In memoriam of Brian Ferentz as Iowa's OC

[Frak]

Ok well even if the #1-#64 SoS's were comprised solely of P5 programs, which they're not, Iowa's SoS would still be in the top-half 5 out of the last 7 seasons. Broader point remains, saying Iowa consistently plays one of the weakest schedules in the country isn't backed up by the numbers.

My opinion is that B1G teams are consistently overrated. Not that they're horrible, just most of them are not good. Credit to KF...he figured out the B10 West years ago. A vast majority of teams in that division are not able to throw the ball effectively without play action. Hell, some of them don't even want to try. What they want to do is line up and run over you. So, if you can figure out how to stop the run with solid tackling, all you have to do is play zone and wait for the QB to make a mistake. Solid DL that won't be pushed around, elite tackling back 7 that doesn't let teams get extra yards, eventually, the other team will get impatient and the QB will make a mistake. Couple that with great special teams and you don't need an offense in that division. Just run the ball into the line, make easy throws to the TE, grind up the clock and wait for the mistake. Then cash the checks. It works. Or it worked until the schedule changes up.

 

[GoHawks]

Nearly every conference is two-three very good teams and then a bunch of average teams.

The exception being the Pac 12 that has multiple good teams and then a bunch of capable teams. Which is of course, fitting since they're done after this season.

Yes it just feels like upsets happen less and less now a days. The top 10 mostly cruises week to week. Could be NIL related maybe. Top teams have even greater depth

 

[yowza]

Because starting over at his age is never easy, and the man is stubborn, he has a contract that is going to pay him $42 million to coach for the next 6 years, then he is going to show them that he will coach for the next 6 years. Freerents is not the type of person to just throw in the towel and walk away, if they wanted that, the announcement yesterday would not have been made and he might have retired at the end of the season. I really doubt it, the AD knee capped him and good, but no way is he walking away, not in his character.

If there were money people backing the U of I Prez they would kick in and buy him out, but I guess the big money still sides with Kirk.

 

[madguy30]

Yes it just feels like upsets happen less and less now a days. The top 10 mostly cruises week to week. Could be NIL related maybe. Top teams have even greater depth

I'm getting the impression that the top teams are experiencing less depth due to NIL/transfer stuff and aren't as strong.

I was at tOSU/WI. OSU is still good but I didn't think they were overwhelming or anything.

 

[RealisticCy]

But why stay somewhere he feels has neutered him after 20 years?

It's not like KF can't get another high profile & well paying head coaching job. It might also allow him to keep Brian on his staff as an offensive line coach or analyst.

I have a tough time believing he isn't financially secure at 68. Sure $42M is a lot of money, but at this point its just gravy for Kirk. His lifestyle probably doesn't change if he's making $4-$5M per year.

It's not hard......$42 million. It's not a chance at $42 million......it's $42 million. No other major program is hiring a new coach at his age, that hasn't ever won a natty, that hasn't even won a conference title in nearly 2 decades, that is boring as ****, and that might bring his incompetent son with as OC.

To Warren Buffett, that is gravy. But even to someone like KF who has already banked $80 million in this gig over the past 20+ years that isn't nothing. Plus he might be adding some dependents.....I heard his kid will be unemployed soon.

 

[ScottyP]

If there were money people backing the U of I Prez they would kick in and buy him out, but I guess the big money still sides with Kirk.

Iowa's big donors were older and really liked Barta and Kirk. Barta had a reputation as a good fundraiser because he appealed to that older donor base. BG irritating Kirk might cause issues with that portion of the donor base.

 

[GoHawks]

I'm getting the impression that the top teams are experiencing less depth due to NIL/transfer stuff and aren't as strong.

I was at tOSU/WI. OSU is still good but I didn't think they were overwhelming or anything.

I really don't know that's a good counter though. I just hear things like Texas paying 60k to every lineman and have to think someone would prefer that over starting at a lesser school.

 

[Gonzo]

My opinion is that B1G teams are consistently overrated. Not that they're horrible, just most of them are not good. Credit to KF...he figured out the B10 West years ago. A vast majority of teams in that division are not able to throw the ball effectively without play action. Hell, some of them don't even want to try. What they want to do is line up and run over you. So, if you can figure out how to stop the run with solid tackling, all you have to do is play zone and wait for the QB to make a mistake. Solid DL that won't be pushed around, elite tackling back 7 that doesn't let teams get extra yards, eventually, the other team will get impatient and the QB will make a mistake. Couple that with great special teams and you don't need an offense in that division. Just run the ball into the line, make easy throws to the TE, grind up the clock and wait for the mistake. Then cash the checks. It works. Or it worked until the schedule changes up.

I think you could say that about most conferences based on style of play depending on your allegiance.

 

[CyPunch]

Just more evidence it was the perfect move by BG.

I don't understand how your fans continue to give them a platform tbh

 

[madguy30]

I really don't know that's a good counter though. I just hear things like Texas paying 60k to every lineman and have to think someone would prefer that over starting at a lesser school.

I think we'll know more in like 3 years...among other aspects.

 

[Gonzo]

I don't understand how your fans continue to give them a platform tbh

Meatheads soften meatheads. All Iowa fans aren't into them. I've never heard a single broadcast or whatever it is they do.

 

[Pope]

The fact that Iowa had to play ISU and ISU had to play Iowa?

There may be some element of truth in your comment. When Iowa always receives a higher ranking due to its glossy record vs weak opponents and ISU is always under ranked due to its modest record vs strong opponents, our strength of schedule does get inflated a bit.

 

[CascadeClone]

I think you could say that about most conferences based on style of play depending on your allegiance.

This is one of the great (and also terrible) things about college football. There's no real definitive for "best".
e.g. often the SEC and/or B1G has the best 2 teams, who win the CFP. But they both have a lot of deadweight too, really bad programs. The Big12 hasn't had the elite teams, but (until the 4 newbies this year) could pretty much say they had only 1 bad team (KU) and were pretty strong top to bottom. The ACC and PAC were kind of in between. SEC only plays 8 conference games, and has an extra cupcake.
What's your criteria for best? Probably whatever supports your favorite team's conference...

So the great part is it can be fun to argue about.
The terrible part is it can be very annoying to argue about.

 

[RezClone]

Before the season SOS is clickbait. B12 performed poorly in non conference as well so that already kinda throws out any preseason rankings. Iowa State got a tough draw though in b12 though no doubt about it. They missed UCF and Houston. Those would definitely be wins

That's not a bad point. Although I think all of the key players (KSU, OSU, ISU) have gotten objectively a lot better since then, it IS hard to prove empirically after you take bad L's out of conference. And I agree the big 12 had a very poor start to the season and we have to be held accountable for that.

On the other hand, that doesn't do anything to explain what we are seeing out of the Big 10 West. It might be as bad as it's ever been and Iowa isn't exactly taking advantage of it. ISU on the other hand, is clearly exceeding everyone's expectations pre season and post non-con, I think we can all agree.

Iowa has recruited well and should theoretically be able to overcome these injuries relatively easily. This is perhaps the MOST Iowa team of all time with Brian and Kirk having 100% control of who they have offer, when, and who they take. I'd be pissed if I were an Iowa fan.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

My opinion is that B1G teams are consistently overrated. Not that they're horrible, just most of them are not good. Credit to KF...he figured out the B10 West years ago. A vast majority of teams in that division are not able to throw the ball effectively without play action. Hell, some of them don't even want to try. What they want to do is line up and run over you. So, if you can figure out how to stop the run with solid tackling, all you have to do is play zone and wait for the QB to make a mistake. Solid DL that won't be pushed around, elite tackling back 7 that doesn't let teams get extra yards, eventually, the other team will get impatient and the QB will make a mistake. Couple that with great special teams and you don't need an offense in that division. Just run the ball into the line, make easy throws to the TE, grind up the clock and wait for the mistake. Then cash the checks. It works. Or it worked until the schedule changes up.

Works in the NFL too, or at least it has. The Tampa 2 made famous by Dungy.

 

[RezClone]

Meatheads soften meatheads. All Iowa fans aren't into them. I've never heard a single broadcast or whatever it is they do.

not see the forest for the trees.
idiom
US
: to not understand or appreciate a larger situation, problem, etc., because one is considering only a few parts of it.
....

Kind of disrespectful to say BG doesn't understand football and is also incapable of doing her job well as a result.

Does that make Barta a football genius, or does that make the job of Athletic Director pointless except to be a yes (wo)man who rubber stamps every decision coming from the Head Football Coach?

 

[iahawks]

This is one of the great (and also terrible) things about college football. There's no real definitive for "best".
e.g. often the SEC and/or B1G has the best 2 teams, who win the CFP. But they both have a lot of deadweight too, really bad programs. The Big12 hasn't had the elite teams, but (until the 4 newbies this year) could pretty much say they had only 1 bad team (KU) and were pretty strong top to bottom. The ACC and PAC were kind of in between. SEC only plays 8 conference games, and has an extra cupcake.
What's your criteria for best? Probably whatever supports your favorite team's conference...

So the great part is it can be fun to argue about.
The terrible part is it can be very annoying to argue about.

The SEC has been by far the best football conference since the turn of the century. 14 national titles by five different teams is something no other conference can even get close to. Would be 15 titles by six different teams if you went back to 1998 Tennessee.

 

[isucy86]

It's not hard......$42 million. It's not a chance at $42 million......it's $42 million. No other major program is hiring a new coach at his age, that hasn't ever won a natty, that hasn't even won a conference title in nearly 2 decades, that is boring as ****, and that might bring his incompetent son with as OC.

To Warren Buffett, that is gravy. But even to someone like KF who has already banked $80 million in this gig over the past 20+ years that isn't nothing. Plus he might be adding some dependents.....I heard his kid will be unemployed soon.

But Kirk isn't going to give up $42M. If he takes another P4 job, he's going to make $5M+ annually. There are schools like Northwestern, Indiana, Syracuse that would happily take a coach with Ferentz credentials.

If Kirk leaves Iowa, my guess is he'd love to have the chance to visit Kinnick and come out a winner.

Brian's days as an OC are done. But his days as OL or TE coach, probably not.

 

[Stormin]

Kirk keeps coaching and he can pay Brian $850k per year easily. No way Kirk gives up $42 million. Kirk is a guy willing to do the unethical thing of being a millionaire and scamming HUD housing people so Brian can make a buck. Greedy.

 

[Three4Cy]

Anyone who thinks Kirk is going to be fired is crazy.

Kirk will go out on his own terms, and my guess is it will be in July or August of whatever year, so he handcuffs the AD, and she has to appoint an interim head coach.