My 2017 Iowa Football Prediction

[Hawk90]

I'm confused by all the negativity and the 6-6 season stuff. Our schedule hasn't changed that much...IMO we added one tough, tough opponent...OSU. Everybody else, we have been playing already. Really, substitute OSU for Michigan this year. Certainly road games at Wisconsin and Nebraska don't help, but we win at Nebraska due to it being Kinnick East these days. The other road games, NW and MSU, certainly appear tough, but NW isn't a difficult environment and I think it reminds our players what it was like to play on a high school field. MSU isn't the old MSU and they are replacing 88% of their starters.

There are serious strengths on this Iowa team. You have to look at the offensive line and RB as a serious strength. Usually, when Iowa has experience coming back on the OL, it bodes well offensively. This offensive line could be dominate...that opens up the offense since so much energy is spent trying to stop our running game. I would argue, this is the most experience on the OL we may have ever had coming back.

Sure, we are going to have a new QB, but you overcome that every few years in college...this is nothing new. Honestly, i don't think BF and KOK are going to change the offense that much. It's only going to be a few tweaks as that is all that is needed. You need to challenge defenses vertically with your WRs and TEs, period. Other than that, I liked GD's offense. Honestly, adding Polesak was a huge get IMO...I think he's going to add a few wrinkles to the OL scheme that are going to have defenses on their heels. He's also like having another offensive coordinator. You have BF, KOK, and Polesak...all have been OC's at some point in their careers...i think the offense is going to be very good. We need Vandenburg at full strength...that's key.

Defensively, it's all about shoring up the middle. Bazata will be fine, if he's healthy...that's one. We need at least two others to step up and have the ability to occupy people. Everywhere else on defense, I think we are going to be fine. We have corners who have played and showed skill and potential. I know people will point to the secondary and say, we are in trouble, but I seriously think we have recruited athletes that can play the safety position in Iowa's scheme.

8 wins is my low for the season...and I think it could be special if they can win the Penn State game. Penn State and NW are the two teams that I would say could go the other way. Here's why I think we win them. I think our pass rush is going to be special...and I mean special. Teams will not consistently have time to throw. Anthony Nelson is a beast, Hesse is now a junior and that's usually when guys really have developed into a pass rusher. Then throw in Simon, Gohlston, & a five star recruit and you think, hmmm...that's depth and that's pure athleticism.

Wins: Wyoming, ISU, N. Texas, Penn State, MSU, Illinois, NW, Minnesota, Purdue, & Nebraska

Losses: OSU & Wisconsin

Best analysis yet.

 

[SteveGarvey1]

Lol...welllll....it's anti Kool-aid actually....if you remember the Jim Jones era

Oh yeah, didn't put Jonestown and Kool Aid together til I read this. Kool Aid wasn't cool in that case.

 

[Hawk90]

All the WR bashing is getting old, it is fairly obvious they are not great, but I still think it had more to do with Davis' schemes than the personnel. I think we are in for a pleasant surprise this fall.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Stacking the box is a recipe for 75 yard touchdown runs by Wadley.

Can be.

But I'll take "making something happen" over "waiting for something to happen" (as in your opponent getting worn out and ultimately making a mistake or overplay). Hoping the opponent just wears down is a recipe, rather "THE" recipe for keeping lesser opponents in the game, and giving them a chance to win. (see KFz vs ISU for exhibit "A")

 

[IndianaHawk]

All the WR bashing is getting old, it is fairly obvious they are not great, but I still think it had more to do with Davis' schemes than the personnel. I think we are in for a pleasant surprise this fall.

I have been trying to talk myself into the same conclusion.

 

[8then88]

Been a long time my friends, good to be back! I knew most of you from insider but haven't been on the sites much in a couple years. I'm hoping to get right back on the proverbial bike.
I see the O-line and a salty defense carrying a young QB with no experience at receiver except Vandenberg to seven or eight wins.
I can't imagine the Hawks not leaning heavy to the run and getting alot more use out of the tight ends than in past years. Young Ferentz IMO is ready for this challenge and will have time to develop a compliment to Vandy early in the season. I'm extremely optimistic about the youth movement in the coaching ranks and it is evident with some excellent commits early! I look forward to the spirited debates this year!!

 

[BILLYBOBSTEXAS]

Kirk trust KOK and with Brian running the offense, things should get back to where the were before GDGD! I look forward to seam passes to the TE and other plays GD didn't use much if at all.

 

[Fryowa]

All the WR bashing is getting old, it is fairly obvious they are not great, but I still think it had more to do with Davis' schemes than the personnel. I think we are in for a pleasant surprise this fall.

You do realize that there is exactly one receiver on this entire team who has ever caught a pass in D-1 ball.

One.

Uno.

And he's hurt.

And none of our QBs has ever played a single snap outside of garbage time.

I'm all for optimism...I really do understand it...but that defies logic.

 

[deanvogs]

Games Iowa should win:
Wyoming
N. Texas
ISU
Illinois
Purdue

I think they go 4-1 here, as they always drop one they shouldn't

Games Iowa has no business winning:
OSU
Penn St.
@Wisconsin

I think they go 1-2 here, as Iowa always wins one they shouldn't

Toss ups:
Minnesota
@Northwestern
@MSU
@Nebraska

I think they split these 2-2

So I have Iowa 7-5.

Iowa is right on schedule as to what I thought they would do. Hopefully they go 5-0 in that group of 5 I said they should win.

Most people were thinking 6,7 or 8 wins anyway. The team seems to be what we thought they would be.

 

[InGoodCo]

Iowa is right on schedule as to what I thought they would do. Hopefully they go 5-0 in that group of 5 I said they should win.

Most people were thinking 6,7 or 8 wins anyway. The team seems to be what we thought they would be.

I said 7 to 8, they are who we thought they were. I've been more impressed with Stanley then I ever imagined. It's hard to look at a season subjectively after the sting of a 2 losses that you potentially had a chance to win. The difference between 7 to 8 wins and 9-10 is typically a couple of plays.

 

[ferentz4life]

Iowa is right on schedule as to what I thought they would do. Hopefully they go 5-0 in that group of 5 I said they should win.

Most people were thinking 6,7 or 8 wins anyway. The team seems to be what we thought they would be.

Jon also claims he’s “ok” with this season because he only “expected 6 wins anyway.”

What a terrible rationalization for mediocrity. If you are expecting 6 wins something is wrong. Recruiting, development, coaching, something.

What was Wisconsin’s expectations over the last 10 years or so? Consistent B1G contenders, that’s what.

And no, you can’t blame Iowa’s “tough schedule” for “expecting” 6 wins. Take a look at WI’s 2016 schedule. If a program is on solid ground, difficult schedules can and should be manageable.

 

[ohhawk]

Jon also claims he’s “ok” with this season because he only “expected 6 wins anyway.”

What a terrible rationalization for mediocrity. If you are expecting 6 wins something is wrong. Recruiting, development, coaching, something.

What was Wisconsin’s expectations over the last 10 years or so? Consistent B1G contenders, that’s what.

And no, you can’t blame Iowa’s “tough schedule” for “expecting” 6 wins. Take a look at WI’s 2016 schedule. If a program is on solid ground, difficult schedules can and should be manageable.

________________________________

I'll take recruiting for $800, Alex.

 

[deanvogs]

Games Iowa should win:
Wyoming
N. Texas
ISU
Illinois
Purdue

I think they go 4-1 here, as they always drop one they shouldn't

Games Iowa has no business winning:
OSU
Penn St.
@Wisconsin

I think they go 1-2 here, as Iowa always wins one they shouldn't

Toss ups:
Minnesota
@Northwestern
@MSU
@Nebraska

I think they split these 2-2

So I have Iowa 7-5.

Spot on.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Games Iowa should win:
Wyoming
N. Texas
ISU
Illinois
Purdue

I think they go 4-1 here, as they always drop one they shouldn't

Games Iowa has no business winning:
OSU
Penn St.
@Wisconsin

I think they go 1-2 here, as Iowa always wins one they shouldn't

Toss ups:
Minnesota
@Northwestern
@MSU
@Nebraska

I think they split these 2-2

So I have Iowa 7-5.

In 2015 I think I predicted 7, and the obviously had 12 wins. In 2016 I predicted 9 and they ended up at 8 wins using this method.

Welp, good call.