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Iowa football: Three most underperforming teams in Kirk Ferentz era

By Andrew Wade

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes throws a pass during the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes throws a pass during the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IA – NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback James Vandenberg #16 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes for a touchdown during the first quarter on a keeper against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 23, 2012 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa lead Nebraska 7-3 at the half. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IA – NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback James Vandenberg #16 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes for a touchdown during the first quarter on a keeper against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 23, 2012 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa lead Nebraska 7-3 at the half. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

3. 2012 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-8)

This 2012 team was one of the least talented rosters Kirk Ferentz has assembled, and it was the third-worst season in the Kirk Ferentz era overall. The difference between this season and the other two were the other two came the first two seasons Kirk spent in Iowa City as head coach, while this was 15 years after his arrival.

The Hawks struggled out of the gate, barely beating Northern Illinois before falling to in-state rival Iowa State. They took care of FCS Northern Iowa before losing to Group of 5 team Central Michigan. At that point, it was pretty clear this wasn’t going to be a good season.

Iowa won their next two games before dropping six straight. Despite having a talented defense, their offense under James Vandenberg was absolutely anemic. They averaged 19.3 points per game which ranked 113th in the nation.

Unlike the upcoming two seasons, we are going to be talking about, this one is disappointing because of how bad they did in general. 4-8 is terrible, and the Iowa football team, if nothing else, is almost always good for 7-8 wins in any season.

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