Maybe there's a snowballs chance KF lets Woods bust out a trick play on special teams? I'll be interested to see how the first quarter goes. Do they give us a reason to watch most of the game or should we rake our lawns?
If, on the 1% chance Iowa can somehow beat OSU in the Shoe,
- Thread starter NorthKCHawk
- Start date
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
While I have already stated that college games with large spreads are usually a terrible bet, if you forced me to put good money down I would take Iowa to cover. That is a lot of points for a pretty good defense. Iowa is generally pretty good at getting other teams to play down to its level. We shall see.
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
Fine, but if Iowa were to somehow turn this shit around (i wouldn't bet on it), it will likely be because the offense has performed better which would then lend a longer leash. That's what makes the world go around. Perform, you're good, don't, well now we need to look at another route. Produce, it's a bottom line business. We won't fire Brian regardless but I'm sure the old man can find a soft landing place for him as a position coach in the NFL. Personally, I would prefer success for the team I follow and I don't think I could "wish" or hope we don't win a game because I really want rid of 1 person, a person that's being castrated by his boss. If Kirk were to hire a new OC, that next OC will be worst, bank on it.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
I agreed with this post 100% until the last sentence. I don't think the next OC would be worse because that is not statistically possible, but I do believe he will be bad unless KF hires someone good and lets them actually innovate the offense. I don't believe that KF will. So.....
Still want the Hawks to shock the world on Saturday. Go Hawks!
Fryowa
Administrator
I see both sides. I’m not hoping for a loss. I’m more knowing we’re gonna lose anyway, and not mad about it. I just think if the Hawks won it’d give Brian some cred in his mind and prolong him from leaving. I really do think he’s a bad thing for this program short and long term. I’m a KF fan for the most part, but he really screwed the pooch by hiring Brian. This offense has already hurt retention with guys jumping ship and it’s going to really hurt recruiting bad pretty soon. Once that happens you’re on a thin sheet of ice between being Iowa and Northwestern and I don’t want to see that happen.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
This is a better way to say it and I generally agree with where you are at. I hope that Iowa wins but I see the long term benefit if, as expected, Iowa scores 3 points on offense.
I do find it hard to believe that if it was 20-20 with three seconds to go and Iowa was kicking a field goal that Fry would be rooting for a miss.
Fryowa
Administrator
What I’m really hoping for if we lose is this…This is a better way to say it and I generally agree with where you are at. I hope that Iowa wins but I see the long term benefit if, as expected, Iowa scores 3 points on offense.
I do find it hard to believe that if it was 20-20 with three seconds to go and Iowa was kicking a field goal that Fry would be rooting for a miss.
13-0 Ohio State with 3 or 4 punts by Taylor inside the OSU 10 yd line.
In that scenario Phil Parker gets accolades from local and national media for holding an offensive juggernaut to 13 points and Brian gets even more pressure applied for not being able to take advantage of Phil’s defensive masterpiece and give the Hawks the first win in Columbus since Christ was a cowboy.
It's the 'two steps back to be able to take a step forward' line of thinking. Only hindsight can ever answer which way ends up being better. It'll be interesting to see how season plays out. Feels like coaches are nailed down to playing Petras with next to no changes going on for the duration. 6 wins seems like the ceiling to me and that might be pushing it. What would it take for BF to step away/get pushed out by Daddy? Seems like an act of congress
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
6 wins or less should do the trick.
They haven't been forced into a situation like that in a long time, which makes it hard to demand change and frankly, makes it hard for Kirk to think they need it.
I think part of what frustrates folks is KF and BF don't seem to have the same urgency/give a shit attitude that some fans have. They seem content to have a down year. Checks are cashing the same for them either way I suppose.
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
I only say that last part because, this is KF's offense, who ever they replace Brian with, will likely not have the trust built up that Kirk's had comfort with that Brian brings. They will also not hire likely anyone who's an up and comer or someone who's innovative because those guys don't want to come to Iowa, where no matter who's in the OC slot is the scapegoat for everything that is wrong with the program. IMO, this is the bed Iowa made, the best option is for shit to get better.
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
Personally, I see why you would say that. People are questioning things after a 3-3 start and a 3-4 start looming. The coaching staff are all on the defensive because they are having to answer for it. They are relying on their body of work as a coaching staff to say "we kind of know what we're doing here, look at what we've done". - I get it. It's very difficult to have every season go your way all the time. To get the bounces. Up until this year, Iowa has had an uptick in winning the past several seasons. I don't think there's a way that we could have a more invested coaching staff that cares more about Iowa having success then the guys we have. The Ferentz's live, eat and breath Iowa football. They've coached there, played there, they go there every day. I get why people are frustrated and why it seems like they don't care but I also know it's hard to make wholesale changes in season and Iowa's line is facing attrition and recruiting misses. They didn't address WR in the offseason and that gamble is also baring fruit.
kicker22
Well-Known Member
No I don't believe one game will actually change anything. But we all know that wins in this program solidify the mentality that there is nothing wrong. We also know that KF's gone on record reminding everyone that he won 10 games last year despite our offense. So to answer your question, no, one game won't matter, but losing and losses piling up does. I believe that KF only sees wins and losses and prides himself on winning seasons, which any coach would/should. So your absolutely right, but at the same time, don't you think that somehow pulling off the upset with our offense isn't going to solidify Brian's position even more at OC?
-While not "content", I am accepting of a down year. It is going to happen. And it sucks. It's better for my blood pressure to be accepting of it. Alabama just lost to TN. LSU scares few these days. OSU doesn't even win the conference every year. Nebraska, 'nuff said.
-I think this team is actually capable of winning this game. Extremely unlikely, but capable. Because the defense is THAT good. Tory Taylor is THAT good. A slew of turnovers. A couple good field position flips. And Petras has a good day. A few missed tackles from OSU. Brian somehow finds something. He's done it before.
-Kirk's loyalty can be a bit of a boat anchor. But, mix in the nepotism and it becomes a boat anchor chained to the Titanic right after it Netflixxed and chilled with the iceberg. That's infuriating.
-I believe that Kirk can right the ship in ensuing seasons and the o-line will be more than sophomores and non multi-year senior starters.
-I also believe Brian Ferentz will not be the offensive coordinator next year whether Kirk wants him to or not.
But, ask me again in like 3 weeks.
-I think this team is actually capable of winning this game. Extremely unlikely, but capable. Because the defense is THAT good. Tory Taylor is THAT good. A slew of turnovers. A couple good field position flips. And Petras has a good day. A few missed tackles from OSU. Brian somehow finds something. He's done it before.
-Kirk's loyalty can be a bit of a boat anchor. But, mix in the nepotism and it becomes a boat anchor chained to the Titanic right after it Netflixxed and chilled with the iceberg. That's infuriating.
-I believe that Kirk can right the ship in ensuing seasons and the o-line will be more than sophomores and non multi-year senior starters.
-I also believe Brian Ferentz will not be the offensive coordinator next year whether Kirk wants him to or not.
But, ask me again in like 3 weeks.
This Ohio St game is the first game since probably late 90's where I feel Iowa has zero chance to win and zero chance to even keep it respectable (although I'm hoping I'm wrong).
I keep trying to convince myself that Iowa has pulled off major upsets before (08 vs PSU, 16 vs Mich, 17 vs OSU). But all 3 of those were at home. And all three of those had offenses with a lot of NFL/all Big Ten talent. Petras is not Stanzi, Beathard or even Stanley. None of the OL are Wirfs, Bulaga, Reiff, or James Daniels. RB's/Wr's are not Shonn Greene, DJK, McNutt, Akrum Wadley etc. And while LaPorta is good, he's not Hockensen, Fant, Kittle or even Moeaki.
So I just can't see this not being a 54-6 type game, and the six coming from the defense maybe getting a turnover to give the Offense a short field a couple of times, or maybe they'll have some success once Ohio State puts in the 3rd string defense.
I keep trying to convince myself that Iowa has pulled off major upsets before (08 vs PSU, 16 vs Mich, 17 vs OSU). But all 3 of those were at home. And all three of those had offenses with a lot of NFL/all Big Ten talent. Petras is not Stanzi, Beathard or even Stanley. None of the OL are Wirfs, Bulaga, Reiff, or James Daniels. RB's/Wr's are not Shonn Greene, DJK, McNutt, Akrum Wadley etc. And while LaPorta is good, he's not Hockensen, Fant, Kittle or even Moeaki.
So I just can't see this not being a 54-6 type game, and the six coming from the defense maybe getting a turnover to give the Offense a short field a couple of times, or maybe they'll have some success once Ohio State puts in the 3rd string defense.
kicker22
Well-Known Member
I don't disagree with anything you said here, and I see the argument, but what makes you "bank on" the fact that our next OC would be worse then BF? My biggest problem with BF is he was thrust into a position he had absolutely no experience in, so I guess my question is what would arguably make him any "better" then his potential suitor? I guess I'm confused by what body of work BF has put together to make such a statement.
I agree that it's ultimately KF running the show, but I think we all see the writing on the wall that if KF were to pull BF from the reigns and demote him he'd remain on staff and most likely take the Oline spot back, so I couldn't see KF bringing in a new OC with nothing going for him. I'd actually almost think the opposite based on the premise that if it gets to the point BF would get demoted it'd almost take a miracle to get him a position anywhere else unless he were put in a position where he looked good and I don't know if that would happen with a worse hire then what we have now.
kicker22
Well-Known Member
I agree with you that the defense and special teams are "THAT good" that's why IMO something has to change sooner then later because over time the defense and special teams could fall victim to the offensive struggles and if we lose one of those two legs that are currently the only think keeping us above water we're f'd.
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
I feel confident in a couple of things. KF hiring a better OC and allowing/setting them up for success isn't one of them. If it's Kirk making the hire, I am confident the next OC will be worse for Iowa football. What OC worth a shit that isn't in the swan song of their career wants to come to Iowa? Not one that wants to go anywhere worth while. Once you've coached OC under Kirk, you're almost unhireable at that position again. Plus, there's a time factor here too. How long will it take to install? What kind of learning curve? Do we recruit differently? What does that do with a program this far into it's tenure? Will Kirk be all in? I have my doubts there to say the least. I am not confident about much, but 23 years in as an observer, I feel good about my opinion here.
Iowa is where the OC gets all the blame regardless of who it is, you have a head coach that neuters what you can and can't do and it's a pretty hopeless spot on the staff. Who has been the scapegoat at Iowa every year that Kirk's been here? The OC - doesn't matter if he's the HC's kid or not. IMO, things getting better for Brian is the quickest way back to winning 75% of our games as soon as humanly possible. That's what I want as a fan, to win
Fryowa
Administrator
No. If Iowa goes 4-8 this year which is pretty likely, then I think BF starts to at least look at options for a job somewhere else that wouldn’t hurt his and Kurt’s pride (like being demoted or asked to leave would).
If Iowa goes 5-7 with a win over OSU and all the uproar that goes with it, Brian gets a big head and decides maybe he deserves the spot he’s been given.
That’s a huge fucking problem.
The program is bigger than one season, or one given team or class of players. Anything that leads to BF sticking around longer—however small—is bad for this program going forward.
Brian is literally the Colton Rastetter of OCs but there’s no graduation in sight to stop the bleeding. This is more bonkers than any Twilight Zone episode.
