Hello Jerry Mailbag Solicitation: Grab the Bull by the Horns

I’m tired of the excuses. I’m tired of being told I’m “just being an optimist”. I’m tired of not being Big Ten West and Big Ten Contenders. I’m tired of watching a program that was shaped to look like us for the better part of the 2000’s now have a the 2.0 grand poobah version of what we are and what we should be. I’m tired of hearing about their runningbacks maybe winning Heisman’s. I’m tired of their lineman being listed better than ours. I’m tired of their developmental identity. I’m tired of their elite defenses.

But more than anything, I am beyond tired of losing to Wisconsin based football teams. It has been the bane of my existence for 20+ years and I need an effing win.

Look, I know that I can be dramatic and I accept that about myself. I know I can also have recency bias and I accept that about myself as well. But when I say this is the most important game since the Rose Bowl, I don’t really think I’m being dramatic or biased at all. This is such an important game for Kirk Ferentz and Co. So much is riding on them finally putting all the pieces together to overcome the Best of the West. This cannot be another “shoulda, coulda, woulda” season. Not with the playmakers and experience that are littered all over this roster.

This is a must win game in a must win season.

Going to the Big Ten Championship has always been the goal and Iowa now needs to do everything they can to make it happen now. Losing is not an option. And I don’t think they will. I really don’t. And maybe that does make me a stupid optimist. Maybe I am setting myself up for constant failure and disappointment.

But that’s what being a fanatic is all about.

I’m just a fool in the rain who can’t help but believe in this team. I believe in these coaches. I believe in the future prospects of life under Brian Ferentz, HC. I believe in Nate Stanley delivering one hell of a finish. I believe in Ihmir Smith-Marsette’s ability to make big time plays when the team needs him most. I believe that the emergence of Tyler Goodson and Sam LaPorta is the final ingredient in this offensive cocktail. I believe that Phil Parker is the best in the defensive coordinating game and with two weeks off to prepare, he digested every little bit of those Ohio State, Northwestern and Illinois game tapes and has figured out the perfect plan to punch Wisconsin right back in the mouth and show them that while they may be the younger, more balanced sibling, older brother can still dial it back a time or two. It’s beyond time to grab the bull by the horns, LITERALLY!

And maybe, ultimately, you don’t believe in any of that. I can’t blame you. Life’s tough as an Iowa Hawkeye fan. But hope is a helluva drug and after nearly three years writing for you all, it’s no secret that I’m constantly high on my own supply. But maybe, just maybe, if all of us come together and send consistent and positive vibes towards Madison, we’ll finally come out on the other end... dare I say... happy?

Then again, maybe we’ll just get our ass kicked and i’ll climb into the fetal position before eating 3-pounds of sushi to bury my pain deeper and deeper until one day my insides explode and leave my wife behind with nothing but a Shonn Greene signed poster and some good memories.

Such is life.

Get your questions in, ya sally’s and make ‘em great. For those that may be new, you can send me questions on Twitter (@JerryScherwin) or leave them in the comment section below.

I look forward to seeing what ya got this week.

Kisses.