Iowa Football: Was the 2017 season really a disappointment?

After beating Ohio State and jumping into the rankings, Iowa football fizzled out at the end of the 2017 season. Was it a disappointment?

The Iowa faithful came into 2017 with relatively standard expectations, breaking in a brand new quarterback with a brand new offensive coordinator, but a stout defense to back them up. The goal seemed to hover around 7-5 or 8-4, the norm for most teams since Kirk Ferentz took over in 1999. The Hawkeyes did indeed finish the season 7-5, but nowhere near in the way many expected them to reach that record.

Iowa’s season was looking like a possible carbon copy of 2015, exiting the non-conference 3-0, including a thrilling overtime win over Iowa State. However, their faint thoughts of another perfect regular season were dashed by Trace McSorely and Penn State in their last-second 23-21 loss to the Nittany Lions. Iowa then went on to split their next two sitting at a 5-3 record with the mighty Buckeyes coming to town.

Ohio State was blindsided by an offensive onslaught that included five Nate Stanley passing TD’s in the 55-24 win, immortalized by Cedar Rapids Gazette writer Marc Morehouse’s headline of “Woodshed, IA, 52242”.

Following the historic win over Ohio State, the Hawkeyes gave another historic performance against Wisconsin. Unfortunately, it was a historically bad offensive performance as the Badgers whacked the Hawks 38-14. The season ended with a home loss to Purdue followed by a thrashing of rival Nebraska.

All in all, Iowa’s season was not a disappointment as some may see it. 7-5 was the goal and they achieved just that, not in the way many of them expected it to come however. The maturation of Nate Stanley was very encouraging, following the stagnant passing offense under the tutelage of Greg Davis. Akrum Wadley had his dazzling moments as he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the second year in a row. Josey Jewell proved why he is the best linebacker in college football and Josh Jackson emerged as a premier cornerback in college football.

Next: Predicting all 41 bowl games and CFB Playoff

The Hawkeyes were a young team in 2017, with freshmen such as Alaric Jackson, Tristan Wirfs and A.J. Epenesa making the mark on the field already. Many, including myself, expect the Hawkeyes to be very much in the Big Ten title race over the next couple seasons. Ferentz’s best years may still be ahead of him.