Symbolism of the Iowa Game...

[Sheffielder]

Most NU squads over the last ~20 years would have won this game tonight, including the bad ones. This had all the makings of, "the game Northwestern wins every season that they shouldn't - per their brand." If you're reading this you know exactly what I mean. I don't need "belief without evidence" to expect we beat Iowa. NU beats Iowa all the time, and we win this particular game 9 out of 10 times. And that 10th time we're the heavy favorite who is ranked - because we choke when people are actually watching. That's how this team works, right?

I wasn't "expecting" to win tonight but I had no doubt we could if we hung around. I have no doubt Fitz gave "the speech" this week and convinced our players that Iowa was a very beatable team - win this one, get the season back on track, bowl game is within reach, and so on. Even on our final possession I honestly thought to myself, how will we humiliate Iowa tonight, despite bad calls by the refs, poor clock management, and generally mediocre play? Womp womp.

Our inability to beat an Iowa team Fitz surely wanted to beat badly, that let us hang around the whole game and even had the courtesy of scoring only 17 points on us...now officially has me worried. This and Duke were games most other versions of this Fitz-led team come back and win.

I imagine we'll be double-digit dogs for the next two games, and Bielema might walk in and beat us his first year downstate. Can only hope some magical player development is happening in a back room somewhere or during the off-season, or the transfer portal is white hot.

 

[Deeringfish]

The team is too young. The coaches are too new and the players undeveloped. It's going to be a few years til the ship is back on track.

 

[peatymeanis]

The team is too young. The coaches are too new and the players undeveloped. It's going to be a few years til the ship is back on track.

This team isn’t young. The youngest position group is probably the secondary, and they are our best position group.

 

[jensberg]

The starting front seven has five seniors or grad students so not young at all

 

[phatcat]

This team isn’t young. The youngest position group is probably the secondary, and they are our best position group.

Yes, a thousand times yes. This team is littered with 4th and 5th year seniors, including grad transfers that we didn't develop. The "young" players don't see the field or don't perform. This is not a young team. Even amongst those that are ostensibly returning, several of the key players are probably back for only one year (Joseph, Hull, Skoronski).

 

[RevCat]

Most NU squads over the last ~20 years would have won this game tonight, including the bad ones. This had all the makings of, "the game Northwestern wins every season that they shouldn't - per their brand." If you're reading this you know exactly what I mean. I don't need "belief without evidence" to expect we beat Iowa. NU beats Iowa all the time, and we win this particular game 9 out of 10 times. And that 10th time we're the heavy favorite who is ranked - because we choke when people are actually watching. That's how this team works, right?

I wasn't "expecting" to win tonight but I had no doubt we could if we hung around. I have no doubt Fitz gave "the speech" this week and convinced our players that Iowa was a very beatable team - win this one, get the season back on track, bowl game is within reach, and so on. Even on our final possession I honestly thought to myself, how will we humiliate Iowa tonight, despite bad calls by the refs, poor clock management, and generally mediocre play? Womp womp.

Our inability to beat an Iowa team Fitz surely wanted to beat badly, that let us hang around the whole game and even had the courtesy of scoring only 17 points on us...now officially has me worried. This and Duke were games most other versions of this Fitz-led team come back and win.

I imagine we'll be double-digit dogs for the next two games, and Bielema might walk in and beat us his first year downstate. Can only hope some magical player development is happening in a back room somewhere or during the off-season, or the transfer portal is white hot.

This game did not add to my worry quotient. Didn't subtract from it either. But I think your point is well taken. This was the kind of game where the Cardiac Cats typically show up. This team feels young, and without clear player leaders. (Not saying there aren't any. But not as defined as in past years.) I think that changes with another year of maturity.

 

[Sheffielder]

This game did not add to my worry quotient. Didn't subtract from it either. But I think your point is well taken. This was the kind of game where the Cardiac Cats typically show up. This team feels young, and without clear player leaders. (Not saying there aren't any. But not as defined as in past years.) I think that changes with another year of maturity.

I mentioned in another thread...I was watching Hunter Johnson on the sidelines this weekend and if he weren't wearing his uniform I don't think you would have known he was on the team - totally disengaged with other players, not hanging with the QBs or the offense...looked like a lost puppy. As far as I know he is still a captain, and although I absolutely understand he's got a bad deal he's living through right now...still a captain. On one hand you might think, "this isn't a big deal," but given how much we know Fitz invests in Leadership Council and all that, I was surprised to see he isn't/wasn't playing the part more...just think it speaks to the issues we're seeing.

 

[phatcat]

I mentioned in another thread...I was watching Hunter Johnson on the sidelines this weekend and if he weren't wearing his uniform I don't think you would have known he was on the team - totally disengaged with other players, not hanging with the QBs or the offense...looked like a lost puppy. As far as I know he is still a captain, and although I absolutely understand he's got a bad deal he's living through right now...still a captain. On one hand you might think, "this isn't a big deal," but given how much we know Fitz invests in Leadership Council and all that, I was surprised to see he isn't/wasn't playing the part more...just think it speaks to the issues we're seeing.

whereas Petras gets benched and is actively engaged in helping his replacement, whatever his name is. Weird difference.

 

[Sheffielder]

whereas Petras gets benched and is actively engaged in helping his replacement, whatever his name is. Weird difference.

Obviously I'm writing a story that may not exist here...but in better times I imagine Fitz would've had a talk with him about being a captain, the optics around it, hanging with the other QBs, celebrating with the offense on big plays, etc. The fact that our house is on fire and Fitz couldn't be less concerned with one of his captains wandering the sidelines aimlessly, to me, is also just symbolic of how far off we are from where Fitz is accustomed to having the program situated.

 

[RevCat]

I appreciate your opinion- and your own self awareness around it. (Self awareness on an Internet forum? WTH!) I've noticed how engaged clipboard man and 3rd team QB Carl RIchardson is. Kind of on fire. Tough gig for Hunter when his role is taken away and no other easily presents itself.