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Reality hits like a ton of bricks

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Driftless_Hawk

Junior
Oct 12, 2025
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Just once I would love to have a real dynamic QB like these other B1G teams do. I guess we sort of had that with Mark.

If we had any run game we'd be a playoff team. O line has been absolutely horrible in the run block, which is why a 6-6 or 7-5 finish is likely now.

Illinois ran for 200 yards on Ohio State and we only ran for 29!?! Absolute disgrace with this O line talent
 
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r_desihawk

r_desihawk

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
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Herky T Hawk said:
I’ve saved a lot of time over the past few years not force watching our games. I’ll watch when I’m available, but I’ve missed a lot of full or partial games for softball games or scout campouts with my kids the past several years. I know people that skip their kids’ events to go to games, and that is not me.

This is supposed to be entertainment for us and some people treat it like life or death. The playing field used to be privately unfair with deals under tables. Now the unbalanced nature is sanctioned by the NCAA. It just isn’t worth the stress worrying about games against teams like OSU or Oregon. Spend your time worrying against the rival game that we mostly have level playing fields with.
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the b1g west games were/are all gems -- it has become fashionable to pooh pooh wi, mn, ne, il, nw but games against these teams provide great football that is far more meaningful.
 
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squeezebox_1

All-Conference
Mar 6, 2018
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85Bears said:
2 plays from 11-2 Troll
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you could argue for the USC game as well given that ending, but on the flip side of the coin you could argue they were a PI away from losing the PSU game, and had MSU garnered a single first down on their 3 minute drive in the fourth that game is over as well. Could have been just as easily 6-6.
 
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85Bears

85Bears

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Aug 31, 2019
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squeezebox_1 said:
you could argue for the USC game as well given that ending, but on the flip side of the coin you could argue they were a PI away from losing the PSU game, and had MSU garnered a single first down on their 3 minute drive in the fourth that game is over as well. Could have been just as easily 6-6.
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Not really when you take Indiana and Oregon to the wire like last years team did. They got batter and better as the year went on
 
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squeezebox_1

All-Conference
Mar 6, 2018
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85Bears said:
Not really when you take Indiana and Oregon to the wire like last years team did. They got batter and better as the year went on
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based on? MSU deserved to win that game, and statistically it looks like they should have. They lost the turnover battle at USC, a team they should have beaten. It was certainly nice to be competitive in every game, in comparison to years prior, but 2021 Nebraska comes to mind with situations like this.
 
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85Bears

85Bears

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squeezebox_1 said:
based on? MSU deserved to win that game, and statistically it looks like they should have. They lost the turnover battle at USC, a team they should have beaten. It was certainly nice to be competitive in every game, in comparison to years prior, but 2021 Nebraska comes to mind with situations like this.
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You can claim last years team could have been 5-7 if you just want to argue and be an @SS but anyone who watched the games could see the team was trending up and by the end of year was a very good team that could have easily finished 11-2. That wasn’t a 6-6 team by any stretch of the imagination. Cignetti said as much
 
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T

The Big Z

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
2,072
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85Bears said:
They easily could have made it last year, lol
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Last year was such a weird season. But again, in our 4 losses, we scored 16, 21, 13 and 15. I'd argue the USC game was the most frustrating because we dominated the first half and USC has such a ****** defense that if we continued to play aggressively we should have scored 31 at a minimum and would have won that game. Scoring 13 against ISU was ridiculous at home. So yes, you're right we win those 2 games we're probably in the playoffs. But we didn't because we're Iowa. But then we go out and drop 41 against Minny, 38 against Rutgers, 37 against Wisconsin and 40 against Nebraska and 34 in the bowl game. Which then causes such frustration when we go out and score 16 again against Iowa St this year while everyone else is dropping 35 on them.
 
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Hawkeye1984

Hawkeye1984

Senior
Jul 29, 2022
480
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Jonesy5960 said:
It really isn't all that different. They're good enough and well coached enough to beat the majority of teams they play, but never good enough to compete with the best who possess players that Iowa can only dream of acquiring.
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You know it’s funny. We could say the same thing about Indiana a few years back. Programs can change with the right leadership and funding. Iowa is not stuck in mediocrity because we are Iowa. It’s stuck because we have a fan base that is apathetic to taking the next step as program. So many posters on here constantly defend our inability to take the next step with “oh well that’s just Iowa” that’s how it will always be. First you have to want more and expect more as a fan base….and vote with your wallet.
 
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Hawkmanic23

All-Conference
Mar 11, 2026
2,559
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2D said:
Lolol.. Irrelevant what you thought before the season started. We're judging them from what we've seen on the field so far. Offense has regressed, week over week, excluding UNI. Defense showed promise with bending and not breaking, but poor tackling remains an issue, our secondary is suspect, and our DLine is not getting the pressure needed. No one compared anyone else on our schedule to OSU, but you'd be lying to yourself if you think NW, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska haven't looked improved. Iowa will be favored in maybe 2 of those games. Not to mention Washington and our West Coast Curse. The season is still very much alive, but it's going to be a brutal rock fight the rest of the way due to the inexperience and talent ceiling of this team.
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I guess I’m more optimistic than you, N’Western and Wisconsin look improved, but certainly not world beaters. Minny and Nebby will again be Hawkeye victories.
 
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Hawkmanic23

All-Conference
Mar 11, 2026
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Umichfan1 said:
I apologize for hijacking this thread, but let's be honest here and try to be objective about today's game (I know biased opinion is hard to remove). Iowa was not going to beat the bucks. It's funny a week ago Iowa fans were elated and celebrating the win against Michigan. Now reality has hit....HARD. Iowa is 4-1. Michigan is 3-2. The remaining teams your team has to play is "cupcake" compared to Michigan's. If you look at Michigan's schedule, you will agree I'm 100% correct. Our schedule is NFL level compared to yours.

You guys sure love to talk the talk but can't walk the walk.

Go Blue
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Good…if what you say is true…we can expect more Michigan loses. Boowho. 😢
 
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Hawkmanic23

All-Conference
Mar 11, 2026
2,559
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Herky T Hawk said:
I’ve saved a lot of time over the past few years not force watching our games. I’ll watch when I’m available, but I’ve missed a lot of full or partial games for softball games or scout campouts with my kids the past several years. I know people that skip their kids’ events to go to games, and that is not me.

This is supposed to be entertainment for us and some people treat it like life or death. The playing field used to be privately unfair with deals under tables. Now the unbalanced nature is sanctioned by the NCAA. It just isn’t worth the stress worrying about games against teams like OSU or Oregon. Spend your time worrying against the rival game that we mostly have level playing fields with.
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Yeah, when I was younger and in your life stage…I coached my girl’s fall softball, etc, I missed Hawkeye games “live” too. Now in retirement…I don’t miss any games.
 
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Hawkmanic23

All-Conference
Mar 11, 2026
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ajdl said:
It’s not losing to Ohio State. It’s how we lost and how our QB missed wide open receivers consistently and our total lack of run game. And even more importantly we needed a miracle to beat a bad Michigan team and had to come back to beat a garbage ISU team. There is no evidence that we should assume a win against any team. Realistically I think we are 7-5 or 8-4.
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I guess that’s why they play the games. I’ll take an “ugly win” over a “pretty win” every day.
 
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Hawkmanic23

All-Conference
Mar 11, 2026
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93hawkeye said:
New QB, multiple new OL and DL, new LBs. Nearly the same talent level of what they replaced, but they're less experienced. I didn't and still don't understand the playoff expectations/hope
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It was based on the schedule…where every game (outside of O$U), Iowa has a decent shot to win.
 
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Hawkmanic23

All-Conference
Mar 11, 2026
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AndreTheHawk said:
Yeah, you have to play the games for a reason. But unless you're delusional, the Hawks aren't making the CFP, with Kirk Ferentz at the helm. I've got over a decade of History to rely on, and this ain't the year it's changing for the Hawks.

No pass rush, no ground game, subpar QB play, other than that we have a great chance!
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You must be fun at parties.
 
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The Big Z

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
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LetsGoHawks83 said:
Michigan will make a QB change and finish the year strong. Iowa and MN will be happy they played early in the season... Just my gut feeling
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You really believe that? Michigan has looked good in 1 game this year, and that was against a QB that's actually worse than Underwood. They have more problems than just QB.
 
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squeezebox_1

All-Conference
Mar 6, 2018
1,089
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The Big Z said:
You really believe that? Michigan has looked good in 1 game this year, and that was against a QB that's actually worse than Underwood. They have more problems than just QB.
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Their Oline is a mess, but they have a really solid defense. I am surprised they haven't made that switch already, Carr is mobile and has a really solid arm. Garbage time, but their offense looked more than solid when he came in against UTEP.
 
Jonesy5960

Jonesy5960

Heisman
Feb 1, 2023
6,648
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Hawkmanic23 said:
Nebraska has played a “pillow soft” schedule, so the verdict is still out on them. Wisconsin had nowhere to go but up. Yes, N’Western is improved and will be a challenge for the Hawks.
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This is absolutely correct. Nebraska has only played 2 P4 teams in MSU and Maryland who will be fighting Rutgers for last place in the B1G this year.
 
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