Back in 1979 the University of Iowa hires legendary head football coach Hayden Fry. Hayden would go on to change the college football world. Even most casual college football fans are aware of his coaching tree Snyder, Alverez, Ferentz, Stoops(s). But I'm here today to talk to about a slightly less know phenomenon. The Iowa Hawkeyes Football 6 golden year that happens every 6 years, like clockwork.
Forward to 1985, Chuck Long, Ronnie Harmon and Larry Station lead Iowa all the way to a #1 ranking and retain it for several weeks. During this run at number 1 Iowa faced the number 2 Michigan Wolverines. The significance can’t be under stated as prior to the BCS and College Football eras these were rare occurrences. The game was everything it was billed to be, with Iowa winning on a last second field goal. To this day I consider this to be the biggest Iowa win I have experienced as a fan. Looming on the schedule was a trip to Columbus and basically buck the Fudkeyes. Despite the loss would win the Big Ten outright and go to the Rose Bowl, with slim but still a chance at a National Championship. Despite Iowa being favored the game would not go Iowa’s way. Iowa would finish the season 10-2.
Six years later, 1991. When Iowa fans talk the best teams ever talk, this team sadly often gets overlooked. Iowa plays 2 bad halves all year long and has by winning percentage the best season of the modern era going 10-1-1. However due to the perception of the Big Ten, Iowa only reaches a high point of #7. Notable players included Matt Rodgers, Danian Hughes, LeRoy Smith and of course Bert.
Tim Dwight, Tavian Banks, Jared Devries, 1997, to me was always the year that could have been. Iowa climbs to number eight and plays a top 10 match-up, with buck the Fudkeyes, in Columbus. A week later the Hawkeyes host eventual nation champions Michigan, taking a 21 to 7 lead into half time. Unfortunately Senior QB Matt Sherman would be injured, Michigan would prevail and Iowa would not recover. Final record in 1997 was 7-5 and some lean years for Iowa football would follow and Iowa would hire Kirk Ferentz in 1999.
2003, OK yes I know that in 2002 Iowa climbed higher in the polls and finished with a better record but that just doesn’t fit with our every 6-year mantra. 2003's Iowa Hawkeyes had some ups and downs but finished the year destroying Florida in a bowl game and with a record of 10-3. Reaching its highest ranking in the year end poll at #8. Notable players Bob Sanders, Robert Gallery, Nate Kaeding and Fred Russell.
2009, Iowa starts off 9-0 climbing to number 4. Up 10 to 0 against Northwestern when the infamous naked bootleg is called. Down goes Stanzi . With the playbook reduce to two plays Iowa is unable to hold on. The next week, Iowa plays THE Ohio State buck the Fudkeyes for the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth. Despite playing with back up QB James Vandenburg, Iowa takes the game to overtime but would fall short in overtime. Iowa would finish the year with a victory in the Orange bowl and an 11-2 record. Notable team members Ricky “Love it or Leave it” Stanzi, Adrian Clayborn, Micah Hyde, Marvin McNutt.
Six years later in 2015 Iowa would run the tables a perfect 12 and 0 in the regular season climbing to #3. Unfortunately they would fall victim to what seemed like a 103 play march of death from the Spartans in the B1G CCG. Despite the loss in the Big Ten CCG Iowa earn a Rose Bowl bid. At the Rose Bowl they got Christian McCafferyed. Final record 12-2. Notable players Desmond King, CJ Beathard, George Kittle.
Which brings us to the present, 2021 and salty SEC fans are once again having to talk to their kids about a top 5 Iowa. Only this time we do have a championship caliber defense. The story is not yet finished for this group but it sure does feel great to see Iowa back in the top 5.
So in recap Iowa has a 40 year history of being a solid program but every 6th year look out. Since 1979 Iowa's overall winning percentage has been %61.5, solid sure I would like it to be better but solid. Iowa's "six year golden year" percentage %80.1. Iowa's overall win percentage since 1979 taking out the magic years %58.1
Forward to 1985, Chuck Long, Ronnie Harmon and Larry Station lead Iowa all the way to a #1 ranking and retain it for several weeks. During this run at number 1 Iowa faced the number 2 Michigan Wolverines. The significance can’t be under stated as prior to the BCS and College Football eras these were rare occurrences. The game was everything it was billed to be, with Iowa winning on a last second field goal. To this day I consider this to be the biggest Iowa win I have experienced as a fan. Looming on the schedule was a trip to Columbus and basically buck the Fudkeyes. Despite the loss would win the Big Ten outright and go to the Rose Bowl, with slim but still a chance at a National Championship. Despite Iowa being favored the game would not go Iowa’s way. Iowa would finish the season 10-2.
Six years later, 1991. When Iowa fans talk the best teams ever talk, this team sadly often gets overlooked. Iowa plays 2 bad halves all year long and has by winning percentage the best season of the modern era going 10-1-1. However due to the perception of the Big Ten, Iowa only reaches a high point of #7. Notable players included Matt Rodgers, Danian Hughes, LeRoy Smith and of course Bert.
Tim Dwight, Tavian Banks, Jared Devries, 1997, to me was always the year that could have been. Iowa climbs to number eight and plays a top 10 match-up, with buck the Fudkeyes, in Columbus. A week later the Hawkeyes host eventual nation champions Michigan, taking a 21 to 7 lead into half time. Unfortunately Senior QB Matt Sherman would be injured, Michigan would prevail and Iowa would not recover. Final record in 1997 was 7-5 and some lean years for Iowa football would follow and Iowa would hire Kirk Ferentz in 1999.
2003, OK yes I know that in 2002 Iowa climbed higher in the polls and finished with a better record but that just doesn’t fit with our every 6-year mantra. 2003's Iowa Hawkeyes had some ups and downs but finished the year destroying Florida in a bowl game and with a record of 10-3. Reaching its highest ranking in the year end poll at #8. Notable players Bob Sanders, Robert Gallery, Nate Kaeding and Fred Russell.
2009, Iowa starts off 9-0 climbing to number 4. Up 10 to 0 against Northwestern when the infamous naked bootleg is called. Down goes Stanzi . With the playbook reduce to two plays Iowa is unable to hold on. The next week, Iowa plays THE Ohio State buck the Fudkeyes for the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth. Despite playing with back up QB James Vandenburg, Iowa takes the game to overtime but would fall short in overtime. Iowa would finish the year with a victory in the Orange bowl and an 11-2 record. Notable team members Ricky “Love it or Leave it” Stanzi, Adrian Clayborn, Micah Hyde, Marvin McNutt.
Six years later in 2015 Iowa would run the tables a perfect 12 and 0 in the regular season climbing to #3. Unfortunately they would fall victim to what seemed like a 103 play march of death from the Spartans in the B1G CCG. Despite the loss in the Big Ten CCG Iowa earn a Rose Bowl bid. At the Rose Bowl they got Christian McCafferyed. Final record 12-2. Notable players Desmond King, CJ Beathard, George Kittle.
Which brings us to the present, 2021 and salty SEC fans are once again having to talk to their kids about a top 5 Iowa. Only this time we do have a championship caliber defense. The story is not yet finished for this group but it sure does feel great to see Iowa back in the top 5.
So in recap Iowa has a 40 year history of being a solid program but every 6th year look out. Since 1979 Iowa's overall winning percentage has been %61.5, solid sure I would like it to be better but solid. Iowa's "six year golden year" percentage %80.1. Iowa's overall win percentage since 1979 taking out the magic years %58.1
