So what has surprised so far

[Hawkfnntn]

The good surprises
QB, Not knowing what to expect Stanleys been really good. Not just OK. But really darn good.
TEs are good. I wasn't sure what to expect since they went with not just Fant but Hockenson as their top 2 guys. They haven't blown me away but they are plenty good enough and can get better
WRs Holy crap Easley is a god send... With Vandeberg playing like a shell of himself (outside his last TD he hasn't done much) It's still a bit of a question mark position but they aren't as bad as last year anyway and Stanley and Easleys chemistry have a lot to do with that.
Kicking, Mecinos has been great. probably the least talked about kicker we've had in awhile. He's taken that job and run with it. One less thing to worry about.

the not so good
Both lines. Oline has had some shuffling obviously so with freshman at each tackle spot now it is what it is. I think they looked as good this week as they have in awhile (Playing Illinois had a ton to do with that I'm sure) So hopefully that's something to build on if they can keep the continuity of this group going. Welsh has to stay at guard and since the training wheels are off of Wirfs let him keep learning on the fly. How fast he and Jackson get good will be what dictates offensive success. They have to run the ball better and it starts with that group.

Dline I was hoping for not only good run stuffing ability but pass rushing.. Neither has met my expectations...
Punting.... not much needs to be elaborated about there..

 

[guffus]

Lots of surprises in the secondary

I would say Josh Jackson is the biggest surprise. Rugamba was supposed to be the new stud at corner, but it turned out to be Jackson.

Snyder coming back and starting in game 6 was a big surprise.

I thought Gervase and Taylor were going to be better, but it turns out Amani Hooker was the guy that stepped up his game.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Lots of surprises in the secondary

I would say Josh Jackson is the biggest surprise. Rugamba was supposed to be the new stud at corner, but it turned out to be Jackson.

Snyder coming back and starting in game 6 was a big surprise.

I thought Gervase and Taylor were going to be better, but it turns out Amani Hooker was the guy that stepped up his game.

Yeah I guess with Iowa's past success with DBs I kinda didn't think Jackson should have been a surprise. The local media seemed to hype Rugamba more but Jackson has been around and played more previously. So it playing out the way it has makes sense with them.

Taylor I'm glad finally got to see the bench some... Now that Snyder is back I want him and Hooker back there. I feel that's our best lineup back there. I'd feel better if Rugumba was 100% so we could see less of #11. He's been having a tough time learning on the fly

 

[mopkins]

Good surprises:
Nate Stanley
Josh Jackson
TJ Hockenson
Nick Easley

Bad suprises:
D-Line
Run game is shit
Manny Rugamba


I really thought Iowa was going to be 5-1 at this point. I was close. So not too surprised overall.

 

[AZHawk1]

With Stanley being better than expected and the run game being worse than expected I think it's time for Iowa to start going a little against the grain (for Iowa) and start passing to open up the run. I think BF started to do that a little last game, and it's not like he has to start calling bombs on every play but the bubble screens and TE out routes to open up Wadley would be nice. Fant/Hockenson can get open against pretty much anyone and Easley has proven he can get yards on the short passing routes

 

[mopkins]

With Stanley being better than expected and the run game being worse than expected I think it's time for Iowa to start going a little against the grain (for Iowa) and start passing to open up the run. I think BF started to do that a little last game, and it's not like he has to start calling bombs on every play but the bubble screens and TE out routes to open up Wadley would be nice. Fant/Hockenson can get open against pretty much anyone and Easley has proven he can get yards on the short passing routes

It did seem like Iowa went Shotgun more against Illinois than in the past. I don't have stats to back that up, but I seemed to have noticed it more on Saturday.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Going into the season, my biggest concern was DT, and, unfortunately, that has been confirmed. I know that WR was first and foremost the most talked about concern but to me that's an easier area to "compensate for" somewhat. The ongoing maturation of Jackson and Wirfs is definitely important as the offensive line has for whatever reason taken a step backwards, but I would argue that the ongoing progress made by Lattimore and Reiff is probably more pressing, as Bazata is who he is at this point and probably has reached his ceiling.

To me the most pleasant surprise has been our DBs. I really, really, really like this group. Jackson could easily be first team all B1G, and Rugamba has all kinds of potential. Hankins and Turner look outstanding, and Boswell, Hooker and Stone also look solid. With Johnson coming in, barring attrition we will be set for the next 3 seasons or so. Nothing personal, but thank God that the coaches finally saw the light and sat down Taylor.

 

[GesterHawk]

Agree, I think the deep ball completions will get better. A couple of those actually would have been caught had our receivers laid out for them. I'd rather have a QB with the ability to overthrow than not have enough arm and get picked off by the safeties.

I also think that some of the misses were due to the receivers turning back to look for the ball too soon and therefore losing a step or two and coming up short. That said, there were a few that were flat out over thrown, which is much better than under thrown punts.

Stanley really seems to have a knack for putting the ball where only his receiver can make a play on it. Given time, he and some of the young WRs are going to make a lot of plays in the next 2.5 seasons.

 

[BVHawk95]

My biggest surprise is that Bower is still starting, I lost count of how many times he got burned, and how many missed tackles last Saturday. That said, apparently the Clowns are better than expected, same with Mich St. This is a good Iowa team, I see them losing to Wisconsin and that's it.

I am by no means a Bower apologist, but he's having his best season by far. Part of him getting burned so much is we have to put him in difficult situations due to our lack of success in nickel and dime packages. Rugamba being injuried/having a slump, Hankins being a young guy, and Gervase and Taylor being just plain bad are making it so PP is reluctant to move out of our base 4-3, leaving Bower in some mismatches.

 

[GesterHawk]

Positive surprises- QB play hasn't been serviceable, its been good. Nick E has been probably our most consistent offensive weapon, he's been impressive. The safeties haven't been as bad as i thought they would be and feared they would be. We've had some decent play out of the safety unit (up and down is better than straight down). Really impressed with the freshmen who have played, definitely positives. The offensive play-calling has been excellent. The ability to get wide receivers open via schemes, proves what a lot of us thought for the past few years, the wr issues weren't as much a talent thing as a scheme thing. If guys struggle getting a release, you have to scheme them open, Brian and the staff have done that.

Negatives- O-line has to be the biggest negative surprise. The drop-off at the guard position after the injuries has been catastrophic. For some reason the backups there for the last two years just can't cut the mustard at this level of play. I've also been disappointed with Vandeberg's play. Not really faulting him, he's coming off some serious injury stuff, just hasn't been the dynamic player I've been used too. I think my expectation was he'd come back the same as i remember him, and again probably a me-issue not a him-issue, but i guess I've been expecting more (probably unfair). The d-lines up and down play has been weird. I've gotten what i thought from the new guys, and at times the nelsons are un-blockable, i just wish that was more consistent. The inconsistency there has been disappointing.
Worst of all, TURNOVERS!!!!!!

I agree that I am suprised that MVB is not more productive, but he is also seeing far fewer targets than he did with CJB throwing the ball. I think it is that he doesn't have the same chemistry with Nate as he had with CJ. Also, Nate has been much better at spreading the ball around as I think he has better weapons and a better scheme/play caller.

 

[DBAHawkFan]

Stanley has looked decent for a first year starter. Of course first year starters under KF have success, so hopefully Stanley continues to surprise the next two years....

Not surprised: Our offensive stats are horrible. Still in the 100s for total offense, and we'll most likely end up near the bottom of the conference. That doesn't change because KF preference to play keep away

 

[InGoodCo]

Stanley's # probably will drop some but so far, he's having a pretty elite year as far as KF era QB's. Decent I guess.

1. 157.6 - Stanzi 2010 Sr
2. 157.1 - Banks 2002 Sr
3. 149.3 - Stanley 2017 Soph
4. 146.4 - Tate 2005 Jr
5. 146.1 - McCann 2001 Sr
6. 139.5 - Beathard 2015 Jr
7. 138.5 - Vandenberg 2011 Jr
8. 134.8 - Stanzi 2008 Soph
9. 134.7 - Tate 2004 Soph
10. 133.5 - Rudock 2014 Jr

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

If Iowa figures out how to go 4-2 down the stretch - an 8-4 with roadies at ISU and 3 games vs the top 3 from the East would be a pretty great season. Stanley being much better then advertised is my biggest surprise. The passing game has looked much better. The Oline injuries have stunted some growth - I am hopeful that this bye week helps that a lot.

8-4 is solid, all things considered. But I can never call it great. It's good by any measure, but I have to reserve great for 10+ wins(I could be talked into 9 being a great year this year)

 

[InGoodCo]

8-4 is solid, all things considered. But I can never call it great. It's good by any measure, but I have to reserve great for 10+ wins(I could be talked into 9 being a great year this year)

I'm with ya - again, I just look at like this - 3 top 10 football teams on the schedule, roadies at ISU, MSU, NORTHWESTERN, WISCI and NEBRASKA.... an 8-4 season would be deceptively great.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

The biggest surprise so far is that Stanley is better than we expected. He isn't perfect but the upside looks great.

 

[Millardhawk]

Surprises
1) Snyder Return - he may be a step slow right now, but will take that all day long if he is in the right place. Not only will Brandon be in the right place, he will help the other DBs. Watching the safety's (not named Hooker) go up in flames the first 5 games was painful.
2) Josey Jewell Dominance - He is not piling on to get stats, but being spot on. % of time that he is in position and make plays is a very high rate
3) Predictability is down even with the usage of players with limited playing experience
4) Josh Jackson - having a 6'2 corner who can run and tackle is really nice to have
5) FINALLYthrowing to TEs in the middle of the field (thanks B Ferentz and K O'Keefe for bringing it back) as that has been MIA for a long 5 years

Disappointments
1) Lack of executing on running plays. Need to use the FB more as it paid dividends against Illinois.
2) D Line Pressure - lack of sacks
3) Hangover at MSU
4) No Sellouts...

 

[InGoodCo]

Iowa just missed the sell out Saturday. TOSU should sell out.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

My biggest surprise is how fast the group of debbie downers has turned against this team. I figured they would be 7-5 this season and that's what they are on track for.

Not sure why the vocal minority of Hawkeye bedwetters are losing their sh*t.

The schedule really didn't allow for realistic belief of more than 7 wins; particularly, with a brand new QB. I'm on record saying I don't care about the record; I care about seeing growth and progress.

Pleasantly surprised with WR's. Easley better than (almost) everyone thought he would be. Stanley is what I'd hoped for (his stats are better than expected). Manny = disappointment. Something going on there, not sure what. Josh Jackson is real deal. OL, I'm fine with AJax and Wirfs taking over at tackles. They seem much more adept, and show a lot of potential, as pass pro tackles. I'm in the middle with brian's play calling. Sometimes he's got a rhythm that makes sense, sometimes it looks like 1950's 3 yards and a cloud of turf.

If this offense comes together and finds it's identity (I truly believe this offense must go through Stanley's arm) then I think we could go 4-2. But, again, that isn't so much a concern as getting better and ready for 2018.

Oh, and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...just let AJE go nuts. Kid is gonna be a superstar. Let's start that now.

 

[uihawk82]

My biggest surprise is that Bower is still starting, I lost count of how many times he got burned, and how many missed tackles last Saturday. That said, apparently the Clowns are better than expected, same with Mich St. This is a good Iowa team, I see them losing to Wisconsin and that's it.

U have us beating OSU who just rang up 62 points on Maryland?? We can beat OSU , we could easily be 6-0 right now.

 

[InGoodCo]

U have us beating OSU who just rang up 62 points on Maryland?? We can beat OSU , we could easily be 6-0 right now.

Iowa is 2 plays from being 6-0 right now. ISU just beat Oklahoma in Norman, that beat TOSU in Columbus. It's not that completely out of bounds. I still wouldn't bet it. 4-2 would be pretty damn good tho IMO.