Missing Link to Next Level

R

revkev73

Well-Known Member
OK, Iowa is going low to mid level bowling this year, no surprises there, although this season was the one where things were to "align", with the schedule, tight ends, defensive linemen, experienced QB, talent in DB, deep RBs, to make this one of those "one in a decade" Kirk seasons. Didn't happen of course.

If one could name the "missing link," as to why this is more of a standard Kirk Year, than a contract upgrade year, what would it be?

Little threat or production out of the wide receivers?

Lack of a dynamic and reliable running back?

A non-clutch, deer in the head lights, QB during the 3-4 big games of the year?

Poor coaching and preparation?

Inexperienced LBs?

Inexperienced OC?

Underused talent, Fant? Epenesa?

Bone headed calls and plays/mistakes during those big plays in big games that mattered most?

An offensive line that couldn't consistently keep the running game going?

There are probably multiple reasons of course, but my pick would be the lack of a dynamic and reliable RB that could be spelled with a somewhat reliable, yet average set of backups. This type of RB is the key to Kirk Ball, IMHO. Opinions?
 
Not a single game breaker, playmaker on either side of the ball. Bad coaching, poor recruiting, an OC that has no business having the job, a bad qb that can't make an accurate throw over 10 yards, very average running backs that lack speed to break a long run and get through holes that close on them, no wide receivers, no linebackers, etc. All contribute to a very mediocre team in a piss poor division of a weak conference.
 
I think we have all the pieces already in place, its just a matter of whether both tight ends enter the draft or losing a lineman the same way. Its mostly just luck and injuries and not making plays in close games.
 
Caddy said:
Not a single game breaker, playmaker on either side of the ball. Bad coaching, poor recruiting, an OC that has no business having the job, a bad qb that can't make an accurate throw over 10 yards, very average running backs that lack speed to break a long run and get through holes that close on them, no wide receivers, no linebackers, etc. All contribute to a very mediocre team in a piss poor division of a weak conference.
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Sounds like a 2-10 team, like Rutgers. Yet we went 8-4 and you continue to renew season tickets as you now start to bitch about the Kinnick Stadium atmosphere itself. In addition to every concieveable part of the team.

Critical mental errors and breakdowns cost us all season. Should have cost yesterday. But since we were going against a combination of Vince Lombardi, Don Shula and Bill Belichick we had to sweat out win.

Have no explanation for why the conference was weaker this year, but it was. We went 7-1 in bowl games last year.
 
I think most of the things the OP mentioned need to be improved 10-15%. At QB more accuracy and if not more mobility. Offensive line push and power for run game. Running back speed would help but I think they have the moves and power. Linebacker play upgraded, Corner play has to be more lockdown,

Wide receivers better and more dependable.

DLine continues their great play

Clean up the mental mistakes , and better coaching decisions on those certain game time game management plays.
 
(1) QB -- game managing QBs don't get it done at the next level without an elite defense/running game. those don't happen every year. a playmaker QB can make up for not having those two.

(2) game day coaching -- no real need to comment here. the sunday to friday coaching on fundamentals is top-notch. you can't send as many players to the NFL without that being true. the use of those NFL caliber is sub-par in too many games.

(3) bend-but-don't-break defensive scheme is not a next-level defense in the current cycle of NCAA football --
<< unless you have a next-level offense then you might get by ... buuuuuuuut see (1) and (2) above

i'm good with the pro-style ball-control offensive scheme, but you better be good in at least one of the (1) or (2) above.
 
I’d say the missing link this year is just bad coaching. Iowa has decent talent but they struggled on both sides of the ball in important games this year. Particularly throwing the ball and defending late in games.

The coaching really underachieved this season.
 
the missing link is an offense that will get the D backfield to back up. Nebby isn't good at D, but yesterday Stanley was a threat to go deeper than usual and it paid off. Play calling or QB? Take your pick. I say play calling.

That said, I do think the bump in the road mid season (aside from not using Fant more) was a combo of Stanley having an injury (he actually did at least one true screen that I can remember which he couldn't do for a while) and Fant's concussion. Seriously some day we'll figure out that a concussion should be at least 9 months off.
 
Perhaps with Kirk Ball, keep it safe, keep it close, you plan for a "very good" season but understand that "very good" is about 8-4 with a bowl. You don't take many risks to go beyond "very good" because you might risk yourself to 6-6 or 5-7 and not ever KirkSpin can make that appear good anymore.

8-4 to 7-5 keeps the coffers filled, the fans coming (well enough of them) and you get bonuses for the staff, go to a "sunny bowl," send a few of the boys to the NFL, hire your family, and coach as along as you want.

There is some genius to this philosophy of course, but it mostly tastes like disappointment and wasted opportunities to a large portion of the fan base...as the cycle continues unabated.
 
A dynamic quarterback capable of doing damage by running is a huge upgrade. Take Martinez away from Nebraska and they would have been lucky to win 3 games this year. Without him yesterday's game is a blowout. We could use a little more of a running threat at qb.
 
HawkGold said:
Seriously some day we'll figure out that a concussion should be at least 9 months off.
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you are not serious. A concussion should be at least 18 months off


Say, you’re concussed aren’t you?
 
Caddy said:
Not a single game breaker, playmaker on either side of the ball. Bad coaching, poor recruiting, an OC that has no business having the job, a bad qb that can't make an accurate throw over 10 yards, very average running backs that lack speed to break a long run and get through holes that close on them, no wide receivers, no linebackers, etc. All contribute to a very mediocre team in a piss poor division of a weak conference.
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Piss off troll
 
It's tough to say. Every loss told a different story or break down.
Everything needs cleaned up.
Jeez we had a ton of new guys this year playing lb, DB, safety. We had basically unproven rb's. Unproven wr's, not to mention the usual holes here and there to fill.
This group has the talent and ability to be the highest ranked (thats going to matter in the cfp) and the best chance to win the b10 next year, than it's had in some time. Leadership. Commitment. That's what this off-season needs, because they have the talent, now do they have the work hard?
 
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HawkGold said:
the missing link is an offense that will get the D backfield to back up. Nebby isn't good at D, but yesterday Stanley was a threat to go deeper than usual and it paid off. Play calling or QB? Take your pick. I say play calling.

That said, I do think the bump in the road mid season (aside from not using Fant more) was a combo of Stanley having an injury (he actually did at least one true screen that I can remember which he couldn't do for a while) and Fant's concussion. Seriously some day we'll figure out that a concussion should be at least 9 months off.
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Or at least more than one week.

See Adam Robinson, Ben Neimann, Noah Fant....

Think about that. One week. I would say the concussion protocol needs revamping. We have known for awhile now a player is more susceptible to additional concussions after sustaining the first.
 
I am still a little confused why Iowa was starting 2 freshman CB this year. It probably cost Iowa the Purdue game. Maybe Iowa fans should not have been so casual when Rugamba bailed on the team.
 
Everybody always talks about coaching. I actually thought this staff had one of their best years. They consistently put the team in positions to win. The three big things to me were consistent all year long.
1. Stanley losing his mechanics and pressing during big moments and big games. I think the worst thing for Iowa football this season was cowherd saying he was one of the best qb's in the nation and other people agreeing with him. Stanley is a guy whose makeup is that he'd prefer I'm sure to have nobody talking about him. The more they talked about him and his NFL future, the more he pressed. I'm being very serious when I say I think if none of that hype comes about Stanley this team has at least two more wins.

2. Offensive line unable to move the line of scrimmage consistently in games this season, with the exception of the last two games. Iowa also passing more in short yardage rather than running. Just the whole team going away from the run as well which is about coaching, but I think they were just consistently more confident with the pass blocking than the run blocking.

3. Just a great lack of clutch period. Inability to get off the field in close games on defense. Inability to sustain a long drive on offense (see the running game, that's why) when necessary in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Couldn't run the ball when needed to, putting even more pressure on Stanley.
 
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