And this is why...

[eyekwah]

Iowa should not play Iowa State each year in football: http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/19759126/northwestern-host-notre-dame-2018 .

Part of the recent success Northwestern is enjoying comes from the non-conference schedule they play. It's attractive to more recruits nationally than Iowa's schedule. Outside of central Iowa the Cyclones are a dumpster fire football program. Like it or not, Northwestern reputation has improved dramatically the last 20 years. It isn't the MIldcats anymore. Iowa played ND with some regularity before 1969. If you want to be know just put ND on the schedule.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

it's not rocket science. If you're going to play an "inferior" team...in terms of National perception. DON'T PLAY ONE THAT HAS BIG INCENTIVE AND MOTIVATION TO BEAT YOU.

Secondary postulate...don't play an FCS team. Same reason.

Also, documenting problems with a difficult employee who you may need to fire...never mind...

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

it's not rocket science. If you're going to play an "inferior" team...in terms of National perception. DON'T PLAY ONE THAT HAS BIG INCENTIVE AND MOTIVATION TO BEAT YOU.

Secondary postulate...don't play an FCS team. Same reason.

Also, documenting problems with a difficult employee who you may need to fire...never mind...

Exactly! Inferior teams have nothing to lose and all to gain. Whereas, and we have seen it many times where an early upset crushes a teams season before it gets started.