2025 Early Fan Optimism Poll
- Thread starter LaQuintaHawk
- Start date
10-2
We lose to penn state and USC. We make the CFP.
We lose to penn state and USC. We make the CFP.
second option i think is redundant...if we win 10 with this schedule it will be cfp
if a bona fide all american emerges on defense (or even offense) i would be optimistic but as things stand we will miss cfp
if a bona fide all american emerges on defense (or even offense) i would be optimistic but as things stand we will miss cfp
That would seem to be a realistic goal. That said, I think we lose to at least one of ISU, IU, USC, Nebbie.
Not biting this year. Yet another 'savior' qb on deck, unsettled o line, no stand out WRs or backs (I know, it COULD happen), and Kirk ultimately reigning in offensive innovation. It was a huge let down to see the offense sputter in the the second half of the bowl game.
That was enough to crush hope significant change was on the horizon.
Kirk was a great fit for years, but every act becomes predictable and goes out of style.
Eight would be huge, but with a tougher schedule and and a defense somewhat below Parker's usual standards...
Hopefully the wins include ISU and Little Red.
That was enough to crush hope significant change was on the horizon.
Kirk was a great fit for years, but every act becomes predictable and goes out of style.
Eight would be huge, but with a tougher schedule and and a defense somewhat below Parker's usual standards...
Hopefully the wins include ISU and Little Red.
OL has three OL all-big players returning. Plenty of Clydesdales in the barn. Wr room is better, RB's solid. Gronowski stays healthy, very good year.
Tough schedule. Hawks will probably have a better team this year but not necessarily a better record. Figure 7-5, 8-4. ISU game may determine how season goes.
Both Offensive and Defensive lines are solid. Solid QB. These three along with solid Special Teams wins a lot of games.
Gronowski transfers to any other previous 8 win school (especially an SEC school) they are immediately seen as a CFP contender.
Most are gun shy due to the offenses previous to Lester. It will be fun watching the only team in FBS football that runs a Shanahan/LeFleur offense now that they have the pieces and know what they are doing.
Also, as a Packer fan its very cool to see the same plays being run on Saturday and Sunday
Gronowski transfers to any other previous 8 win school (especially an SEC school) they are immediately seen as a CFP contender.
Most are gun shy due to the offenses previous to Lester. It will be fun watching the only team in FBS football that runs a Shanahan/LeFleur offense now that they have the pieces and know what they are doing.
Also, as a Packer fan its very cool to see the same plays being run on Saturday and Sunday
Hate to say it, but a loss at ISU is likely. They have a returning, experienced QB, one more game under their belt against good competition (KSt) and home field. Unless K State blows them out they'll definitely be favored against the Hawks.
Unless we get blown out in the CCG and finish 10-3 ..that could keep us out of the CFP.
Yeah, OP is no George Gallup. Lots of crossover and changing structure in those choices.
One of the toughest schedules in years, question mark of a secondary, and QB whom I like a lot, I just don't know how he'll perform on the Power 4 level.
There was a lot of attrition on defense, and because of that I think there's a low confidence level we haven't seen in years for that side of the ball. We once again have a new QB, and that too doesn't do wonders for my confidence level. Mark is definitely a cut from other QB's we've had since Stanley though. Losing our star RB is also concerning, I think both Jazz and Moulton have potential, but we only see one Kaleb Johnson once every decade or so.
With all of that in mind, I have a hard time believing we get to 10 wins. The biggest factor in getting there is how well the offense operates, and by extension, Mark's overall performance. But I also think Lester will improve this year too. Listening to interviews, it's clear he and the offense were drinking from a fire house trying to get the offense down. Lester himself had very little time to prepare for opponents, with Iowa State being an example he used, only having less than a week to prepare.
It won't be a salty defense with a pick/sack or elite special teams with a last second field goal that get Iowa to the CFP this year; it will be the offense.
There was a lot of attrition on defense, and because of that I think there's a low confidence level we haven't seen in years for that side of the ball. We once again have a new QB, and that too doesn't do wonders for my confidence level. Mark is definitely a cut from other QB's we've had since Stanley though. Losing our star RB is also concerning, I think both Jazz and Moulton have potential, but we only see one Kaleb Johnson once every decade or so.
With all of that in mind, I have a hard time believing we get to 10 wins. The biggest factor in getting there is how well the offense operates, and by extension, Mark's overall performance. But I also think Lester will improve this year too. Listening to interviews, it's clear he and the offense were drinking from a fire house trying to get the offense down. Lester himself had very little time to prepare for opponents, with Iowa State being an example he used, only having less than a week to prepare.
It won't be a salty defense with a pick/sack or elite special teams with a last second field goal that get Iowa to the CFP this year; it will be the offense.
50 votes in and the 7-9 win folks are dominating with 37
Optimistic folks (10 or more wins) are second with 8
Pessimistic folks (6 wins) bringing up the rear with 5
Optimistic folks (10 or more wins) are second with 8
Pessimistic folks (6 wins) bringing up the rear with 5
Unsettled O Line? We couldn't possibly have a group with more experience than the one that'll take the field game 1.
Our backfield should be fine but you're absolutely right about the WRs.
I think Kirk gives Lester even more freedom this year....If we see Gronowski on several designed runs / game, there's our proof Kirk has taken the handcuffs off the offensive strategy.
SO, whats "unsettled" about the offensive line? How many teams have three highly rated returners who have started lots of games, (Dunker was the highest rated returning RT in college football, and Jones one of the highest rated centers), several good options at the guard opposite Stevens, (Piper has been getting rave reviews), and good competiton for the other tackle spot between the transfer 3 year starter, and Dotzler, Lauk, and Nolan. There are a lot of teams that would love to be that "settled on the OL....
With regards to the offense, I agree that Kirk is giving the reigns to Lester and Co. even more this year because he's more familiar with what they want to do, and you add in the new coaches they brought in and he can continue to delegate roles and spend less time on oversight and worrying about the direction of the offense from a playcalling Xs and Os standpoint (especially considering that has never been Kirk's strong point).
It is certainly possible. Iowa is a good football team with good players. It's just a question of how good.
Gotta win every single home game. Do not lose at home.
Best defensive line in the Big 10?
Ranking all 18 Big Ten defensive lines from worst to first
With the season fast approaching, here is our full preview of every defensive line room in the Big Ten entering 2025.
badgerswire.usatoday.com
If USC's D-line is bottom 5 of the B1G, the key to victory may just be ground and pound all game and keep their offense from touching the ball. I'm talking like 7+ minute drives of just burning clock and keeping the ball, limiting their offense's chances to score. This is a game a lot of people have Iowa losing.Best defensive line in the Big 10?
Ranking all 18 Big Ten defensive lines from worst to first
With the season fast approaching, here is our full preview of every defensive line room in the Big Ten entering 2025.badgerswire.usatoday.com
Pretty tall order Herkin. If it happens Iowa would be having a helluva season.