Iowa insider comments

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Originally Posted by Clones85'

Didn't dominate Michigan? Michigan didn't even have 100 yards of offense, they didn't score a TD.

I am not comparing OSU to OU. Others are. I am comparing conferences. The Big 10 only has OSU. OU is not the only team in the Big 12 that can contend for a national title

And they won 14-3. Hardly a dominating performance.

You are saying that the Big 10 is bad, and using OSU to make your point. The obvious analog in the Big 12 is Oklahoma, and by that standard, the Big 12 and Big 10 aren't far separated.

That's all. You didn't have to bring up Oklahoma to make it relevant to your point.

Now you can move on down the line with Texas, K-State, Missouri, Texas Tech, Kansas, Colorado etc, and compare those to analogous teams in the Big 10, but if you're saying that the Big 10 is bad because they have one dominant team that gets beat in the BCS, you're throwing stones from inside a glass house.

[CycloneErik]

Originally Posted by DJK15

Hmm...you must have missed it the first time, I'll say again:

When have either of us said anything about a Big Ten/National Championship? Ohio State brings back everybody from a NCG, they're definitely the odds on favorite to win the Big Ten.

If they win the "Big" 10, how bad will they play in this year's BCS title game? Maybe we should start a poll about who will do the crushing of the Buckeyes this year.

[CycloneErik]

It wouldn't hurt to say that our Hawk fan friends here are at least acting like fans, going in with optimism, however blindly misplaced in "that team" that it is. At least they're sticking to it, unlike a lot of Hawk fans that turn nasty and bitter when reality comes around. (Don't you 2 let me down on this, now!)


As for which conference has the bigger perennial BCS disappointment, I stand by my proposal: Every year, Ohio State and Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, with no title possibility. They both get their big game, and no deserving contenders are left out of the title picture. Maybe at some point, OU gets a win. We could even make this a bonus Fiesta Bowl, and have a real one for 2 deserving BCS teams.

[KMAC_ATTACK]

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

Oh yeah, my bad.

Talk about a team that's fallen off the radar pretty quickly.

Yeah SH Nebraska has fallen off the map, hmmmm didnt they finish with one less loss then Iowa - But, also has had a top 15 recruiting class the last 5 years....wonder who has more "Quality Players" on the roster?.....if you think that Iowa will be 6-6, 7-5, 8-4 or better, do you think this team is remotely comparable to last years team for overall talent? You lose your starting two running backs(very good players), several of your lineman are returning from injurys of various sorts and have only 1 player with significant playing time, Moecki is a stud, WR is even, your defensive line lost its best player and is replaced by a first year starter, you lose 2 senior lb and replace them with first year starters(Coleman will be your Defensive star) and the secondary is a just a mess with only one player having solidified his abilities in Bradley Fletcher. The other three players had better gel quick and understand the systems because they're all first year starters....Jordan Bernstein as a DB - I thought he was recruited as a Safety.....does he have cornerback skills - i guess they will find out.....

I didnt even mention Jake, mainly because i think he was unfairly treated by the Iowa fans last year.....He had a very good freshman season - considering his WR corps was a wreck with injurys and arrests and his line was pathetic compared to Iowa's recent history of producing NFL caliber lineman...these guys were a mess.....

I just don't see how the enthusiasm around the hawks soars every spring as sure as gas prices rising every summer with promises of Big Ten titles and Florida new years day bowl games just like the gas stations saying the price will drop later in the year.....it never happens!!!!!!!

Iowa is in a position they've not been in recently, forcing people to play that are not ready for the level of play in the big 11 due to injuries, arrests and other problems. DEPTH is a huge issue with Iowas team....cannot afford any injuries all season... At least with ISU fans, we saw a product on the field that was far superior at the end of the season as compared to the beginning of the season....that breeds enthusiasm, i don't understand how this Iowa team is better then last years.....I dont see how a loss at home, in front of a sold out home crowd to a team that had only 3 wins can breed enthusiasm....

Could someone please explain that?????

[KMAC_ATTACK]

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

If they win the "Big" 10, how bad will they play in this year's BCS title game? Maybe we should start a poll about who will do the crushing of the Buckeyes this year.

one thing i cannot dog the hawks about is bowl games....they seem to always play better (except the orange bowl but who would have beaten that USC team - nobody except MAYBE the two teams in the championship)....

Two years ago when everyone said Iowa had no business playing texas in that bowl game - Wow iowa looked good, fast and played their butts off, it was a game to be very proud of if i were a hawk lover.....

How many times have Clone fans said they want to be competitive with the big boyz....well for that game, that day, the hawks were....props to them for that....

now back to bashin....

[clonomaniac]

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

KF used to go with a full out spring game, but saw too many players tweak an injury. Nothing to gain from it, other than for the fans' enjoyment.

And while I appreciate the insider information from this starter's parents, I was very much impressed by JC's improvement in this spring scrimmage over the last one. Last year he was overthrowing passes from the get-go. This time, his passes were more on target, he better stepped back in the pocket, and he got rid of the ball a lot quicker when the defense brought the blitz.

Stanzi... I'm on the Stanzi bandwagon. He had 2-3 beautiful passes 45 yards down the field go for TDs. It'll be nice to have Moeaki, Brodell, Stross, Chaney, and DJK all healthy and ready to go.

And I'll say this - the defense is going to be stingy this year, and agressive. They looked quick yesterday, and while that could speak for how poor the offense was, they actually looked improved over last year at this time. They were swarming, and they were pumped.

Overall, to me, under 7 wins would be dissapointing. Very dissapointing.

I will be shocked if EIU has 6 wins this season. I really will.

[DJK15]

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

...several of your lineman are returning from injurys of various sorts and have only 1 player with significant playing time,

Only 1 player with significant PT? Are you talking about the O/D-line? If so, you're way off. The only starter that didn't see significant PT last season will be Bruggeman on the OL. Hell, King and Kroul are 4 year starters.

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

WR is even,

Our #1, Brodell, was lost for the majority of the season with the hamstring tear. According to KF himself Andy is at 100% and has not lost any of his speed. Our #2, Stross, struggled with injuries throughout last season, he's also 100% healthy and caught 2 TD's in the spring game. DJK is a star ready to emerge and Chaney is the deep threat with speed to burn. Our WR situation is MUCH better this season.

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

your defensive line lost its best player and is replaced by a first year starter,

I really hope you don't mean Iwebema, if you do, well... you haven't watched much Hawkeye football. Mitch King has been the best player on the D for a couple years now. Also, Iwebema/Mattison's replacements (Clayborn/Ballard) saw lots of PT last season and are arguebly just as good, if not better.

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

you lose 2 senior lb and replace them with first year starters(Coleman will be your Defensive star)

Coleman started a couple games for an injured Klink and played well. As good as he is, Pat Angerer is giving him a run for the starting job. Jeff Tarpinian and 4-star Jeremiha Hunter are fighting over the other LB position. A.J. Edds obviously retains his starting job and is an absolute stud.

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

and the secondary is a just a mess with only one player having solidified his abilities in Bradley Fletcher. The other three players had better gel quick and understand the systems because they're all first year starters....Jordan Bernstein as a DB - I thought he was recruited as a Safety.....does he have cornerback skills - i guess they will find out.....

I'm not even going to touch this one. If you think Bradley Fletcher is our best DB, no offense, but you don't know what you're talking about. Bernstine has been at CB since last season. Watch out for Spievey and Sash.

[ajk4st8]

Iowa is relying on the WORST thing to build hope on.

That players from one season will somehow improve enough to make a difference.

THIS RARELY HAPPENS without bringing in a lot of NEW players.

[MontyBurns]

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

If they win the "Big" 10, how bad will they play in this year's BCS title game? Maybe we should start a poll about who will do the crushing of the Buckeyes this year.

Ohio State plays at USC in September, so they'll get their crushing early this year instead of in the national championship game.

[CycloneErik]

Originally Posted by MontyBurns

Ohio State plays at USC in September, so they'll get their crushing early this year instead of in the national championship game.

I hope that USC is ready for the OSU Super Bowl

[arndog77]

Wow, you can tell both our basketball seasons sucked. It's April and both fan bases are in mid-season form! I'm a hawkeye fan bleeding black and gold, but I can't make a prediction right now.....cause it's april. Maybe in August. I will say this, hopefully both iowa and I State go to a bowl. Maybe i'm dreaming, but then hopefully we won't be conplaining to each other on how much either school sucks and we can celebrate in our greatness. Wait, please pinch me and wake me up!

[MontyBurns]

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

I hope that USC is ready for the OSU Super Bowl

Well, considering what happened in the Rose Bowl when USC played Illinois -- the one and only team to beat OSU during the regular season -- I don't think they're too worried.

[Ficklone02]

Yes everybody likes to bash OSU, but they have been to 3 out of the past 6 title games....and are 1-2 in that span. That is pretty damn good. Now, they bring in Terrell Pryor.....and if the B10 didn't like playing them before, they are now begging for mercy. With almost all of the defense coming back, and all that talent on offense I think they have an excellent shot of beating USC and making another run.

[ajk4st8]

Too bad OSU has to live with the rest of the crap that is the Big 10.

Then again, if we had OSU's $100 million athletic budget we'd probably be ok too:)

[bfross]

Originally Posted by ketelmeister

Talked to a parent of a starter for Iowa. A couple of comments
1. Iowa sat several starters all Spring to avoid injuries. Some just simply did not practice because of "injuries", but in reality to keep them from occuring. They are that thin.
2. The QB Controversy is at Iowa, not at Iowa State. We have two good QBs imo, Jake C. is not seen as a leader by players there, and neither of the other two impressed. If Jake C performs badly at the start of the season, the boo birds will be out in force for anyone else.
3. The Spring game was a wet and cold mess and didn't really show much. Tough conditions to wrap up in for any team.
Overall outlook: They have a lot of holes to fill. KF will earn his money this year if he can put together a solid team in Iowa City.

Sounds like Nebraska. Callahan had no tackle practice most of last year and it probably made them softer than they'd normally be.