The Next Morning: Infield Hit
The Hawkeyes are rewarded with the top ranking in the West after they inadvertently scored two touchdowns.
That was, well, something?
How in the hell do you discuss that game at all? It was awful in almost every way. Tory Taylor was not even at his best. Go over that again! It was a bad day for even Tory Taylor!
Other than Tory Taylor’s unusually bad day and Drew Stephens’ kickoff that landed in the upright—which, in this sport, is not a home run—we already know everything there is to know about this team. The defense shut down the Wildcats on the goal line with an incredible play that made me think of Syracuse in 2006 and kept jNW quiet all day. Stephens kicked a field goal that landed in the bleachers and won the game with an absolute ace.
The offense is still repugnant. It is inconceivable that they will finish far short of last year’s totals in nearly every category, including yards per game, passing yards per game, and points per game (although it is entirely possible that they could fall short because of the personnel, not the scheme). They have this too, somehow. Even more bizarre Iowa data
Give LeVar Woods and Phil Parker more cash. ASAP.
Today’s biggest news? Following today’s results, Iowa now leads the Big Ten West. In East Lansing, Nebraska took a stubby step. It was Wisconsin’s only defeat against Indiana since 2002. Minnesota suffered a home loss to a terrible Illinois squad, and they will likely suffer another setback against Ohio State.
With three games remaining, the Hawks reclaim the top spot in the Western Conference. It’s fantastic. Next week, when Rutgers moves to the west, there will be even more boring football. Over/under for the early Scarlet Knights? My vision is 29.5. For some, it is 28.5. Whoever reaches 10 first wins.
The Brian circumstance. Other than a single remark stating that I share your thoughts, I haven’t said anything about it. Kirk is free to vent all he wants about the mid-season firing that distracted him and the process. It is his fault that he had no control over this area of the house. In order for Brian to be at Iowa with his father, he and Gary Barta came up with this workaround. The instant his accomplice in this absurd scheme decided
He completely lost control in order to retire last summer. This would never happen if his offensive coordinator’s last name wasn’t Ferentz. In that case, Kirk is in charge; he can conduct a thorough assessment, conclude that nothing is amiss, and since it is too late to make any changes, nothing changes. Still, it did happen, and the program is the better for it.
For those who are breathing heavily in the back, Beth Goetz stated in her statement that she didn’t like the timing either and that she didn’t like the idea of firing players in the middle of the season. But she had to do something because this whole thing became a national joke. Once more, Iowa can take swift action on this and the program will benefit from it.
Although I have some sympathy for Brian, there are a lot of red flags with all of this. He attended Iowa. performed in Iowa. was a competent player. played for two teams that won Big Ten titles. Midway through his career, an injury that resulted in a staph infection almost cost him his leg. good coach for positions. He’s suffering greatly because of how awful his side of the game has been, and there are rumors that his family is suffering too (which, if true, makes you the biggest loser ever).
The warnings: after watching matches like this one on Saturday, you wish he had been fired completely on Monday instead of being given such a soft landing. He also receives a nice salary for this role.
Mad Men have a way of cutting right to the chase. Was all the angst directed at him? Yes, it’s terrible, but that’s the purpose of the funds. He was well-paid. He will be alright. In this case, his last name hurt him, but in the NFL, it might help him land a job. Godspeed, Andrew Ferentz
Injuries occur all over the nation. The fact that Iowa has now lost at different points during the season to teams that include Erick All, Beau Stephens, Jaz Patterson, Luke Lachey, Cade McNamara, and Kaleb Johnson stinks. Mason Richman also sustained injuries throughout the season. The offense alone is that. I’m sure there are people I’m overlooking, like Joey Labas and his camp injury. Naturally, Kirk intended to utilize this as justification for bringing Brian back. MeInjuries occur all over the nation. The fact that Iowa has now lost at different points during the season to teams that include Erick All, Beau Stephens, Jaz Patterson, Luke Lachey, Cade McNamara, and Kaleb Johnson stinks. Mason Richman also sustained injuries throughout the season. The offense alone is that. I’m sure there are people I’m overlooking, like Joey Labas and hiscamp injury. Naturally, Kirk intended to utilize this as justification for bringing Brian back. Mecannot assess Brian. His was not it. Too many serious wounds. I have to get him back. The problem with that is that I can see. Despite the fact that I need to wear glasses due to my poor vision, it’s okay because I can see quite well with them on! And I’m not crazy
The other quarterbacks in Iowa are not even close to being as good as Deacon Hill. He almost made a fumble again today, and in a close game, he threw a terrible pick that prevented Iowa from scoring. It’s possible that the other teams will turnover the ball more during practice than during a game. Rehearsed turnovers outweigh actual in-game turnovers. Make sense of it.
Next up is Rutgers, who gave Ohio State everything they had before the Buckeyes went all cow tipping and blew it against Rutgers. Again, bet on the under. 28.5. It’s incredible!
When Kirk sees the tweet above, he probably thinks, “…and?? We’re triumphant. He’s right, but damn, when we look back on this in ten years and see the numbers, we’ll be furious as hell. I already communicate with friends via text like that.
In the five games since the Penn State game, Iowa has given up three touchdowns. They somehow dropped a game during that run.
August 1st, the Cubs’ 20-9 victory over the Reds at Wrigley Field, was the highest-scoring game of the season. In my Friday weather/line adjustment piece, I made reference to it. Not even close to that number anymore
What the heck was that, Tory Taylor? He didn’t play his best.
And really, what the devil is going on with the field? The infield was in terrible shape, particularly Iowa’s goal line stand. Playing this in a baseball stadium, Kirk was unphased, and he has every right to feel that way. Let’s end with some baseball field games. This was a mess with giant divots late in the game, just as the Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium was a mess with a frozen field. Those holes were perhaps a foot deep at the very least.
This would give Iowa’s offense a nice place to rest. Gentlemen, just dig a few more feet on those divots so we can bury this crap offense and move on to whatever Kirk has in store for us next.
