I hate losses too, but....

[JonDMiller]

...it happens..its more frustrating when you think more could have been done.

After watching the game again, I saw a lot more missed plays than I did live, or rather, more evidence of lack of execution that hurt this team...then again, you may argue that the style of offense Iowa chose to run and when it chose it could have contributed to that.

This year is likely going to be up and down...doubting we see consistency.

It is a rebuilding year, something most everyone acknowledged before the season.

I looked up a couple other teams...

Counting the 2010 season and the portion of this season that is in the books, Iowa and the Florida Gators have seven losses (Florida has one more win and has played one more game so far this year than Iowa). Texas has eight losses. Texas missed a bowl game last year and finished 5-7.

I guess other programs (and better programs) have rebuilding years too. It doesn't make the losses feel any better, though.

 

[cobri66]

Texas rebuilding with 5* talent across the board..our expectations have got out of hand..It sucks to lose a game but people seemed shocked whenever we lose..like you said before..the other team has a say..They executed better than us..it happens

 

[jameskalina]

Even the best of programs goes through a lean year every now and then. I don't think any program is immune to a losing season.

Ohio State may experience a losing season this year (already three losses).

I don't see the Hawks having a losing season this year. If Iowa cannot win three more games, baring a serious rash of injuries to several key players, then there is something very wrong with the Iowa program.

 

[goods10]

If the Texas' and Florida's of the world go through a rough year from time to time with 5* talent how is it realistic that Iowa won't have the same thing happen to them when we get mainly 3* talent and depend a lot on development?

 

[cobri66]

If the Texas' and Florida's of the world go through a rough year from time to time with 5* talent how is it realistic that Iowa won't have the same thing happen to them when we get mainly 3* talent and depend a lot on development?

+1

 

[FalseMirage]

You mean the glass isn't really half-empty?

 

[aeischeid]

...it happens..its more frustrating when you think more could have been done.

After watching the game again, I saw a lot more missed plays than I did live, or rather, more evidence of lack of execution that hurt this team...then again, you may argue that the style of offense Iowa chose to run and when it chose it could have contributed to that.

This year is likely going to be up and down...doubting we see consistency.

It is a rebuilding year, something most everyone acknowledged before the season.

I looked up a couple other teams...

Counting the 2010 season and the portion of this season that is in the books, Iowa and the Florida Gators have seven losses (Florida has one more win and has played one more game so far this year than Iowa). Texas has eight losses. Texas missed a bowl game last year and finished 5-7.

I guess other programs (and better programs) have rebuilding years too. It doesn't make the losses feel any better, though.

Emphasis on the bold.... One thing leads to another. Some are calling out the team as just plain horrible. Not true. Too easy of an excuse for me.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

I too wish we were BCS year in and year out but it is very very hard to do. Don't you think the Michigan fans want BCS games? Florida State? Penn State? Dont you think Auburn fans want another title? Florida? Those are some pretty good programs historically. Everyone wants to win, not everyone can year in and year out. Take our good years when we have them, try not to blame when we aren't as good as you want us to be.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

I'll say that I obviously overestimated this Iowa team before the season started, but I DID realize that this year's team wouldn't have the same talent and/or experience that last year's team did.

Regarding Texas and Florida - Florida is in transition mode right now with a recent coaching change. I can't say I'm surprised to see them down a little bit. But they have won two national titles in the past 5 years, and have been mostly pretty dominant the past 20 years or so.

Texas, they've played in two national title games the last 6 years, winning one. They've been in, and won, multiple BCS games. Until last year, they hadn't won fewer than 10 games since 2000, where they won 9. In fact, they'd won at least 9 going back to 1998.

I agree that this year can accurately be labeled a rebuilding year. I just think that Iowa fans would have a much easier time accepting it if last year wasn't such a disappointment.

 

[AFAcademyHawk]

Losses are awful, and I hope the coaching staff and players treats this game as an learning opportunity. Their was plenty of poor execution and planning yesterday.

That being said, this year was going to be frustrating not just because it's a rebuilding year, but because it's a year where there's not really anyone on our schedule who Hawk fans feel like, if the team plays good football, we can beat. The schedule set up nicely for plenty of wins--or plenty of losses.

I think we'll probably have at least another game or two like Penn State and ISU--where we, as fans, are quick to criticize all the (in hindsight) bad coaching decisions and bad execution by the players. However, I think Iowa has a game or two like Pitt as well, where for some reason the chips fall in our favor and Iowa wins.

Northwestern is a big one. They've had our number, they're a division opponent, it's the Big Ten home opener ... There's no reason Iowa shouldn't move the ball against this team. And this defense really does appear to be more suited up to match up against spread teams than traditional power football teams.

I think Iowa wins 24-21. Then I get to go to Kinnick the next week to watch them beat up on Indiana .

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

Look at some of these historically good programs recent history, Georgia (coach in hot hot seat), Michigan (down for many years), Florida State (last BCS game?), Penn State (down for a long time), Miami (last dominant team), USC (not too good last year), Nebraska (loss to wash in bowl), Notre Dame (last BCS win?), on and on

all good programs that probably have fan bases that think they should win every year.

 

[hwks1]

...it happens..I looked up a couple other teams...

Counting the 2010 season and the portion of this season that is in the books, Iowa and the Florida Gators have seven losses (Florida has one more win and has played one more game so far this year than Iowa). Texas has eight losses. Texas missed a bowl game last year and finished 5-7.

I guess other programs (and better programs) have rebuilding years too. It doesn't make the losses feel any better, though.

This is a lousy comparison considering that both Florida and Texas have won Natl Championships over the last 5-6 years! Heck I would take a 'rebuilding year' now again with a couple Natl Champs mixed in there. Even a "quote" good KF team won't challenge for a NC because HE loses because of his PHILOSOPHY to teams every year he should not lose to.

KF produces average-good teams that get lucky now and again if the other team fails to execute. Rarely does a KF team go out and take anything for themselves. That I think is the root of frustration with the program.

 

[cf84]

I'm going to say people wouldn't be as upset if we had lost 31-21, for example. It's HOW we lost. Terribly boring game, no spark on offense whatsoever.

 

[BSpringsteen]

I'd take a year or two of rebuilding two if we were playing for a national championships or conference championships basically every year prior to that.

Jon - telling us that close is enough is not the li'l ole Iowa theory that you seem to not only agree with but embrace.

 

[treychase]

I keep hearing all this blabber about what style Iowa ran yesterday.
Its nonsense, complete and utter nonsense.
A complete disregard for reality.

When this vaunted no huddle was used, Iowa generated what exactly?
1 drive worth a crap for 3 pts, aided by a penalty IIRC.

Everyone has now seen Iowa's vaunted no huddle & I have news for you, it doesn't scare anyone. Jam the receivers, blitz the backers and play 2 deep safeties.

I'll go on record saying that any game(s) Iowa wins from here out this season, it will be because they run the ball better than they have, not because of this vaunted no huddle 311 package that people are enamored with.

NW is gonna blitz the crap out of Iowa, stack the box, because they always do and it always works.

 

[HawkeyeMike23]

...it happens..its more frustrating when you think more could have been done.

After watching the game again, I saw a lot more missed plays than I did live, or rather, more evidence of lack of execution that hurt this team...then again, you may argue that the style of offense Iowa chose to run and when it chose it could have contributed to that.

This year is likely going to be up and down...doubting we see consistency.

It is a rebuilding year, something most everyone acknowledged before the season.

I looked up a couple other teams...

Counting the 2010 season and the portion of this season that is in the books, Iowa and the Florida Gators have seven losses (Florida has one more win and has played one more game so far this year than Iowa). Texas has eight losses. Texas missed a bowl game last year and finished 5-7.

I guess other programs (and better programs) have rebuilding years too. It doesn't make the losses feel any better, though.

2010 was supposed to be rebuilding years for Florida and Texas, they were losing two of the greatest college QBs ever. 2010 was supposed to be Iowa's year to finally move to the next level. And instead we flopped hard. But if we want to aim for 7 or 8 wins every year then I think we have the right coach. I really think Ferentz doesn't mind close losses, I'm glad the stupid "haven't lost a game by more than 7 points in however many years" streak is over.

 

[DuffMan]

2010 was supposed to be rebuilding years for Florida and Texas, they were losing two of the greatest college QBs ever. 2010 was supposed to be Iowa's year to finally move to the next level. And instead we flopped hard. But if we want to aim for 7 or 8 wins every year then I think we have the right coach. I really think Ferentz doesn't mind close losses, I'm glad the stupid "haven't lost a game by more than 7 points in however many years" streak is over.

If you truly believe this you might be the dumbest mother****er on the face of the earth.

 

[CGHawk]

I am just confused about this team. I really thought Coker was going to be something special... and maybe he is, but he isn't having a very impressive year and that isn't entirely his fault.

I think our offensive play calling is just too predictable. I remember at one point in the game yesterday we had the ball and it was 2nd and 1. I sat there and said "now is the time to pull off a play action pass and take the top off the defense." Hit McNutt deep and at least take a chance, because maybe we can catch them off guard and get a huge gain. If the pass falls incomplete... we have a 3rd and 1(which we should be able to get).
Instead we call a run play for no gain, because they were ready for it. They expected the run. It was a wasted play. Then we did a little QB sneak and got the first down the next play.
We have great receivers and a talented QB capable of making throws. Why not call the play action and take a shot deep? I think JVB is capable of placing the ball so that only our WR can catch it.

I didn't expect an undefeated season, but it is frustrating when I feel like the coaches aren't willing to adapt to give us the best chance of winning. We can't rely on our defense to get a crazy pick six or our special teams to block a punt and return it for TD this year... We need to take some chances and take some risks to put up points on offense. Why not try a 50 yard FG? If we miss... they still won't have great field position. If we make it? We get 3 more points and some momentum. We did nothing to take the crowd out of the game and when you are playing on the road at a place like Happy Valley... You need to do that to win.

I'm not saying we should fire the coaching staff, but I think the coaching staff needs to step it up a little bit. Their job is to come up with a gameplan to win and adapt when something isn't working.

Having said all of that... I still think we have a chance of getting the championship game. We just need to adjust our strategy and execute. This loss isn't all on the coaches, but it isn't all on the players either. I truly believe we are a better team than how we've been playing.

 

[SeattleHawkeye]

This is a lousy comparison considering that both Florida and Texas have won Natl Championships over the last 5-6 years! Heck I would take a 'rebuilding year' now again with a couple Natl Champs mixed in there. Even a "quote" good KF team won't challenge for a NC because HE loses because of his PHILOSOPHY to teams every year he should not lose to.

KF produces average-good teams that get lucky now and again if the other team fails to execute. Rarely does a KF team go out and take anything for themselves. That I think is the root of frustration with the program.

I'd take a year or two of rebuilding two if we were playing for a national championships or conference championships basically every year prior to that.

Jon - telling us that close is enough is not the li'l ole Iowa theory that you seem to not only agree with but embrace.

+1 to both of these. And remember, b/c it's Northwestern week, "It's about the macro," right Jon? In your post yesterday you commented about writing multiple times re scheme v. execution and their relationship. Could you please refresh my memory re your stance on that?

 

[CoeHawks3]

KF really does hate losing and I don't think anyone can dispute it. Who doesn't?

However, what I think people can dispute is to how he responds to said losing. I think he views our losses as just something that happens, not really as a problem or something we need to adjust for. He really needs to look at games like NW, which we have lost a good number of lately, and say, "We simply can't lose this game this year and I will make every adjustment possible to make sure we don't, regardless of my philosophy."

I'm not claiming he needs to change his philosophy for every particular game because it's not always necessary. We can probably win half of our games by relying on the KF way, execution and letting the other team beat itself.

But what he does need to consider is that his way will not always work against every team and that a different game plan may be the best way to go to give us the best chance to win.