Iowa Football: Is All Hope Lost For The Hawkeyes?
By Joe Favia
The dust has settled from the overtime loss in Evanston. Iowa coming off a bye week, didn’t look like the rest did them any good as they came up short to the Wildcats 17-10.
Dashed were in all likely hood any realistic chance to make a return trip to Indianapolis like in 2015, representing the Big Ten West.
The running game didn’t look sharp, the play calling was poor, and the defense was unable to make the big play to win the game.
But, is all hope lost for the 2017 season?
Should Hawkeye fans chalk it up to a rebuilding year with a new quarterback, and new offensive coordinator?
No. With the remaining games there is a lot of be decided. Three trophies remain, with another already re-positioned (CyHawk Trophy). Iowa won the trophy last year against Minnesota who come to Iowa City with first year coach PJ Fleck. Iowa will try to keep the Heroes trophy at seasons end.
Iowa also will try to recapture the Heartland Trophy against Wisconsin who has Big Ten title, and playoff hopes this season.
Also, the Hawkeyes have many seniors that are looking to finish their careers on a high note.
Three senior linebackers are on the back half of their senior seasons including All-American favorite Josey Jewell. All members of the Hawkeyes have never won a bowl game despite stellar careers.
Iowa is still looking for their first bowl victory since 2010.
For recruiting purposes, it behooves the Hawkeyes to continue to thrive. A national spotlight will be on Iowa for the home game against Ohio State in November with the potential to shock the college football world, much as they did last season against Michigan.
Development will also be something that is important to be gained over the last month of the season.
Many young players are getting meaningful reps in the games this season. True sophomore Nate Stanley has had many ups and downs in his first year as the starting quarterback. Tailbacks Toren Young and Ivory Kelly Martin are auditioning for the feature back role next season behind senior Akrum Wadley.
True freshmen receivers Ihmir Smith Marsette, Brandon Smith and Max Cooper may see the field more often as well.
Defensively, Iowa has used AJ Epenesa and a host of young secondary players throughout the season, and that should continue through the remainder of 2017.
Not since 2007 has an Iowa team under Kirk Ferentz seemingly ‘quit’ over the end of the season, and it should not be expected that this be one of the those teams a decade later.
Especially with the chance to win four more trophies.