The most annoying part about this message board (only one I visit) is that people ride way too much on emotion - the sky is falling and the program is going under when the Hawks lose, and it's the beginning of a return to glory when the Hawks win. Learn to roll with the ups and downs. They're going to happen, we just hope the downs are shorter and the ups are extended.
It's blatantly obvious Iowa is a much better team than it was a year ago, and I believe the coaching additions with some young blood (Brian Ferentz, Levar Woods, David Hernandez) have been positive.
There's also some visible upside on this team with young guys playing all over the field (Spearman even got a chance and showed some flashes today). I definitely have some frustrations, such as the offense's complete schizophrenia from the first quarter to the final three today, the lack of actual pressure we put on teams BOTH offensively and defensively, and today's end-of-game mismanagement where the Hawks basically killed the clock and ended up not even giving themselves a chance to win in regulation because they began killing it without being in field goal range. But, there is definitely signs of progress from this team.
Originally posted by imported_ankle23
... and many of these teams have more talent than does iowa (year in-year out).
This sort of cuts to the heart of my main issue with the Iowa program. I preface my comment by admitting that I understand Iowa will never reel in 4- and 5-star recruits on a consistent basis. But, in the year 2013, with a completely unbiased view, can we look at the Iowa Hawkeyes and say we have ANYONE on this team aside from Damon Powell (who plays 5 snaps a game) who is a threat to take it the distance any time they touch the ball?
Iowa has no explosion. None. Barely a threat of explosion.
And, I simply don't buy the 4- and 5-star argument nor the typical recruiting disadvantages argument in this case. There are plenty of explosive players who aren't in the Top 150 coming out of high school. We simply don't have explosive offensive threats who strike fear into opposing defenses. Wisconsin has at least three in their backfield. Northwestern has a couple. Northern Illinois has them. Would any of our WR start, or even play, for Indiana? Heck, even Iowa State has the Bundrage kid, who would be better than anything the Hawks have.
Teams in the same area of the country have these types of players, why don't we have any in black and gold?
And lastly ...
Originally posted by hwks1
$3.9 million breeds much contempt too
Get over it.
What are you gonna do when Fran McCaffery leaves for greener pastures because Iowa won't pony up multi-millions over a lengthy deal? You'll cry and complain.
You can't have it both ways.