32 Years of Fry and Ferentz

[Rawkhawk73]

A couple of points after reading these posts:

1. The .613 winning percentage at Iowa over the past 32 years is because of the unique abilities of Fry and Ferentz. It is no guarantee that we will win at this pace over the next 32 years. Michigan is discovering that past success is no guarantee of future performance.

1. There is no real national championship in college football. It is a mythical national championship. Iowa won a mythical national championship in 1958. Making the national championship game involves a lot of luck, favorable scheduling, and politics. Until there is a legitimate playoff that is determined on the field (like the NFL), whining about national championships is just a waste of energy. If there had been an 8 or 16 team playoff over the past 32 years, I believe Iowa might have won another national championship. The current system gives Iowa almost no chance at all (I believe that if Iowa had gone 12-0 in 2009, they still would have been denied the opportunity to play in the final title game).

But somehow, all those other teams on the list, EXCEPT IOWA, managed to have luck or the breaks go their way? C'mon man, you're smarter than that.

Look, there's nothing wrong with saying that Iowa, with it's history over the last generation of winning games, bringing in money and producing NFL players at a rate eclipsed by only a small group of programs, should have won a national championship (or at least played for one) during that time. It's not a freaking indictment on the program or an indictment of any one person. It's simply a fact to say that only 1 program in the United States has had top level success over the last generation but no National Championship chances to show for it. It's more of a bummer than anything else.

 

[ChosenChildren]

No, with all due respect, you are missing the point.

Iowa won 1 "national championship", in 1958. Some of those teams you mentioned in your argument probably only won one, just like Iowa. Iowa's luck prevailed in 1958, as did their luck later.

There is no "national championship". The process is not fair and will not be until there is a playoff.

Riddle me this: Do you really think that if Iowa had gone 12-0 in 2009, we would have made the final game? I don't. If we would not have been selected in 2009, why do you think we will be selected in any future year under the prevailing "bogus" system?

You are just going against the wind until the current system is changed. Evaluating Iowa based on the number of national championship games makes no sense. Michigan, the all-time winningest program in the history of college football, has not won any titles under the current system either!!

Sure, Iowa could luck out and end up in the final game, but, to me, it is just that: luck.

I will concede one important point: Iowa has never had an unbeaten season in modern Big Ten history. You could certainly argue that Iowa fans should expect, or hope for, an unbeaten season. It almost happened in 2002 and 2009, so it certainly could happen. I firmly believe that if we go unbeaten, we still will not make the final game under the current system. I hope I'm wrong, but we won't know until Iowa goes 12-0.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Given the "recent" 32-year history, it's time to break out this (adapted) oldie-but-goodie. I am sure Iowaframgirl/80sHawkeye/et.al. will absolute LOVE this one...

KF, given his 13 years as Hawkeye HC, is given the opportunity to ask God any 3 questions he desires, with the stipulation that he can not duplicate any of Hayden's questions (provided to KF). He is given one month to prepare, and is allowed to consult any/all of his staff and family members.

The big day arrives.

Question 1:
KF: God, will any former Hawkeye players ever become the Head Coach at IOWA?

God: Yes, my son (pause) but not in your lifetime

Question 2:
KF: God, given all the cries for "diversity", will there ever be a Black, Hispanic, Jewish, Muslim, Native American, or any other "minority" person, that becomes the Hawkeye Head Coach?

God: Yes, ny son (pause) but not in your lifetime

Question 3:
KF: God, I'm sure the wife wanted me to ask, although she didn't push for it...but...will there ever be a day when the Head Coach roaming the Hawkeye sideline is a female?

God: (quickly and without hesitation) Not in MY lifetime!