USC Already Bracing For Three Plus Losses

[Duckley Palace]

 

 

Nothing really new here, but our friends in La La land have been trying to say they should get the benefit of the doubt in potential playoff consideration because of their grueling no conference slate.

 

If LSU scorches their defense, I bet there is an excuse related to growing pains. But who's fault is it that they didn't fire Grinch after year one? Same goes for Iowa. Kirk Ferentz kept his inept son employed to the detriment of his program.

 

Teaching moment for anybody. Don't hire friends or family, it's impossible to be objective for anybody. 

 

You've gotta be pragmatic when it comes to business.

[Jon Joseph]

Yet, Iowa went 10-2 and played for the B1G title in 2023. But for a terrible call that took away a punt return TD, Iowa would have finished 11-1. Iowa was not blown out by Michigan in the champ game. 

 

IMO, Iowa is underrated in most of the preseason polls. The Hawkeyes play Ohio State in Columbus but miss Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, and USC. Iowa has 5 conference home games in 2024 and has the sixth-best odds of winning the conference. 

 

9 starters return on defense. Broyles Award winner DC Phil Parker is back. Unfortunately, Parker was run over in practice and had to have shoulder surgery.

 

I think Iowa will be in the PO hunt deep into the season.

[Duckley Palace]

On 8/11/2024 at 6:27 PM, Jon Joseph said:

Yet, Iowa went 10-2 and played for the B1G title in 2023. But for a terrible call that took away a punt return TD, Iowa would have finished 11-1. Iowa was not blown out by Michigan in the champ game. 

 

IMO, Iowa is underrated in most of the preseason polls. The Hawkeyes play Ohio State in Columbus but miss Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, and USC. Iowa has 5 conference home games in 2024 and has the sixth-best odds of winning the conference. 

 

9 starters return on defense. Broyles Award winner DC Phil Parker is back. Unfortunately, Parker was run over in practice and had to have shoulder surgery.

 

I think Iowa will be in the PO hunt deep into the season.

 If you could've put the Iowa defense with the USC offense it would've been greatest team ever. I think Iowa is one of the B1G programs that is going to suffer the biggest fall. They've feasted on the B1G West, often times dodging Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State.

 

Right now they have the 18th rated recruiting class in the conference. Kirk Ferentz is simultaneously the greatest and worst coach in Hawkeye land. Greatest as far as taking three stars to ten wins, but worst as far as setting the ceiling clearly below Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State.

 

People may look at that statement as incredibly confusing. But imagine Oregon being as good as they are, but getting blasted Everytime they take the field against a program that recruits well, or has a history better than theirs.

 

After a decade of being pretty good but not great, we would begin to grumble. As it stands, Oregon has and will continue to take that next step until there is a trophy in the case.

 

Kirk Ferentz when questioned about keeping his son on staff, or refusing to change anything after getting blasted by Michigan or Ohio State, he tells them to look at his record. That's great, but Dan Lanning, Lincoln Riley, Ryan Day, James Franklin, or Jim Harbaugh have all been grilled with better records, but with a few glaring losses.

 

Dan Lanning has lost to Washington in incredibly more frustrating ways. It kills him, you can tell. Ryan Day has lost 8 games over 5 seasons. He's lost 3 B1G games total. He's fired his DC and OC, and knows he's on the hot seat. 

 

If Iowa is to remain relevant, they are going to have to become a little less predictable on offense. I don't know if Kirk will do that. Iowa is no longer just going to have to step in line after three programs. They're going to have to be behind at least five. They can't finish below Ohio State/Michigan every year and still get into the Conference Title Game.

[Jon Joseph]

Duckley, all good points my friend. 

 

The B1G awarded Iowa a mimi-West schedule. Iowa is the only B1G team to have 3 permanent opponents through 2028: Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. 

 

Iowa is a development program and will be so long as Ferentz is in Iowa City. Could a combination of Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, and Dan Lanning bring a top-10 recruiting class to Iowa, I doubt it.

 

Ferentz is 69 years old. He will soon depart. The nepotism was a terrible look. Tim Lester is the new OC. Iowa was last in P4 offense per play last season so the O should improve. Iowa needs QB McNamara to stay healthy. But the Hawkeyes QB room did improve in the off-season with the transfer of QB Brandon Sullivan who led NW to a Las Vegas Bowl win over Utah last season. As bad as the O has been Iowa has consistently sent quality TEs to the NFL.

 

But, as you so noted the name of the game at Iowa Is DEFENSE. The 2024 D's 11 projected starters have a combined 169 starts. Four 6th-year seniors and four 5th-year seniors are back. All-American LB Jay Higgins returns. In 2023, Higgins had 171 tackles, 3rd in the nation. So long as DC Phil Parker is on the sidelines the Iowa D will be one of the best in the nation.

 

My betting buddies and I have a bet down on Iowa to go Over 8.5 wins at +160. He doesn't have a lot of company but Phil Steele has Iowa finishing 10-2 or 11-1 and making the Playoff. 

 

Puddles plays ball in Iowa City in 2025.  

 

Love the B1G pondering.

 

[Duckley Palace]

Thanks Jon.

 

I hope it doesn't come across like I'm disrespecting Coach Ferentz either. I have respect for the way he gets the absolute most out of what he has ..Runs a clean program as well.

 

I actually like the Hawkeyes as well. I like their helmet, I like the way they make their opponents dress in a pink locker room, and I like their Childrens Hospital Wave during games.

 

Outside of playing us, I hope they win out. They play at Ohio State on the first week of October. I hope they beat them up a little before we host the battling Brutus a few weeks later. I bet Dan will study how Iowa defends Ohio State that week. Probably take a few wrinkles as any good coach does.

 

I just don't see Iowa being in another B1G Title Game. I mean look at who's made it out of the former West division the last few years. Northwestern twice, Purdue. Meanwhile everybody knew the real championship was decided the week before.

[kirklandduck]

On 8/11/2024 at 4:23 PM, Duckley Palace said:

FYI I will never, ever get tired of watching this video lol

[Jon Joseph]

Duckley, I agree that Iowa will be hard-pressed to win another B1G title. 

 

In 2015 Iowa lost the B1G champ game to Michigan State 16-13. Michigan State went to the Playoff where it was shredded by Alabama in the semifinal round. Iowa went to the Rose Bowl where it lost to Stanford and Christian McCaffery 45-16. 

 

Oregon was instrumental in the 2015-16 playoff selection, losing a close game at MSU and upsetting Stanford on The Farm.

 

Iowa plays in Columbus on 10/5/24, the Saturday before playing the Ducks on 10/12. Oregon should also be helped by playing Michigan State, the Ducks 1st 'traditional B1G opponent, on Friday night, 10/4. 

 

Lots of great B1G things to ponder.  

[Duckley Palace]

On 8/13/2024 at 7:38 AM, Jon Joseph said:

Duckley, I agree that Iowa will be hard-pressed to win another B1G title. 

 

In 2015 Iowa lost the B1G champ game to Michigan State 16-13. Michigan State went to the Playoff where it was shredded by Alabama in the semifinal round. Iowa went to the Rose Bowl where it lost to Stanford and Christian McCaffery 45-16. 

 

Oregon was instrumental in the 2015-16 playoff selection, losing a close game at MSU and upsetting Stanford on The Farm.

 

Iowa plays in Columbus on 10/5/24, the Saturday before playing the Ducks on 10/12. Oregon should also be helped by playing Michigan State, the Ducks 1st 'traditional B1G opponent, on Friday night, 10/4. 

 

Lots of great B1G things to ponder.  

Yes sir!

 

I may be in the minority here, but I'm looking forward to seeing how Oregon plays at Wisconsin just as much as at Michigan. Same goes for quaint places like Iowa as much as playing Ohio State.

 

The brand battle of Nike vs Under Armor. Seeing the White Out in Happy Valley, and renewing our mini rivalry with the Spartans under an "old friend".

 

Pondering B1G things is right Jon. It's hard to let go of the past, but the future is filled with some great things.