What a difference one game makes

[HawkeyeNTexas]

If by chance the Hawks would have beat NW, would the board be singing a different toon? The Hawks would still be sitting pretty with only one conference loss and have a chance for a Big Ten title and BCS game. (with some luck)

After the AZ loss, that was the worst I've ever felt as a Hawk fan. That's the truth. My expectations of this season were to win a National title, and anything less would not be acceptable. REALISTIC? probably not. I built this season up so much in my mind with "realistic" expectations of competing for and winning a national title. I thought this team was just that good and I had never felt more confident.

After a couple of days of mourning, I got over it. I decided that it wasn't worth it and that getting upset wasn't doing me any good. I decided to not worry so much about the national title or my expectations and just enjoy the season. When this team lost to Wisconsin and then to NW last weekend, it really didn't bother me. I really should have learned from past experience that things "meant" to go a certain way usually don't. Especially when it comes to expectations with Iowa football and basketball.

Now, regardless...... I fully expect Iowa to beat OSU this weekend. I just have a good feeling about it. My prediction: 31-21.

 

[Igothawked]

Yes, if the Hawks would have won Saturday these boards would be completely different. The AZ loss stung pretty bad just because of the way they lost. Then I focused on the Big 10 Championship and the loss to Wisconsin was the toughest for me to swollow. Primarily because of my exteme hatred for all things Badger, but also because of the way they lost and the fact the title hopes started slipping away with that loss. Then this lost Saturday, I was almost expecting it, so it didn't bother me that bad, but that loss sealed the fate of this team and now I have a ho hum attitude.

 

[clim33]

The loss sucked. What is kind of bad though is that many of us have said that was a potential loss all season and many people have "jumped off the cliff". This is a good team who has had a lot of injuries and a couple crappy games with penalties and turnovers.....it happens. It sucks but it happens. Fans go through some mourning and then act like fans again.....other people start saying all the things our coaches and players should have done.....cuz they are experts at being Monday morning quarterbacks. It's the same guys all the time. That's just how some people are......some people take a crappy lose and try to figure a way to get better from it and others complain and act like idiots. You have seen a good sampling of each in the last few days. Instead of sending hate mail to T Sash or second guessing coaches we should be figuring out how to be loud as hell at the game saturday to help the team. Let's get past the loss last week and see if we can get a couple more wins........I for one think we can.

 

[tm3308]

The loss sucked. What is kind of bad though is that many of us have said that was a potential loss all season and many people have "jumped off the cliff". This is a good team who has had a lot of injuries and a couple crappy games with penalties and turnovers.....it happens. It sucks but it happens. Fans go through some mourning and then act like fans again.....other people start saying all the things our coaches and players should have done.....cuz they are experts at being Monday morning quarterbacks. It's the same guys all the time. That's just how some people are......some people take a crappy lose and try to figure a way to get better from it and others complain and act like idiots. You have seen a good sampling of each in the last few days. Instead of sending hate mail to T Sash or second guessing coaches we should be figuring out how to be loud as hell at the game saturday to help the team. Let's get past the loss last week and see if we can get a couple more wins........I for one think we can.

One would think though that taking away what the offense wants to do would be a good idea.

 

[cibula11]

And keep in mind IF Iowa wins this weekend and against Minny they'll likely have an opportunity to finish in the top 10 with a bowl win. It's just one of those years.

 

[jameskalina]

It's not that Iowa lost three games it's HOW they lost them.

Here how I view the three losses:

Arizona: Hawks made enough mistakes that Iowa beat themselves. Disappointing but still a lot to play for. All goals except a 12-0 record still on the table.

Wisconsin loss was on the coaching staff. Very disappointing conference loss. Instead of Iowa being in the drivers seat it's Wisconsin. Iowa should have won this game.

Northwestern: This team beat Iowa 4 out of the last 5 times. Northwestern is not considered a great team (just ask Jon Miller) and unranked. Indiana should have been Iowa's wake up call and Northwestern should have been Iowa's revenge game for knocking Iowa out of the unbeaten and taking out Stanzi in 2009. Instead Iowa plays what I observed as uninspired football. Northwestern comes from behind to beat Iowa. This game is by far the most disappointing loss so far this season.

Quite frankly I'm starting to wonder about the senior leadership and the coaching staffs decision making skills in close football games.