If Iowa played former West opponents Purdue and Illinois and an East Div Maryland this year, instead of OR , USC and IU, Iowa would be looking at another 10 or 11 win season and in the playoffs.
Schedule matters.
Mark Stoops would be a weak, lateral move at best.
But, as a 50-year Iowan, I understand Iowan's resistance to change and nostalgic love of the familiar.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Branstad