Iowa started the season with high hopes for a better season than last, which was their first losing year since 2000. After three straight top ten finishes (#8 in 2002, 2003, and 2004), the Hawks had a disappointing '05 at 7-5 and a downright dismal '06 at 6-7, despite a spirited showing in an Alamo Bowl loss to Texas.
This year started slowly with a lackluster win over Northern Illinois, a team that is now 1-5; that was the first sign that things were amiss. They followed it with a good outing against Syracuse, a 35-0 shutout in which the offense looked productive and the defense looked ferocious. But this was against the Orangemen, who, despite their later shocking upset of Louisville, were incompetent all day, unable to complete a pass or make a simple tackle. Syracuse is also 1-5 on the year.
Another one-win team is Iowa State, which stunned Iowa 15-13, this just after losing to Division I-AA in-state rival Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes' defense didn't yield a touchdown, and hadn't all season at this point, but their offensive ineptitude was completely revealed by this game.
Their defense kept things close at Wisconsin but finally broke against Indiana, and today's loss at Penn State leaves the Hawks 2-4, having lost four in a row—each by an increasing margin—and with little to look forward to schedulewise. Illinois and then Purdue on the road are next; neither is looking like a win. Then come Michigan State and Northwestern. If the Spartans continue to slide a win at home might be possible; Northwestern is a big question mark week to week. The last two games (Minnesota and Western Michigan at home) are winnable unless the Hawks are demoralized by then.
All in all, things are looking pretty bleak for Kirk Ferenz crew's chances of salvaging a winning season and 7th straight bowl bid.
Comments