Concerns this year?

[pythagoras]

 

[FirstDownHawkeyes]

In the past 15 years (as far back as can be readily searched on espn):

In Iowa's 5 most successful seasons, they've had top 20 defenses in both total yards and points allowed in every year, and in those same seasons, the best offense was in 2008, where they were 53rd in total yards/game and 33rd in points/game. On average in those 5 years, their defense was 12th in both yards/game allowed and point/game allowed, while their offense average was 81st in yards/game and 57th in points/game

In Iowa's 5 least successful seasons, they have had no season where their defense was both in the top 20 in total yards and points allowed. In 2007 they were 13th in points allowed, but 39th in yards/game allowed. In 2014, they were 19th in yards/game allowed but 41st in points allowed. In those 5 years, the offense was never in the top 20 in yards gained or points/game. On average in those 5 years, their defense was 47th in yards/game allowed and 35th in points/game allowed, while their offense average was 80th in yards/game and 80th in points/game.

The concern is will the defense be dominate again, because that is Iowa's path to success. The offense seems to just be a placeholder for the defense, in good years or bad. It would be nice for the offense to be a bigger contributor, but it doesn't seem to matter as much. If the offense is a lot better than typical, we'll be in for quite a year.

These are excellent observations. Really, the KF model works when Iowa plays complimentary football. The offensive numbers for his most successful teams may not have racked up yards or points that ranked well nationally but generally they were able to control the ball and field position, score in the redzone and not turn it over. They made FGs they should make. That’s good offensive football when you have a top notch D. If you remember a few of those teams got down and when they did the O got more loose, took more chances and scored more quickly. That’s just not how Iowa is built to win and beat B1G teams with more talent like PSU, OSU and MI (to a lesser extent MSU and WI). It’s frustrating when lesser talent teams do that to Iowa (loosen up and score).

 

[Xerxes]

These are excellent observations. Really, the KF model works when Iowa plays complimentary football. The offensive numbers for his most successful teams may not have racked up yards or points that ranked well nationally but generally they were able to control the ball and field position, score in the redzone and not turn it over. They made FGs they should make. That’s good offensive football when you have a top notch D. If you remember a few of those teams got down and when they did the O got more loose, took more chances and scored more quickly. That’s just not how Iowa is built to win and beat B1G teams with more talent like PSU, OSU and MI (to a lesser extent MSU and WI). It’s frustrating when lesser talent teams do that to Iowa (loosen up and score).

These are also a great strategy while heading out to the bar.

 

[4thngoal]

These is also a great strategy while heading out to the bar.

I thought the same thing. Lol

 

[oldhawk12]

Same as every year. In-game coaching (game mgmt), overall offensive production, qb, rb (edge type), receivers, outside linebacker speed (defensive skill position), weak sept and b10w schedule and AD.

 

[revkev73]

Being able to upgrade the two cores of Kirkball: punting and running more than 3 yards per carry.

Kirk & Son being able to outcoach a few teams and "steal" a couple of wins.

Beating Wisconsin, which makes Kirk pale and faint on the sidelines.

Stanley beating home-state Wisconsin, whom he has fainted on twice.

Iowa going 7-5 and listening to Kirk complain about unhappy fans and how tough his job is.