HaydenHawk56
Well-Known Member
With the way today played out and the way the insight played out, maybe things are looking up a little more? Things don't look quite as bleak? Clean some things up, and we could contend again in conference.
Oddly, things maybe looking a little brighter for Iowa next year?
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Hawkfromnorwalk
Well-Known Member
Our division is truly up in the air next season. We have to replace quite a few senior playmakers (and troubled underclassmen). Michigan will be adjusting to a new coach. MSU was overrated and should come back to the pack. Nebby could be in flux due to the turmoil this season with the coaches and TMart possibly leaving. Minny will also be adjusting to a new coach. Northwestern may be the only team coming back next year with the least amount of change.
ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
If Persa doesn't recover from the achilles, that could spell trouble for them. He suffered a very serious injury.
olivecourt
Well-Known Member
I never thought things were that bleak for next year to begin with.
Having said that, yes, a couple of today's developments are great for the Hawks. With Rodriguez's firing looking pretty inevitable it means that 4 of Iowa's opponents will be breaking in new coaching staffs (not that I'd mind playing RichRod again, especially at home). The new Pitt coach's arrest makes the first month of the schedule look pretty manageable-- at this point it will probably be February by the time they have a complete staff in place, and there's no way they don't lose some players in the turmoil. I don't think Kevin Wilson and Jerry Kill are going to turn their programs around on a dime, either. Missing Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Illinois out of the other division is a huge break-- those could easily be the top three teams in that half of the conference.
I hate to take too much from one day of football, but I'd be surprised if 6-2 isn't good enough to win Iowa's division next year, and I wouldn't be shocked if a 5-3 team won. That's definitely within Iowa's grasp-- and I'm not predicting that they win the division, I'm just saying I don't see how any other team is a clear favorite to do so.
Having said that, yes, a couple of today's developments are great for the Hawks. With Rodriguez's firing looking pretty inevitable it means that 4 of Iowa's opponents will be breaking in new coaching staffs (not that I'd mind playing RichRod again, especially at home). The new Pitt coach's arrest makes the first month of the schedule look pretty manageable-- at this point it will probably be February by the time they have a complete staff in place, and there's no way they don't lose some players in the turmoil. I don't think Kevin Wilson and Jerry Kill are going to turn their programs around on a dime, either. Missing Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Illinois out of the other division is a huge break-- those could easily be the top three teams in that half of the conference.
I hate to take too much from one day of football, but I'd be surprised if 6-2 isn't good enough to win Iowa's division next year, and I wouldn't be shocked if a 5-3 team won. That's definitely within Iowa's grasp-- and I'm not predicting that they win the division, I'm just saying I don't see how any other team is a clear favorite to do so.
We have at least 3 key players for next year, considering the NFl. I will wait on my opinion about next year until i see who stays, and and who leaves. Also i want to see what happens in Michigan. I thought persa was a senior this year? I didn't think he would be a factor next year. But maybe for the first time in a long time NW does not have that so great Qb waiting in the wings. It seems like the big difference with NW the last few years is their QB.
And the biggest thing for next year Iowa needs, is to learn to defend those spread offenses. find some senior leadership that will keep the team mentally ready and prepared week in and week out, and not lower their game to who they play each week. If you are supposed to be better then the team you are playing, let the score show that. don't play them close, and put the game in the hands of the defense.
so for next year, at this time i have no expectations. this time i can't have my heart ripped out when we don't meet expectations.
And the biggest thing for next year Iowa needs, is to learn to defend those spread offenses. find some senior leadership that will keep the team mentally ready and prepared week in and week out, and not lower their game to who they play each week. If you are supposed to be better then the team you are playing, let the score show that. don't play them close, and put the game in the hands of the defense.
so for next year, at this time i have no expectations. this time i can't have my heart ripped out when we don't meet expectations.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
After yesterday, I'm not sure what contending in the Big Ten conference really means. That you are a top 20 program? At least KF knows how to get the team ready to play in the bowl games. Maybe he should share with the other Big Ten coaches...what a disaster.
PatrickAdamovicz
Well-Known Member
Well, being that neither Michigan, PSU are no where near a top 20 team, I'm not sure they qualify as being the standard to which one will contend. I'll continue to say that those matchups yesterday were stupid. Penn St. had no business being in the Outback and Michigan had no business being in the Gator, but because they are "Michigan and Penn St." they have this overinflated prestige factor that put them in no win matchups.
olivecourt
Well-Known Member
Let's not overreact to one day of football.
How can you say Penn State didn't belong in that game against Florida? They were driving for the win (inside Florida's 30 with still over a minute to play) when McGloin threw a pick-6. It wasn't exactly a whipping, and Florida was a very beatable team.
As to the Gator Bowl-- had Iowa gotten picked to play in Jacksonville against Mississippi State there would have been no end of ******** on this board. Yes, it's a New Year's Day bowl, but the Insight Bowl was superior in every other way: better opponent, better location, more interesting matchup (border state, etc.).
Michigan and Michigan State crapped the bed in their bowl games. I think every other Big Ten team (Iowa included) played the same as they had all year. I don't think that signals the death knell for the Big Ten.
How can you say Penn State didn't belong in that game against Florida? They were driving for the win (inside Florida's 30 with still over a minute to play) when McGloin threw a pick-6. It wasn't exactly a whipping, and Florida was a very beatable team.
As to the Gator Bowl-- had Iowa gotten picked to play in Jacksonville against Mississippi State there would have been no end of ******** on this board. Yes, it's a New Year's Day bowl, but the Insight Bowl was superior in every other way: better opponent, better location, more interesting matchup (border state, etc.).
Michigan and Michigan State crapped the bed in their bowl games. I think every other Big Ten team (Iowa included) played the same as they had all year. I don't think that signals the death knell for the Big Ten.
HawkPhreek
Well-Known Member
This usually a full year to recover.
PatrickAdamovicz
Well-Known Member
Olivecourt, while I agree that Penn ST was equal with Florida, I contend that had Iowa been put in the Outback Bowl against Florida, Iowa would've administered a thumping to the Gators. My point? While Iowa vs Mizzou was a great matchup for us fans, it doesn't help perception, a perception of losing every New Years Day bowl matchup. I think if you swapped Wisconsin with Michigan St., Wisconsin would've given Alabama a heck of a battle. I'm talking from a perception standpoint, that's all.
olivecourt
Well-Known Member
Yeah, but Michigan State would've gotten absolutely pantsed in the Rose Bowl, which has always been the Big Ten's measuring stick. Whatever Wisconsin would have or could have done against Alabama, everyone would have been talking about another high-profile Big Ten collapse in the Rose Bowl.
I'm sure you're right, but I just hate caring about this stuff. Reason #8,723 why I hate the current system: conference perception matters, and it's completely out of our hands. I have enough to get anxious about cheering for Iowa, and sweating each of these bowl matchups just isn't fun for me.
Sirhouseman
Well-Known Member
Not sure why you say 'oddly.' I think most would agree that next year looks better than this year turned out.
You do realize that we got a lucky break in our bowl game. We would have lost if Gabbert didn't make that dumb throw. That had nothing to do with KF's preparation or Iowa being better than Mizzou, it was just one bad play by their QB otherwise the Big Ten is 1-6 in bowls right now.
LMAO, welcome to college football....it is all about execution. You could pick a play from just about every game over the last 20 years and make the same statement. Your post makes no sense to be honest.
derekforhawks
Well-Known Member
Couldn't you say this about the other games aswell? If Wisconsin doesn't miss that field goal does that mean they win? No because you don't know what would have happened! If you're calling that int a lucky break well then we gave Mizzou a couple lucky breaks as well.
I understand, but Wisconsin's missed FG was all on them. If Gabbert just throws it away we probably don't score again.
Texashawk17
Well-Known Member
legends division prediction for next year in conference play.
1. Iowa 7-1 (with only loss coming to nebby)
2. Nebraska 6-2 (losing to wiskey and Ohio st)
3. Northwestern 5-3 (asuming persa is healthy
4. Michigan ST 4-4
5. Michigan 3-5
6. Minnesota 1-7
What are your thoughts......
1. Iowa 7-1 (with only loss coming to nebby)
2. Nebraska 6-2 (losing to wiskey and Ohio st)
3. Northwestern 5-3 (asuming persa is healthy
4. Michigan ST 4-4
5. Michigan 3-5
6. Minnesota 1-7
What are your thoughts......
BaryGarta
Well-Known Member
The announcers during the NW TTU bowl game mentioned the Northwestern coaching staff expects him back for non-contact drills during spring practice and at full speed by fall.
No idea who on the coaching staff said that but apparently he is healing rapidly.
Fine by me, I want him starting when they come to Kinnick next season.
HaydenHawk56
Well-Known Member
I say oddly because with all of the criticism that has happened this year (and it was justified in many cases imho) Iowa maybe walking into the off-season and entering next year with another shot at doing something special again. This is due to the events of how Iowa finished its bowl game and the challenges that the rest of the Legends Division teams face. Iowa is losing a number of key players, but can still be in a relatively good position to make a run at things.
Some may have felt next year could be a bit of a rebuilding year. That could be the case.....but there may be a nice record to show for that "rebuilding year."
Some may have felt next year could be a bit of a rebuilding year. That could be the case.....but there may be a nice record to show for that "rebuilding year."
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