Bowling?

[Section136]

Is it not true that our D-line will be out talented in every big ten game? I would think this is true, but am not sure.

Not sure what you mean. Will Iowa's d line be better than the other teams d line or better than the other teams o line? Just off the top of my head I would rate Iowa's d line better than the o lines of Minny, Purdue and possibly MSU?

 

[Sooby]

I've seen three games so far and this is what I'm seeing:
RB's-solid
OL-ok
DL-good
QB- very good
WR- poor
Secondary- very poor

Wasn't our secondary (along with our LBs) supposed to be our best units, according to the preseason magazines? This has been my biggest surprise this year is the secondary.

 

[Sooby]

Here is how I see it playing out:
WMU- W
@Minny- W
MSU- W
@OSU- L
NU- L
Wisky-W
@Purdue- W
Michigan-L
@Nebby- L

7-5 (4-4)

I said after the NIU loss that Iowa would be 5-1 rolling into Columbus. I havent seen anything from MSU or Minny to make me change my mind.

Kinnick North hasn't been the same since it moved outdoors.
Wisconsin would be the "surprise" win. Against Iowa State, we were a poor man's version of Wisconsin football (and BTW, Wisconsin should be 3-0, or at least, have had a chance to go 3-0).
Northwestern is going to torch our secondary. Norm never could stop NW with NFL talent in the secondary.

Right now, I'm seeing another 4-8 season. I hope I'm proven wrong, but I don't see those 3 B1G wins necessary to go bowling, assuming Kirk can move his record to 1-2 against the Western Michigan Broncos.

 

[FreedComanche]

I am and I have but have you watched any of the other Big Ten games? Iowa is not the only Big Ten team struggling to beat MAC, FCS, or the Iowa States.

Yes, I have and I was rooting for Akron to beat Michigan. The thing is on that game, Michigan is not as good as their ranking and Akron would beat Iowa if they played each other. I love what Terry Bowden is doing in Akron and that is a big reason why they almost won on Saturday. Michigan is over rated, but come on. They will blow out Iowa based on their talent alone. Most don't realize just how terrible Iowa's secondary is this year. Isu didn't figure that out till 7 minutes left in the game and when they did look what happend. Iowa's secondary is between D-1aa and D-1a talent. Any big ten team will target them often and will put up big time points doing so. Don't know how anybody could disagree with this, but I'm sure there are many on this board who will.

 

[Section136]

Another thing to mention on the game in TCF. Philip Nelson left the game Saturday with a hamstring injury. I havent heard anything on when he is expected back and Iowa comes to town in just 12 days. I wouldnt be surprised to see Minny go down this week to San Jose State.

 

[vosov]

I think it's possible for them to win two big ten games. That is what I predicted before the season. If you are honest with yourself, after watching the three games considering the competition level of those three teams, one can't possibly think this is a bowl team based on that performance vs that level of competition.

Are you confusing the words possible, and probable? Is Iowa the only team in conference you have seen play? If that is the case, then that makes complete sense. I wouldn't be shocked at all if Iowa only wins 2 conference games. They are going to play in a ton of close games, and they seem to have a knack losing them. That being said, I have a suspicion it will be possible for them to win more than that. Whether they actual do or not is up for debate, but it's pretty unlikely it won't be possible for them to win more that 2.

 

[FreedComanche]

Are you confusing the words possible, and probable? Is Iowa the only team in conference you have seen play? If that is the case, then that makes complete sense. I wouldn't be shocked at all if Iowa only wins 2 conference games. They are going to play in a ton of close games, and they seem to have a knack losing them. That being said, I have a suspicion it will be possible for them to win more than that. Whether they actual do or not is up for debate, but it's pretty unlikely it won't be possible for them to win more that 2.

Thanks for pointing that out. I should have said that it's "probable" that they won't win more than two big ten wins.

 

[ICHawk24]

Wasn't our secondary (along with our LBs) supposed to be our best units, according to the preseason magazines? This has been my biggest surprise this year is the secondary.

No, it wasn't projected well. We had new starters at two positions, and Miller had a bad year last year.

People did think BJ Lowery would be very good, which he hasn't been, and that the return of Phil Parker would have an impact.

 

[1hawkeye1]

I think you need to move the o-line up to good, at least. They've plowed the way for 700+ yds rushing.

I also wouldn't put the secondary at very poor. I don't think they're that bad. Certainly not good, but not very poor.

The WRs are showing some promise, however, are still dropping far too many balls that are hitting them on the hands. So... Fair assessment.

You also are skipping a couple positions. Special teams (fair) & LBs (very good).

I would agree with LB's & special teams.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

Prior to the season I predicted 6-6, but I'm thinking 7-5 now due to better QB play than anticipated.

I agree, the overall QB performance is much improved -- mostly, much more dynamic and decisive. However,
you fail to mention how horrible / worse the DB play has been. Not to mention, Ruddock has been a turnover machine (4 of the team's 5 and averaging 1.3 / game) and, all things the same, he ultimately lost the opener, putting the Hawks 1 game off pace from my 6-6 prediction (6-0, then 0-6).

Though I expect Ruddock's "play" to continue to improve, you can only hope he doesn't keep turning it over. Right now, it's a push between his improvement and the DB's step back. Turnovers, without the D to clean up, nullify his improvement equating to more W's.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

Pretty much every year contains a surprise win. I wouldn't be surprised by a win over NW, Wisky, Michigan, or Nebraska. I haven't seen anything that tells me those teams are unbeatable. Wisky lost at AzSU, Michigan barely beat Akron(!), Nebraska absolutely does not have a defense.

True, a "surprise" win seems likely (last year it was MSU?) but, given recent history, so does at least one surprise loss (last year it was 3 - CMU, Indy and PU).

Again, one-sided logic is biasing predictions in favor of the Hawks. The truth is, there is absolutely nothing, to date, to justify expecting anything more than 4 to 6 wins. If anything, the NIU home loss should make everyone expect 1 less W, not expect it to be replaced by a road win at Purdue -- a team that beat Iowa in Kinnick, last year, just took a ranked Notre Dame (sorry, better competition than any of the 3 Iowa has played) to the wire, and, has the exact same record that Iowa would have if it played the same schedule.

 

[Eda]

True, a "surprise" win seems likely (last year it was MSU?) but, given recent history, so does at least one surprise loss (last year it was 3 - CMU, Indy and PU).

Again, one-sided logic is biasing predictions in favor of the Hawks. The truth is, there is absolutely nothing, to date, to justify expecting anything more than 4 to 6 wins. If anything, the NIU home loss should make everyone expect 1 less W, not expect it to be replaced by a road win at Purdue -- a team that beat Iowa in Kinnick, last year, just took a ranked Notre Dame (sorry, better competition than any of the 3 Iowa has played) to the wire, and, has the exact same record that Iowa would have if it played the same schedule.

That Purdue team played out of their minds against ND. That same Purdue team was blown up by Cincy, and barely beat Indy St.

Although its not a guarenteed win, the road game in West Lafayette isn't a given loss, as you seem to be suggesting. In fact, it's one of the more winnable games on the schedule.

 

[vosov]

Thanks for pointing that out. I should have said that it's "probable" that they won't win more than two big ten wins.

Woah, woah, woah. Slow down. I don't want to get all crazy and start talking about minuscule chances like more than two wins. Let's back up and think about miracles before we go imagining events that don't have words to describe like Iowa winning...nope I can't even say it. Let's rub our rabbit foot and imagine this scenario.

Iowa goes to Minneapolis in two weeks and shocks the world by recovering Minnesota's third onside kick to secure a victory. Five weeks later, Iowa impossibly rolls into West Lafayette with one conference victory. Remember, you're the one who even dared to say it was possible. In the waning moments of the game as Jake Rudock is taking a knee, Gary Dolphin doesn't rip off another broadcast booth legend and drops this bomb in the press box of Ross-Aide Stadium...college football and the definition of improbability would be changed forever.

Freed, you made me believe.

 

[FreedComanche]

Speechless.

 

[vosov]

Speechless.

Did you at least laugh a little bit?

 

[Biggusblockus]

It will all depend on injuries. If we avoid major injuries to key players we have a shot at 6-7 wins.

If Ohio State does to us what Penn State did last year we will be in trouble.
Also, we must not forget the One Who Must Not be Named.

 

[DP5555]

I'll thank you to keep your hands off my personal hygiene products, thank you very much.
When I look at this team's upcoming schedule, I see games that Iowa might win if things all go their way. The only game I see where we should definitely whoop-*** is vs Purdue.

I've seen three games so far and this is what I'm seeing:
RB's-solid
OL-ok
DL-good
QB- very good
WR- poor
Secondary- very poor

Sorry if I'm "hating" and wearing a "man-pon." This team isn't impressing me much.

It's the attitude of your posting that is so frustrating. Stop exaggerating to try and make other people sound irrational. No one, I repeat, no one is saying this Iowa team could end up being world beaters. People are simply saying this team has a chance at going bowling. Which is a completely rational possibility. Not because of how great Iowa is, but because the Big Ten is simply not as good as expected. If Iowa can continue to improve they certainly have the ability to win 6 or 7 games. That doesn't mean they are going to. It means it's possible. There's no need to contort what people are saying. It's arrogant and condescending to suggest things that simply are not being said.

 

[blubberhawk]

I agree, the overall QB performance is much improved -- mostly, much more dynamic and decisive. However,
you fail to mention how horrible / worse the DB play has been. Not to mention, Ruddock has been a turnover machine (4 of the team's 5 and averaging 1.3 / game) and, all things the same, he ultimately lost the opener, putting the Hawks 1 game off pace from my 6-6 prediction (6-0, then 0-6).

Though I expect Ruddock's "play" to continue to improve, you can only hope he doesn't keep turning it over. Right now, it's a push between his improvement and the DB's step back. Turnovers, without the D to clean up, nullify his improvement equating to more W's.

Credit the interception in the Northern Illinois game to stupid play calling by the coaching staff. Ferentz lost the opener, not Ruddock. An absolutely terrible play call at that point in the game. If Iowa was going to throw the ball in that situation, a much safer pass play should have been called. Screen, slant, etc. In fact, credit the loss to stupid play calling..3rd and one, throwing deep from mid field and then not going for it on 4th down? You only try that play if you are going to go for it on 4th down. Fake punt, you can go on & on.

Ruddock is just fine..

 

[ICHawk24]

Credit the interception in the Northern Illinois game to stupid play calling by the coaching staff. Ferentz lost the opener, not Ruddock. An absolutely terrible play call at that point in the game. If Iowa was going to throw the ball in that situation, a much safer pass play should have been called. Screen, slant, etc. In fact, credit the loss to stupid play calling..3rd and one, throwing deep from mid field and then not going for it on 4th down? You only try that play if you are going to go for it on 4th down. Fake punt, you can go on & on.

Did you know that there are multiple receivers who go out on a pass play? The NIU INT wasn't "throw an out pattern behind the receiver". There were multiple guys, Rudock chose to throw to the flat, and threw a bad ball. It happens, but it wasn't the coaches fault.

Also, the fake punt, we were in punt safe. That play is basically 100% on James Morris, unblocked but unable to make the play. When your senior MLB is unblocked, you can't ask for a better opportunity.

 

[whammer33024]

Did you know that there are multiple receivers who go out on a pass play? The NIU INT wasn't "throw an out pattern behind the receiver". There were multiple guys, Rudock chose to throw to the flat, and threw a bad ball. It happens, but it wasn't the coaches fault.

Also, the fake punt, we were in punt safe. That play is basically 100% on James Morris, unblocked but unable to make the play. When your senior MLB is unblocked, you can't ask for a better opportunity.

not to mention the blatant missed holding call. but i'd leave that out too