I dont like the preseason love Iowa is getting

[1977Hawkeye]

I'm not saying that it's a bad thing, Its just the last couple times we've had this much preseason hype (in 0'5 mainly) we have finished the season unranked in the final polls.

Coincidence. Same way people like to say that because the '05 recruiting class that was so highly heralded and was a flop, so they would rather see us recruiting 2-star players instead of 4-5 star players. That '05 class was more coincidence.

The 1997 team that got alot of hype had only losses @OSU and @Michigan (who won the national title) until the starting QB got injuried and we lost two games by a total of 4 points with a backup QB. Without the injury, I'm guessing that Hawk team would have been 9-2 instead of 7-4, with a much better bowl game coming.

The '05 team, as has been point out many times, had a very young defensive line. That team may have just been overrated. This year? Let's wait and see. But I don't believe for a second that high expectations will cause the team to play poorly.

The positive press is a good thing - for recruiting reasons if nothing else.

 

[Ozhawk]

It seems like ESPN and Rivals.com is giving Iowa waaayy to much preseason hype. #1 Defensive Line? I'm okay with that. #1 team with best chances to win a National Title? What?! I'm a little heisitant with that. #1 Special Teams?! Oh god, Ryan Donahue is a beast at punter,but Murray? I get scared to see him kick past 25 yds, not to mention the missed 22 yd FG that could have won us the OSU game. #1 Secondary? With the departure of Amari,we have questions at corner. I'd say top 10 but number #1? No. With all this preseason hype a 9-3 season would be a HUGE letdown.
Also these are NATIONAL RANKS not just BIG TEN

Without pre season love even running the table can result in being left out of the BCS championship

WITH pre season love...running the table lands you in the BSC championship game

 

[ShadasRevenge]

I'm not saying that it's a bad thing, Its just the last couple times we've had this much preseason hype (in 0'5 mainly) we have finished the season unranked in the final polls. Yes it will definitely help recruiting but if the players see this and get too fond of themselves we COULD have a repeat of 0'5 (the nightmare season)

Iowa was two field goals away from a second conference championship. We as fans might consider 2005 to be a letdown, but Kirk himself has said publicly many times that he doesn't consider that year to be a disappointment.

Remember all the bounces Iowa got in 2004? They didn't get them in 2005, and a lot of that had to with the massive amount of turnover on the line and in the secondary.

 

[Doublewide]

Iowa was two field goals away from a second conference championship. We as fans might consider 2005 to be a letdown, but Kirk himself has said publicly many times that he doesn't consider that year to be a disappointment.

Remember all the bounces Iowa got in 2004? They didn't get them in 2005, and a lot of that had to with the massive amount of turnover on the line and in the secondary.

How were the bounces at the Field of Dreams...... Fat boy.

 

[bucksnducks]

Anyone who thinks 9-3 is ok must be under 20 years old. I am 43. Embrace this publicity!!! We are loaded with talent at the defense and offense. This is going to be a very special year. I think an 11-1 year. But why not 12-0??? Health is the issue. IF everyone remains healthy, than there is no reason not to be 12-0. Hope for the best! I have seen the best and worst of Hawkeye football, and I can tell you that this years team is loaded with talent. Get on board!! 2 weeks!! YAY!!!

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

Anyone who thinks 9-3 is ok must be under 20 years old. I am 43. Embrace this publicity!!! We are loaded with talent at the defense and offense. This is going to be a very special year. I think an 11-1 year. But why not 12-0??? Health is the issue. IF everyone remains healthy, than there is no reason not to be 12-0. Hope for the best! I have seen the best and worst of Hawkeye football, and I can tell you that this years team is loaded with talent. Get on board!! 2 weeks!! YAY!!!

Iowa didn't exactly dominate last year. If not for some late game heroics the 2009 season could have been a very average season.
Uneven offensive play put a lot of pressure on the defense. So as for returning talent Iowa ranked 3rd in returning players in the B10. tOSU returned most of their critical players. As did MSU and Wisconsin. Iowa lost on the O line and at LB.

 

[DDHawkeye]

I put in bold a very important word.

Iowa has won 10+ games like 5 or 6 times in their history, we also have a chance to go 6-6. What happens if McNutt drops that pass at MSU, or Iowa doesn't block that 2nd FG against UNI, just those two plays could have resulted in an 8-4 season and a trip to Tampa and no one is talking about going 12-0 this year.

I want Iowa to go 12-0 as well, but I'm not setting myself up for the disappointment if and when they lose for the first time (I will be disappointed but not like some of you will be) when history tells me they are more likely to have an 8-4/9-3 season as compared to an 11-1 or 12-0.

So yeah I would sign up for 9-3 right now and not take the chance on 6-6 even though it could be 12-0/11-1.

Whammer is right. This makes no sense. Any loss would be a disappointment to me, and it should be a disappointment to every Iowa fan, so I don't see how people could be happy with a 9-3 season and trip to the Outback Bowl. When I look at every individual opponent we have this year I think to myself, "We can beat those guys." There is not a single team we play this year that I think, "Oh, they're too good and we can't win." If I think we can win, I expect us to win, and I will be disappointed if we don't. Sorry 'bout it.

Also, I love the preseason hype and I am going to get as excited as possible about this season, and when we go undefeated, I guarantee that I will be much happier than someone that is "not setting themselves up for disappointment." I think when you refuse to "set yourself up for disappointment," you won't/can't let loose and enjoy the victories as much.

 

[DDHawkeye]

9-3 is fun and respectable, but also very achievable. 12-0 is special. 12-0 is territory we haven't been to. So if I have a 25% chance to have the season of a lifetime I'm taking it.

CORRECT ANSWER!