stargazer

If only we had Scott Frost, he'd be the best head coach ever.

I think we under estimate just how much losing Gerry hurt us at the time.

I just don't understand why you don't run the ball a couple of times to pick up the yard. That Carter was an option is just testament to Tommy's inability to check down.

Ryker has a considerably better rating than Tommy, after his first and only start, under less than ideal conditions, and you couldn't blame him for all of those INT's. He hit like 10 different receivers as well (unlike Tommy, he's seeing more than one guy). It's time to throw the towel in on Tommy. Ryker has been around long enough, the team will get behind him as well, until POB can gain their respect.

I'm guessing there were nearly as many points separating us from Wisconsin last year alone, than we had in all of this years losses combined. I hate to use an overused term, but it is indeed a process. Unfortunately, a big 'critical path' of that process is quarterback. Show a little patience (and support) Husker fans.

I would guess TMart was up there in INT stats as well, no? The past 7 years has left our cupboard entirely bare. We need to get back to Joe Ganz.

Sker, you can't run the ball, if you don't have at least SOME respect for the passing game. Our opponents have none.

9 junk win seasons, I don't miss them.

Our quarterbacks aren't suitable for any system, at the FBS level at least. The previous regime's TA had just as many turnovers. It just happened to be the beneficiary of a few more 50/50 balls in double/triple coverage. Well that finally caught up with him. The defense on the other hand, has improved dramatically. It didn't come instantly, but over the course of the season, with the same personnel, this defense can actually stop a Big 10 running attack, and the cornerbacks have begun to adapt to the system as well. We have far more play makers on offense than anyone else in the west division (I know, not saying much). This offense has the potential to be very good, because it is designed to get the ball to those guys, not depend on a QB to make all the plays. All you need is a QB who can see more than one receiver across the field, and make a 'high percentage' pass. Iowa's Beathard would suffice, but I think we still have enough recruit appeal, we can do better. Oh, and I don't have to see that embarrassing #@% on the sideline any longer, bringing Nebraska headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Suffice it to say, Tommy is not a good quarterback. He isn't doing anything, any differently this season, than he did in past seasons. He stepped in for a Martinez, who was every bit as bad. As tempting as it is, to have a quarterback who can run the ball, after all these years, it is painfully apparent, you need a quarterback who can throw first. Incredibly, in spite of having good depth everywhere else, the previous staff left us with NO one at quarterback. They're obviously, all equally inept. Although if we were to somehow, find ourselves in a bowl game, I would encourage the staff to give the other guys more game experience. Tommy can take us no further.

AMEN

If we even had a Beathard, I think we have a one loss season at worst (well, if he's healthy at least, for Purdue). Bring on the fab freshman, I don't care if we have to burn another 5-7 season to get him up to speed, hopefully it wouldn't even take that. We just need someone who can throw 60% AND see more than one receiver on the field.

Sadly, I'm convinced Canzeri doesn't go off on those two end arounds either, if Gerry is back there directing things.

I saw several promising things this year, and never expected an instant turn around. The previous staff left this program a disaster. The 9-win seasons were an anomaly, just as TMart and Armstrong's ascension up the all time offense/passing charts are. Think about what Bo brought us. A heralded miracle catch victory over a crappy Northwestern? A greatest comeback in history against an Ohio State team which was at it's worst? (previous teams never had that opportunity, because they never found themselves being blown out early, so easily). Numerous blow-out losses in all the games that mattered. Another dramatic comeback against a crummy 2014 Iowa. These coaches got the previous regimes players to compete through 4 quarters, in EVERY game they played in. This, in spite of the learning curve in the transition itself, and all while enduring unprecedented injuries. This defense has WAY more potential in the Big 10 than what the 'defensive genius' brought us after 7 seasons. We've shut down the run (I think the loss of Nate Gerry really hurt on those two Canzeri runs, which blemished an otherwise outstanding performance), and the cornerbacks have improved considerably over the course of the season. In spite of what people think, at least in the west division, we have great playmakers. We just need to get the ball to them. This offense will allow for that, IF we find the right guy to plug-in at quarterback. Incredibly, the previous regime allowed us to get to a point where we had NO capable quarterbacks. Forget read-option, Tommy is no good at that either. This staff doesn't have to throw out the baby with the bath water, but no question, Tommy needs to go. No embarrassing side-line, post-game tirades. That in itself was the most satisfying take away I got from this season, especially after seeing that last NDSU melt down.

I think it's interesting that OWH changed the headline, pulled this article from their FB posts. Iowa is a solid football team, but I don't think they're good enough to consistently beat anyone in the top 10. That said, emotion can take you a lot of places. I'm probably the only one who thinks we couldn't replicate what we did in the '95 Fiesta Bowl, if it were played the next day (by replicate, I mean the 'blow out', not necessarily a 'win'). There was a LOT of media criticism going into that game, "3 yards in a cloud of dust", kind of stuff. That, I do think mirrors some of what Iowa is experiencing this year, in terms of respect. I think Nebraska used that to fuel an amazing 60 minutes of football (actually, just a half, Florida clearly gave up by that point, the second half was just an exhibition, including 'the run'). So, given that ongoing lack of respect, I don't doubt that Iowa could win the B1G title game. I'm just not sure they can go beyond that, might be a huge embarrassment for the conference on New Year's Eve.

Tommy clearly cannot and/or refuses to see the entire field, and it's apparent that he cannot break the habits of his bad mechanics. Someone said he was good at read-option, really? He didn't make those reads any better. He's just simply not a very good quarterback. He'd make a physical wide receiver, if he can swallow his pride and accept that role. Otherwise, it's time for Tommy to move on, he's clearly at a plateau. Bring on Patrick O"Brien. I don't think it can get any worse next year, letting a true freshman learn the ropes.

That's right, a first time starter did.

Anyone think Canzeri runs for those two TD's if Gerry were back there? I like Armstrong, he's pulled off some amazing feats, but he's hurt us, far more than helped us to wins. I actually like where we are at, for the future. We have a vastly improved defense, which can stop the run (much more often, than not), and pass defense has improved as well. Pelini may have won 9 games, but he didn't have the team playing this hard, in the games he lost. I think if we get a bowl invite, we definitely accept, to continue developing. If we plug in a QB, who can make the 'high percentage' passes, we are in ALL of these games. We have a bunch of playmakers, way more than any other team in the west division. We just need a QB who can get the ball to them.

Aside from curious series' leading up to the failed 4th down attempts, I didn't see as much bad coaching, as I saw Tommy just unable to make good decisions. I like Tommy, but he's not going to lead us to the 'promised land'. I'd rather write-off next season letting Patrick O'Brien or a transfer come up to speed, than endure another season with TA at the helm. He's just not QB material. We've got some great playmakers, if we just had someone who could get the ball to them (or even do a better job of not putting it in the opponents hands).

I believe the term you're looking for is relevance. If it's any consolation, I saw Hawkeye fans all giddy about the possibility of Game Day being at their Minnesota game. EDIT: oops, I guess I wasn't the first one on that. Just don't become fodder for that whole 'N' for Knowledge thing.

So we're undefeated against all unbeaten teams at home in November, except Oklahoma. I'll take it.

Something everyone seems to be overlooking here... Iowa has benefited this year, from the continuity of a coaching regime which has been in place for 17 years, while the two 'big dogs' of the division have had to go through coaching upheavals (not to speak of scheduling). Iowa may have been fortunate in getting Wisconsin, early in the season as it was still early in adapting to it's own change. Clearly, Nebraska has had pains while undergoing it's change of system as well. I consider the Purdue game, an anomaly, given all the injuries. I mean, we literally tossed the game to them. I think the Minnesota game, obviously Michigan State, last week at Rutgers, were enough to provide glimpses of the potential, and quell any idea that we have inferior talent. If we play mistake free, I think we ROLL. If Tommy tosses a couple of INT's, I think it's a toss up at worst (before Iowa is crushed in the title game).

Well yeah, that's obviously part of the package.

How cool would it be, to see a Big 10 title game, being played by two teams, whose only losses came to Nebraska.

I love Tommy and he's unquestionably the best we've got, but does anyone think if we gave him up, in favor of a pro style QB, with just a little mobility, and a more accurate pass, that we have enough play makers around that guy, to be a very potent, and much more consistent offense? I personally think, this has the potential to be a great offense down the road.