What to make of the Hawkeyes

Well after 6 Weeks of the season I have been extremely disappointed. Sure I could look at the bright spots like we are improving and we have only lost our 3 games by a combined 9 points. But my frustration goes further than this season and we stand at 3-3 no matter what the bright spots are the Hawks should be better.

Back in 2005 Iowa had one of the best recruiting classes in the country. Every year since then Iowa has not lived up to the hype.

Lets start with 2005 when the Hawkeyes were supposed to succeed following their amazing come back in the Capital One bowl vs LSU the year before. Coming in with a dominating defense the Hawkeyes didn't live up to the hype as they fell to a 7-5 record.

Then there was 2006 which so far has been the most disappointing season of them all. The Hawkeyes led by Drew Tate seemed ready to get back to supremacy as they started the season 4-0. Then College Gameday came to Iowa City when the Hawkeyes hosted the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Hawkeyes lose 38-17 but that wasn't that big of a deal as the Hawks come back the following week and dominate Purdue 47-17. After that the wheels fall off and the Hawkeyes finish the season with an Alamo Bowl loss that left their record at 6-7.

Next is 2007 where Iowa coming in didn't have much as far as expectations. Sure they had a strong defense led by the Mike's. But other than that they were inexperienced and it would have been nice to make a bowl game. They showed that they were extremely inexperienced throughout the season. Although they showed a bright spot when they were able to knockoff the 19th ranked Illini in Iowa City. They also had the game at Wisconsin but blew it. Although they were down but then improved and won 4 of their last 5 games going into the season finale against Western Michigan. A win would have put the Hawkeyes in a bowl game but they weren't able to get it done and lost that game 28-19 and all hopes of a bowl game were gone as the Hawks finished the year 6-6.

So what to make of the 2008 Hawkeyes. Sure they are a young team overall. But after last season I wouldn't consider the sophmores that young after many of them played a huge part of the 2007 season. Running back was a huge question mark coming into the season but Shonn Greene has shocked everyone as he is one of the best backs in not only the Big Ten but the country as he has rushed for atleast 100 yards every game this season. Then there was the quarterback controversy with Jake Christensen and Ricky Stanzi. They continued to go back and forth as whoever started was outplayed by the other. Now it seems like Ferentz is sold on Stanzi and is willing to ride out the season and hope he improves. As of now the Hawks stand at 3-3 and sure they may be the best 3-3 team in the country but the fact is their record is terrible and they should be much better. They are constantly beating themselves with stupid turnovers and they cannot play a complete game.

In my opinion they play a must win game this weekend at Indiana because it is another team they should beat. The Hawks could very well be 6-0 easily as they have had multiple chances to put games away or comeback in their 3 losses. But as they have in the past the Hawks always seem to play down to their competition and lose the games they should be winning. I don't know what their record will end up this season but they have the toughest games left on their schedule with Penn State and Wisconsin visiting Iowa City and a trip to Champaign to visit the Illini. So where will this team end up? Will they play like they are capable of and finish strong? Only time will tell if these Hawks will be able to improve and not be an average team.