With two home games left vs Wash and Wash St,they probably win go at least 8-10 in the league. Last year they won 7 conference games. The year before zero conference games. That is progress. Unless in your world Iowa's conference wins going from 9 under SA,to 6,to 5 to...4 and counting...is progress. Then I understand your system...ie. fewer wins that the year before constitutes progress.
As for recruiting...I give you Larson,altho he did not make the top 150 in Rivals list,but that leaves Lick lagging by a 5-1 margin with an extra year over Robinson in his position. Again,maybe in your system...more top recruits is less...