Hawkeyes Should Look to Future

[kicker22]

Personally, I am quite interested in learning about next year’s players. Especially who comes back, and increasingly, news from the transfer portal. Of course, “now” is still a powerful priority. I Club donor, season tickets football and men’s basketball…that’s me.

Valid point, but how do you really prep for next year when you don't know who's staying or going. While playing the younger guys and focusing on the future you're not only giving reps to those younger guys, but you're also giving them and open audition for other programs to to evaluate our younger talent as well which may not be in our best interest. Sure they technically can't tamper until the individual enters the portal, but we also know how easy it could be for someone not directly associated with a rival staff to put a bug into a family members ear letting them know there's a spot and/or money there if the player decides to leave. It's a different world and while I'm definitely one that thinks it's time to give more minutes to the younger guys to prepare for the future I don't want to see it come back and bite us in the ass. That said, it's just as much a double edged sword as you may have younger guys transferring out if the staff decides to stay with the veterans this late in the year with no hope for the playoffs.

 

[Fryowa]

I do know if Brendan Sullivan is part of the 2025 future...he better figure out how to slide or get out of bounds. No way he plays 12 games next year without understanding of how to protect himself.

CJB found that middle ground and it worked out pretty well. The question is whether Sullivan is as tough as CJB. He took a bunch of those hits just like the one that Sullivan left the game from and kept on truckin’. I’m not talking head injuries just so we’re clear, but CJ had the toughness to get back out there after taking body shots like I’ve never seen.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

In 1997, they ended up 7-5 and no one gave a shit about the Sun Bowl, including the players. 1998 they were 3-8, the program had bottomed out and Hayden was 69 years old. Kirk is now 69 years old and this season feels very similar to ‘97 and 2025 on paper, feels like it is going to be 1998.

Fair enough and not saying your sense of history repeating itself may not come true. It could.

That said, two distinguishing factors. Recruiting had really dipped under Fry towards the end. KF has stayed steady in that regard. Fry had also lost so many great assistants. KF still has Parker and most of us think Lester is legit. I don't see this as a 3 win team in '25.

That said, it reinforces my point that if KF is focused on anything other than winning these next three games (and recruiting, which is always required), his priorities are misplaced. The narrative of this season is not written. A loss to Nebraska and embarrassing bowl loss will firmly mark this season as a failure and the direction of the program rudderless. Beat your rival on Black Friday and win a bowl against a middle tier SEC team and all of sudden most of us are feeling pretty good about the direction of things.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Brad Heinrichs

It feels like he has his work cut out for him. Getting a whale and/or whales to consistently contribute, seems really hard.

Yeah like is he able to get anyone like the former alumni to pitch in? Such as Kittle or Wirfs who just really broke the bank this off season. I couldn't do what Brad does on any level. Just not my thing.

 

[Fryowa]

Fair enough and not saying your sense of history repeating itself may not come true. It could.

That said, two distinguishing factors. Recruiting had really dipped under Fry towards the end. KF has stayed steady in that regard. Fry had also lost so many great assistants. KF still has Parker and most of us think Lester is legit. I don't see this as a 3 win team in '25.

That said, it reinforces my point that if KF is focused on anything other than winning these next three games (and recruiting, which is always required), his priorities are misplaced. The narrative of this season is not written. A loss to Nebraska and embarrassing bowl loss will firmly mark this season as a failure and the direction of the program rudderless. Beat your rival on Black Friday and win a bowl against a middle tier SEC team and all of sudden most of us are feeling pretty good about the direction of things.

This is why I LOVE the .600 record requirement for the HOF. I really do think that's a goal for Kirk and as he gets older and has fewer years left to spend those armored carfuls, the "littler" things are going to be more important. It's good for the goose and the gander.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

This is why I LOVE the .600 record requirement for the HOF. I really do think that's a goal for Kirk and as he gets older and has fewer years left to spend those armored carfuls, the "littler" things are going to be more important. It's good for the goose and the gander.

If KF retires today he somehow still gets in. I know he is just below 60%, but they can justify it somehow. Throw out his Maine years or something dumb like that. He has had a HOF career by any reasonable measure of a career.

That said, I hope it is motivating him to grind out another 10-win season next year!

 

[RobHowe]

Appreciate the responses, agree or disagree. It's a column (opinion).

Probably see limited interaction from me on here moving forward. I don't think that's a dumb idea and likely best.

 

[HuckFinn]

Appreciate the responses, agree or disagree. It's a column (opinion).

Probably see limited interaction from me on here moving forward. I don't think that's a dumb idea and likely best.

I think it is a really bad idea. You are one of the go to guys on HN. Just sayin’

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Appreciate the responses, agree or disagree. It's a column (opinion).

Probably see limited interaction from me on here moving forward. I don't think that's a dumb idea and likely best.

Your voice and articles are well-regarded on this Board. They spur good dialogue.

I would love to hear from you more.

 

[Fryowa]

Appreciate the responses, agree or disagree. It's a column (opinion).

Probably see limited interaction from me on here moving forward. I don't think that's a dumb idea and likely best.

Your voice and articles are well-regarded on this Board. They spur good dialogue.

I would love to hear from you more.

2020 brought out the worst in all of us myself included. @RobHowe I think you're a really good dude regardless of your, my, or anyone else's politics and opinions.

I also know that it's not all about the year 2020 and that sometimes life, personal priorities, and interest move on. I for one read all of your stuff you post here and I enjoy it, and your HF pods are great. I'd also like to hear more from you but the bashings you've taken over the years probably don't make this your favorite hangout spot. Either way you're definitely appreciated here when you do post.

 

[RobHowe]

I appreciate you guys. If you ever see me roaming the sidelines at Kinnick or seated on the baseline or mat side at CHA, would be my pleasure to meet you. Going to focus more on that type of communication with folks.

I'll lurk when I post content on here. I'll try to answer questions on those threads when they're asked of me.

Peace

 

[kicker22]

I appreciate you guys. If you ever see me roaming the sidelines at Kinnick or seated on the baseline or mat side at CHA, would be my pleasure to meet you. Going to focus more on that type of communication with folks.

I'll lurk when I post content on here. I'll try to answer questions on those threads when they're asked of me.

Peace

Good stuff Rob. Always appreciated your contributions to this site. Like Fry said we've all got our differences, but tbh I wouldn't waste my time here if everyone always agreed with each or had the same opinions. That said I've got nothing against anyone on here as every contributes to this site and I appreciate all different opinions whether right or wrong LOL. Don't be a stranger.

 

[Westernhawk]

I had to ask myself after that UCLA debacle, "Is this kind of feeling like the end of the Hayden Fry years?". I think it does have that feeling.

It's weird. It does have that feeling at times, but we have also seen really good performances, including an absolute stomping of Wisky just 6 days prior to that game. This team is perplexing.

Also: UCLA is improving quickly, and Iowa was playing a scout team guy at QB while trying to come back to win.