About that coach at Iowa

[thefizz]

I wouldn't rank Iowa any lower than #5 and that really depends on how someone would feel about Georgia that year. Palmer was definitely playing at the highest level at the best time of year and you're right because that was a really bad matchup for us looking back in hindsight. What gets lost about that game is that Iowa coulda/woulda/shoulda been up by at least 3 and maybe 7 at halftime which maybe could have changed the game a little. Not to mention in the first half Jermelle Lewis fumbled after a 15-20 yard run in the first half and Banks was off all game plus Iowa had a ton of penalties. I'd like to think in a rematch Banks plays better and the Iowa offense stays on the field a little bit longer which allows the defense to actually get a breather. USC was a better team, but I don't think the score makes the gap between the two teams look larger than it was.

 

[The Big LeHAWKski]

I'll go on record about winning a National Championship at Iowa...that I think it can be done. I think over the past few years, we have seen an uptick in the caliber of player coming in on the OL and DL...and the depth that's building. That's where Iowa wins games. Now, if you want to compete for a national title, we need to continue to bring on a few guys like AJ (I know right now, it's just potential) in every class. Teams who win the way Iowa plays, need a pass rush that gets there with four...and gets there consistently fast.

Where Iowa needs to improve is at the WR position period. You have to have guys that can flat out beat the guy across from them with speed and strength. We haven't had that competitive advantage since McNutt and DJK...and that wasn't a huge advantage mind you. I'm telling you, having a game breaker that requires doubles, changes the looks for the TEs and improves the running game. Demond Powell was the last receiver we had that scared anyone...and he was a part time guy. If I was KF, I'd put a team on this task full time...recruiting game breakers...we need one to take the next step.

We are also going to need upgrades at Safety although I think we have a few young players that have great potential. I honestly feel we could compete if we upgrade those skill positions.

I agree. Our odds are better of course that we can win an outright B1G championship vs. a National title, but the one thing we cannot do is think we can't win the whole damn thing. Losers think that way - screw that.
One big factor that helps Iowa's cause going fwd is the dramatic increase in the past decade or so in the number of 4-star recruits coming from the State of Iowa.
The quality of in-state talent is dramatically up vs. what we had to choose from back when KF first took over.
Kids are bigger, faster and stronger. Some of that has to do with increased specialization, focusing on one sport, attending out of state camps, etc. Parents invest in their kid's future and go all out hoping for that full ride!
While some programs will continue to pluck the State of Iowa's elite talent, the more we home grow - the better the odds of landing them in Iowa City.
GO HAWKS!

 

[atomicblue224]

Hell, I wasn't old enough to remember Iowa having 4 National Championships. As I look down the link I see Nebraska winning NC 4 times in the rows or something? I must have been in coma or something. Maybe my old brain farts too much of lately.