The Hawkeyes close out the regular season against Minnesota in a game that should be about as close as their rankings. Looking at how the Hawkeyes got to 7-4, 4-3 in the Big 10, though is painful no matter how many times I look at the schedule. Chances are the Hawks will still go to a major bowl game and gave a good chance to win it but knowing that only 19 points stand between them and an undefeated season is hard to swallow.
It feels like the season just began a few weeks ago, a nice easy opener, a rivalry game against a relatively unknown Iowa State team, and a tough road test against one of the better PAC-10 teams in a night game. The Hawkeyes were ranked in the top ten in the pre season polls and were expected to compete with Ohio State for the Big 10 title and to remain around the top in the nation for most of the season. A bunch of tough losses later the Hawks are one of only two, four loss teams in the top 25. Despite having four losses the Hawkeyes have yet to drop out of the rankings this season, though their #24 spot this week after dropping 2 consecutive games is the lowest position so far. Luckily there are still 2 more games to play this season.
The margin of defeat in their four losses this season goes as follows; seven points to #20 Arizona, a single point to # 5 ranked Wisconsin, four points to a 4 loss Northwestern team(who climbed into the top 25 briefly after their victory over the Hawkeyes), and three points to #8 ranked Ohio State. In each of the four losses the Hawkeyes have given up points in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter that have cost them the game. This season has shown marked improvement on the offensive side of the ball, mainly in balance of plays and how well they have protected the ball. Hawkeyes quarterbacks have attempted 313 passes this season, 302 for Ricky Stanzi, for nearly 3,000 yards leading to 24 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. Running backs have had 334 attempts, which doesn't include 43 rush/sacks by Ricky Stanzi, for 1675 yards and 12 touchdowns. Between quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers there have been only 3 fumbles so far this season. To put this in perspective, last year's Orange Bowl winning team lost 8 fumbles and had 20 interceptions. This year's turnover margin of +14 is by far better than the +2 margin last year despite the fact that the defense has forced 9 fewer turnovers on the season.
Points per game have even improved this season; the defense has been strong as well. The average for all ten games this season is only 15.5 points per game, only decimal points above last year's average. The offense has improved as well, 29.5 points scored per game this season is 6.3 points better per game then the 23.2 in 2009. So where does the problem lie? To me it seems that when the points are scored has been the major culprit this season. In the 4 losses the opponent has scored at least the last point if not more than that. Despite the win in Michigan, the Hawkeyes were outscored 21-10 in the fourth quarter. This is truly interesting to me seeing as how well the Hawkeyes have looked during other parts of the game this season.
Who knows what the real reason that they are 7-3 instead of 10-0 is but I am sure that the players will be ready to go this Saturday in Minnesota. They, nor I, are ready to wrap up this season and start looking forward to next season yet. A fifth loss would not go over well regardless of when it were to happen but I think the team will settle out and finish strong. Nine wins I'm sure is the expectations now in the locker room and amongst fans such as myself. They still have plenty to play for; Stanzi and DJK have been moving up the record books, as has McNutt and all three would like to continue to do so. Adam Robinson is just under 70 yards away from 1,000 for the season, though it is not known yet if he will be in the lineup for this week's game. Adrian Clayborn is going to look to boost his draft stock against a weaker Gophers opponent after being double teamed and held for the majority of the season. Most of all the players will be ready to go for the trophy; the Floyd of Rosedale is on the line and no one wants to return home to Iowa City without it.
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