Is there a better time?

[hawkfan1319]

Or scenario for us to finally make a run and win the Big 10? Pre season player of the year is lost from the team that was the favorite to win the conference. We have a cake walk schedule. Pretty good amount of returning depth and talent.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

There is never a "better time", there are only different "odds" from year to year

I HATE what the injury does for Braxton Miller's season/career. I could not care less what it does for Urban Meyer and O$U.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

And with that said above, we could also feel the injury "bug" at any given time and feel its devastating effect(s) (see "2012 PSU@Iowa")

 

[ShadasRevenge]

Not really, no. The season will hopefully come down to the last two weeks, and both of those games are at Kinnick. If they don't do it now, they might not get another shot while Ferentz is running the show.

 

[NCHawker]

need a vastly improved passing game folks

 

[Hawk1960]

The stars are aligned. I like our chances.

 

[hwks1]

need a vastly improved passing game folks

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[mopkins]

@Pitt and @Maryland will decide the season...IMO

 

[NCHawker]

@Pitt and @Maryland will decide the season...IMO

I plan to go see the Maryland game.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

I don't think you can underestimate the value of our starting QB. At the beginning of the day and the end of the day, the QB is the one that needs to make the plays that put your team in a championship position. If Rudock is accurate, makes good decisions, and shows he can stretch the field with some deep throws, this offense will be tough to stop. If you look at the games we won last year, more often than not, he was making the throws, runs, or decisions that got us wins in those games. Minnesota, he made plays with his legs to extend drives, Northwestern, the throw to CJ with a guy in his face...he made plays. Now, with more weapons, he needs to improve accuracy and make the throw when guys are open. If he's more consistent in the passing game, this offense takes a major step forward.

 

[NCHawker]

need a vastly improved passing game folks

And demonstrate the ability to run the ball against quality defenses.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

It's funny how the pundits all label it an "easy" schedule. A deeper analysis reveals plenty of potential pitfalls.

@ Pitt - first road game, right after cross-state rivalry game, against a team that probably hasn't forgotten the game they let get away in 2011

@ Maryland - first time in a new stadium. Maryland is no slouch club, and they'll feel they have something to prove in every B1G game this year. They play Ohio State...then have 2 weeks to prepare for us.

@ Minnesota - The Goophs always seem to be "up" for IOWA. And this should be the best team Kill has fielded. They also get us after a week off to prepare.

These are all tough road games. Throw in the fact that 4 other teams play us after their bye week and it's no cakewalk.

But I think this team could have a special season.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

I think this is Iowa's best chance to make it to Indy. But this is the Hawkeye's we are talking about. And until they show that they have that killer instinct that is needed in the fourth quarter to win games, nothing is certain.

As much as most of us hate Ohio State and other marquis programs, there are times when those guys will buckle down in the second half of a game and show why they are the Ohio State etc. It's not only the coming from behind to win, it's playing a bad first half and coming out in the second half of a game and showing the world who is the best team.
The last time I remember Iowa having that kind of power was in early 2000's. I would love to see Iowa win 13 or more games this year. I don't see that kind of power with these group.

 

[NCHawker]

Bullock, should sit. He has not done much of anything in 2years. Id rather see a 3 back rotation

 

[g11]

we'll know all we need to know when the Pitt game rolls around, o-line and d-line should dominate most of the games this year if they stay healthy

 

[guffus]

2015?

Iowa will have exact same schedule with home and away reversed. Going back to a single bye week but that works better.

Rudock and Beathard will be older.

The LB and secondary will be older. This will be key.

Canzeri, Duzey, Willies will be older.

So no pressure in 2014. 2015 is really the year when it all happens.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

This is they year, no better chance than now

 

[ibahawkeye]

I'm on board with no better time than now. But when it comes to football... there is so much luck involved with injuries, turnovers, big plays and of course special team plays.

 

[JHHawk]

2015?

Iowa will have exact same schedule with home and away reversed. Going back to a single bye week but that works better.

Rudock and Beathard will be older.

The LB and secondary will be older. This will be key.

Canzeri, Duzey, Willies will be older.

So no pressure in 2014. 2015 is really the year when it all happens.

Losing Donnal, Scherf Davis and LTP will hurt Iowa's chances next year...should still be good, but not as good as this team, this season. These 4 are experienced tough guys in the trenches, which will be hard to replace. This year is our best shot at making it to Indy since the advent of the title game concept. We could do it, but no guarantees, as usual with Iowa football.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

Losing Donnal, Scherf Davis and LTP will hurt Iowa's chances next year...should still be good, but not as good as this team, this season. These 4 are experienced tough guys in the trenches, which will be hard to replace. This year is our best shot at making it to Indy since the advent of the title game concept. We could do it, but no guarantees, as usual with Iowa football.

I agree. Best shot this year. Scherff, Davis, LTP, donnal, Weismann, all gone next year.