USA TODAY GRADES LAST YEARS TEAMS

[longtimer]

They gave Iowa a B. I thought maybe a B+ would have been more accurate coming off the 4-8 year but probably fair. They gave the Clones a D+. Good thing they won a couple at the end of the year or they would have joined the likes of Florida and Tulsa with an F

 

[hawkfan33]

They gave Iowa a B. I thought maybe a B+ would have been more accurate coming off the 4-8 year but probably fair. They gave the Clones a D+. Good thing they won a couple at the end of the year or they would have joined the likes of Florida and Tulsa with an F

One way. Forward.

 

[hawkinn3]

I don't think improvement should have anything to do with it, its just about that one season. 8-5 with all the losses being fairly competitive sound like a B to me.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

I don't think improvement should have anything to do with it, its just about that one season. 8-5 with all the losses being fairly competitive sound like a B to me.

I respectfully disagree. In a competitive environment both consistency and fighting your way back from bad years are both take a lot of effort. I'll give any team coming off of a three year slump a little credit for the achievement. In absolute terms I'd give the defense an A at the end of the year, with the only thing really holding them back was lack of pressure from the front four. I'll give them the extra A+ for progress over the last year. The offense in real terms is only an average C+ with a good front line and tight ends. The rest of the offense was serviceable and won the games they could be expected to win. Significant progress from being absolutely horrid last year moves the offense up to a B-.

A+ for defense and B- for offense would put them overall at B+ for me.

 

[Hawkeyerick]

Must be a typo on the clones... Everybody knows they actually are the team with the most momentum(other than wins) coming into next season. They also have a great stadium with a closed in endzone and the a "big" upgrade at the offense coordinator spot. I, for one, was particularly proud of their season.

 

[NCHawker]

got a link to USA TOday? (arms crossed, tapping foot)

 

[AreWeThereYet]

USA today article:
Six FBS teams had A+ seasons

 

[HawksMN]

D+ for the clowns huh? Movin up......

 

[MelroseHawkins]

B is about right, IMO. 8-4 in the BIG. Remember, the BIG is still having down years. Iowa made strides, but there are still issues with receivers and the passing game. D was terrific. Even the running game wasn't daunting. It was adequate to do what they wanted to do, but just by enough.