10-2 should NOW be the goal / hope for IOWA fans

[Hurricane88]

I have no doubt we will have some close calls, but a "seasoned" fan should know that this team historically improves as the season goes on, especially on offense. Michigan may implode, but I doubt it. You are drastically underestimating how good their defense is. From someone who actually watches the games, you can see that they will likely have the best Dline Iowa plays this year, adding to a great to elite secondary. Then you look at their offesne, some of those throws that Underwood made were NFL ready, that is god given talent. If he had it between the ears, he would be unbeatable with the combination of scramble and arm talent. I don't doubt that this weekend gets ugly, but the rest of the schedule being a pipe dream isn't disingenuous, it's laughable.

As a seasoned fan, I watch the games of our future opponents and look to see how the Hawkeyes will perform against them.

Minnesota has a great defensive line. They were killing Washington. I think they had 7 sacks the last time I heard during the game, against a mobile QB. They may not have a great offensive line, but Iowa has struggled to get to the QB this year, in comparison. Iowa's offensive line is not as good as previously advertised.

Iowa was ranked #2, then lost to Purdue. Remember that? I certainly do. If you knew any better, you would know that Iowa Hawkeyes football can't have nice things.

Nebraska has a QB that could be in the NFL as well. Most likely never starting a game, but still a NFL QB. They rank #5 in total defense so far this season and 19th offensively. Not going to be an easy game.

Washington is 34th defensively. Again, not a bad defense. They rank 24th nationally with 31.1 PPG. Not a bad team and coached pretty well most of the time.

Minnesota ranks significantly worse than Washington in both categories and still beat Washington on the road. Feisty team? Or just an over ranked Washington team? Miss St. beat Minnesota on the road because they are a top 15 team with the best QB in the country ATM.

Wisconsin is ranked 40th offensively and 28th defensively. Comparing that to 134th offensively last year, that is an incredible improvement. And ranked 24th nationally in defense last season. So, they are comparable in the department. Keep in mind they have played Notre Dame and Penn St. this year. So those rankings aren't being heavily weighted against inferior opponents.

Illinois ranks 59th offensively and have played, Ohio St. and Duke. Again, not exactly inferior opponents. They rank 101st Defensively after being scorched by Duke's running game and Ohio State's potent offense. A trap game in Champaign.

I think 9-3 is more likely and even 8-4 is very possible.

 

[squeezebox_1]

As a seasoned fan, I watch the games of our future opponents and look to see how the Hawkeyes will perform against them.

Minnesota has a great defensive line. They were killing Washington. I think they had 7 sacks the last time I heard during the game, against a mobile QB. They may not have a great offensive line, but Iowa has struggled to get to the QB this year, in comparison. Iowa's offensive line is not as good as previously advertised.

Iowa was ranked #2, then lost to Purdue. Remember that? I certainly do. If you knew any better, you would know that Iowa Hawkeyes football can't have nice things.

Nebraska has a QB that could be in the NFL as well. Most likely never starting a game, but still a NFL QB. They rank #5 in total defense so far this season and 19th offensively. Not going to be an easy game.

Washington is 34th defensively. Again, not a bad defense. They rank 24th nationally with 31.1 PPG. Not a bad team and coached pretty well most of the time.

Minnesota ranks significantly worse than Washington in both categories and still beat Washington on the road. Feisty team? Or just an over ranked Washington team? Miss St. beat Minnesota on the road because they are a top 15 team with the best QB in the country ATM.

Wisconsin is ranked 40th offensively and 28th defensively. Comparing that to 134th offensively last year, that is an incredible improvement. And ranked 24th nationally in defense last season. So, they are comparable in the department. Keep in mind they have played Notre Dame and Penn St. this year. So those rankings aren't being heavily weighted against inferior opponents.

Illinois ranks 59th offensively and have played, Ohio St. and Duke. Again, not exactly inferior opponents. They rank 101st Defensively after being scorched by Duke's running game and Ohio State's potent offense. A trap game in Champaign.

I think 9-3 is more likely and even 8-4 is very possible.

Early season stats mean almost nothing, sample sizes are small and they are skewed by playing dumpster level teams. If you actually believed that Iowa had the #1 defense in the country coming into last weeks game, yeesh I'm not sure what to tell ya.

Well, you certainly don't know the definition of a pipe dream. Minnesota has a decent defensive line, but they haven't played anyone outside of Mississippi State where they were absolutely roasted. They gave up 252 yards to MSU in rushing alone. Washington ranks 124th in rushing offense, so point proven.

Nebraska also hasn't played anyone, Colandrea looks decent, the funniest part is Brown put up those numbers against Michigan, and if you think MSU's defense is anywhere near what we saw last week you should see an optometrist immediately.

Wisky, who knows, their qb can move, but has a noodle arm, their defense was roasted by ND, and I don't think PSU is very good after seeing how they fell apart at the end.

I have no idea what to think of Illinois, Houser is a solid qb, their defense is more than suspect. If we go by rankings they are rocking the 111th ranking in total defense, just fired their coordinator because he decided to put his CBs on an island with the best player in college football. They are more than susceptible.

 

[Franisdaman]

Here's more reason for 10-2 to be the goal:

 

[Hurricane88]

Early season stats mean almost nothing, sample sizes are small and they are skewed by playing dumpster level teams. If you actually believed that Iowa had the #1 defense in the country coming into last weeks game, yeesh I'm not sure what to tell ya.

Well, you certainly don't know the definition of a pipe dream. Minnesota has a decent defensive line, but they haven't played anyone outside of Mississippi State where they were absolutely roasted. They gave up 252 yards to MSU in rushing alone. Washington ranks 124th in rushing offense, so point proven.

Nebraska also hasn't played anyone, Colandrea looks decent, the funniest part is Brown put up those numbers against Michigan, and if you think MSU's defense is anywhere near what we saw last week you should see an optometrist immediately.

Wisky, who knows, their qb can move, but has a noodle arm, their defense was roasted by ND, and I don't think PSU is very good after seeing how they fell apart at the end.

I have no idea what to think of Illinois, Houser is a solid qb, their defense is more than suspect. If we go by rankings they are rocking the 111th ranking in total defense, just fired their coordinator because he decided to put his CBs on an island with the best player in college football. They are more than susceptible.

Dumpster level teams? I mentioned teams that have played harder schedules than Iowa has. Iowa throttled a NIU team that is completely lost and looks like a FCS team. Iowa throttled a UNI team that has a coach on the hot seat and again, is a FCS team. In the two game that the Hawkeyes have played P4 teams, they barely won and honestly, needed a lot of luck to beat Michigan. A couple terrible penalties, a couple lucky AF catches that you won't ever see them perform again. (Not talking about the Dutch WR.) And then to top it all off, they had an injured player that provided the time to prepare for the last play. Otherwise he was going to fake spike it and then who knows what happens.

You have blinders on. Major team bias.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Dumpster level teams? I mentioned teams that have played harder schedules than Iowa has. Iowa throttled a NIU team that is completely lost and looks like a FCS team. Iowa throttled a UNI team that has a coach on the hot seat and again, is a FCS team. In the two game that the Hawkeyes have played P4 teams, they barely won and honestly, needed a lot of luck to beat Michigan. A couple terrible penalties, a couple lucky AF catches that you won't ever see them perform again. (Not talking about the Dutch WR.) And then to top it all off, they had an injured player that provided the time to prepare for the last play. Otherwise he was going to fake spike it and then who knows what happens.

You have blinders on. Major team bias.

Well since you are a well rounded football fan, you would have known that UNI just beat the #3 ranked Illinois State team, that coach is not at all on the hot seat, but I agree that is a level of competition Iowa should not schedule. I don't think I have any major bias. I stated that Iowa's #1 ranked defense was due to that schedule.

I'll clue you in, when you say the words pipe dream, that means it would be a miracle if Iowa finishes 10-2. Sure they could implode, but I don't see it happening. I think we are spanked this weekend, but after that, the schedule is not daunting. Before you start on any of the member berries non-sense, this is the 2026 team, not the 2021 team with an elite defense and no offense.

 

[Hurricane88]

Well since you are a well rounded football fan, you would have known that UNI just beat the #3 ranked Illinois State team, that coach is not at all on the hot seat, but I agree that is a level of competition Iowa should not schedule. I don't think I have any major bias. I stated that Iowa's #1 ranked defense was due to that schedule.

I'll clue you in, when you say the words pipe dream, that means it would be a miracle if Iowa finishes 10-2. Sure they could implode, but I don't see it happening. I think we are spanked this weekend, but after that, the schedule is not daunting. Before you start on any of the member berries non-sense, this is the 2026 team, not the 2021 team with an elite defense and no offense.

UNI lost to Eastern Washington as well. Glazing over that one huh? Again, they aren't the level of competition you want to be bragging about.

Yes, I don't think at all they finish 10-2. It is a pipe dream. Arguing over an opinion is silly. I entered my opinion and you feel offended by it. IF they beat Ohio St. I would definitely change my opinion. But, I don't think they have a snowballs chance in hell to win that game. Not a single person on that defense will be able to slow down Jeremiah Smith. Not to mention slow down that passing attack at all.

You look at the schedule after that, Minnesota and Wisconsin I think we go 1-1 in those rivalry games. That makes us a 2 loss team. (I could see 0-2.) Go further and I think we lose to Nebby. That makes them a 3 loss team. I also think you can sprinkle in another loss somewhere. Iowa is an injury away from running off the rails. Hank Brown goes down and its all over. A single person predicates how they finish. One single injury and it's over.

I'm a realist and you are obviously and optimist when it comes to being a fan of the Hawkeyes. We have one common goal, we both want to see them do well. I am NOT hoping for a downfall. But, I have seen a few in my day. I've been a fan for the entirety of Kirk's HC career. (Yes I'm old)

In closing, (because I'm not continuing the dialogue) I hope for the best but prepare for the worst. I hope for 11-1 season and a Big Ten CG berth. But, I know better. I know not to count my chickens before they hatch.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[2D]

Dumpster level teams? I mentioned teams that have played harder schedules than Iowa has. Iowa throttled a NIU team that is completely lost and looks like a FCS team. Iowa throttled a UNI team that has a coach on the hot seat and again, is a FCS team. In the two game that the Hawkeyes have played P4 teams, they barely won and honestly, needed a lot of luck to beat Michigan. A couple terrible penalties, a couple lucky AF catches that you won't ever see them perform again. (Not talking about the Dutch WR.) And then to top it all off, they had an injured player that provided the time to prepare for the last play. Otherwise he was going to fake spike it and then who knows what happens.

You have blinders on. Major team bias.

I would actually agree with most of this. While it was encouraging to see us take care of business early and easily against the teams we were supposed to, especially considering years prior where it would take much longer to put those teams away, those have been the only teams we have shown dominance on at the LOS and with our run game. It's totally unacceptable that we struggled as much as we did against Iowa State, and a cause for concern. It's also a cause for concern that our secondary let Michigan throw with as much success as they did.

However, Kirk teams historically get better week after week, and peak in November, hence his stellar record in that month. You can say that Iowa State was due to it being a rivalry known for its low scoring, and Michigan's defensive front will likely be the best this team will play the remainder of the year. But our run game needs to start producing and we have to start getting push at the line. So far, against strong competition, we've looked very iffy. But Iowa was kind of due for those lucky catches to finally go our way, it's been years since we've seen something like that happen.

But the final play was definitely not a fluke, our QB showed an elite touch on the ball and our WR beat an NFL caliber DB on one of the toughest catches you can make. That's progress.

 

[Franisdaman]

the final play was definitely not a fluke, our QB showed an elite touch on the ball and our WR beat an NFL caliber DB on one of the toughest catches you can make. That's progress.

 

[paladinhawk_rivals]

great picture

 

[Hurricane88]

I would actually agree with most of this. While it was encouraging to see us take care of business early and easily against the teams we were supposed to, especially considering years prior where it would take much longer to put those teams away, those have been the only teams we have shown dominance on at the LOS and with our run game. It's totally unacceptable that we struggled as much as we did against Iowa State, and a cause for concern. It's also a cause for concern that our secondary let Michigan throw with as much success as they did.

However, Kirk teams historically get better week after week, and peak in November, hence his stellar record in that month. You can say that Iowa State was due to it being a rivalry known for its low scoring, and Michigan's defensive front will likely be the best this team will play the remainder of the year. But our run game needs to start producing and we have to start getting push at the line. So far, against strong competition, we've looked very iffy. But Iowa was kind of due for those lucky catches to finally go our way, it's been years since we've seen something like that happen.

But the final play was definitely not a fluke, our QB showed an elite touch on the ball and our WR beat an NFL caliber DB on one of the toughest catches you can make. That's progress.

That is precisely why I said IF Hank goes down, we are practically in hades. I think that photo says more about Reese than Hank. Reese ran that route to perfection and was ready for the catch at the right time. Great throw! But, even better catch!

 

[Franisdaman]

"Stanford Steve" of ESPN said today that if Iowa manages to go 10-2 that they are a playoff team.

 

[Hurricane88]

"Stanford Steve" of ESPN said today that if Iowa manages to go 10-2 that they are a playoff team.

Stanford Steve isn't on the committee.

 

[Hurricane88]

Early season stats mean almost nothing, sample sizes are small and they are skewed by playing dumpster level teams. If you actually believed that Iowa had the #1 defense in the country coming into last weeks game, yeesh I'm not sure what to tell ya.

Well, you certainly don't know the definition of a pipe dream. Minnesota has a decent defensive line, but they haven't played anyone outside of Mississippi State where they were absolutely roasted. They gave up 252 yards to MSU in rushing alone. Washington ranks 124th in rushing offense, so point proven.

Nebraska also hasn't played anyone, Colandrea looks decent, the funniest part is Brown put up those numbers against Michigan, and if you think MSU's defense is anywhere near what we saw last week you should see an optometrist immediately.

Wisky, who knows, their qb can move, but has a noodle arm, their defense was roasted by ND, and I don't think PSU is very good after seeing how they fell apart at the end.

I have no idea what to think of Illinois, Houser is a solid qb, their defense is more than suspect. If we go by rankings they are rocking the 111th ranking in total defense, just fired their coordinator because he decided to put his CBs on an island with the best player in college football. They are more than susceptible.

So, what do you think now?

 

[QChawks]

There is zero chance this team is winning 10 games

 

[ajdl]

There is zero chance this team is winning 10 games

MAYBE 6