Was it just me, or...

[WinOneThisCentury]

Did KF seem pretty damn upbeat in that meeting the other day? Maybe it's that he's just anxious to get started, but he seemed to be a little more upbeat than the usual..."everyone is better than us if we aren't playing our best"...or "Iowa State's building a national powerhouse and going into their stadium is always a huge challenge for us."

For some reason, watching him on tape made me think he feels pretty good about his football team for some reason.

 

[damnfinn]

he's a wily ole fox, he knows he has one of the best offensive lines in all of football, and two of the best running backs behind that line. I think this team is going to surprise a lot of people and KF knows it.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I also thought he looked quite relaxed and very open to the media. He had a bit of a smile and more than willing to talk. I did notice that. I also think he's completely comfortable with his coaching staff and the new additions.

 

[KCHawkeye]

I also thought he looked quite relaxed and very open to the media. He had a bit of a smile and more than willing to talk. I did notice that. I also think he's completely comfortable with his coaching staff and the new additions.

Yes, kf's dynasty plan is coming together very nicely.

 

[InGoodCo]

I'm in the minority - but I feel like Iowa is being majorly overlooked. Return the entire starting OL, 3 of 4 on the DL ++ experience - LB corp mostly in place, one of the best RB's in the league. You know they've focused the entire off season on the passing game and this is a team that finished last regular season on a 3 game winning streak with wins over Michigan and dominated IL and NE. Yeah, they didn't show for the bowl, but sometimes you're over matched and that was the case against FL and I don't think there's any team in the West that provides that kind of challenge. They lost a great corner - but Iowa's secondary has been pretty solid for a while here. The best seasons for Iowa come with a strong DL and LB corp and a good O-line.. I'm pretty high on the Hawks this year and I'll be honest, a lot of times I'm not. I think the floor should be 7 this season.

 

[Fryowa]

I think the floor should be 7 this season.

If I'm in Vegas with a gun to my head I'm betting 5-7. We'll for sure lose one of the non cons like most years, and beat Illinois, Purdue, and Minnesota.

Next year might be different which is what I'm hoping for.

So...6-6 will beat my expectations and 7-5 will make me sorta ok. Until we lose to Upper Southwestern Utah Area Polytechnic in the Hasbro Fidget Spinner Bowl.

Then I get bummed about football again for another year.

 

[InGoodCo]

If I'm in Vegas with a gun to my head I'm betting 5-7. We'll for sure lose one of the non cons like most years, and beat Illinois, Purdue, and Minnesota.

Next year might be different which is what I'm hoping for.

So...6-6 will beat my expectations and 7-5 will make me sorta ok. Until we lose to Upper Southwestern Utah Area Polytechnic in the Hasbro Fidget Spinner Bowl.

Then I get bummed about football again for another year.

Gun to my head in Vegas - I'm taking the over. KF has what? 3 losing season in 19 years and 2 of those were his first? I think there's just too much in place for 5-7

 

[uihawk82]

I'm in the minority - but I feel like Iowa is being majorly overlooked. Return the entire starting OL, 3 of 4 on the DL ++ experience - LB corp mostly in place, one of the best RB's in the league. You know they've focused the entire off season on the passing game and this is a team that finished last regular season on a 3 game winning streak with wins over Michigan and dominated IL and NE. Yeah, they didn't show for the bowl, but sometimes you're over matched and that was the case against FL and I don't think there's any team in the West that provides that kind of challenge. They lost a great corner - but Iowa's secondary has been pretty solid for a while here. The best seasons for Iowa come with a strong DL and LB corp and a good O-line.. I'm pretty high on the Hawks this year and I'll be honest, a lot of times I'm not. I think the floor should be 7 this season.

Still need an efficient passing game to move the chains and keep defenses from loading the box. This team could stumble offensively unless they find a way to be consistent making 3rd down catches for first downs and completions off script on 1st down. If they throw on first down they have to have a high completion percentage to back off the opponents secondary and LBkers.

 

[InGoodCo]

Still need an efficient passing game to move the chains and keep defenses from loading the box. This team could stumble offensively unless they find a way to be consistent making 3rd down catches for first downs and completions off script on 1st down. If they throw on first down they have to have a high completion percentage to back off the opponents secondary and LBkers.

I agree - I actually think Iowa will be at least a sliver better than last season in the passing game but there are some "ifs" there for certain. Vandy's health - Noah Fant's development - Wadley and Butler's use in the passing game -But again, IMO - you only have to look to last season and see - Iowa ranked 117 out of 128 teams in passing and still won 8 games and had 2 - 1000 yard rushers. CJB was a gamer and will be tough to replace no doubt, but it's not like he was exactly torching it last season either. 7 is my floor.

 

[mopkins]

For what its worth Vegas has Iowa over/under at 6.5 wins and the over is getting hammered pretty good (-140).

In my opinion, Wyoming, North Texas, Illinois, Minnesota and Purdue are all likely wins. Iowa State, NW, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Nebraska are all toss-ups. Ohio State and Penn State are likely losses.

So they just have to win 2 of the 5 "toss-up" games to hit the over. Plus over the past 10 years, whenever Iowa's projected win total is under 7, they go over.

I'm taking the over.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

I just don't get the 5- 7 comments. You have your entire offensive line back with depth that had two 1000 yard rushers back. Sure, we lost some very good defensive players, but there is a solid nucleus of very, very good players with experience.

 

[guffus]

Gun to my head in Vegas - I'm taking the over. KF has what? 3 losing season in 19 years and 2 of those were his first? I think there's just too much in place for 5-7

FWIW, there are 2 other seasons where he failed to win 7 games.

2006 6-7
2007 6-6

 

[InGoodCo]

I'll state the obvious that the schedule is much tougher this season. BUT, IMO - the whole easy not easy schedule has never worked for IOWA. In 2015 they played the majority of their tough games on the road - last year, they were at home.... I think schedule is an important part of a lot of success in college football, but for whatever reason (2 me anyways) it's never really mattered for Iowa. Either they are good or they aren't and it doesn't matter if its on the road or at home.

 

[InGoodCo]

FWIW, there are 2 other seasons where he failed to win 7 games.

2006 6-7
2007 6-6

But there's only 3 in 19 years where he didn't do better than 5 ... so again, gun to my head, I'll say over.

 

[Fryowa]

I just don't get the 5- 7 comments. You have your entire offensive line back with depth that had two 1000 yard rushers back. Sure, we lost some very good defensive players, but there is a solid nucleus of very, very good players with experience.

If we're going to that route...

We have two quarterbacks, neither of which has ever played a real snap in college, and one of whom who hasn't stepped on a game field in almost a year and a half. When there's still no close winner this far into practice that doesn't exactly bode well.

We also have exactly one receiver (other than a recent grad transfer who played small ball) who has caught a D-1 pass. I don't mean a touchdown, or a multi-reception game...just a reception. Not a single one.

As far as the toss-up games, we got killed by NW last year and now we have even less depth at RB and WR. Michigan State won't shit the bed again as bad as last year, and as long as they're mid-tier decent they'll probably beat us.

We pretty much always piss a non-con down our legs, so that's 2 wins. Illinois, Purdue, and Minnesota suck bad enough for us to get the W so there's 5. Taking two more from Penn State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Nebraska, as much as I'd love to, is going to be too much to ask.

Next year, I'm feeling better about that.

 

[InGoodCo]

If we're going to that route...

We have two quarterbacks, neither of which has ever played a real snap in college, and one of whom who hasn't stepped on a game field in almost a year and a half. When there's still no close winner this far into practice that doesn't exactly bode well.

We also have exactly one receiver (other than a recent grad transfer who played small ball) who has caught a D-1 pass. I don't mean a touchdown, or a multi-reception game...just a reception. Not a single one.

As far as the toss-up games, we got killed by NW last year and now we have even less depth at RB and WR. Michigan State won't shit the bed again as bad as last year, and as long as they're mid-tier decent they'll probably beat us.

We pretty much always piss a non-con down our legs, so that's 2 wins. Illinois, Purdue, and Minnesota suck bad enough for us to get the W so there's 5. Taking two more from Penn State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Nebraska, as much as I'd love to, is going to be too much to ask.

Next year, I'm feeling better about that.

So what teams in the West are returning starting QB's? I can only think of 1 that is a serious contender. The WEST is up for grabs IMO

 

[InGoodCo]

well, and this is just me being realistic and playing devil's advocate to myself... the last time we failed to win 5 games was when we had a change at OC... like this season. ehhhh..... see, I could be talked down.

 

[Fryowa]

So what teams in the West are returning starting QB's? I can only think of 1 that is a serious contender. The WEST is up for grabs IMO

I can't think of any team in the West that has 10 out of 11 receivers who've never caught a college pass. You could have Tom Brady on your team but if he's throwing to high school seniors against 4th year P5 defensive backs, good luck.

 

[InGoodCo]

I can't think of any team in the West that has 10 out of 11 receivers who've never caught a college pass. You could have Tom Brady on your team but if he's throwing to high school seniors against 4th year P5 defensive backs, good luck.

Can't disagree with that at all... but again, same situation as last season and Iowa managed to win 8

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

If we're going to that route...

We have two quarterbacks, neither of which has ever played a real snap in college, and one of whom who hasn't stepped on a game field in almost a year and a half. When there's still no close winner this far into practice that doesn't exactly bode well.

We also have exactly one receiver (other than a recent grad transfer who played small ball) who has caught a D-1 pass. I don't mean a touchdown, or a multi-reception game...just a reception. Not a single one.

As far as the toss-up games, we got killed by NW last year and now we have even less depth at RB and WR. Michigan State won't shit the bed again as bad as last year, and as long as they're mid-tier decent they'll probably beat us.

We pretty much always piss a non-con down our legs, so that's 2 wins. Illinois, Purdue, and Minnesota suck bad enough for us to get the W so there's 5. Taking two more from Penn State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Nebraska, as much as I'd love to, is going to be too much to ask.

Next year, I'm feeling better about that.

Quarterbacks - That's college football. The reality is that KOK and KF has some history with first year QB's playing well enough to win (Drew Tate / Stanzi and others). These guys have both been through at least one season, two springs and now two fall camps...they are ready to play...whoever wins the job.

WR - Ok, this is a weakness...but with Vandenburg back, hopefully healthy, a great group of TEs, and two backs that have shown great skill in catching the ball...it's not like the cupboard is bare. It's thin...but there is talent. I think Falconer or Young could surprise too.

NW - killed? I believe we had a chance to go down and score to tie the game, but CJ threw an INT. Is that not right? Our offensive line got killed...and we didn't play well defensively...but we could have won that game.

I'm not sure the NDSU game qualifies as pissing down the leg...tough loss, sure...but we didn't get any breaks in that game and the TD called back to start the half hurt big time. We've played the Non-conference games pretty well over the past few years...NDSU was just one of those games that was going to be a dogfight. Our offensive line was also down two starters. No excuses, they beat us, but there were circumstances.

Why all the love these days for Nebraska. If we could angle a punt out of bounds we would be working on 5 in a row against them. Why the fear? I'm sorry, but our linemen on both sides did a number on Nebraska last year. Nebraska played the role of Ned Beatty in Deliverance last year with Iowa doing their best hillbilly mountain man thing. They were bent over the entire game...squeal....

IMO, this schedule just got flipped...OSU for Michigan. Wisconsin is a tough roadie, but Penn State here is once again a swap. Same as last year if you ask me. 8-4 is my guess and it could be better if we get the early win against Penn State.