More years ago than I care to remember and for far too long a time, I lived in Des Moines. While there I came to know a great many Iowa Hawkeye fans--as well as a surprising number of Nebraska fans (but, then, who couldn't love a program that won 250 games over 25 years under Tom Osborne).
I'm hearing from my Iowa sources that Hawkeye fans who are really in the know fear P.J. Fleck being at Minnesota because of his proven recruiting ability, his youth and energy, his offensive schemes (especially) and what he has inherited at Minnesota--more so in the line of facilities than players.
Iowa has trouble beating Northwestern and WMU beat the Wildcats last year. Fleck had two top NFL picks in the 2017 draft and Hawkeye fans recognize that accomplishment for what it's worth. Kirk Ferentz is solid as a rock but getting older, is unexciting and very unimaginative. Fleck is full of enthusiasm, energy and an understanding of this generation of young men who play football.
Iowa fans are frustrated with Ferentz's offenses. They feel that they are boring, hard to recruit top talent to and cause Iowa to get blown out against higher ranked teams. The Hawkeyes have been crushed in their last four bowl games against LSU, Tennessee, Stanford and Florida. Many wish Iowa would put in place an offense like the one WMU ran last year. They particularly like the way Fleck ran the ball (an Iowa specialty since the days of Hayden Fry) and mixed in all elements of the passing game. Fleck's offenses are more like the teams that Iowa has had the most trouble with over the last decade. Kill/Claeys wanted to play smash-mouth football against Iowa and Wisconsin and went 2-10 against them. Fleck's offense will help Minnesota beat the Badgers, as well as Iowa.
Finally, Iowans recognize that the Gophers have finally closed the gap with respect to facilities. They love Minnesota's new stadium (some have told me it offers the best views of a football game they've ever seen in a college stadium) and know that the new athletic practice facilities will be world class. Hawkeye fans see Ferentz setting the table for his son, Brian, to replace him and many recent that fact. They'd take PJ in a minute, if they had any say.
I'm hearing from my Iowa sources that Hawkeye fans who are really in the know fear P.J. Fleck being at Minnesota because of his proven recruiting ability, his youth and energy, his offensive schemes (especially) and what he has inherited at Minnesota--more so in the line of facilities than players.
Iowa has trouble beating Northwestern and WMU beat the Wildcats last year. Fleck had two top NFL picks in the 2017 draft and Hawkeye fans recognize that accomplishment for what it's worth. Kirk Ferentz is solid as a rock but getting older, is unexciting and very unimaginative. Fleck is full of enthusiasm, energy and an understanding of this generation of young men who play football.
Iowa fans are frustrated with Ferentz's offenses. They feel that they are boring, hard to recruit top talent to and cause Iowa to get blown out against higher ranked teams. The Hawkeyes have been crushed in their last four bowl games against LSU, Tennessee, Stanford and Florida. Many wish Iowa would put in place an offense like the one WMU ran last year. They particularly like the way Fleck ran the ball (an Iowa specialty since the days of Hayden Fry) and mixed in all elements of the passing game. Fleck's offenses are more like the teams that Iowa has had the most trouble with over the last decade. Kill/Claeys wanted to play smash-mouth football against Iowa and Wisconsin and went 2-10 against them. Fleck's offense will help Minnesota beat the Badgers, as well as Iowa.
Finally, Iowans recognize that the Gophers have finally closed the gap with respect to facilities. They love Minnesota's new stadium (some have told me it offers the best views of a football game they've ever seen in a college stadium) and know that the new athletic practice facilities will be world class. Hawkeye fans see Ferentz setting the table for his son, Brian, to replace him and many recent that fact. They'd take PJ in a minute, if they had any say.
