I am done being pissed at BF/Petras. They are not the problem

[InGoodCo]

It's exactly like you said. Every big time program is scheduling cupcakes and as you stated if you're not the one scheduling the cupcakes then you most likely are the cupcake. And if you can't seem to find at least one competent OOC opponent then you deserve to be hammered. While I agree that when HF came around they were playing a tougher OOC slate, I'm not going to hold that against KF who's following the same OOC model used by probably 90% of the programs across the nation. Until teams start actually getting penalized in the rankings and playoff discussions for scheduling cupcakes it's never going to change.

The SEC has an 8 game conference schedule AND schedules cupcakes for their OOC. Oh, and they are the most represented conference in the playoffs. It pays to play less hard games, Iowa has actually done them selves a disservice if you actually think about it. They make the road harder then it has to be for sure comparative to a lot of their peers.

 

[kicker22]

The SEC has an 8 game conference schedule AND schedules cupcakes for their OOC. Oh, and they are the most represented conference in the playoffs. It pays to play less hard games, Iowa has actually done them selves a disservice if you actually think about it. They make the road harder then it has to be for sure comparative to a lot of their peers.

SEC set the standard for the justification of cupcakes in a schedule. IMO it's even worse when they're adding them late in the year or the week before rivalry games. At least ours are at the beginning of the year and be used to prepare for conference play. No excuse for them to be thrown in at the end of the season.

 

[InGoodCo]

SEC set the standard for the justification of cupcakes in a schedule. IMO it's even worse when they're adding them late in the year or the week before rivalry games. At least ours are at the beginning of the year and be used to prepare for conference play. No excuse for them to be thrown in at the end of the season.

except for when you need to rest up and get healthy right before your biggest game of the season.

The take that Iowa doesn't schedule hard enough is a complete farce and people who use that as an indictment on our program are typically not very aware of much.

 

[HawkGold]

It's exactly like you said. Every big time program is scheduling cupcakes and as you stated if you're not the one scheduling the cupcakes then you most likely are the cupcake. And if you can't seem to find at least one competent OOC opponent then you deserve to be hammered. While I agree that when HF came around they were playing a tougher OOC slate, I'm not going to hold that against KF who's following the same OOC model used by probably 90% of the programs across the nation. Until teams start actually getting penalized in the rankings and playoff discussions for scheduling cupcakes it's never going to change.

I'm not going to hold that much against him either. Just responding to Good. At least Iowa stopped being a cupcake and hopefully won't be one in the future.

 

[kicker22]

except for when you need to rest up and get healthy right before your biggest game of the season.

I think we both agree that no other teams/conferences in the country have that opportunity on a yearly basis and it's crap. But until they start to get penalized in the rankings it'll continue to happen.

 

[HawkGold]

except for when you need to rest up and get healthy right before your biggest game of the season.

The take that Iowa doesn't schedule hard enough is a complete farce and people who use that as an indictment on our program are typically not very aware of much.

Who on here says that? I think you are referring to people that say KFs record is a bit covered when using total wins and losses as a measure as most teams have a couple of games built in already. And KFs best years lately during the run are missing some of the top of the east which is random but still real.

 

[racerhawk]

Kirk is 8-4 at Iowa. Two yearly cupcakes. Sometimes three.

Its been fun, ups and downs, quality guys.

One thing though that Kirk did not build which I'm sure would have helped in his success at Iowa, is a coaching tree.

It's more of a coaching telephone pole.

 

[dahlhawk]

SEC set the standard for the justification of cupcakes in a schedule. IMO it's even worse when they're adding them late in the year or the week before rivalry games. At least ours are at the beginning of the year and be used to prepare for conference play. No excuse for them to be thrown in at the end of the season.

Ya that crap just smells bad, playing a patsy during conference play you can win with backups and resting starters.

 

[dahlhawk]

except for when you need to rest up and get healthy right before your biggest game of the season.

The take that Iowa doesn't schedule hard enough is a complete farce and people who use that as an indictment on our program are typically not very aware of much.

A part of not being a serious team is playing a 2 for 1 home and away. Iowa refuses to do that, Also nobody of import, wants to play in Kinnick early season. Iowa has in the past played on a neutral site, but that loses a home game. Not as easy to schedule good teams early unless you want to play on the road.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

I just hope the true heirs to Iowa's successful future don't abandon ship. Woods and Wallace, OC and DC in waiting or God willing one takes the HC. That's if Parker doesn't want it. If the change were to happen today I would still be thankful for Kirk's running of the program but would be so excited for the future, unlike I feel now.

Woods, Wallace, and Bell should be being groomed as the future. Continuity stays in place, with new era tweeks. Proven recruiters and position coaches. Ideally we get another 3+ years with Phil.

It seems simple to me.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Suggesting that 22+ years of success are all because of 2 very good DCs and nothing else is silly. KF sets the tone and establishes the manner of play. Stingy defense, great special teams, and a conservative offense. Under that philosophy, the DC has advantages over the OC. Iowa has been fortunate to have had two amazing DCs, but divorcing Iowa's success from the work of its head coach is a bridge too far.

Fair point.

Every successful company's CEO and executive team gets credit for the good work the people they hire, get done. 20+ years of overall success simple can't be dismissed.

The delta between Defensive success and offensive success is just so incredible. Baffling really

One could argue the overall successful philosophy puts the DC at an unfair disadvantage in terms of pressure to produce. Although, that success has undoubtedly allowed higher level recruiting in Defensive positions.

We're damn lucky to have the Defense and Special Teams we've had in the last 20 years.

It's a fascinating dynamic.

 

[Iceman]

I want that too. I want a competent offense. Watching 3 and outs suck. If Iowa could only be serviceable it would be so much more enjoyable. Complimentary football is all I am asking for.

I'd be in the fire the OC camp if I wouldn't have seen pretty much the same shit with the last 2 OC's we've had. This is how Ferentz wants to win ball games. He wants to win with D and Special Teams. There's a lot of ways to skin a cat. I prefer that we skin it with hard nosed D. Gun to my head, do I want high flying offense or a defense I can count on? Do I want to be in Iowa's shoes or Nebraska's? Do I want to put up 600 yards or do I want to give up 600 yards.

That's easy for me. I'll take it any way I can get it.

But it's a real loser attitude to win and somehow still feel like you're losing.

Stating some of the dumb shit that gets spewed over and over on this site deserves to be called out. I'm fine doing it.

You can't call Iowa 22 years of average when it's historically the most winning the school has ever done.

I don't care what they do for an offense. But whatever they do, do it well. Execute, execute, execute. At this level, the execution should be better. The question is how to get better execution in my humble opinion.

 

[racerhawk]

I don't care what they do for an offense. But whatever they do, do it well. Execute, execute, execute. At this level, the execution should be better. The question is how to get better execution in my humble opinion.

I agree. If Iowa can improve on the line, and in the running game, they'll be OK this year. If not, look out. Saturday we saw some signs of improvement. Low turnovers, low number of penalties, running for well over 100 yards per game, and the like, usually means Iowa wins (especially if they score over 21 points.

It can be done.