Your Best and Worst Takes from the season...

[CP87]

I will start.

Bad Take
I usually don't get too far out on a limb, so I am not sure I had a lot of outrageous takes. But this is one I think about:

Gronowki's 4 interceptions this year

Gronowki's 4 interceptions this year Week Two - Iowa @ Iowa State 2nd quarter, 5th drive, 2nd play of drive 2nd & 12 at Iowa 33 Wetjen lost his footing coming out of the break on a comeback route down the right side. The defender cut in front of him for the interception. Result - Iowa State TD...

forum.hawkeyenation.com

Either late, or just afraid to pull the trigger. I don't know if he [Gronowski] is being freaked out by the increased speed and tighter windows at this level and he will eventually adjust, or if he just doesn't have the processing speed to be successful in a drop-back passing game at this level. Hawkeyegamefilm commented on this after PSU, our drop-back numbers on the year are abysmal...but, we are actually doing pretty good on play-action, rollouts/sprintouts, and screens. That is just who we are, we need to find ways to maximize that style.

I think over the last few games, MG proved that it was simply a matter of lack of reps. We were actually productive in drop-back passing over the last 3 games, and it certainly helped to have a few reliable receiving options get healthy/emerge. Those last 3 games are a small sample, but they do give me confidence that maybe he could someday make an NFL roster as a QB (I still think initially he will need to stick as a Taysom Hill like multi-use guy).

Good Take

Again, nothing too prophetic, but I think I hit this one:

Major B1G Upset Opens Door for Iowa

https://www.si.com/college/iowa/football/major-b1g-upset-opens-door-iowa-hawkeyes From article: Through a black and gold lens specifically, few teams are set to benefit from the Bruins' big win as much as the Hawkeyes potentially could, given their own ability to produce. Not only does this...

forum.hawkeyenation.com

And I think this is how we want Iowa to think [i.e. big goals are off the table, this was after the Indiana loss]. I have no evidence to support this, but I have always gotten the sense that KF teams play a more entertaining brand of football once all of their big goals become hopeless. I think KF's sphincter loosens a bit, and he lets the coordinators and players loose to an extent that he just cannot when he knows there are huge implications to a win/loss.

I predict a lot of improvement and some fun football between now and the end of the season.

Accurate.

 

[NCHawker]

Week 1 or 2, I didn't see six wins on the schedule. Will have to dig up my quotes.

There was a point when I realized ISU's win in Ireland wasn't that big of a deal and they weren't all that good and in September either was Iowa. Hawks grew up alot against Rutgers.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Week 1 or 2, I didn't see six wins on the schedule. Will have to dig up my quotes.

There was a point when I realized ISU's win in Ireland wasn't that big of a deal and they weren't all that good and in September either was Iowa. Hawks grew up alot against Rutgers.

Iowa State's depth chart this season was pretty thin. They lost a lot of key players after last season, plus there was a lack of ready-to-play backups at a lot of positions. Injuries piled up pretty fast and the replacements were not ready for prime time.

Also, Iowa State has a bit of a gimmicky defense, with a lot of guys moving around at the snap. It takes some getting accustom too for opponents. Gronowski was coming into the situation cold, in every sense of the word.

I also think Iowa State's conference opponents had Iowa State's defense scouted much better than in previous years.

 

[trj]

Fernando Mendoza wouldn’t be better than Kurtis Rourke. Hot take that didn’t age well. Not quite what the OP wanted, but it is the first thing that popped into my head.

 

[NCHawker]

not my take but Meta AI

Meta AI predicts Iowa 2025

Based on the 2025 Iowa football schedule, here's a prediction of wins and losses: Predicted Wins: UAlbany: Iowa is expected to win this home game on August 30, as UAlbany is a relatively weaker opponent. UMass: Iowa should dominate this home game on September 13, given UMass's lower ranking...

forum.hawkeyenation.com

 

[Grady]

I will start.

Bad Take
I usually don't get too far out on a limb, so I am not sure I had a lot of outrageous takes. But this is one I think about:

Gronowki's 4 interceptions this year

Gronowki's 4 interceptions this year Week Two - Iowa @ Iowa State 2nd quarter, 5th drive, 2nd play of drive 2nd & 12 at Iowa 33 Wetjen lost his footing coming out of the break on a comeback route down the right side. The defender cut in front of him for the interception. Result - Iowa State TD...

forum.hawkeyenation.com

I think over the last few games, MG proved that it was simply a matter of lack of reps. We were actually productive in drop-back passing over the last 3 games, and it certainly helped to have a few reliable receiving options get healthy/emerge. Those last 3 games are a small sample, but they do give me confidence that maybe he could someday make an NFL roster as a QB (I still think initially he will need to stick as a Taysom Hill like multi-use guy).

Good Take

Again, nothing too prophetic, but I think I hit this one:

Major B1G Upset Opens Door for Iowa

https://www.si.com/college/iowa/football/major-b1g-upset-opens-door-iowa-hawkeyes From article: Through a black and gold lens specifically, few teams are set to benefit from the Bruins' big win as much as the Hawkeyes potentially could, given their own ability to produce. Not only does this...

forum.hawkeyenation.com

Accurate.

Here are your April 17 predictions:

Predicted leaders:
Passing: Gronowski
Rushing: Patterson
Receiving: Anderson

'Two Out of Three Ain't Bad'....but 1 out of 3? Ha. Hey, at least you were in the arena.

 

[trj]

Thought of another one. With the exception of 2002, losing to ISU would be considered a fail. Hindsight being what it is, this year’s loss didn’t feel that bad.

 

[Grady]

Best Take: I never thought Washington should have gotten a single snap at RB. Iowa STARTING him at RB vs Iowa State was coaching malpractice and was one of the worst coaching decisions at ANY position at ANY time over the course of the entire season.

Worst Take: Halfway through the season, I'd given up on Gronowski being anything other than a runner. He proved me wrong and made some nice throws down the stretch.

 

[CP87]

Here are your April 17 predictions:

Predicted leaders:
Passing: Gronowski
Rushing: Patterson
Receiving: Anderson

'Two Out of Three Ain't Bad'....but 1 out of 3? Ha. Hey, at least you were in the arena.

Pretty sure someone hacked my account...

 

[NCHawker]

A bunch of takes here

Predict 2025 (Spring Version)

OK Folx we don't have much to go on, lets predict the wins-losses for this upcoming season. 2025 Iowa Football Schedule Saturday Aug. 30 UAlbany Great DanesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA Time TBA ETTV TBA Buy Tickets Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series Saturday Sep. 6 at 11 Iowa...

forum.hawkeyenation.com

 

[ChosenChildren]

I will start.

Bad Take
I usually don't get too far out on a limb, so I am not sure I had a lot of outrageous takes. But this is one I think about:

Gronowki's 4 interceptions this year

Gronowki's 4 interceptions this year Week Two - Iowa @ Iowa State 2nd quarter, 5th drive, 2nd play of drive 2nd & 12 at Iowa 33 Wetjen lost his footing coming out of the break on a comeback route down the right side. The defender cut in front of him for the interception. Result - Iowa State TD...

forum.hawkeyenation.com

I think over the last few games, MG proved that it was simply a matter of lack of reps. We were actually productive in drop-back passing over the last 3 games, and it certainly helped to have a few reliable receiving options get healthy/emerge. Those last 3 games are a small sample, but they do give me confidence that maybe he could someday make an NFL roster as a QB (I still think initially he will need to stick as a Taysom Hill like multi-use guy).

Good Take

Again, nothing too prophetic, but I think I hit this one:

Major B1G Upset Opens Door for Iowa

https://www.si.com/college/iowa/football/major-b1g-upset-opens-door-iowa-hawkeyes From article: Through a black and gold lens specifically, few teams are set to benefit from the Bruins' big win as much as the Hawkeyes potentially could, given their own ability to produce. Not only does this...

forum.hawkeyenation.com

Accurate.

After Indiana loss I stated that Kirk was too old and should retire.

Horrible take. This was one of Kirk’s best teams. Destroyed our 3 biggest rivals and bear a great Vandt team in the bowl

 

[CP87]

After Indiana loss I stated that Kirk was too old and should retire.

Horrible take. This was one of Kirk’s best teams. Destroyed our 3 biggest rivals and bear a great Vandt team in the bowl

I think I might have expressed similar

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Destroyed our 3 biggest rivals and bear a great Vandt team in the bowl

Hmmm, I am with you if you are referencing Nebbie and Minny. Who is 3? Wisky? I guess if you want to clarify you mean conference rival, I am with you. The Clowns are either 1 or 2 as far as our overall rivals are concerned.

 

[Fryowa]

Hmmm, I am with you if you are referencing Nebbie and Minny. Who is 3? Wisky? I guess if you want to clarify you mean conference rival, I am with you. The Clowns are either 1 or 2 as far as our overall rivals are concerned.

Wisconsin in in a giant shit sammich with extra mayo and I'm here for it. Fickell is absolutely drowning and has no idea what he's doing, what is wrong (everything), or how to even begin fixing it. But...they apparently saw nebraska's results in the musical coaches game so they know it's not going to benefit anything other than a new coach's checking account to fire him. Chryst and Jim Leonhard are laughing their asses off and so am I.

 

[CP87]

Wisconsin in in a giant shit sammich with extra mayo and I'm here for it. Fickell is absolutely drowning and has no idea what he's doing, what is wrong (everything), or how to even begin fixing it. But...they apparently saw nebraska's results in the musical coaches game so they know it's not going to benefit anything other than a new coach's checking account to fire him. Chryst and Jim Leonhard are laughing their asses off and so am I.

Counterpoint: their schedule was absolutely brutal, as you pointed out, and they looked fairly salty after getting trounced by Iowa (played Oregon tough, beat Illinois). I could see them as the equivalent of Minny and Nebraska sooner rather than later.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Counterpoint: there schedule was absolutely brutal, as you pointed out, and they looked fairly salty after getting trounced by Iowa (played Oregon tough, beat Illinois). I could see them as the equivalent of Minny and Nebraska sooner rather than later.

Nebbie will take their place next year. They go from a cakewalk schedule (where they went 7-6) to an absolutely brutal conference schedule breaking in a new QB. I can absolutely see Nebbie and Wisky flipping records next season.

 

[dagdaj]

All my takes are horrible.

But I will die on each and every hill I climb. One, I really have no shame and don't really care what people think about me. Once I logout, I'm me and I'm happy with that. For two, it's just sportsball. My favorite thing in the world is "nonsense". I love "nonsense". I am endlessly entertained by it. So, I create a lot of it.

 

[HuckFinn]

My worst take was how seriously I took the HN forum, including everything I posted.

My best take was the enjoyment I experienced from reading game threads after the game was over.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I don't remember anything specific but I'm sure I thought PSU woulda been better then they were just based on pre season hype from the media.

As far as Iowa takes go I don't think I had anything outlandish. I'm sure I was roasting MG after the ISU game though. It was tough to know what to expect from him early on but we were all hoping for more then that. Glad he got it going.

 

[SCHawkeye2]

I thought Iowa would finish regular season 7-5, lose bowl game to SEC team and Kirk would retire.
Missed on all.