[NU Sports] 2005 and Walker

[sjtruog at jorsm.com]

> Next year's schedule will not be easy in the Big Ten but coming into the
> season I think Walker needs to win 7 games just to show he is capable of
> winning football games.  I also agree that we must be 500 in conference.

Well, we HAVE been .500 or better the past two years in league play. I
know the Hawaii loss hurt, but I really don't think Walker's job is -- or
should be -- in jeopardy. And those Internet rumors of other offers are
just ridiculous. I guess we're really looking for something to do this
offseason if we're complaining about a 6-win season and looking to ditch
the coach.

> Did anyone see Iowa's national offensive rankings?  Come on people they
> won the Big Ten with a pathetic, not mediocre, offense.

I'm not sure I'd call any offense with Drew Tate pathetic. As we saw with
Hawaii (41 points!) - stats can be misleading. They played in a lot of
slugfests (6-4 anyone?) with their defense and the O did what needed to be
done despite being on the 6th or 7th running back. Tate a great talent and
when healthy, showed that Iowa's offense was a threat to score on any
play.

> If Ohio State plays a different quarterback, and if the wind isn't blowing
> against Purdue we lose both of those games.  Then the season is 4-8 not
> 6-6.  Granted a win is a win, but....

And if we make a FG in Fort Worth or run the goshdarn ball in Hawaii or
not fumbled vs. ASU ... 9-3. We had some breaks this year for sure, but
had some go against us in those three games. Life on the edge. BTW - we
never trailed OSU, did we? I know that we certainly didn't luck out that
game. Indiana and Illinois? Yes. OSU? No. We could play "what ifs" all day
... what if Loren doesn't get injured ... Castillo ... etc. etc. etc.

Hawaii smarts, to be sure ... but this season certainly wasn't a disaster
or something to send vultures circling around the coach's office.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT