I can't believe I'm saying this... I agree with you, ThunderHawk. Stanzi was trying to connect with DJK on that long pass - interception against NW... I know DJK has been Stanzi's favorite target all year. I know DJK's the receiver that's most open, can get you a big play more often, is most experienced, and of the regulars, has the most speed, but sometimes he shows a lack of effort that is shocking and detrimental to the team. (To be clear, IMO, there was nothing DJK could have done to prevent the NW interception). Three plays come to mind for me here: the Georgia Tech interception, and the Indiana interception last year, where he didn't fight to receive the pass or breakup the interception, and any long pass where he didn't stretch out for the ball.
To the topic...
For Iowa to permanently climb out of the top 25 doldrums, some clearly identifiable weaknesses like recruiting and pass defense need to be corrected.
Now, I love Ferentz to death. He's been a godsend for Iowa football. He's well respected among other coaches. His programs are usually clean and academically sound but...
so is Paterno's.
I would rather have a team that is consistantly top notch. An offense that is as potent as Oregon's (maybe as potent as Stanford's would be closer to reality) and/or a defense that is as potent as Nebraska's wouldn't be bad.