CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: Hawkinole on January 06, 2019, 12:22:28 AM
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Iowa had good fortune in the Outback bowl. An open Mississippi State receiver in the end zone juggled a ball right into the hands of an Iowa D-Back in the waning minutes of the 4th Qtr. who runs the ball out to the 30-yard line. I thought Iowa would win, but this was a game of breaks, and unusual plays on both sides of the ball. Miss. St. had 90-yards in penalties; Iowa had 0-yards penalties, another turning point.
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Coming into 2019, it looks dreadful.
Noah Fant - Early NFL bound
Amani Hooker - Early NFL bound
TJ Hockenson Early NFL Decision - 95% decided - but not announced.
I bet TJ Hockenson goes to the NFL too. Iowa is always on the edge of greatness, and on the edge of diminutiveness.
In a competitive 2019 west, with Nebraska coming on or at least getting ready to do so, I suspect Iowa is coming down.
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For a developmental program, all these early departures for the NFL really hurt more I believe than a team stacked with 4 star recruits.
Nobody can blame the players for going to get the money while they are still young and healthy, but I believe the key to Iowa's potential success is getting a couple of productive years out of its NFL talent.
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I believe the key to Iowa's potential success is getting a couple of productive years out of its NFL talent.
This is why Hockenson's departure would be extra hurtful. And I didn't see much in the bowl game suggesting another Noah Fant to TJ Hockenson is waiting in the wings. Maybe Marv Cook can coach his son up.
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Its official. Anthony Nelson is going pro early too.
That's Fant, Hooker, and Nelson all declaring early and Hockeson has yet to announce.
How did this team lose 3 games against the Big Ten West with so much young NFL talent?
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How did this team lose 3 games against the Big Ten West with so much young NFL talent?
Anthony Nelson is a literally huge loss.
In answer to your question: Inconsistent offense.
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Now there are four early NFL departures:
I am not sure any college team could duplicate what Noah Fant and TJ Hockenson did for the Hawkeyes in 2018.
Iowa does have serviceable talent at each of these positions in backup roles. But the problem becomes when Iowa loses three 3rd year players to the draft, and one player, Hockenson, with two years eligibility left, combined with graduation, Iowa's roster is decimated.
Iowa loses its entire starting DL. There were a couple competent backups; AJ Epenesa DE will probably be an All American his junior year next year. Iowa has a consistently good defense. But, even the defense will be down a bit. Offense will be more inconsistent than ever in my view.
I am looking at 5-7; 3-6. Iowa fans thought they were building to a great 2019 team; but no. C'est la vie.
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I can't recall a year where so many Hawks have declared for the draft early. One or two is the norm, but four is an awful lot, especially at some of the most important positions.
I think Iowa will be fine, but I think any dreams of going 10-2 have gone out the window. 7-5 is my guess, maybe even 8-4 if Iowa gets a break or two. I'm not too worried about the TE or DL situation, the Hawks usually have some young talent waiting in the wings that will step up and make a difference.
This seems to have the makings of a slow start, strong finish. I can see a 3-3 start, and then going 4-2 or even 5-1 to end the season.
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Iowa loses its entire starting DL. There were a couple competent backups; AJ Epenesa DE will probably be an All American his junior year next year. Iowa has a consistently good defense. But, even the defense will be down a bit. Offense will be more inconsistent than ever in my view.
so, AJ probably goes early after next season?
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Barring injury or a substandard season, it's a reasonable assumption that he's going pro early.
Nate Stanley may or may not be pro material, but he's a senior so he's gone regardless. I hope that Petras, Mansell, or Padilla make some noise this spring, and get some meaningful snaps this year.
This past season, the pass protection has been good (but not great), and the run blocking has been stunningly average. This needs to improve if Iowa is going to do any better than 7-8 wins. Defensively I wouldn't be shocked if they took a bit of a step back, at least early on, considering how green it is, but I think it has the makings to be as tough as any Iowa defense late in the season.
And punting, woof. Quit the rugby style kicks and get some stinkin' air under it. There's no excuse, Iowa should average at least 40 yards per punt.
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I thought Iowa was really building towards a HUGE 2019, but this certainly pumps the brakes on that.
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Michael Sleep-Dalton, a punter at ASU is transferring as a graduate student to Iowa. I could find no reason for his departure from ASU. Seems odd. His cousin, Cameron Johnston, punted at Ohio State. I suspect Cameron Johnston, who punted in Iowa City for the Buckeyes, extolled the virtue of playing Big Ten football, over PAC-12 football, although I didn't read an article saying so. It was Cam Johnston who originally encouraged him to move to the U.S. from Australia to punt.
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https://247sports.com/college/georgia/LongFormArticle/College-football-2019-season-defensive-rankings-129113473/#129113473_10
Interesting, the top picked team surprised me a bit.
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https://247sports.com/college/georgia/LongFormArticle/College-football-2019-season-defensive-rankings-129113473/#129113473_10
Interesting, the top picked team surprised me a bit.
I don't think Iowa will be a top 10 D, let alone #1. Had DE Nelson and S Hooker not left for the NFL, this could have been a salty unit. They have holes at MLB and S, and very little depth across the DL. I still think they'll be solid, but certainly not elite.
Quickly scanning the list, I don't think a lot of effort was put into the article. Miss. St loses DE Sweat, DT Simmons, and S Abrams to the draft. Having seen them up close in the bowl game, those 3 players made that defense.
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I view such articles mostly as click bait in the off season, I don't expect much real analysis.
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If there's one thing I know about Iowa, is that there will always be a solid defense. The thing about that defense, and this goes back to all my time watching college football...
They hit, and they hit hard. They arrive at the ball angry and they take no tackle lightly. When a team plays Iowa, they know it, and they feel it for days. Sometimes longer.
They play the right way. Always have, as far as I'm concerned.
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I need to see a game at Kinnick one of these days. I think Nebraska is at the top of my list, but not as practicable as others. I might do Missouri this year and Vandy.
Is Virginia Tech somewhat akin to Iowa in style of play and stadium noise factor?
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I need to see a game at Kinnick one of these days. I think Nebraska is at the top of my list, but not as practicable as others. I might do Missouri this year and Vandy.
Is Virginia Tech somewhat akin to Iowa in style of play and stadium noise factor?
I've not been to Lane (maybe I will when UW goes there in a few years) but Kinnick is loud, and crazy. If you do go there, do it for a Badger or Husker game. Look me up if you do.
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Kinnick is as much fun as any in the Big Ten.
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I haven't been to Kinnick in a few years. Bout time I get back there for a game. always a good time
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https://247sports.com/college/georgia/LongFormArticle/College-football-2019-season-defensive-rankings-129113473/#129113473_10
Interesting, the top picked team surprised me a bit.
Iowa probably is a Top 10 defense most years especially considering how much time the offense likes to give up to the opponent. Iowa should have a good defense but there were some early departures including Anthony Nelson a 6'8" 271 lb. lineman. Josh Jackson a CB drafted by Green Bay in Round 2. And, Amani Hooker, a DB who played a DB/LB position in 2018.
I doubt Iowa has the top 2019 defense, but with plenty coming back, including DE AJ Epenesa who has been for 2-years a 2nd teamer but one of the top DEs in the Big Ten, Iowa's defense will be stalwart. I worry more about offense.
Oh, Reviewing your linked article. Chauncey Golston was 2nd team in 2018, too.
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Kinnick is as much fun as any in the Big Ten.
I think Iowa is 5-0 against Michigan in Kinnick in the recent past. You can correct me.
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I think Iowa is 5-0 against Michigan in Kinnick in the recent past. You can correct me.
I believe 4 in a row, but 5 of 6
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My analysis of B1G HFA relative to Iowa from @ELA (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=55) 's countdown thread:
Iowa: There are no two ways around it, the Hawkeyes have a very unfavorable schedule. They visit the next two best teams in the B1G-W (UW and NU) and they also play two of the best three teams from the other division with one of those being on the road. They could still win the B1G-W though because, IMHO, none of the B1G-W teams have the team and schedule combination necessary to run the table. If I am right, then the key for Iowa is to minimize the damage from their tough games. They can't seriously contend for the B1G-W if they go 0-4 against M, PSU, UW and NU but they might get to Indianapolis if they go 2-2 against that group particularly if the losses are to the B1G-E schools.
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Iowa hasn't been able to get past Brohm's Purdue teams. Nebraska and Minnesota are on the upswing. Not so sure about Wisconsin, but Iowa seems to think Wisconsin is unbeatable. Michigan on the road. PSU anywhere in recent years has proven to be close, but unbeatable.
I continue to see this as a 5-7 Iowa team, maybe 6-6. Of course, I hope for better. The only break Iowa gets is Ohio State isn't scheduled.