Meet the new boss, same as the old boss

by chitownhawkeye on Nov 8, 2009 9:23 AM CST Comment 9 comments

All of the writers have now pulled out the pre-written articles that they had stashed away for our demise. The luck has run out, they weren't really that good, we all knew it would happen.

Ignore all the injuries. Ignore the still solid defensive play, just focus on how disappointing we are.

First off, it was a hell of a ride, and while I'm disappointed to have the loss, this season is not over. But a lot of things have changed, and when I say changed, I mean they haven't. Alabama, Florida, Texas. There's your MNC trifecta. Sorry Cincy. Here's hoping you go undefeated and beat the snot out of the SEC loser.

We're still in the hunt for the Rose Bowl. We still control our own destiny. We should be a double digit dog next week, which would be entirely justified. Look, at the beginning of the season, who was the pre-season conference favorite? Same one as always. We always knew to make this season go from good to great they would be in the way.

We win on defense, not offense, if we can force turnovers we can be in that game. I'm not optimistic, as I fear we'll make the offense even more vanilla with Vandenberg, but we still need to play the game.

As far as everybody else goes, the Pac 10 is a mess beyond ~~USC~~ ~~Oregon~~ Arizona? USC is back in it. The SEC is a clusterfuck beyond the big 2. * waves hand * There is no Big 12 North.

ND sucks. And for that we all find joy. Michican probably won't go to a bowl. Ditto. I'm rooting for Purdue to win out, after beating OSU and Michigan, they deserve a bowl other than Queso.

One final thought, whichever bowl we end in, we should be healthy with an extra month of practice. Keep that in mind, we'll be healthy. Be afraid.

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I had

“Won’t Get Fooled Again” going through my head as I ran this morning.

It made me sad.

http://www.rivalryesq.com/
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.

by Bama Hawkeye on Nov 8, 2009 10:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I would just like to state for the record that I wrote Wha Happened? last night.

(it will make sense when it goes up in a few hours)

by RossWB on Nov 8, 2009 10:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Revert to the mean

Revert to the mean..why do we have to revert to the mean?

The expression has to do with systems or things that swing outside expected boundaries. Generally speaking over a period of time a system or thing may experience highs and lows, but usually it settles back at it’s mean.

What that “means” is that there is some normal, stable, acceptable level for any system or thing. It applies for the approval ratings of a president or for public opinion about a topic. All things considered, over time things revert to the mean.

Such is the case with Ohio State (perennial conference champ) and Iowa (perennial Outback Bowl participant).

Or so it seems.

"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz

by StoopsMyAss on Nov 8, 2009 11:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The mean can change

Look at Notre Dame or Nebraska. The jury is still out on RichRod but I have seen Michigan fans very worried that they are on the verge of losing constant national prominence.

We are very lucky that Hayden Fry was named coach and that the University is willing to commit resources to the football program.

In 100 years, we'll all be dead.

by Flakbait on Nov 8, 2009 12:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, that was my point

the “means” are slow to shift. Ever try to lose weight? If not I can tell you that most people lose weight and then slowly put it back on. Their bodies have a sort of memory that is devilish to recalibrate.

Our conversation, in my mind, today is are we ready/able to recalibrate our standing as the third/fourth best team in the conference. Can we be a consistent presence as a conference champion threat. This year seemed to be exceeding last year. Yet, if we lose out, we are likely exactly where we were last year. BUT, if we win out, we break that cycle. And given that we might have all these guys returning next year, we could do it yet again next year.

In many ways, this moment, right now, it is a critical time for this program.

"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz

by StoopsMyAss on Nov 8, 2009 12:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Um, last I checked,

Iowa is still #1 in the Big Ten, at least stats-wise. We have 9 wins, and only 1 loss. That loss is because of a team that has fought its ass off this year was stunned when the General of the players went down. It happened to USC. It happened to Florida, but because it was early in the season, they got past it. It happened to OU. I’m of the camp that Iowa can still pull together and get through, even after losing Stanzi, as we have when all the other players got injured this year.

Also, fuck Corey Wootton, fuck KOK’s little rollout call, and “Fuck you, we’re Iowa”.

by Paladin58 on Nov 8, 2009 6:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ignore all the injuries. Ignore the still solid defensive play, just focus on how disappointing we are.

Done, Done, and Done.

/hangs self.

/joking about hanging self.

I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.

-- Judge Smails

by WaterlooChazz on Nov 8, 2009 7:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe this loss works to our favor.

High expectations have never really brought out the best in the Hawks anyway (in any sport other than wrestling, really).

Stoops My Ass asks above can we re-calibrate? Honestly, I’ve been waiting since 1985 for that type of breakthrough to happen and it seems each time the expectations and opportunities rise to a level of national prominence and the Hawks are “just a program changing win away” (Rose Bowls, Orange Bowl) the more likely they play and coach like they have never seen a football before.

BUT, when there are no pre-season accolades (what were we picked to finish this year?)or are perceived to be outmatched (LSU, FLA = SEC SPEED!) the Hawks show up and surprise us.

So, while everything is still on the line, and we’re still in the BCS top 10, the pressure valve has been released… alot. Expectations are lower. Good. A week of Vandenberg working on his timing and the O line working on just keeping him upright might be what the Hawks need to play looser than they have the last three weeks. We’ll see.

It IS a critical moment for the program and I sure hope they can breakthough. The respect we have been calling for this year takes a long time to build when you are not a media favorite. I do think the MSM wants to love Iowa, wants the Hawks to be the alternative to OSU, they just can’t justified it yet. But it begins this week. Otherwise, we may have be content with what the Hawks have been and will probably contiune to be, a 3rd – 7th place BXI program that makes an occasional run at the title.

by hmbfossil on Nov 8, 2009 11:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs