A Major Run?

[HawkGold]

Last year the Hawks sort of got through the regular season and managed to do it unscathed. This year, if you were Michigan and PSU, would you want to play Iowa? Think about it. Iowa has one or two of the best defensive players in the nation at their position. On offense, Iowa has maybe the #1 QB going into the draft. Some of you may disagree, but Wadley may be something special by the end of the season. If those 4 stay healthy, this potentially puts the 2016 team on par with some very special teams in the past under HF and KF. If KF allows for some style points and Iowa doesn't get bit by a lower team, this team could have several big award winners at the end of the year. Maybe even multiple Heisman considerations and I don't think its just hopium based.

 

[Jonrn]

This certainly seems like an overly sunny view of Iowa football this year, but I agree that I wouldn't want to face Iowa on the way to a championship. I guarantee harbaugh would rather be playing someone else in November.

 

[jldhawk]

A little too optimistic there champ. But I'd love it if it happens.

 

[DJL]

Iowa has some very solid players on both sides of the ball, but there are some question marks too.
1. Can we get a pass rush- I hope so, but we don't have a proven pass rusher like Ott.
2. Wide Receivers- who will step up?
3. Center- Yes I think our line will be good, but center is very important and we don't have any experience in that position.
4. Safety- I think we are good, just need to see it.
5. TE- Good at starter, need to see the depth at that position.

So while I am hopeful for a big year, I think 9-3 or 8-4 is realistic. If everything falls into place, I certainly wouldn't be shocked with 10-2 or 11-1. I would be shocked with 12-0. If I'm forced to make a prediction, I'll go 9-3.

 

[DrKnipe]

I'm thinking 7-5 or 8-4. For no other reason than track record. Expectations don't fit the Hawks. I would love to eat crow though.

 

[PCHawk]

Last year, most games were close to being blowouts than losses. I think there were 3 games in a row at the end of the year where teams scored meaningless touchdowns. Meaningless as long as they don't get an onside kick anyway.

 

[PCHawk]

Iowa has some very solid players on both sides of the ball, but there are some question marks too.
1. Can we get a pass rush- I hope so, but we don't have a proven pass rusher like Ott.
2. Wide Receivers- who will step up?
3. Center- Yes I think our line will be good, but center is very important and we don't have any experience in that position.
4. Safety- I think we are good, just need to see it.
5. TE- Good at starter, need to see the depth at that position.

So while I am hopeful for a big year, I think 9-3 or 8-4 is realistic. If everything falls into place, I certainly wouldn't be shocked with 10-2 or 11-1. I would be shocked with 12-0. If I'm forced to make a prediction, I'll go 9-3.

Sounds like Anthony Nelson is stepping up the pass rush.
Sheel and Smith sound like they can make up the production lost from last year at least.
Center will be fine because Welsh is a stud so if Daniels wins the spot it means he is too.
The more I hear about Snyder, the more I wonder if he will be an upgrade over Lomaz.
I'm concerned here too but as long as Kittle stays healthy, we can work around the backups fairly well.

 

[DBAHawkFan]

Sounds like Anthony Nelson is stepping up the pass rush.
Sheel and Smith sound like they can make up the production lost from last year at least.
Center will be fine because Welsh is a stud so if Daniels wins the spot it means he is too.
The more I hear about Snyder, the more I wonder if he will be an upgrade over Lomaz.
I'm concerned here too but as long as Kittle stays healthy, we can work around the backups fairly well.

Having a safety that will wrap up on tackles would be a big improvement. I don't know how many times in the B10CG, that Lomax came running in with his head down and the RB bounced off of him for an extra 3-5 yards. He stops the RB behind the line or 1-2 yard gains versus 3-5 extra yards and we don't have a 22 play drive. But overall Lomax did play well for most of the year.

I see 8-4 as well, only because we come back down to Earth. I don't think we have the depth, and injuries are a part of the game. I'm not convinced of New Kirk, as a lot of the games at the end of the year, and the bowl game, played out like the KF coached teams of the past, either great effort and ending up short (CG game), or being completely outclassed (Rose Bowl)

One aspect of New Kirk I agree with was the going for points at the end of the half. We seemed to do very well in that aspect last year, and almost always had the ball with the chance to score. Such a huge boost to go into Half with that momentum.

If we get some more dynamic play from WR, then I could see 10-2

 

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Answer to Question 1 - probably not at this point; I would think PSU and Michigan would rather have someone else on the schedule if a HEALTHY Iowa team is off and rolling in November.

Commentary on the rest...we have a huge upside this season and anything is possible and it's really up to the players to stay the course, fight through the pain, and not fall off if we lose a game or 2 (a la 2010). If the heart of the team stays strong I think we could see a major run over the next few seasons similar to the records of the 2002-2004 Iowa teams, especially given the talent that seems to be coming in to the program.

IMO, toss up games look like vs NU, at MN, at PSU, vs Michigan, vs Nebby, we win 50% of those games and tough to see worse than 9-3/10-2 and B1G West Champion with a full strength Iowa team. Hopefully we kick the 'high expectations=8 or less win seasons' bug.

Tough to think we'd have a Heisman candidate at RB considering the load sharing I think will happen b/w Wadley and Daniels. QB could be possible provided a couple WR's break out big time and support CJB and he puts up HUGE numbers. Des King could be a legit contender if he runs back 3-4 kicks and has similar defensive stats to 2015. He might have to come on at WR and catch a couple passes as well. No reason to think we couldn't have a Mackey finalist.

12-0? I'll have fun hoping for that again!