Just an utter embarrassment, the was zero semblance of any game plan whatsoever. Did Ferentz realize mccaffery was the best player in the country and maybe you should try to keep the ball away from him. Stanfords defense knew exactly what was coming, no shots downfield, no screens passes, why attempt to keep them honest. It's like Ferentz got back in the good graces of hawk fans and mailed in the Rose bowl like he did the previous 5 seasons after 10 yr contract extension. I'm just sick for those fans that went out there, all that money and the worst experience imaginable. Firing is not extreme imo, but this debacle warrants no extension. Completely different team that went 12-1. Shameful bowl performances in the last 4 outings.
Season tarnished
- Thread starter Chips28
- Start date
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
Not for me. wallow as you will, this season was a blast
Thats fine, but you have to admit there is a major problem with Iowa/Ferentzs bowl prep.
HawkPrdatr40
Well-Known Member
Exactly!!
It's frustrating and depressing for me to see these type of threads. my Goodness. I'm 46 and this season will go down as the best season I've ever been apart of.. Unreal the things I read..
linus19
Well-Known Member
I don't know if your post count mirrors your age, but take it from me, these types of seasons don't happen for Iowa too often. Appreciate the season you just saw, if it's possible.
HawkPrdatr40
Well-Known Member
It didn't end well. It was an embarrassment
It was a good season.
Given a loss, cant decide if i am happier getting completely destroyed...schlonged or, losing a close game?
I think this loss makes them better next season? The stinging reality of how far off you are from the top tier programs - maybe inspires next season?
They certainly wont be over rated to start the season and we should only have expectations of 9-3 or 8-4
It was a good season.
Given a loss, cant decide if i am happier getting completely destroyed...schlonged or, losing a close game?
I think this loss makes them better next season? The stinging reality of how far off you are from the top tier programs - maybe inspires next season?
They certainly wont be over rated to start the season and we should only have expectations of 9-3 or 8-4
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
This year was the best regular season I've seen (can't do better than undefeated) but overall, I still think I'd rate the 2002, 2004, & 2009 seasons as more enjoyable overall seasons. 2004 & 09 had much better endings and I still think 2002 was KF's best team.
This year, along with the others, were all 2-loss seasons when it was all said and done, so take your pick.
HaydenHawk56
Well-Known Member
On one had you have to give Iowa credit here:
-Most thought they would finish with around 5-6 wins. They finished with 12.
-Won 12 in a row....an Iowa record.
-12 wins in a season most in school history
-Won all of their rival trophy games.
-Got their first division title.
-Made it to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 25 years.
-Were in the NT discussion.
So it was a very successful season by that measure compared to last several years and they did some historical things in the process.
On the other hand:
-On a national stage, Iowa was complete Fools Gold. They did not really belong in the NT discussion or the Rose Bowl. This proved to be a 12-2 team with 8-4 talent, largely protected by their schedule. They would have been better suited playing in the Outback or Citrus Bowl. And, sadly, I think the Vols would have ran us again this year to had we played them. Florida would have been a good match-up for us as their offense can't score. Any team in the post season with speed or a down field threat would have exposed us.
So, looking ahead, if Iowa can't build on this season next year, and at least repeat as division champions with a chance to win the Big Ten and go back to the Rose Bowl, this season could be very damaging as it further puts off a coaching change and it could hurt Kirk's legacy when again he finally does leave....likely on a losing season. Because he is not going to get fired coming off this year (nor should he). That is why I almost wish he would retire now and go out on a mostly successful season.
Looking at next year's schedule, it is a couple tics up in difficulty. The inconference and out of conference road games are not as tough on paper as this year, but will still provide challenges. The tougher games are at home, but they will be battles. And, Iowa will have more challenges next year compared to this year. Yes, other teams lose players and Iowa will return a lot of players, but they will have a X on their backs. Iowa should be an 8-10 win team next year, but it will be a great challenge to get back to the Big Ten Title game. And, they likely will not run off 12 in a row. And then, even if they get there, OSU is likely waiting and some PAC 10 or SEC team will be waiting for Iowa in the Bowl game. And, then your speed and athlete problem shows up with a conservative game plan.
Kirk stays around (and he will) he has a bowl team next year, but I see the bell curve going back down into that 5-7 win spectrum after next year. And, I see the hate buidling for him again.....and it is already coming back do to the poor showing yesterday.
I just don't want to see that again.
Honestly, look for Iowa to win 8-9 games next year and be playing in the Outback or Citrus Bowl and getting handled again by a team with speed. They may or may not make the Big Ten Title Game.
-Most thought they would finish with around 5-6 wins. They finished with 12.
-Won 12 in a row....an Iowa record.
-12 wins in a season most in school history
-Won all of their rival trophy games.
-Got their first division title.
-Made it to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 25 years.
-Were in the NT discussion.
So it was a very successful season by that measure compared to last several years and they did some historical things in the process.
On the other hand:
-On a national stage, Iowa was complete Fools Gold. They did not really belong in the NT discussion or the Rose Bowl. This proved to be a 12-2 team with 8-4 talent, largely protected by their schedule. They would have been better suited playing in the Outback or Citrus Bowl. And, sadly, I think the Vols would have ran us again this year to had we played them. Florida would have been a good match-up for us as their offense can't score. Any team in the post season with speed or a down field threat would have exposed us.
So, looking ahead, if Iowa can't build on this season next year, and at least repeat as division champions with a chance to win the Big Ten and go back to the Rose Bowl, this season could be very damaging as it further puts off a coaching change and it could hurt Kirk's legacy when again he finally does leave....likely on a losing season. Because he is not going to get fired coming off this year (nor should he). That is why I almost wish he would retire now and go out on a mostly successful season.
Looking at next year's schedule, it is a couple tics up in difficulty. The inconference and out of conference road games are not as tough on paper as this year, but will still provide challenges. The tougher games are at home, but they will be battles. And, Iowa will have more challenges next year compared to this year. Yes, other teams lose players and Iowa will return a lot of players, but they will have a X on their backs. Iowa should be an 8-10 win team next year, but it will be a great challenge to get back to the Big Ten Title game. And, they likely will not run off 12 in a row. And then, even if they get there, OSU is likely waiting and some PAC 10 or SEC team will be waiting for Iowa in the Bowl game. And, then your speed and athlete problem shows up with a conservative game plan.
Kirk stays around (and he will) he has a bowl team next year, but I see the bell curve going back down into that 5-7 win spectrum after next year. And, I see the hate buidling for him again.....and it is already coming back do to the poor showing yesterday.
I just don't want to see that again.
Honestly, look for Iowa to win 8-9 games next year and be playing in the Outback or Citrus Bowl and getting handled again by a team with speed. They may or may not make the Big Ten Title Game.
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HawkeyeWalker
Well-Known Member
'16 is one of the rare seasons I actually think 9+ is a solid expectation. We return a ton of experience and CJB. Ott and/or King returning, with the emergence of a legit WR or 2 could push it to 10+. Oline will again be a question...
Go Hawks.
HawkeyeWalker
Well-Known Member
I agree.
trj
Well-Known Member
In your opinion what is different between 02 and this year? Is it KF's body of work for 17 years versus what at the time was the unknown after year 4?
D
DDThompson
Guest
12 posts by OP.
Do you smell that?
Smells like troll.
If not, then chips is one of those too many people that enjoy being miserable and spreading their misery to others.
Do you smell that?
Smells like troll.
If not, then chips is one of those too many people that enjoy being miserable and spreading their misery to others.
Are you one of those fans who won't wear his Iowa gear out in public now?
HaydenHawk56
Well-Known Member
I would venture a guess here.....Kirk was still young and the mediocre seasons were yet to be had. Iowa was building and got up to a Big Ten Championship level team in 02.
We now know the end is near and this will likely turn out to be a fluke year due to the schedule. I really hate typing that because a 12 win season should feel a hell of a lot better than it feels right now. And yes, these last 2 games hurt, but still......
Looking at objectively and looking ahead, Iowa did some historic things this year, but it is putting off the inevitable.
Seth53
Well-Known Member
For me, it's not that we lost the RB, it's *how* we lost the RB.
Right or wrong, it'll validate the talking heads who dis'd us the entire year, and, it'll carry over all next year if we were to repeat this year's endeavors.
If you want Iowa to be considered legit on a national level, and you don't get this, then there isn't much more to say.
If we're happy being competitive in the B1G west and leave it at that, then what happened in the RB doesn't really matter.
For me, I'd rather aim a bit higher.
Right or wrong, it'll validate the talking heads who dis'd us the entire year, and, it'll carry over all next year if we were to repeat this year's endeavors.
If you want Iowa to be considered legit on a national level, and you don't get this, then there isn't much more to say.
If we're happy being competitive in the B1G west and leave it at that, then what happened in the RB doesn't really matter.
For me, I'd rather aim a bit higher.
Exactly, 25 years, is a long time to wait to not even show up.
Seth53
Well-Known Member
I was at Indy, as I'm sure a lot of you were. The team played its guts out. Left it all on the field. 110% effort because there was so much on the line.
Alas, even the "rose bowl" as a nice consolation prize couldn't quite get the team as fired up as for Indy.
Sure, the "rose bowl" is important to us who have been watching Iowa for a long time and remember when it meant something. That's why the ticket demand went bonkers. It was the fanbase hearkening back to the glorious RB days of yesteryear.
To be sure, to the kids playing now, they don't remember any of it. None. The RB was a nice trip after being 27 seconds away from the playoffs. No more, no less. But it wasn't the playoffs...where in the new world, is the pinnacle.
Difficult for the staff obviously to convince them otherwise and get them as fired up as they were for Indy.
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