Can someone explain why some say we’ll be better next year?

[cincyhawk]

Yep, there it is again, gotta bring up Hayden. You do realize he retired almost two decades ago, right? Oh yeah, and what's Kirk's record against Michigan? How about that OSU game a couple weeks ago? How often did Hayden beat PSU in the 90s? I know you're old balls, but people who constantly have to remind us about Hayden live even more in the past than Kirk Ferentz at an off-season presser.

I'm not that old. The point was to compare program success with program success. The point was to say that it is possible to be at Wisconsin's level at Iowa. I've seen it, personally, exceed this level of success with much higher handicaps.

The suggestion is that 10 wins next season probably won't mean the team improved, and that people should scale their expectations of the program in the West vs. when the program was in the full Big Ten.

 

[cincyhawk]

Wadley's big play ability will be hard to replace.

Not sure where the yards he represents come from.

 

[deanvogs]

This thread would have had a completely different tone the week after beating OSU.

 

[BlackNGold1982]

That’s easy: we’re “poised for a run” in that will crack the 9-3 record for the first time in 3 years. So Jon is correct because we don’t have Mich State on the schedule next year. We still get our a$$ Rolled by Wisconsin, Northwestern and PSU. Boom, 9 and 3.

Jon says it a lot and I’ve heard it on the boards, but I don’t understand.

We lose Wadley but we bring back one of the worst offenses in the country. The young guys get better, probably, but we’re 117th. We’re not going to suddenly leap up and be a top 50 offense.

Defense is losing a ton and they will certainly be worse.

So why the feeling we’re for sure gonna be better?

 

[trj]

Not sure where the yards he represents come from.

Tight ends playing a bigger role would be my guess.

 

[lightning1]

Good morning Coach Ferentz

That's Mary. KF doesn't do message boards.

 

[lightning1]

How many times will we hear "we lose our lbs that won't be easy to replace"? I seem to remember hearing this exact same thing every single time we've graduated lbs.

I think this one holds true, typically. I believe that our defense has struggled with a new group of LBs, historically. '06 was a huge step back after Hodge/Greenway. '10 was a huge step back after Edds/Angerer, in spite of the entire DL returning. '14 defense tripled PPG allowed after Morris/Hitchens/Kirksey. There are other mitigating factors, of course but we typically ask our LBs to do more than most. Especially in the passing game.

 

[BlackNGold1982]

Meanwhile, Wisconsin loses 2-3 starting linebackers DURING the season yet seemingly has endless depth at that position regardless of which 2-3 star player is on the field - doesn’t anybody see this as a ridiculous problem that only seems to affect Iowa? We NEVER hear of Wisconsin having a “cycle up” year.

I think this one holds true, typically. I believe that our defense has struggled with a new group of LBs, historically. '06 was a huge step back after Hodge/Greenway. '10 was a huge step back after Edds/Angerer, in spite of the entire DL returning. '14 defense tripled PPG allowed after Morris/Hitchens/Kirksey. There are other mitigating factors, of course but we typically ask our LBs to do more than most. Especially in the passing game.

 

[lightning1]

We should be better next year. That doesn't mean we are going to be better next year. That's the deal with KF. When you think we have all of the ingredients to make a run, we crap the bed. When we expect the team to struggle, we make a run. Maybe if we collectively expect a really bad team next year.....we might win the Natty.

 

[lightning1]

Meanwhile, Wisconsin loses 2-3 starting linebackers DURING the season yet seemingly has endless depth at that position regardless of which 2-3 star player is on the field - doesn’t anybody see this as a ridiculous problem that only seems to affect Iowa? We NEVER hear of Wisconsin having a “cycle up” year.

They obviously recruit far better than we do. I think that much should be obvious.

 

[BlackNGold1982]

They obviously recruit far better than we do. I think that much should be obvious.

The recruiting rankings globally would not support that. However, they recruit better than Iowa to their respective scheme, that much is the obvious.

 

[lightning1]

The recruiting rankings globally would not support that. However, they recruit better than Iowa to their respective scheme, that much is the obvious.

I don't put any stock in recruiting rankings.

 

[deanvogs]

 

[Stanzi]

That’s easy: we’re “poised for a run” in that will crack the 9-3 record for the first time in 3 years. So Jon is correct because we don’t have Mich State on the schedule next year. We still get our a$$ Rolled by Wisconsin, Northwestern and PSU. Boom, 9 and 3.

Wisconsin and Penn State sure. I don't see Northwestern beating us at Kinnick.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Please tell me you're not comparing the Michigan and Penn State of the last decade to the Michigan and Penn State of Hayden's day. And KF beat OSU what....twice in almost 20 years? Amazing. KF barely has a winning record against a bottom 5 school of ALL TIME. How do you defend that? Pretty sure Hayden wasn't losing to directional Michigan schools or FCS schools at home.

To be fair, people do the same thing for Wisc and MSU when comparing HF to KF. They were both pretty bad under HF.

KF is no Fry, few are or ever will be, for many reasons other than W/L record. Fry is legend.

 

[The Big LeHAWKski]

This happens every season... rinse & repeat.
Nothing of significance will change as long as KF continues to stifle our talent.
New Kirk? Hardly.

 

[Motigerhawk]

9-3 next year. 10-2 the following and FKF retires and "everyone" is happy and BF is the next coach for the next 25 years. sigh.

My only hope is that BF takes the reins off and we run something a little more exciting.

 

[BlackNGold1982]

I don't put any stock in recruiting rankings.

To each his own.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Not sure where the yards he represents come from.

It's not simply "replacing the yards", it's the situations and plays he makes happen simply with his talent.

Taking a swing pass out of the backfield for 20, 30 or to the house. (something we've seen him do many times) Catching a dump off in the flat with a man on him and somehow slipping and sliding down to the 3 yard line against OSU. The run he broke against Northwestern in his first feature start... the game breaker against Minnesota last year when we looked dead in the water. The CJ to AW short passes last year which enabled us to beat Michigan.

You don't simply "make these yards up" by using other players more. He makes things happen that change the momentum of a game. Big plays. Plays that nobody else on the roster could make. And the kind of plays that can mask the otherwise mundane nature of Kirk's offense. (yes...KIRK's offense. It always is ultimately his).

We'll miss Akrum... a lot.

 

[cincyhawk]

Tight ends playing a bigger role would be my guess.

If they both got 45 a game I'd be really happy!