Iowa and the measuring stick

[JerseyCityHawk]

I have been watching a lot of the college playoff content and noticed that Iowa has been used as a measuring stick when doing comparisons of Indiana and Oregon have played. I know it doesn’t mean much but this Iowa team was so ever close they could have went undefeated with a tad help from the Gods. I wasn’t happy with the final record but so very pleased to see Iowa THAT DAMN GOOD this past season and I think we are all in for a surprise for this next season aa it might be Iowa’s turn to shine and make it
To the playoffs.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

Oh, Ok.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Oh, Ok.

Iowa > your team

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I have been watching a lot of the college playoff content and noticed that Iowa has been used as a measuring stick when doing comparisons of Indiana and Oregon have played. I know it doesn’t mean much but this Iowa team was so ever close they could have went undefeated with a tad help from the Gods. I wasn’t happy with the final record but so very pleased to see Iowa THAT DAMN GOOD this past season and I think we are all in for a surprise for this next season aa it might be Iowa’s turn to shine and make it
To the playoffs.

It'll depend on 4 things:

-Quarterback mobility
-Restocking the offensive line
-Restocking and dare I say improving, if it's not to much to ask, on the defensive line
-Hope and pray that our new punter and kicker are at least better than average, and that we don't need to rely as much on special teams touchdowns to manufacture points let alone win games



Do that and sure.........we can make a playoff run.

 

[eyesofhawk]

It'll depend on 4 things:

-Quarterback mobility
-Restocking the offensive line
-Restocking and dare I say improving, if it's not to much to ask, on the defensive line
-Hope and pray that our new punter and kicker are at least better than average, and that we don't need to rely as much on special teams touchdowns to manufacture points let alone win games



Do that and sure.........we can make a playoff run.

So then, what happened this year?

-mobile qb
-Joe Moore o-line
-better than average kicking game with special teams' TD's
-d-line good enough to be part of a solid D

 

[uihawk82]

I have been watching a lot of the college playoff content and noticed that Iowa has been used as a measuring stick when doing comparisons of Indiana and Oregon have played. I know it doesn’t mean much but this Iowa team was so ever close they could have went undefeated with a tad help from the Gods. I wasn’t happy with the final record but so very pleased to see Iowa THAT DAMN GOOD this past season and I think we are all in for a surprise for this next season aa it might be Iowa’s turn to shine and make it
To the playoffs.

I have wondered what was going through Cignetti's mind during their game with Iowa. The hawks just kept making plays, especially on defense, to thwart IU. The two 4th and 1 stops (those are like forced fumble recoveries by Iowa), the Lutmer pick (that could have been the game winning play), stopping them time and again and forcing punts. And Iowa's offense doing enough to be tied 13-13 with a minute left and Iowa with the ball and a chance to win.

Cignetti knows he dodged a big loss and now knows why and how so many ranked teams get beat by solid if not great Iowa teams in Kinnick. Just ask Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer.

 

[NWHawk33]

So then, what happened this year?

-mobile qb
-Joe Moore o-line
-better than average kicking game with special teams' TD's
-d-line good enough to be part of a solid D

The Dline was average at best

 

[Hawk_4shur]

The Hawks were good enough to win all their games. To me, that's more important than the final record. In recent years they lost some games when they had no chance of winning. IMO this was a fun season.

If it's playoffs or bust then I think we're in for a lot of disappointing seasons. It's just going to be dam hard to get into the final 12.

I'm not too worried about the D. It will either be "good" or "very good" as long as PP is coaching them.

But you can't get to the promised land without an outstanding QB. Can Hecklinski be one?

 

[NWHawk33]

The Hawks were good enough to win all their games. To me, that's more important than the final record. In recent years they lost some games when they had no chance of winning. IMO this was a fun season.

If it's playoffs or bust then I think we're in for a lot of disappointing seasons. It's just going to be dam hard to get into the final 12.

I'm not too worried about the D. It will either be "good" or "very good" as long as PP is coaching them.

But you can't get to the promised land without an outstanding QB. Can Hecklinski be one?

Well said. FTR I am a playoff or bust guy but this year was fun and I do view it as a success. I just don't value bowl games and I still don't count the Vandy win as a win against a ranked team. I want Iowa to be competitive and also entertaining which they were. Overall I want them to be a perennial top25 program with so CFP appearances sprinkled in. This was the best season since 2020 in my opinion

 

[Heathen Raider]

I trust Lester to have the best option under center week 1 and for the offense to be called utilizing that QBs strengths , OL has a lot of snaps coming back might take a couple games to come together , I think Iowa needs 1 more DT and obvious a Punter , Kicker is good, He has made clutch kicks and has range and is accurate . Schedule is all on 4-5 tough games , Anywhere from 7-5 to undefeated with luck , lots of luck. Typical Iowa Season . PS I think Heck will be good and the QB battle the following Season will be epic

 

[eyesofhawk]

The Hawks were good enough to win all their games. To me, that's more important than the final record. In recent years they lost some games when they had no chance of winning. IMO this was a fun season.

If it's playoffs or bust then I think we're in for a lot of disappointing seasons. It's just going to be dam hard to get into the final 12.

I'm not too worried about the D. It will either be "good" or "very good" as long as PP is coaching them.

But you can't get to the promised land without an outstanding QB. Can Hecklinski be one?

Never played sports?

You couldn't say antything more disrespectful to the players and coaches than, "being good enough is more important than record".

Smh

 

[AlexanderUrinis]

We just need to figure out this nascent forward pass thing and Iowa will, fur sure, be playoff bound. Probably win it all if we can find a WR on the roster somewheres.

 

[oldxbbc]

I have been watching a lot of the college playoff content and noticed that Iowa has been used as a measuring stick when doing comparisons of Indiana and Oregon have played. I know it doesn’t mean much but this Iowa team was so ever close they could have went undefeated with a tad help from the Gods. I wasn’t happy with the final record but so very pleased to see Iowa THAT DAMN GOOD this past season and I think we are all in for a surprise for this next season aa it might be Iowa’s turn to shine and make it
To the playoffs.

Would like to think you awe correct. Helenski would have to shine right away, and not “have the light turn on” at mid-season. Portal guys must be ready at get go.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

So then, what happened this year?

-mobile qb
-Joe Moore o-line
-better than average kicking game with special teams' TD's
-d-line good enough to be part of a solid D

I am talking about what next year needs to be competitive given all they have to replace.

We need to see these things play out in order for Iowa to have a chance, but also not waste the first half of the season while accumulating losses (plural) figuring out what kind of team we have...........if the goal is reaching the playoffs.


And to answer your question, the oversimplified version of it is we didn't know how to win those tight games against these highly ranked/highly skilled teams yet.

We also "Iowa'd" ourselves just enough in those 4 games, as well, to make sure we came up short.

But the way we competed, the way we finished, and the fact they can perceive beating a ranked Vanderbilt as getting the "monkey off the back" and turning a corner as far as not just competing with top 15 teams....but beating them, lends hope to this next group in 2026 being able to carry that newfound momentum and perhaps finally get over the ultimate hump, which is accomplishing the actual major goals we've been missing out on for the last 20 plus years now.

(Which coincidentally enough, is now officially a longer stretch of time than that of the "dark ages")

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Never played sports?

You couldn't say antything more disrespectful to the players and coaches than, "being good enough is more important than record".

Smh

Funny enough, I know for a fact the players and coaches disagree with you..........

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Never played sports?

You couldn't say antything more disrespectful to the players and coaches than, "being good enough is more important than record".

Smh

I'm not a coach or a player - just a fan looking for some fun game days. And I got 13 of them. Some tough finishes of course, but this team could play with anyone. As a fan 9-4 is better than 10-3 if the 3 losses were blowouts like we've seen recently.

This was a tougher schedule than they had for as long as I can remember. Two losses to playoff teams and USC was in the hunt for one until late.

Nothing but respect for this Iowa team!

 

[WeBeHerkin]

12 - 0

 

[WeBeHerkin]

I have been watching a lot of the college playoff content and noticed that Iowa has been used as a measuring stick when doing comparisons of Indiana and Oregon have played. I know it doesn’t mean much but this Iowa team was so ever close they could have went undefeated with a tad help from the Gods. I wasn’t happy with the final record but so very pleased to see Iowa THAT DAMN GOOD this past season and I think we are all in for a surprise for this next season aa it might be Iowa’s turn to shine and make it
To the playoffs.

How close it was

Oregon game
Wetjen doesn't fumble inside Oregon 10
We convert the 2 point

USC
The last toe tap throw by an inch.

Indiana
The early pick.
That damn missed wide open 5 yard screen that would have let us at least do a walk off FG for the win

Iowa State
The pin ball, double bank reception that gave them a first down late.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Funny enough, I know for a fact the players and coaches disagree with you..........

What players and coaches?

Not at that level

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

So then, what happened this year?

-mobile qb
-Joe Moore o-line
-better than average kicking game with special teams' TD's
-d-line good enough to be part of a solid D

RUN THE BALL

 

[2D]

Some of the key issues we had that held us back from getting to the playoffs was the lack of a true passing threat and an average DLine that more than often, failed to get home against a QB. Sadly, Mark was no gunslinger, and RVZ, the most elite WR on our roster, was out for half the season. DJV didn't emerge until late in the season as well. Need another guy of RVZ's caliber or better and pray that Heck is the gunslinger Lester makes him out to be.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Never played sports?

You couldn't say antything more disrespectful to the players and coaches than, "being good enough is more important than record".

Smh

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

What players and coaches?

Not at that level

I'm sorry you had to hear it from me. I don't like destroying other people's fragile worldviews but sometimes it has to be done......

 

[uihawk82]

Well said. FTR I am a playoff or bust guy but this year was fun and I do view it as a success. I just don't value bowl games and I still don't count the Vandy win as a win against a ranked team. I want Iowa to be competitive and also entertaining which they were. Overall I want them to be a perennial top25 program with so CFP appearances sprinkled in. This was the best season since 2020 in my opinion

Silly, vandy was ranked 14th, 10-2 in the SEC and yes they dodged some big games in conference but so do we sometimes, like our 12-0 season in 2015

 

[HawksRule73]

So then, what happened this year?

-mobile qb
-Joe Moore o-line
-better than average kicking game with special teams' TD's
-d-line good enough to be part of a solid D

Situational.

I’d say special teams cost us 2, maybe 3 games. Missed FG against IU, airmailed snaps against Oregon, Wetjen’s horrible effort at ISU.

 

[NWHawk33]

Silly, vandy was ranked 14th, 10-2 in the SEC and yes they dodged some big games in conference but so do we sometimes, like our 12-0 season in 2015

Well like....... that's your opinion man

 

[geauxhawks402]

I have been watching a lot of the college playoff content and noticed that Iowa has been used as a measuring stick when doing comparisons of Indiana and Oregon have played. I know it doesn’t mean much but this Iowa team was so ever close they could have went undefeated with a tad help from the Gods. I wasn’t happy with the final record but so very pleased to see Iowa THAT DAMN GOOD this past season and I think we are all in for a surprise for this next season aa it might be Iowa’s turn to shine and make it
To the playoffs.

Any time the Hawks can be seen as the gate keeper for the best conference in college football it is awesome PR! The more they talk about us during CFP the better it is for recruiting. There is a lot of momentum building inside and outside the program after this year. Kirk's teams always are at their best when they fly under the radar. So, let the momentum continue to build behind the scenes then show the world who we are next year!

 

[uihawk82]

I am talking about what next year needs to be competitive given all they have to replace.

We need to see these things play out in order for Iowa to have a chance, but also not waste the first half of the season while accumulating losses (plural) figuring out what kind of team we have...........if the goal is reaching the playoffs.


And to answer your question, the oversimplified version of it is we didn't know how to win those tight games against these highly ranked/highly skilled teams yet.

We also "Iowa'd" ourselves just enough in those 4 games, as well, to make sure we came up short.

But the way we competed, the way we finished, and the fact they can perceive beating a ranked Vanderbilt as getting the "monkey off the back" and turning a corner as far as not just competing with top 15 teams....but beating them, lends hope to this next group in 2026 being able to carry that newfound momentum and perhaps finally get over the ultimate hump, which is accomplishing the actual major goals we've been missing out on for the last 20 plus years now.

(Which coincidentally enough, is now officially a longer stretch of time than that of the "dark ag

Well like....... that's your opinion man

Yeah, my opinion based on facts like Vandy's 10-2 record which was a top record and they play in one of the two toughest conferences. Those are facts. The other facts are all the people that follow football were the ones that ranked them 14th out of 131 Div 1 teams. That is above the 90th percentile if you want to look at it that way. Again a fact. Not sure why you want to belittle Iowa's victory

 

[2D]

I'm sorry you had to hear it from me. I don't like destroying other people's fragile worldviews but sometimes it has to be done......

Cook that loser non-Iowa fan.

 

[JerseyCityHawk]

Any time the Hawks can be seen as the gate keeper for the best conference in college football it is awesome PR! The more they talk about us during CFP the better it is for recruiting. There is a lot of momentum building inside and outside the program after this year. Kirk's teams always are at their best when they fly under the radar. So, let the momentum continue to build behind the scenes then show the world who we are next year!

Well said my Hawkeye brother

 

[rchawk]

It was a fun season to root for the Hawkeyes. We can (and do) say "what if" after every season. 2025 wasn't different about that, but damn was it fun. They started out as a good team. From the Wisconsin game Oct. 11 forward, Iowa was a very good team. Trampling Minnesota and Nebraska was glorious.

 

[kwik44]

Definitely feels like something bigger is happening. Like this is the most confident & calculated Iowa has been under KF. Schedule also sets up much better next year.

 

[93hawkeye]

The '26 team will need upgraded play at most positions, or replacement of high-level seniors at the remaining positions. Possible, but a high wall to climb.

 

[Hawkangler]

The Hawks were good enough to win all their games. To me, that's more important than the final record. In recent years they lost some games when they had no chance of winning. IMO this was a fun season.

If it's playoffs or bust then I think we're in for a lot of disappointing seasons. It's just going to be dam hard to get into the final 12.

I'm not too worried about the D. It will either be "good" or "very good" as long as PP is coaching them.

But you can't get to the promised land without an outstanding QB. Can Hecklinski be one?

I don't disagree. After 40 years of season tickets we were going to stop making the nine hour trek but this past year rejuvinated us to renew. We'll also go to Ann Arbor, three hour drive.

I like some of our portal additions zo far.

 

[TheGuy9]

Yeah, my opinion based on facts like Vandy's 10-2 record which was a top record and they play in one of the two toughest conferences. Those are facts. The other facts are all the people that follow football were the ones that ranked them 14th out of 131 Div 1 teams. That is above the 90th percentile if you want to look at it that way. Again a fact. Not sure why you want to belittle Iowa's victory

Math is a funny thing. Being ranked 14th out of 131 is not above 90%. It's very close to being 90% but not quite there. It's math skills like this that may have been the impetus to doing away with the penny.

 

[NWHawk33]

Yeah, my opinion based on facts like Vandy's 10-2 record which was a top record and they play in one of the two toughest conferences. Those are facts. The other facts are all the people that follow football were the ones that ranked them 14th out of 131 Div 1 teams. That is above the 90th percentile if you want to look at it that way. Again a fact. Not sure why you want to belittle Iowa's victory.

It's also a fact that Vanderbilt's top receiver sat out the bowl game cuz ya know bowl games matter so much and all

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I don't disagree. After 40 years of season tickets we were going to stop making the nine hour trek but this past year rejuvinated us to renew. We'll also go to Ann Arbor, three hour drive.

I like some of our portal additions zo far.

Wow. 9 hours? Kudos to you!

My wife (no pics) and I also had tix for 40 years, beginning with our freshman year in college. After college it was only a 45 minute drive. But 40 years were enough for us. We haven't had tickets since 2014 - bought a vacation home instead!

But we still plan our Fall around the football schedule. After a few years that were really hard to watch, 2025 was truly enjoyable. Just hoping they can keep it up, and maybe even improve!

 

[uihawk82]

Math is a funny thing. Being ranked 14th out of 131 is not above 90%. It's very close to being 90% but not quite there. It's math skills like this that may have been the impetus to doing away with the penny.

Ok, so I took a quick guess that 117 divided by 131 was 90% or greater and I was off by a fraction as it is 89.3%. Well lock me up, fire me, suspend me. My gawd you are worse than when my 6 year old grandson corrected me on what time it was when I said it is about 10 AM when he said not grampa it is 9:57 .

Geez, the point was made. I was replying to a poster who thought Vandy was not a very good football team. just chill

 

[uihawk82]

It's also a fact that Vanderbilt's top receiver sat out the bowl game cuz ya know bowl games matter so much and all

Now you are using a whole different argument. Well Iowa was without their #1 Tight End for most of the season including a few close losses.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Wow. 9 hours? Kudos to you!

My wife (no pics) and I also had tix for 40 years, beginning with our freshman year in college. After college it was only a 45 minute drive. But 40 years were enough for us. We haven't had tickets since 2014 - bought a vacation home instead!

But we still plan our Fall around the football schedule. After a few years that were really hard to watch, 2025 was truly enjoyable. Just hoping they can keep it up, and maybe even improve!

Pic of vacation home? LOL