Optimistic or Pessimistic.

[NCHawker]

I posed this question last night on the Hawkeye huddle, but thought I'd bring it up here as well.

Cup half full or half empty...

Are you encouraged: Encouraged with the way the D is playing this year? Holding the Northern Illinois offense, which could have been dangerous, to 200 yds (1/3 of which came on one play). This D also held Jantz in check (with the exception of the one long run), as opposed to last year when he ran wild on us. This D that produced huge turnovers yesterday when ISU was in the redzone, and kept many plays in front of them.
This is the D that was supposed to be a sore spot/weakness for this years squad...

-or-

Are you Discouraged: Discouraged with the offense that was supposed to run/pass all over the field. Score 30+ points every game. An offense that was supposed to win the games for us, and be the teams strength. Yet, has only produced 24 points, 365 yds passing, and 207 yds rushing.


I am still in the optimistic camp. I believe the offense will come along. If that happens, and the D keeps playing like it is (and improves); we will get rolling in this season yet!

Stay thirsty, my friends.

I rule out optimistic because the reasons that you mention are not strong enough cases for optimism. We really don't know how good those two (NIU and ISU) offenses are. Last year is last year. At the same time the D has done its job. Good. Check.

I thought if improvements would come, they would be obvious between week 1 and 2. The O-Line did not give up the sacks. So in that respect we saw improvement. Apart from that. Nothing.

The larger issue is the PROGRAM. The program is sagging like an old wet tent.