From a Ferentz Apologist: Time to Perform

[hawkeyebob62]

Saw an interesting item in the Game Notes for this week: in the history of the B1G/Big 10/Big Ten since 1954 when the conference went to a seven-game schedule , only six coaches have two undefeated seasons in conference play, with KF being one of them. Three of the six are from O$U (Woody Haye$, Urban Meyer and Jim Tre$$el), one from Michigan (Bo Schembechler), and one from M$U (Duffy Daugherty). Howard Jones coached the Hawks to two undefeated (5-0, 7-0) seasons, but they played fewer conference games, but Jones also had just one undefeated season.

 

[HawkGold]

No one on this board has supported Kirk Ferentz more than I have. He brings Brian in as offensive coordinator and hires a new offensive line coach. We have shown flashes on offense (Iowa State; 4th quarter of Penn State), but overall the offense and the OL have been very disappointing. OK, it is time to put something together this Saturday for the following reasons:

1. Rivalry game against an important foe, Minnesota.
2. Minnesota is not a great team this year, but certainly is a dangerous team.
3. We are at home in a nationally televised game at night.
4. Jewell should be back, and hopefully Snyder

It is time to put up or shut up. Win this game, and perhaps 7-5 and a decent bowl game is still possible. Lose, and you can turn out the lights and start focusing on basketball. It is that simple.

Time for Ferentz and Ferentz to stop making excuses and provide a complete performance to the fans. I know this team can do it, but now is the time.

 

[Caddy]

Beating Minnesota isn't a cure for anything.

This^^^ Sad day when we're talking about beating a crappy Minnesota team with a new coach to hopefully still be able to summit the mountain of 6 wins. Doesn't matter because there are 2 absolute beat downs in a row after the Gophers.

 

[lightning1]

This^^^ Sad day when we're talking about beating a crappy Minnesota team with a new coach to hopefully still be able to summit the mountain of 6 wins. Doesn't matter because there are 2 absolute beat downs in a row after the Gophers.

Not so fast. Remember, 7 wins is the magic number on KF's contract. He'll coach his arse off to get 3 more wins.

 

[ChosenChildren]

I will always be a Ferentz apologist. He is a good coach and a good human being.

I would like to beat Minnesota. That game is always big for Iowa

 

[ChosenChildren]

Nobody is saying 7-5 is a great season. This team blew its chance with the close losses to Penn St and NW

 

[eledmonster]

No. It's a message board. You have to be one extreme or the other. That's how it works.

I've decided to become a hate-ogist. I will apologize and hate myself for it.

 

[InGoodCo]

7-5 isn't a great season - either is 6-6, but I'll take it in a re-build transition type of season. Which was largely considered to be the type of season Iowa was looking at with a new starting QB - tons of ?'s on defense and one of the tougher schedules in the conference. Mix in a 1st year OC and once you lose your 2 starting tackles, it's hard to over come. No one wants to go 7-5 or 6-6, but most schools down years are much WORSE then 7-5 or 6-6... that's pretty much Iowa's floor. How is that a bad thing? If you go 6-6 or 7-5 in Ames you are gonna be up for the Tennessee job.

Next year, If Iowa fails to win more then 8 games, then piss and moan all you want.

actually - piss and moan this season too - it's your right as fan.

 

[pythagoras]

Next year, If Iowa fails to win more then 8 games, then piss and moan all you want.

Can we get said people to piss into the wind or into their own Cheerios when they do?!?!?!?!

 

[BVHawk95]

I will say I'm concerned with the lack of execution, as that does fall on the coaches, not just the players, but look deeper into the games and you'll see just how close we are to being undefeated.

PSU- Nothing needs to be said. Literally inches away.

MSU- Two key fumbles and an impotent run game. Turns out MSU isn't so bad though.

NW- Bad team, bad loss, but we moved the ball all over them in the first quarter, just couldn't convert. On th coaches for failing to adjust and still some execution problems, concerning in game 7.

This is where we'll see what this young team has for heart and mental toughness. I want to see progress on all levels. If they rebound and finish the season strong, something Ferentz is capable of with teams that look middle of the road early on (such as '04, '08, '13, and '16), with the coaches showing a willingness to adapt, I'll be satisfied and expecting more next season. If we don't, I see us still eeking out 2 wins (Minny's bad, Nebby is awful, and Purdue is losing steam) and going to the Who-Gives-A-Damn bowl.

 

[ssckelley]

I hope these are just growing pains with Brian at OC and he has learned from his mistakes. We can't afford to keep giving games away like MSU and Northwestern. Hopefully the QB will grow up fast as well, I'm about to throw my remote through the TV every time I see him over throw a wide open wide receiver.

That make me an apologist or a hater? A little help plz.

 

[BVHawk95]

I hope these are just growing pains with Brian at OC and he has learned from his mistakes. We can't afford to keep giving games away like MSU and Northwestern. Hopefully the QB will grow up fast as well, I'm about to throw my remote through the TV every time I see him over throw a wide open wide receiver.

That make me an apologist or a hater? A little help plz.

 

[westender]

Can we swing from one extreme to the other? Like in a game? I mean, I was an apologist the first 2 drives Saturday. Now Im a hater. Same with PsU, but in reverse.
I even posted a thread that we were going to the playoffs. Then I posted a thread about firing Barta.

So, I guess it s possible to be all things at once.

That's exactly how many go. Hawks win the next two games and the hamstrings that will be pulled jumping back on will keep the mental physical therapists busy for the rest of the year.