Hey Capt.,I hope you’re watching ND game

Yeah - about 125 more yards than Iowa would have playing Georgia.:rolleyes:

It ain't about the stats, it's about handling / ensuring the lead - and ultimately, the W - by eliminating opportunity for GA by seizing opportunities with aggressive, untraditional calls / strategy.
That is certainly more creative than repeatedly conceding possessions with the same plays you've run in the same situations for 25 years.
 
What Ferentz saw when he watched the ND game:
* a team win with 90 yds of passing.
* defenses that were dominant.
* the team that got ahead was able to hold a lead.
Never mind that...
* the QB ran for 50-70 yds or so (which KF hates to see).
* defenses brought extra pressure a high % of plays (which Parker doesn't do).
 
I love how this thread starts with the premise that Iowa football is on the same level as Notre Dame. Come on guys, can we live in the real world? KF has made Iowa into a consistent marginal Top 25 program. You want something more than that? Start donating a percentage of your salary to the Swarm Collective. KF does more with less than about any coach out there.
 
Some of you still don’t get it and continue to cling to that “woe is me” mindset when it comes to Iowa football.

Iowa football generates nearly as much revenue as Notre Dame. The difference lies in how that money is distributed.

If you think Iowa doesn’t have NIL funds, you’re mistaken. According to 247Sports, Iowa ranks #16 in the nation for athletic donations. The key is not how much you spend, but how wisely you allocate those resources.

Riley Leonard secured $1.1 million in NIL deals. While McNamara’s official NIL figure hasn’t been publicly released, it’s widely believed to be around $1 million. So, who do you think is making smart decisions and identifying talent—versus just throwing money around like a pig farmer at a strip club?

Ferentz and Freeman (Notre Dame’s coach) both earn the same salary, with Ferentz slightly ahead—though it’s really a matter of splitting hairs. So why are we paying Ferentz the same as Freeman if some of you claim Iowa will never realistically compete for a national championship? Is that your argument? That Iowa can’t compete with the “big boys”? That’s a narrow and absurd view.

Players will choose programs where they have a shot at the NFL, a chance to compete for national titles, where they can earn money, and where the schemes align with their playing style. Sure, other factors like legacy recruits, being fans of the program, and proximity to family matter, but those four are the major driving forces in modern recruitment.

Now, ask yourself these questions:

  1. Can Iowa develop NFL talent? Yes, but mostly at tight end and not so much at skilled positions.
  2. Does Iowa compete for national championships? They could, but it hasn’t happened yet.
  3. Does Iowa have NIL money and donations comparable to other national programs? Yes, but we don’t seem to use it effectively.
  4. Does Iowa’s offensive scheme fit with today’s college football player? Absolutely not. The outdated "3 yards and a cloud of dust" mentality disappeared in the 1960s. The screen pass on 3rd down lost its relevance in the 1980s. And Ferentz’s insistence to punt on 4th-and-1 or 4th-and-3 when on the opponent’s side of the field is a sign of stubbornness. In today’s fast-paced game, it’s not just about field position—every possession counts, and Ferentz has been too conservative for the modern era.
That last one is why we will continue to be 8-5, 7-6, and once in a blue moon win 12 games in a season, which has happened ONCE under Ferentz.
 
Woops, NKC and everyone doing the (over-played) "We're just Iowa ... " or "KF is so good because he does more with less ..."

1) VERY debatable (if not outright, fallacious) rationalizations.
No one is delusional enough to think Iowa rosters are on par with the "Blue Bloods". However, Iowa has a pretty good history of really good, NFL caliber players. Boasted by many of the same who wallow in the self-deprecating mindset.

Let's not pretend all of those players were coached-up. Most were just damn good players with the physical and mental tools + skills to succeed.

I'd argue, whatever success Iowa has achieved is because of those players exceeding the conservative, stale limitations imposed by KF dogma - the average, traditional coaching.

Again ... The eternal debate regarding Iowa football under Kirk Ferentz.

2) The real point ... Regardless of who's playing, when rosters are generally equal, coaching and opportunistic strategy decide outcomes. When there are roster discrepancies, coaching and opportunistic strategy become even more important to being competitive.

This is where KF falls down with his conservative dogma and over-reliance on traditional strategies. This is demonstrated by WAY too many come from ahead losses to NwU, PU, ISU, etc over WAY too many seasons - most recent case - MO.

If it is true that Iowa suffers roster discrepancies and winning is a challenge (even against peers), then KF should be even MORE progressive and opportunistic just to compete and win. The fact is, Iowa has (has had) plenty of quality on its rosters. While they've done about what should be expected against the Elites, they've underachieved, overall, because of KF.
 
hawkeye12345 said:
Iowa football generates nearly as much revenue as Notre Dame. The difference lies in how that money is distributed. ND is 5th in money generated, Iowa is not in the top 20.

If you think Iowa doesn’t have NIL funds, you’re mistaken. According to 247Sports, Iowa ranks #16 in the nation for athletic donations. The key is not how much you spend, but how wisely you allocate those resources. 247Sports says 21st, 6th in the Big Ten

Riley Leonard secured $1.1 million in NIL deals. While McNamara’s official NIL figure hasn’t been publicly released, it’s widely believed to be around $1 million. It wasn't even a half million.


  1. Does Iowa have NIL money and donations comparable to other national programs? Yes, but we don’t seem to use it effectively. Monday morning quarterbacking there. Tell me you weren't excited about Cade or Kadyn when they committed. Nick Jackson?
  2. Does Iowa’s offensive scheme fit with today’s college football player? Absolutely not. The outdated "3 yards and a cloud of dust" mentality disappeared in the 1960s. The screen pass on 3rd down lost its relevance in the 1980s. And Ferentz’s insistence to punt on 4th-and-1 or 4th-and-3 when on the opponent’s side of the field is a sign of stubbornness. In today’s fast-paced game, it’s not just about field position—every possession counts, and Ferentz has been too conservative for the modern era. It's literally the offense the Packers and 49'ers (and others) run.
That last one is why we will continue to be 7-6, and once in a blue moon win 12 games in a season, which has happened ONCE under Ferentz. Haven't won less than 8 games since 2014.
Click to expand...
 
If the current playoff system were in place during KF's tenure, Iowa would have made the playoffs 3 times. I believe KF is capable of another 11+ win season moving forward. He is still recruiting and developing players well, and seems to be adapting to NIL and the transfer portal stuff as well as can be expected. Making the playoffs 1 out of every 7 years or so is above average.

If you think Iowa should be competing for conference titles and playoffs most every year, then you should advocate to fire KF and roll the dice with a replacement who might be Freeman but more likely will be Scott Frost.
 
So hire Freeman. Pay some good money to get him. I think KF has shown some growth this year and can continue to grow. At least here's hoping.
 
Will C said:
So hire Freeman. Pay some good money to get him. I think KF has shown some growth this year and can continue to grow. At least here's hoping.
Click to expand...
Do you think Iowa, with it's ok/decent history, low population, etc can hire Freeman away from one of the winningest programs in history (one that is in the final four of the playoffs, currently)?

ND is one of the biggest collegiate brands, if you will, and they have, and will always, recruit more talent than Iowa. I can't imagine what amount of money would lure a young, successful coach away from a blue blood program.

This isn't a "poor ol' Ioway" comment, it's reality.
 
STILLBUSTER said:
Woops, NKC and everyone doing the (over-played) "We're just Iowa ... " or "KF is so good because he does more with less ..."

1) VERY debatable (if not outright, fallacious) rationalizations.
No one is delusional enough to think Iowa rosters are on par with the "Blue Bloods". However, Iowa has a pretty good history of really good, NFL caliber players. Boasted by many of the same who wallow in the self-deprecating mindset.

Let's not pretend all of those players were coached-up. Most were just damn good players with the physical and mental tools + skills to succeed.

I'd argue, whatever success Iowa has achieved is because of those players exceeding the conservative, stale limitations imposed by KF dogma - the average, traditional coaching.

Again ... The eternal debate regarding Iowa football under Kirk Ferentz.

2) The real point ... Regardless of who's playing, when rosters are generally equal, coaching and opportunistic strategy decide outcomes. When there are roster discrepancies, coaching and opportunistic strategy become even more important to being competitive.

This is where KF falls down with his conservative dogma and over-reliance on traditional strategies. This is demonstrated by WAY too many come from ahead losses to NwU, PU, ISU, etc over WAY too many seasons - most recent case - MO.

If it is true that Iowa suffers roster discrepancies and winning is a challenge (even against peers), then KF should be even MORE progressive and opportunistic just to compete and win. The fact is, Iowa has (has had) plenty of quality on its rosters. While they've done about what should be expected against the Elites, they've underachieved, overall, because of KF.
Click to expand...
Against relatively equal rosters, Iowa has done quite well in recent years. This includes Illinois, Wisky, Minny, NW, Nebby, and ISU.

Against OSU, Michigan, Tennesee, and the like, we fare very poorly. I know we're all enjoying the playoffs right now, and in order to get to and win a couple of games, it takes talent. I actually DO think KF coaches three star players "up", and he also has an eye for potential. Having said that, here's the 24/7 2025 team recruiting rankings. Note that 6 of the top 12 teams are playoff teams from this year.
1735935581805.png
 
hawkeye12345 said:
Creativity, a desire to win. Neither team playing not to lose.

One hell of a game for you to chomp on that bubble gum and take notes.
Click to expand...
ND had one super creative play that happened to work. They also have a good QB who is mobile (hello real NIL money).

Other than that, they didn't have so many yards and got a key turnover and a TD from a KO return. They were super strong on both lines. Those parts are very Iowa-ish.
 
Splitting hairs a bit aren't we Dawg? Are you talking gross revenue or net revenue? Because Iowa is closer to the top than you would like to admit. Again - it's how you spend the money that counts.

No, I wasn't excited about Cade. He was coming off major knee surgery and had already lost the starting gig at Michigan to JJ McCarthy. Neither of those would make me want to step up and pay a player.

Proctor is a whole other story. He didn't get any money, reportedly, from the Swarm but who knows what kind of shady shit goes on behind the scenes these days. Would I have loved to have him, damn straight I would. He was top-rated tackle coming out of high school, 1st team All-SEC freshman and was 2nd team SEC this year. The biggest difference is that one of them didn't lose a starting role and wasn't coming to Iowa off of knee surgery.

OK, 8-5 then...wtf is the difference? It's still a 61.5% winning percentage.
 
NorthKCHawk said:
If the current playoff system were in place during KF's tenure, Iowa would have made the playoffs 3 times. I believe KF is capable of another 11+ win season moving forward. He is still recruiting and developing players well, and seems to be adapting to NIL and the transfer portal stuff as well as can be expected. Making the playoffs 1 out of every 7 years or so is above average.

If you think Iowa should be competing for conference titles and playoffs most every year, then you should advocate to fire KF and roll the dice with a replacement who might be Freeman but more likely will be Scott Frost.
Click to expand...
Not a chance. The only year they may have sniffed the BCS with a 12 team is 2015.
 
Seth53 said:
I think we're forgetting ND has much stricter admission criteria. They play behind the eight ball regarding this.
Click to expand...
Good point. Credit to them. They are a good team. They also have quite a bit more talent than most.

I'm NOT a Notre Dame fan, but was encouraged by some of their sportsmanship yesterday, when compared to other teams I've seen recently.
 
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