... were from being undefeated in 2008. Instead, a possible trip to the BCS turned into a 9-4 season and a trip to the Outback Bowl.

And while that's certainly nothing to be ashamed of, the Hawkeyes can't help but think what could have been.

The main reason for the shaky play in close games was the quarterback competition between Jake Christensen and Ricky Stanzi. Iowa couldn't settle on a quarterback early in the season, largely because neither player could establish himself as the starter.

This inconsistency and lack of leadership early in the season caused three straight early season losses that were decided by a total of nine points.

Finally, Stanzi established himself as the starter, winning six out of the last seven ...

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