ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
Fan bases are pretty predictable and never satisfied (as it should be, I guess). Examples from other programs:
1. Iowa State descends to 2 or 3 win seasons with their previous coach. They hire Campbell. He goes 7-5 and beats Oklahoma, a Top 5 team. They win a middle tier bowl game and Cyclone Nation is ready to anoint him as the second coming. Iowa goes 7-5, beats Ohio State, a Top 5 team, and wins a middle tier bowl game. Iowa fans are not satisfied, and neither apparently is the team, based on several quotes I read earlier this year.
2. Ohio State goes 13-1, wins the Big Ten and wins a major bowl game. Fan base is NOT satisfied. Wants a national championship.
3. Alabama wins the national championship. Fan base won't be happy unless they win another this year and another the year after that. Their expectation is a national championship every year!
What is my point? Everything is relative. I think fans must be realistic about where their program is and where it can go. I think this Iowa program needs to get to the Big Ten championship game in 2018 or 2019. I think the talent is there and we should expect that level of achievement in 2018 or 2019. Anything above that would be gravy, but I for one will be disappointed if we end up in a "Pinstripe Bowl" type of bowl this year. I can't speak for other fans, but that is the way I feel right now. I'm not ever going to lobby to change our coaches if we make a middle tier bowl game, but I really think we are capable of higher achievement with this current team. It is up to the coaches to put the pieces together.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the coaches feel the same way (they won't say it, but I'm sure they are thinking it). Ferentz knows that the talent is there this year for a run at a Division title. He has a very experienced, talented defense, which is typically a recipe for success for him, and puts him in a comfort zone.
That dang Wisconsin game is gonna be huge. I think the key now is better QB play. The plays are there to be made. Stanley has to calm down and get a whole lot sharper and more poised for Iowa to win the Division title.
1. Iowa State descends to 2 or 3 win seasons with their previous coach. They hire Campbell. He goes 7-5 and beats Oklahoma, a Top 5 team. They win a middle tier bowl game and Cyclone Nation is ready to anoint him as the second coming. Iowa goes 7-5, beats Ohio State, a Top 5 team, and wins a middle tier bowl game. Iowa fans are not satisfied, and neither apparently is the team, based on several quotes I read earlier this year.
2. Ohio State goes 13-1, wins the Big Ten and wins a major bowl game. Fan base is NOT satisfied. Wants a national championship.
3. Alabama wins the national championship. Fan base won't be happy unless they win another this year and another the year after that. Their expectation is a national championship every year!
What is my point? Everything is relative. I think fans must be realistic about where their program is and where it can go. I think this Iowa program needs to get to the Big Ten championship game in 2018 or 2019. I think the talent is there and we should expect that level of achievement in 2018 or 2019. Anything above that would be gravy, but I for one will be disappointed if we end up in a "Pinstripe Bowl" type of bowl this year. I can't speak for other fans, but that is the way I feel right now. I'm not ever going to lobby to change our coaches if we make a middle tier bowl game, but I really think we are capable of higher achievement with this current team. It is up to the coaches to put the pieces together.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the coaches feel the same way (they won't say it, but I'm sure they are thinking it). Ferentz knows that the talent is there this year for a run at a Division title. He has a very experienced, talented defense, which is typically a recipe for success for him, and puts him in a comfort zone.
That dang Wisconsin game is gonna be huge. I think the key now is better QB play. The plays are there to be made. Stanley has to calm down and get a whole lot sharper and more poised for Iowa to win the Division title.
