early. And, we have a new quarterback to break in. We will see.

But 2021 gives us a much easier schedule, missing OSU and Michigan and getting PSU at home. We do have to go to Wisconsin at the end of the season and road games against NW (I guess I still just dont take them seriously) and at Nebraska (they will probably still be a dumpster fire). So I wanted to take a look at the roster and see what it looks like. Of course, if I am overlooking something please chime in, I am sure I will.

QB: Petras/Hogan/Padilla
RB: Goodson/Byrd/Williams
FB: Pallisard/Plewa
WR's: Tracy/Ragaini/Lockett/Hutson. 2020 will be Martin's last year right?
TE's: LaPorta/Miamen/Yelverton/Lachey
OL: Kallenberger/Britt/Linderbaum/Ince/Endres/Schott/Plumb.

DT: Shannon/Nixon. Not sure if Nixon will still be here. So I guess Jones/Bruce?
DE: Waggoner/Lee/Evans. Lots of unknown prospects here like Craig, someone will certainly emerge
LB: Colbert/Doyle/Campbell/Benson/Jacobs.
Cash: Belton/Johnson
CB: Brents/Moss/Roberts/ along with other prospects
S: Koerner/Merriweather/Castro

Not sure on punter or PK.

Lots of questions of course, but my biggest one is DT.
 
dirtwrap said:
While I am certainly not writing off the 2020 season, but we do face a rather daunting schedule with games at OSU and PSU, and a tricky game at Minnesota early. And, we have a new quarterback to break in. We will see.

But 2021 gives us a much easier schedule, missing OSU and Michigan and getting PSU at home. We do have to go to Wisconsin at the end of the season and road games against NW (I guess I still just dont take them seriously) and at Nebraska (they will probably still be a dumpster fire). So I wanted to take a look at the roster and see what it looks like. Of course, if I am overlooking something please chime in, I am sure I will.

QB: Petras/Hogan/Padilla
RB: Goodson/Byrd/Williams
FB: Pallisard/Plewa
WR's: Tracy/Ragaini/Lockett/Hutson. 2020 will be Martin's last year right?
TE's: LaPorta/Miamen/Yelverton/Lachey
OL: Kallenberger/Britt/Linderbaum/Ince/Endres/Schott/Plumb.

DT: Shannon/Nixon. Not sure if Nixon will still be here. So I guess Jones/Bruce?
DE: Waggoner/Lee/Evans. Lots of unknown prospects here like Craig, someone will certainly emerge
LB: Colbert/Doyle/Campbell/Benson/Jacobs.
Cash: Belton/Johnson
CB: Brents/Moss/Roberts/ along with other prospects
S: Koerner/Merriweather/Castro

Not sure on punter or PK.

Lots of questions of course, but my biggest one is DT.
Click to expand...
Fun thread.

I think you’re forgetting about Logan Lee at DT, which is where he’s at now, not DE. I’d be more concerned about DE than DT, but have to remember going to be a lot of development before then. Yahya Black potentially might get enough size to slide into DT. Also the staff seems more and more likely to take transfers these days at positions of need.

DJ Johnson figures to work into corner I would think. He started there a couple games this year. I also think you’ll see Belton move back to safety this year and someone new work the cash spot. If Belton is one of our best defensive players it doesn’t make sense for him to not be an every down player. Reggie Bracy would be a guy I’d watch out for as a future cash player, maybe not this year but by 2021.
 
Last edited:
QB- Petras / Hogan
RB- Goodson / L Williams / G Williams
WR- Martin / Lockett
WR- Tracy / K Johnson
WR- Ragaini / Vines
TE- LaPorta / Lachey
TE- Yelverton / Fidone??
LT- Kallenberger / Richman
LG- Britt / Schott
C- Linderbaum / Mylinski
RG- Elsbury / Schott
RT- Plumb / Richman /Davidkov or Colby?

DE- Waggoner / Sullivan /Evans (pass rushing spec.)
DT- Jones / Shannon
DT- Lee / Bruce
DE- Craig / Y Black / Sullivan

LB- Jacobs
LB- Campbell / Doyle / Higgins
LB- Colbert (year 15 lol) / Benson

Cash- Bracy / DeJean?

CB- Brents / Harris
CB- DJ Johnson / Moss / Roberts
Nickel/Dime- Moss/ Roberts

S- Belton / Castro / Bracy
S- Koerner / DeJean
 
Putting it on paper my biggest concern would be offensive tackle. DE possibly but we will have to see how Waggoner performs this year.

I’m starting to wonder about the future of the CB position. IMO seems like we’ve had a little slide there in recruiting. Have to trust PP to figure that spot out though.
 
Grady said:
Not sure Linderbaum will be around in '21.
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t rule it out that he leaves after this year, but he’s a local kid and Center isn’t exactly the most coveted position in the NFL. The Wisconsin center who was like an All American fell to the fourth round this year.
 
dirtwrap said:
While I am certainly not writing off the 2020 season, but we do face a rather daunting schedule with games at OSU and PSU, and a tricky game at Minnesota early. And, we have a new quarterback to break in. We will see.

But 2021 gives us a much easier schedule, missing OSU and Michigan and getting PSU at home. We do have to go to Wisconsin at the end of the season and road games against NW (I guess I still just dont take them seriously) and at Nebraska (they will probably still be a dumpster fire). So I wanted to take a look at the roster and see what it looks like. Of course, if I am overlooking something please chime in, I am sure I will.

QB: Petras/Hogan/Padilla
RB: Goodson/Byrd/Williams
FB: Pallisard/Plewa
WR's: Tracy/Ragaini/Lockett/Hutson. 2020 will be Martin's last year right?
TE's: LaPorta/Miamen/Yelverton/Lachey
OL: Kallenberger/Britt/Linderbaum/Ince/Endres/Schott/Plumb.

DT: Shannon/Nixon. Not sure if Nixon will still be here. So I guess Jones/Bruce?
DE: Waggoner/Lee/Evans. Lots of unknown prospects here like Craig, someone will certainly emerge
LB: Colbert/Doyle/Campbell/Benson/Jacobs.
Cash: Belton/Johnson
CB: Brents/Moss/Roberts/ along with other prospects
S: Koerner/Merriweather/Castro

Not sure on punter or PK.

Lots of questions of course, but my biggest one is DT.
Click to expand...

I'm actually not as concerned about the 2020 schedule as some are.

OSU is literally the only game on there where you put an automatic L when you go thru and W/L the schedule.

After that, there's not a game on the schedule we can't win.

At PSU will certainly be tough, but it's not like we haven't won there before and we were a Stanley/Fant brain fart away from winning it last time we were there.

We get 3 of the top 4 West teams at home, with @ Minn the only one away. The other West away are @ Illinois and @ Purdue, both definitely winnable.

The other crossover is MSU at home and that team is breaking in a new coach with no prep time this spring or early summer.

As far as non-con, the toughest game, ISU, is at home.

If Petras is as good as the whispers say he is and if we can get servicable production from the DL, we have a really good shot of going 10-2/9-3 and winning the West.
 
SpiderRico said:
I'm actually not as concerned about the 2020 schedule as some are.

OSU is literally the only game on there where you put an automatic L when you go thru and W/L the schedule.

After that, there's not a game on the schedule we can't win.

At PSU will certainly be tough, but it's not like we haven't won there before and we were a Stanley/Fant brain fart away from winning it last time we were there.

We get 3 of the top 4 West teams at home, with @ Minn the only one away. The other West away are @ Illinois and @ Purdue, both definitely winnable.

The other crossover is MSU at home and that team is breaking in a new coach with no prep time this spring or early summer.

As far as non-con, the toughest game, ISU, is at home.

If Petras is as good as the whispers say he is and if we can get servicable production from the DL, we have a really good shot of going 10-2/9-3 and winning the West.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty confident in 2-1 through that MSU-OSU-PSU gauntlet if we have a good quarterback, and I think at worst we have a QB at least as good as Stanley. I agree with your analysis of the schedule.
 
SpiderRico said:
I'm actually not as concerned about the 2020 schedule as some are.

OSU is literally the only game on there where you put an automatic L when you go thru and W/L the schedule.

After that, there's not a game on the schedule we can't win.

At PSU will certainly be tough, but it's not like we haven't won there before and we were a Stanley/Fant brain fart away from winning it last time we were there.

We get 3 of the top 4 West teams at home, with @ Minn the only one away. The other West away are @ Illinois and @ Purdue, both definitely winnable.

The other crossover is MSU at home and that team is breaking in a new coach with no prep time this spring or early summer.

As far as non-con, the toughest game, ISU, is at home.

If Petras is as good as the whispers say he is and if we can get servicable production from the DL, we have a really good shot of going 10-2/9-3 and winning the West.
Click to expand...
Agreed with all of this. Plus, Iowa under KF has usually played up (or down) to the strength of their schedule.

https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/ranking/schedule-strength-by-other

The above website has us with the following SOS:

2019 (10-3): 13th
2018 (9-4): 27th
2017 (8-5): 10th

And other notable Iowa seasons:

2009 (11-2): 31st
2008 (9-4): 30th
2004 (10-2): 12th
2003 (10-3): 10th

TL;DR the strength of our schedule is usually an indicator of success for us, rather than a harbinger of doom.
 
When you play @Minnesota, @Ohio State, and @ Penn State in your first seven...that's a schedule that can put a hurt on you early with a young QB. The game at Minnesota is a must win if you ask me if you want to be in the race. Beat the Goofs, and you get some confidence.

Trust that PT Barnhum will have his team all jacked up as they haven't beaten Iowa in 5 years. They have a veteran QB and their offensive line is back from last year. That ain't good on the road. The short week doesn't help.
 
Pencil in a loss at OSU. You either have to sweep Minny and UW or go 1-1 and beat PSU in Happy Valley to be in the race. That’s not even to mention MSU or at Purdue, or a slip up elsewhere.

The schedule is not ideal any way you slice it, in fact it’s pretty brutal. Chances are we will be playing the Wisconsin game for bowl purposes only and not for conference championship purposes, which stinks.
 
BVHawk95 said:
Agreed with all of this. Plus, Iowa under KF has usually played up (or down) to the strength of their schedule.

https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/ranking/schedule-strength-by-other

The above website has us with the following SOS:

2019 (10-3): 13th
2018 (9-4): 27th
2017 (8-5): 10th

And other notable Iowa seasons:

2009 (11-2): 31st
2008 (9-4): 30th
2004 (10-2): 12th
2003 (10-3): 10th

TL;DR the strength of our schedule is usually an indicator of success for us, rather than a harbinger of doom.
Click to expand...
Where is 2015 on your list?

I feel like saying a tough schedule is advantageous and a new QB are the most Iowa fan things ever.

So many more variables that go into it then that. Did we happen to have really good teams those year? Last year we were a legit top 20 team, and we won the games we were supposed to and lost the ones we were supposed to. If that happens again this year you are looking at 8-4.
 
NikeHawk21 said:
Pencil in a loss at OSU. You either have to sweep Minny and UW or go 1-1 and beat PSU in Happy Valley to be in the race. That’s not even to mention MSU or at Purdue, or a slip up elsewhere.

The schedule is not ideal any way you slice it, in fact it’s pretty brutal. Chances are we will be playing the Wisconsin game for bowl purposes only and not for conference championship purposes, which stinks.
Click to expand...
Not saying we're gonna win, but we went into Columbus in 2013 against a similarly stacked OSU team (and a GD offense) and went blow-for-blow with them.
 
NikeHawk21 said:
Where is 2015 on your list?

I feel like saying a tough schedule is advantageous and a new QB are the most Iowa fan things ever.

So many more variables that go into it then that. Did we happen to have really good teams those year? Last year we were a legit top 20 team, and we won the games we were supposed to and lost the ones we were supposed to. If that happens again this year you are looking at 8-4.
Click to expand...
Ranked 58th. Also the outlier though. Of successful Iowa seasons, it's far and away the lowest ranked SOS.

Other seasons for reference:

2014 (7-6): 59th
2012 (4-8): 50th
2011 (7-6): 47th
2010 (8-5): 35th
2007 (6-6): 73rd
2006 (6-7): 48th
2005 (7-5): 12th (the lone "bad/tough" outlier for the given schedules, only goes back to '03)

I agree that more variables go into it than that, but it's at the very least an observable pattern. It's the most "Iowa fan thing" because it's often true.
 
BVHawk95 said:
Ranked 58th. Also the outlier though. Of successful Iowa seasons, it's far and away the lowest ranked SOS.

Other seasons for reference:

2014 (7-6): 59th
2012 (4-8): 50th
2011 (7-6): 47th
2010 (8-5): 35th
2007 (6-6): 73rd
2006 (6-7): 48th
2005 (7-5): 12th (the lone "bad/tough" outlier for the given schedules, only goes back to '03)

I agree that more variables go into it than that, but it's at the very least an observable pattern. It's the most "Iowa fan thing" because it's often true.
Click to expand...
I certainly hope you are right but I tend to think more along the lines of each season, and even each game is organic. Did we win a bunch of those games because we had a tough schedule or because in those years we were loaded, or did we win a bunch of games by 3 one year with a tough schedule and lose a bunch of games by three the next year with an easy schedule. What about injuries? I suspect if you start adding some more variables into your analysis the trend line would be pretty flat. Correlation / causation that whole thing.
 
SpiderRico said:
I'm actually not as concerned about the 2020 schedule as some are.

OSU is literally the only game on there where you put an automatic L when you go thru and W/L the schedule.

After that, there's not a game on the schedule we can't win.

At PSU will certainly be tough, but it's not like we haven't won there before and we were a Stanley/Fant brain fart away from winning it last time we were there.

We get 3 of the top 4 West teams at home, with @ Minn the only one away. The other West away are @ Illinois and @ Purdue, both definitely winnable.

The other crossover is MSU at home and that team is breaking in a new coach with no prep time this spring or early summer.

As far as non-con, the toughest game, ISU, is at home.

If Petras is as good as the whispers say he is and if we can get servicable production from the DL, we have a really good shot of going 10-2/9-3 and winning the West.
Click to expand...


I want to agree with this, but I would not be shocked if the game in West Layfette is a loss and Matt Campbell somehow cracks the code. 10-2/9-3 goes to 8-4/7-5. Based on how the schedule sets up it feels like a " steal one here, let one get away there" type of season.
 
I for one like the 2020 schedule. Kirk seems to coach better when he feels his back is against the wall. And with this murderers' row he will be on a weekly basis.

But like most other years, if Iowa takes care of business in the West, they'll be fine even if they lose to PSU and OSU.
 
NikeHawk21 said:
I certainly hope you are right but I tend to think more along the lines of each season, and even each game is organic. Did we win a bunch of those games because we had a tough schedule or because in those years we were loaded, or did we win a bunch of games by 3 one year with a tough schedule and lose a bunch of games by three the next year with an easy schedule. What about injuries? I suspect if you start adding some more variables into your analysis the trend line would be pretty flat. Correlation / causation that whole thing.
Click to expand...
I prefer to look at it this way:

Worrying (not insinuating you are btw) about a tough schedule is self-defeating because the games have to be played regardless.
 
I have never spent a lot of time pondering past seasons. Past Rankings, past strength of schedule, how many straight losses or wins vs whomever, road win data, impact of byes,and probably a host of other data that is at some level, meaningless. It does give the media a convenient filler during pre game and in game broadcasts.

Instead, I am interested in the schedule in front of us as a blank slate. I would recognize that this new team will create their own identity. Players will improve, or not. Players will get hurt. Crazy circumstances will impact a couple of games, win or lose. The old cliche of good or bad “matchups” will be discovered. As we know now, the level of recruiting success will be more clearly defined by future, not past, performance by players.

And, importantly, how do the coaches adjust from year to year to the opponents and more so, to the players strengths and weaknesses. To me, the future is by far the most intriguing concept in college football and basketball.
 
While I always appreciate optimism, I think folks on this thread are seriously underestimating the loss of Stanley. You can't expect a first year starting So. Qb to go into a night game at MN, and on the road at OSU and Happy Valley, and expect to come out with ANY wins. A W at any of those locales this year would be a big-time upset. My seats at Kinnick are low enough to physically sense the timing, speed and accuracy of many of Stanley's sideline throws. I'll be a believer when I see Petras do the same on a regular basis.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top