I wouldn't make bowl travel plans just yet

[Jonrn]

I hope it is proven wrong in a major way, but this team has the tell tale signs of Kirk's teams that wind up with a major letdown. Senior QB. Dogshit o-line. Marginal running attack. Marginal TE usage in the passing game.

Senior Drew Tate: 6-7
Senior Rick Stanzi: 8-5
Senior JVB: 4-8
Senior Beathard: 8-5 (lost to North Dakota State)

The PSU game will be the inflection point. If the defense keeps it close and we get another gag job out of the offense, I think the wheels come off the bus. And it will be just like 2010 where you can see the specific moment it happens. It will be a reasonably close game and the offense will have 3 or 4 straight three and outs and the defense will finally collapse and the team will just shit the bed for the rest of the year.

I’m afraid to admit you are on to something here. I have a nagging feeling you are correct. This season will hinge on next week. Two losses in a row will knock this team for a loop. When an Iowa team wobbles, losses to Wisconsin, northwestern, Minnesota and Nebraska seem ikely. If this penn state game goes badly, we are looking at 7-5 in the face and a trip to the pinstripe bowl.

However if Iowa can rally against penn state, they should have momentum to beat Purdue and NW and take a 7-1 record to Madison and their defense will keep them in that game. I’d say if they win this weekend 9-3 is in the cards with a loss at Wisconsin and a random stumble somewhere else. 9-3 goes to the citrus

 

[guffus]

Iowa went from 6-1 to 6-4 in 2018 and they did not fall apart. They closed ranks and finished by blowing out ILL and winning close games against Neb and Miss St.

Just don't worry about it. Iowa will finish 8-4 like they always do.

 

[Fryowa]

Iowa went from 6-1 to 6-4 in 2018 and they did not fall apart. They closed ranks and finished by blowing out ILL and winning close games against Neb and Miss St.

Just don't worry about it. Iowa will finish 8-4 like they always do.

Technically it's a little under 7.5, but...

 

[Fryowa]

Well, it would negate 8 sacks...at the least...

You think our OL got violated with no lube last week, wait till Penn State finds out we won't pass the ball even once.

 

[revkev73]

You think our OL got violated with no lube last week, wait till Penn State finds out we won't pass the ball even once.

Perhaps our offensive line isn't as good as the discussions about them have led us to believe.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Iowa went from 6-1 to 6-4 in 2018 and they did not fall apart. They closed ranks and finished by blowing out ILL and winning close games against Neb and Miss St.

Just don't worry about it. Iowa will finish 8-4 like they always do.

Illinois was terrible and provided a helluva slumpbuster. Nebraska was awful and we needed late game heroics to win by a FG. At home. This ball club ain't winning at Nebraska this year. We drew a great bowl matchup because MSU's QB had worse accuracy than Tommy Armpunt, but if that would have been against a team with even a marginal passing QB, we'd have lost by 3 TDs.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Perhaps our offensive line isn't as good as the discussions about them have led us to believe.

They could individually all be NFL talents but it wouldn't matter because it is clear that assignments are completely unknown once the ball is snapped. It's been that way bince the BF got his promotion. We excused it a few years ago because Wirfs and Jackson were freshmen, but the middle of that line has been dismal against any sort of disguised pressure for 3 years, including when we had Daniels in there.

 

[revkev73]

They could individually all be NFL talents but it wouldn't matter because it is clear that assignments are completely unknown once the ball is snapped. It's been that way bince the BF got his promotion. We excused it a few years ago because Wirfs and Jackson were freshmen, but the middle of that line has been dismal against any sort of disguised pressure for 3 years, including when we had Daniels in there.

The tried and true "Rope a Dope" strategy to hamstring the Iowa offense.

 

[Xerxes]

I’m afraid to admit you are on to something here. I have a nagging feeling you are correct. This season will hinge on next week. Two losses in a row will knock this team for a loop. When an Iowa team wobbles, losses to Wisconsin, northwestern, Minnesota and Nebraska seem ikely. If this penn state game goes badly, we are looking at 7-5 in the face and a trip to the pinstripe bowl.

However if Iowa can rally against penn state, they should have momentum to beat Purdue and NW and take a 7-1 record to Madison and their defense will keep them in that game. I’d say if they win this weekend 9-3 is in the cards with a loss at Wisconsin and a random stumble somewhere else. 9-3 goes to the citrus

How does that saying go? 6 of one, half dozen of the other?

 

[Fryowa]

They could individually all be NFL talents but it wouldn't matter because it is clear that assignments are completely unknown once the ball is snapped. It's been that way bince the BF got his promotion. We excused it a few years ago because Wirfs and Jackson were freshmen, but the middle of that line has been dismal against any sort of disguised pressure for 3 years, including when we had Daniels in there.

Polasek being a flop cannot be overlooked. How that 5'9" humpty dumpty looking meatloaf with a temper problem got hired at a P5 program after an illustrious career quarterbacking at an NAIA school is fucking beyond me.

In today's age of OL specialization there is zero way anyone should be coaching an offensive line without having played on one themselves at a collegiate level. Joe Rudolph at Wisconsin probably fell out of his chair laughing when he heard daddy 'Rentz hired that wet cat.

I've had the misfortune to be seated behind the bench at 2 conference games and 2 spring games listening to that mongoloidian F go berserk on players, dropping F-bombs right in front of six year olds, hauling players around by face masks, and just generally being a huge steamy piece of shit. That stuff gets overlooked if produce results, but he doesn't, and I guarantee you he isn't respected by players. Watching them talk after Polasek's Napoleon complex meltdowns you can clearly see they think he's a douche, regardless of what they say publicly.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Polasek being a flop cannot be overlooked. How that 5'9" humpty dumpty looking meatloaf with a temper problem got hired at a P5 program after an illustrious career quarterbacking at an NAIA school is fucking beyond me.

In today's age of OL specialization there is zero way anyone should be coaching an offensive line without having played on one themselves at a collegiate level. Joe Rudolph at Wisconsin probably fell out of his chair laughing when he heard daddy 'Rentz hired that wet cat.

I've had the misfortune to be seated behind the bench at 2 conference games and 2 spring games listening to that mongoloid F go berserk on players, dropping F-bombs right in front of six year olds, hauling players around by face masks, and just generally being a huge steamy piece of shit. That stuff gets overlooked if produce results, but he doesn't, and I guarantee you he isn't respected by players. Watching them talk after Polasek's Napoleon complex meltdowns you can clearly see they think he's a douche, regardless of what they say publicly.

You wanna know why Wisconsin is the undisputed king of the division? Look no further than this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Markuson

He got two games as o-line coach and was fired after a turd of a game against Oregon State in 2012. Big Papa Barry knows how to be a steward of his football program and he knows incompetence when he sees it. GarBar doesn't get it and will defer to Kirk. That o-line coach from Iowa should have been fired after the end of 2017. The turds he dropped against Purdue, NU and Wisconsin were inexcusable. And they just keep coming.

 

[PlatypusMessiah]

I think we have about a 33% shot at 7 wins, 33% shot at 6 wins and 33% at 5 wins. 1% chance we surprise to the upside.

.

I got some bucks to put up at 100 to 1 on Iowa getting to a least 8 wins.

 

[hawkeyes87]

if Iowa can rally against penn state, they should have momentum to beat Purdue and NW and take a 7-1 record to Madison and their defense will keep them in that game.

Absolutely.

Just like they did after thumping #3 OSU in '17?

They were so fired up and full of momentum they got crushed by WIS (piling up 66 yards! woosh!)

Then came back to Kinnick to lose to (4-6) PU.

 

[hawkeyes87]

So, OP, relax. Iowa will be going to a bowl game at 5-7.

Unfortunately the 5-7 thing only kicks in if there aren't any more 6+ win teams.

There isn't a "Toilet Bowl" just for those "win-challenged" teams.

 

[N8theGr8]

You wanna know why Wisconsin is the undisputed king of the division? Look no further than this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Markuson

He got two games as o-line coach and was fired after a turd of a game against Oregon State in 2012. Big Papa Barry knows how to be a steward of his football program and he knows incompetence when he sees it. GarBar doesn't get it and will defer to Kirk. That o-line coach from Iowa should have been fired after the end of 2017. The turds he dropped against Purdue, NU and Wisconsin were inexcusable. And they just keep coming.

If the wheels fall off the bus this season with the absolute studs we have at tackle, the prodigy we have at center, and a rotation of upperclassmen at the guard spots, I agree we should absolutely move on from Polasek. Ferentz is classier and knows better than to fire a guy midseason though. Unless Kirk steps in and starts coaching the details himself, it's a downgrade. I personally think it was stupid for us to throw Jackson and a new OLine configuration yet again for the Michigan game. But overall, it's clear the guy isn't capable of teaching how to deal with stunts on the interior of the line. Our guys are athletic enough and smart enough to deal with everything else, as evidenced by how many get time in the NFL, which makes doubly clear the ineptitude of the coaching.

 

[NCHawker]

I know a lot of you are probably looking forward to some exotic trip to Dallas to watch the First Responder Bowl, but hang on before you buy tickets. We are going to get boat raced by PSU. There is a good chance this team lays down once that happens. I know we talk about the ISU game as their Super Bowl, but there are 5 teams in our division that are going to give us their Super Bowl performance (I won't even go into Wisconsin because that is a guaranteed L).

Purdue and Northwestern look like hot garbage in many respects, but their coaches have absolutely owned Ferentz and Co. Good chance we drop both of those in games that make you want to avert your eyes.

Minnesota is gonna hit us hard. They scored a ton against us last year and I ain't sure we're gonna be able to stop them. Fleck will smell blood in the water and view this game as pivotal if they want to be in the upper tier in the division. Super Bowl for them.

Illinois will throw everything they have at us but come up short.

'Braska wants this one bad. So bad. In Lincoln. Senior Day. Will see this as a pivotal game to determine whether they get a respectable bowl or the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit. Keeping Iowa at 5 wins and out of a bowl will give them extra incentive.

I think we have about a 33% shot at 7 wins, 33% shot at 6 wins and 33% at 5 wins. 1% chance we surprise to the upside.

Ultimately, what I've seen out of this run game does not bode well for the bad weather games. The WRs are decent, but they ain't gonna win us games once it gets cold and windy. I still think there is 2/3 chance we make a bowl, but my optimism is not high. This team has the same limitations on offense every BF team has had and any team with P5 caliber athletes who loads the box and pressures Stanley in passing situations will absolutely shut this offense down.

let me read that again, take it to heart, then feel this cool refreshing breeze of optimism wash over me. Suddenly the grass is greener, the sky is bluer, and sense that the possibilities are endless

 

[Jonrn]

Absolutely.

Just like they did after thumping #3 OSU in '17?

They were so fired up and full of momentum they got crushed by WIS (piling up 66 yards! woosh!)

Then came back to Kinnick to lose to (4-6) PU.

This Iowa team is way better than 2017, and in 2017 the badgers were miles ahead of purdue this year. Although nothing surprises me anymore, especially losses.

 

[Stanzi]

OP is full of poop. We'll get Minny and Purdue at home. Neither of those teams are very good.

Agreed. Purdue no longer has a 3 year starter at QB and will be without Rondale Moore.

 

[SteveGarvey1]

I know a lot of you are probably looking forward to some exotic trip to Dallas to watch the First Responder Bowl, but hang on before you buy tickets. We are going to get boat raced by PSU. There is a good chance this team lays down once that happens. I know we talk about the ISU game as their Super Bowl, but there are 5 teams in our division that are going to give us their Super Bowl performance (I won't even go into Wisconsin because that is a guaranteed L).

Purdue and Northwestern look like hot garbage in many respects, but their coaches have absolutely owned Ferentz and Co. Good chance we drop both of those in games that make you want to avert your eyes.

Minnesota is gonna hit us hard. They scored a ton against us last year and I ain't sure we're gonna be able to stop them. Fleck will smell blood in the water and view this game as pivotal if they want to be in the upper tier in the division. Super Bowl for them.

Illinois will throw everything they have at us but come up short.

'Braska wants this one bad. So bad. In Lincoln. Senior Day. Will see this as a pivotal game to determine whether they get a respectable bowl or the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit. Keeping Iowa at 5 wins and out of a bowl will give them extra incentive.

I think we have about a 33% shot at 7 wins, 33% shot at 6 wins and 33% at 5 wins. 1% chance we surprise to the upside.

Ultimately, what I've seen out of this run game does not bode well for the bad weather games. The WRs are decent, but they ain't gonna win us games once it gets cold and windy. I still think there is 2/3 chance we make a bowl, but my optimism is not high. This team has the same limitations on offense every BF team has had and any team with P5 caliber athletes who loads the box and pressures Stanley in passing situations will absolutely shut this offense down.

Iowa 31, Penn St. 24.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

Our D looked good, but Michigan's QB sucks, their RB is mediocre and Harbaugh seemed content to out-Ferentz Ferentz and just play field position once he saw how inept our offense was. I'm not convinced that we necessarily took Michigan's best shot on offense.

Whole Heartedly agree. I said so as much after the game. Iowa's defense played very well with what Michigan gave them, but I think Iowa Defensive problems were minimized with Michigan's conservative offense. Downfield problems will return with more pass happy teams.