You better read it again. Please do not put words in my mouth and tell me I'm saying Iowa fans should be happy with what they get. Never did I say that. Never. I'll capitalize the important words for you as you re-read what I wrote. Here it is …
Isn't Iowa pretty much doing that? Since Kirk got the program turned around in 2001, the Hawkeyes have had at least 7 wins in 9 of 12 seasons. The other three years were disappointing. Although, for me, I consider 2006 and 2007 more disappointing than this year only because of the 2005 recruiting class floundering so bad. I went into this year with cautious optimism, but I fully expected a rough season - I was only surprised by the fact that the offense is the side of the ball that made it so brutal.
The thing that means a lot to me is the fact that Iowa can win each and every time they play, no matter who they're playing. There's a stat out there about how many of Iowa's losses over the last 7-8 years are single digits. I'm not ambitious enough to look it up right now, but Iowa has generally had a chance to win the vast majority of games they've played during those years. That means something to me. However, it also leads into one of the two troubling/frustrating things with the Hawks.
1. They absolutely can't be screwing around with these mid-level teams anymore, i.e. Iowa State, Indiana, Northwestern, Minnesota, etc. That's my one complaint about Kirk Ferentz - his teams don't seem to have a killer instinct against inferior teams. They need to have a mindset of absolutely punishing those teams physically from start to finish. If you need to hang 50 on teams to make a statement, do it. Statements are impactful to potential recruits.
2. The physical "make-up" of Iowa's players. Anybody see the San Diego State vs. BYU game Thursday night? San Diego State's players just looked like bigger, stronger, more physical football players than the Hawkeyes are putting on the field right now. They looked like ball players. Iowa's guys don't right now. That's troubling. Our guys just look little.
Unfortunately, that's a tie-in to the limitations I referred to where Iowa simply doesn't have the advantage of recruiting from a high school football hotbed. HS football in the state of Iowa is pretty weak, meaning Iowa has to go into other schools' backyards more often than not, making recruiting a challenge. The case of Delano Hill is pretty telling. From all accounts, he loved Iowa, but he never had a Michigan offer until recently. He finally got one and he's staying at home to play college football. Melvin Gordon was a similar story.
According to rivals, Iowa has gotten two 5-star guys since 2002. That's 0.18 5-star guys a year. If not impossible, it's highly, highly improbable.
Glad we agree on that. Kirk's salary is such a weak argument.
If anything, I'm glad Iowa is willing to pay its coach. It gives hope that the Hawkeyes may do the same and get another high caliber coach in here when the time comes that Kirk is gone.
I get what you are saying to a point, I'm sorry but you original argument isn't as clear as you make it sound. Besides, why shouldn't people think Iowa SHOULD beat those schools, nothing wrong with it, it's their opinion and their right. If they want to continue to be homers so what. But let's move on, that is a pointless argument. I get the different between CAN and SHOULD. I think are missing that I agree with you. But you aren't going to change many peoples minds who don't agree with us.
In regards to the comment about losing in single digits since 2001, it was because of extremely strong defense, unfortunately that was lost with the retirement of NP. In the past two years that streak is getting worse, A LOT worse, that is a fact. It will probably continue until PP either figures out what he needs to do or he leaves and KF gets someone who knows how to build a strong defense.
The thing that is important to you is that Iowa CAN beat anyone they play, well this has gotten worse since 2010, they were still competing back then but you could tell that whole season Iowa wasn't very good and was heading down towards a rebuilding time. I mean look at all that talent they had in 2010 but couldn't do much with it. Just like in 2007, Iowa was loaded with talent and during their regular seasons they mustered an amazing 7-5 records, in those years the experts picked Iowa to win 10-11 games and even a dark horse contender for the NC both years and 7-5, that is depressing.
Ferentz doesn't believe in "statements" when it comes to points on the board and he doesn't want players who have that mentality either. He wants players who fit his system. Hard working, hard nosed, smart and professional on and off the field. I agree with you though they need to start doing those things or they will continue to lose to those lesser talented teams. I believe it does affect recruiting and will continue to do so as well.
I didn't watch the bowl game last night but I think recruiting has shifted in some areas, they want lighter WRs/DBs/LBs to be more athletic and faster because they can't get the top tier talent that can be huge and yet still fast/quick.
Delano Hill and Melvin Gordon were two get examples of their home-state school using their childhood team against Iowa. Plus Melvin Gordon had family and friends telling him daily that Iowa was the wrong choice for him. Well looks like they were right so far and it sucks. Delano did love Iowa and he had old teammates who he said "we are still really close" after his official visit. But didn't matter because good ole Michigan offered. This should be the reality check to the fans who think Iowa is a top tier program but those are getting fewer and fewer every year. As for the fans we were discussing the fans WANT Iowa to be a top tier program and they use his salary as a reason as to why Iowa SHOULD be, so since he can't do it, then he needs fired. You aren't going to change their minds.
Iowa had a 5* guy in 2005 according to rivals.
Dan Doering - Yahoo! Sports. But I get your point, their average is low, extremely low. My point was it isn't impossible. Well Dan Doering was troubled with injuries and he was rumored to be lazy in practice. Plus that year they had six 4*guys, freaking six! 2006 had 2 - 4*, 2007 had 5 - 4*, 2008 had 0, 2009 had 2, 2010 had 4 (two are gone already, transferred out), 2011 had 4 (1 didn't make it on campus), 2012 had 4, so far zero in the 2013 class.
In 2005 only 3 out of the 7 five star guys had any signficant affect on this team in a positive way. 2006 had Clayborn enough said there but Jeremiah Hunter had injuries and ups and downs and eventually quit in his SR year to focus on school plus being married and had two kids. 2007, had Bulaga 1st round draft pick. Bernstine had injury bug his whole career until SR year. Plus that year had Broderick Bins who had a good career, not great. Then Cedric Everson, Diauntae Morrow both didn't see the field much and eventually left. 2009 had Keenan Davis, good but not great career and then Wegher had great FR year and then quit team. 2010 had Marcus Coker and AJ Derby both transferred out. Andrew Donnal seeing time finally but then had season ending injury, CJF is playing and shows flashs but few and far between, his fault or scheme issues? 2011 had Austin Blythe who is going to be a starter his entire career if stays healthy. Rodney Coe didn't even make it to Iowa. Then Ray Hamilton who this season seemed to get passed up on on the field even though #2 on the depth chart. Jordan Walsh saw time but still seems to be learning system. Faith and Jaleel and Ryan Ward all redshirted and Garmon transferred out. My point is Iowa can recruit top talent but they seem to have many that don't pan out, get injuried alot or transfer out. They maybe not 5* guys but they are still highly recruited.
I hate the salary argument. I guarantee you 90% of the fans who complain and use that argument don't donate or donate less than a few hundred dollars a year. Many of them believe the purchase of season tickets and Iowa apparel entitles them to consistent 9-11 win season and a strong opinion.
I don't agree that Iowa might pay another high end coach. I think after Lickliter and then the long term contact and high salary and the uproar from teaching professionals and administrators from the state constantly believe he is overpaid regardless of what he does on the field. Mind you they don't realize how much he donates to the hospital and the community. Anyway back to the point, I think they will go after a mid-level HC or high end assistant but I think that once Ferentz leaves people will realize that unless Iowa gets someone who considers the job a "destination/dream" job, then once that coach has success they will leave for somewhere else probably in the SEC or high end B12 or high end PAC12.
To end, I agree with you their is a misconception with a certain amount of fans but believe me you aren't going to change their minds. Either they are going to realize it or they will continue the way they are and that is want any coach fired who doesn't get 10-12 wins a season.
