Can our offense be worse next year?

[longtimer]

If both Fant and Hokensen leave (and I think they both will) who will make plays for us? Sargeant did a nice job but not a great RB. When is the last time we had a RB break one for 80Yards? Dont see that as a big play making group. Clearly we dont have a QB that can make plays with his feet and in college football especially it comes in real handy. Two great TEs that really were the play makers on the team but who behind them with anywhere near that talent. WR Smith made a couple of big catches but not a position of strength. Of course there is always someone coming up that will surprise but I guess Im not sure who that might be at this point, maybe the bowl game will give us a hint Hope so
On the bright side we could have another fine defense if we can find a ML Jacobs?

 

[pythagoras]

I think you answered your own questions with your opinions and assumptions.

 

[lightning1]

KF doesn't easily replace a trio of Fant, Hock and Easley in an off season. I think it's likely that our offense will be less productive next season. It is what it is.

 

[Xerxes]

Iowa usually struggles with their offense regardless of talent level and/or experience. But losing their top 2 players on that side of the ball will make things harder.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

It may change how we do things... It'll force us to use WRs more downfield I would bet. Now if they'll be successful doing it or not that's the question. But yeah the game plans and targets going to TEs won't be what it's been.. Running game wise it won't change anything. We'll have the same 3, 4 guys if you add Geil to the mix next yr at all. (anyone predicting a transfer amongst that group? 2 more yrs of eligibility for those 3 main guys)

 

[4thngoal]

I don't think so. Like I said I think we have reached a balance point where the run game and pass game go hand in hand. As our run game improves with more experience at ol and rb and with better blocking all around, that will open the passing game up even more. I expect that will show in the avg distance of passes and yards after the catch.

 

[hawkeyes87]

Is "can the offense be worse" a serious question?

By KF standards, this year the offense was actually pretty good- 76th in yards, 47th in scoring.

Of course the offense can be worse!

 

[THawk122]

It may change how we do things... It'll force us to use WRs more downfield I would bet. Now if they'll be successful doing it or not that's the question. But yeah the game plans and targets going to TEs won't be what it's been.. Running game wise it won't change anything. We'll have the same 3, 4 guys if you add Geil to the mix next yr at all. (anyone predicting a transfer amongst that group? 2 more yrs of eligibility for those 3 main guys)

Soooooo 6 yard out routes instead of 4?
If our offense depends on Stanelg hitting players deep consistently, we are in big trouble

 

[IowaTeddy]

Two talented new guys I'm interested in watching: Henry Geil and Samson Evans.

Especially Evans. Is he going to be a game changer, with versatile offensive skills? Or is he one of those high school studs that dominated against smaller competition but can't quite translate to the next level? Not sure.

 

[Lumberman]

I think TE will take a step back, how could it not?

But I think the combo of Cook ( we know he is a great athlete), Beyer (tall and fast) and Weiting will still be the best TE group in the B1G and will still be very productive.

No question that the WR group needs to continue to improve and so far, Copeland looks like a good hire there. Tyrone Tracy and Lockett look like they have the tooLs. Ragaini and Cooper need to continue to progress, too. I like Sam Evans as a PR and ISM as our KR.

OL could be exciting with year 3 of those 2 big OTs, and Levi at one Guard spot, knowing he is a 5th year senior and really brings it all year. I suspect Kallenberger and Landon rotate at LG. It could be a very good OL. Especially if Banwart can really take over at Center.

 

[cincyhawk]

Yes. The offense can be worse. Since it was the best in nearly a decade, I have a feeling it will be worse.

 

[PlatypusMessiah]

I predict we will win every game Stanley doesn’t have happy feet. So, I guess it’s just like the last two seasons.

 

[NCHawker]

Well I guess thats going to be 7 win season then.

 

[NCHawker]

The real question though is .........if its worse.... could you really tell?

 

[oldhawk12]

KF doesn't easily replace a trio of Fant, Hock and Easley in an off season. I think it's likely that our offense will be less productive next season. It is what it is.

Easley. Lol

 

[oldhawk12]

Is "can the offense be worse" a serious question?

By KF standards, this year the offense was actually pretty good- 76th in yards, 47th in scoring.

Of course the offense can be worse!

You have to balance this with the fact our schedule was ultra vanilla

 

[ModebaSan]

Schedule will be a little tougher next year. If Hockensen stays, our TE corps will be good, if he leaves, I hope it can be at least serviceable. I think Brandon Smith made strides this year like Fant did his 1st year. Hope he can have a breakout season next year. ISM can be a breakaway threat if Stanley can just deliver the ball more accurately and with better touch. Sargent turned out to be our most steady RB, IKM is still our fastest but was nicked up most of the season. Young is still a powerful back and should be better after his first year. OL should be better on the outside runs but inside will still be a question mark. Can either Ragaini, Cooper, or Tracy improve and provide some offensive threat? I think we have less question marks next year than last year. Can we improve? Yes! Can we take a step back? Yes! I think it all depends on Stanley’s mentality at QB and can he be the dominant leader on offense that we all hoped he would be? We will definitely find out next year.