Kirk Ferentz said he felt worse about the effort at the end of last year than how today's game turned out.
That's how he feels. He's closer to the deal than any of us, but I don't know. Just because he says it doesn't mean you have to feel that way. This was bad. You bought the ticket, you have a right to feel and say whatever the heck you want.
Could it be this: Last season's team was better and more talented but also more locked up in its brain and its own worst enemy. This year's team wasn't as talented, inexperienced and injured, but it was healthy upstairs and stayed upbeat even at 2-4, 3-5.
"I'll tell you, when your attitude is not good, that's major work, and I think that's not our issue right now. I think we have some others we have to work through," Ferentz said.
That's all well and good, but, at best, it's a stalemate. A talented and selfish team finished the regular season 6-6. This year's less talented and well-adjusted team finished 6-6.
It's on the tip of your tongue. I can hear it. Go ahead and say it. How many 6-6s before Gary Barta's foot tapping turns into finger pointing that eventually grows into the dreaded "vote of confidence" for Ferentz and his staff? Well, this is basically the third 6-6, give or take. How many more?
I asked Ferentz after the game if the offensive players on the field were the future. He said he hoped so, but also no one is guaranteed anything.
More on this stuff tomorrow.
I want to finish with this thought: I'm kind of gutted by the fact that Albert Young's final game at Kinnick ended with booing and a few maniacal rants that echoed through what was otherwise a grim march out of the joint.
He'll do great things in his life, I know that. It just sucked to see him go out in tears.
This has been my first season blogging. I've really enjoyed it. I've tried to be honest and unfiltered with my thoughts here. I've met a few e-mailers and have loved the interaction. As always, feel free to let me know when you think I get it wrong. I'll listen no matter what you call me.
If there's no bowl game, I have no idea what will happen with this bandwidth. There will be football updates, I'm sure. Watch for recruiting and such. Maybe some men's health stuff. We're all interested in that, right?
Take care, all.