[STILLBUSTER]

I expected this season would be 2 steps up, 2-steps sideways, 1 or 1-1/2 steps back. Defensively, it looks like they took one step back for every day off. Simply unacceptable defensive efforts 2 games in a row and it's jaw-dropping how truly inept they look on defense -- almost jr high level defensive incompetence.

I was really concerned that such a long lay-off, midseason, for a developmental team, would seriously disrupt fragile forward momentum. Right now, this team looks completely lost on defense and with each embarrassing beat down their confidence is soon to follow.

There is already evidence of this. The lack of physicality and mental toughness toward rebounding is a huge red flag that confidence is waning. These guys are far more capable but, right now, they are playing so out of sorts ... you really have to almost try to be as bad as Iowa has defended and rebounded since the break.

If this mental reset doesn't take place right now, I see only 3 possible wins (Minny, PSU, NwU at home) and only 2 (PSU and NwU) that I'd take as greater than 60% odds of winning.

Minny is another tall, long team inside that has some nice recent wins and will try to continue to abuse the glass against Iowa. Hawks need to get back up the ladder or I fear that a 3rd straight loss out of that 9-day layoff could break the rest of the season.

[aaronzuriel]

It's called BIG TIME.. BIG BOY...BIG TEN BB..

Doc Sadler and Nebby have some big boys...

result .. LOSS.. OK the Hawks will rebound.

[EddyP]

Hookers and blow? I don't know I just know I can't predict what this team will do from game to game.

[Cover3]

Originally Posted by STILLBUSTER

I expected this season would be 2 steps up, 2-steps sideways, 1 or 1-1/2 steps back. Defensively, it looks like they took one step back for every day off. Simply unacceptable defensive efforts 2 games in a row and it's jaw-dropping how truly inept they look on defense -- almost jr high level defensive incompetence.

I was really concerned that such a long lay-off, midseason, for a developmental team, would seriously disrupt fragile forward momentum. Right now, this team looks completely lost on defense and with each embarrassing beat down their confidence is soon to follow.

There is already evidence of this. The lack of physicality and mental toughness toward rebounding is a huge red flag that confidence is waning. These guys are far more capable but, right now, they are playing so out of sorts ... you really have to almost try to be as bad as Iowa has defended and rebounded since the break.

If this mental reset doesn't take place right now, I see only 3 possible wins (Minny, PSU, NwU at home) and only 2 (PSU and NwU) that I'd take as greater than 60% odds of winning.

Minny is another tall, long team inside that has some nice recent wins and will try to continue to abuse the glass against Iowa. Hawks need to get back up the ladder or I fear that a 3rd straight loss out of that 9-day layoff could break the rest of the season.

Originally Posted by aaronzuriel

It's called BIG TIME.. BIG BOY...BIG TEN BB..

Doc Sadler and Nebby have some big boys...

result .. LOSS.. OK the Hawks will rebound.

After every win, "we're back," and after every loss, we're going to lose the rest of them. I'm with Zuriel. The Hawks will bounce back. Regardless of our perception of a needed 'mental reset,' they still have nine possible wins on the schedule. No, they will not win all nine, but it's good to just know when turning on the TV that they do have the horses now to play with anybody when they are playing well.

People need to start filling up Carver NOW. You could possibly see a great performance a la the Michigan game. If you wait until after a good performance to fill up the house, they'll probably hit a downswing again and disappoint. Just fill it up every time for the chance to see a growing team put together a nice W.

[EddyP]

Originally Posted by Cover3

After every win, "we're back," and after every loss, we're going to lose the rest of them. I'm with Zuriel. The Hawks will bounce back. Regardless of our perception of a needed 'mental reset,' they still have nine possible wins on the schedule. No, they will not win all nine, but it's good to just know when turning on the TV that they do have the horses now to play with anybody when they are playing well.

People need to start filling up Carver NOW. You could possibly see a great performance a la the Michigan game. If you wait until after a good performance to fill up the house, they'll probably hit a downswing again and disappoint. Just fill it up every time for the chance to see a growing team put together a nice W.

And I did and it was a great day.

[Cover3]

Originally Posted by EddyP

And I did and it was a great day.

That a baby, Eddy. I moved to New England from Iowa City last summer (a very dark day), but was able to get back around the holidays and scream my lungs out at the Purdue game. It was a tough loss, but entertaining.

If you just take a second to think about where this team is coming from, they are very easy to cheer for and they are very fun to watch, imo.