Random Summer Thoughts

After a long time away from updating Roll Along Iowa, the college football itch finally became too overwhelming and I decided to write out some thoughts that have been brewing in my mind since I last wrote my preview for the Orange Bowl. As of the date of this entry, we are only forty days from kickoff and the start of one of the most anticipated seasons in Iowa football history. In the coming weeks before that opening contest against Eastern Illinois I am planning on writing about Big Ten conference realignment, my Big Ten conference predictions, a position by position breakdown, and an update once camp gets underway. Here are some of my thoughts at this point in the year.


• Great Expectations. Iowa fans have the fortune (or misfortune, depending on one’s life philosophy) of a season in which great things are possible during twelve Saturdays in 2010. There are arguably only three other seasons in which an Iowa football team had such high expectations. The first was in 1961 under the helm of Jerry Burns when Iowa was ranked preseason #1 by the Associated Press. The Hawkeyes finished that season with a 5-4 record, albeit with a 42-21 win over Notre Dame. The preseason leading up to the 1985 season also had Iowa fans dreaming big behind the arm of Chuck Long, the hands and legs of Ronnie Harmon, and a swarming defense led by (recent College Football Hall of Fame inductee) Larry Station. One of the most memorable seasons in Iowa history led to a Big Ten championship and a berth in the 1986 Rose Bowl. The last season with such high expectations was in 2005 when the Hawkeyes started off the season ranked 11th in the AP Poll and ended the season with a 7-5 record and a controversial loss against Florida in the Outback Bowl. While the players receive a heavy dosage of the one week at a time mentality from the coaching staff, it is naïve to think that the players do not hear what the media and fans think about the possibilities in 2010. Although I think preseason rankings and rankings in general mean very little after the first snap of a game, the fact that Iowa had so many close calls during last season reinforces that the margin of error at Iowa is so small that all of the returning players understand that they cannot rely on their laurels this season. Instead, my concern rests with the expectations of the fans. Iowa fans have become so fickle that an unexpected loss or two or three this season could result in meltdowns and mayhem across Hawkeye nation. It is important to remember that since 1950, Iowa has only won eight conference championships and three major bowl (1957, 1958 Rose Bowls, 2010 Orange Bowl). While I am as proud of Iowa as any Hawkeye fan out there, it is important for Iowa fans to remember the program’s history and to cherish seasons like last year. Perhaps I am attempting to temper my own expectations in making those statements, but it is unfair for Kirk Ferentz-era Iowa fans that did not experience the 1960s and 1970s “glory” years of Iowa football to think that 8+ win seasons and January bowl appearances are automatic birthrights of Iowa football fans. Nevertheless, the 2010 season could have the potential for another memorable season after last year’s unforgettable 11-2 mark capped by a win against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

• Mr. Clayborn. There is not much that I can write or analyze that has not already been written or spoken about Iowa’s preseason all-american defensive end, Adrian Clayborn. Iowa fans need to appreciate Clayborn this season the same way that they appreciated Robert Gallery in 2003, Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway in 2006, and Shonn Greene in 2008. A football player of Clayborn’s ability does not find his way to the University of Iowa on a regular occurrence and, barring injury, Clayborn has the opportunity to earn all-american honors, national honors, and Big Ten honors. In re-watching Iowa’s game against Wisconsin from this past season, Clayborn absolutely beat up on and outplayed Wisconsin’s star left tackle and likely top 3 draft pick, Gabe Carimi. Clayborn finished that day with six tackles, two tackles for losses, and one sack. The impending double teams against Clayborn will lead to breakout performances this season from Iowa’s other stellar defensive linemen.

• Trap Games. Unless you have been living under a shell without any Iowa football news this offseason, you have probably heard a fellow fan or media member talk about potential trap games this season. Iowa’s game against Arizona in mid-September seems to be the popular pick for an Iowa loss or a trap game. While I will discuss this game more when I do my predictions and the week of that game, the one thing that I think bears remembering is that this coaching staff does a better of job of learning from prior mistakes than any other coaching staff in the country. The debacle in the desert in 2004 against Arizona State will not happen again for several reasons. First, Iowa will not have an unseasoned quarterback making his first start away from home. Second, the Iowa coaching staff will prepare the players for the late start by arriving a day early or revising game day preparation plans. Unless things change drastically between now and then, I am predicting an Iowa win in Tucson.

• Injuries. In order for any team to have memorable seasons, a little luck is always needed. Injuries are a part of the game and happen, but thinking back to successful Iowa seasons injuries were very limited. While last season was somewhat the exception, remember how many key injuries Iowa had in 2002? If you answered with a low number, you are correct as Iowa did not suffer any injuries that caused any starters to miss more than one game. At a school like Iowa where depth is always an issue, a few key injuries can mean the difference between a very successful season and an average season. Although injuries are impossible to predict, the injury bug has inflicted its poisonous venom in Iowa City enough during the past few years, that bug is about due to be exterminated for a season. Pardon the uncreative and pathetic analogy; I just think it is about time that something so cyclical as injuries is due to go in Iowa’s favor—even though Iowa has been the recipient of the ball bouncing its way the past two season.

I am excited to be writing again about what I love most, Iowa Hawkeye football. As I mentioned above, I plan on writing several more times before camp starts and before that wonderful day in September when the dog days of summer say goodbye and college football fans across the country welcome the beginning of another wonderful season. Until then, feel free to drop me a line with any thoughts or ideas that you have for the blog and any other thoughts you have about Iowa football.