NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Several teams around the league are off to pretty decent starts record wise, which for some has been primarily due to a softer schedule. I'm not sure whether that is good or bad for Iowa, but below is a list of the teams that I think Iowa will be competing with for the middle tier of the conference.
Minnesota: 10-1.
Quality Wins: Ark & Vandy
Bad losses: None
Maryland: 10-1
Quality Wins: KSU, GTWN, OKST
Bad losses: None
Rutgers: 9-1
Quality Wins: None
Bad losses: None
Ohio State: 8-2
Quality Wins: Providence & Uconn
Bad losses: FAU
Northwestern: 7-2
Quality Wins: Wake
Bad losses: None
Illinois: 8-3
Quality Wins: NCST & VCU
Bad losses: Winthrop
Michigan: 7-3
Quality Wins: Marquette & Texas
Bad losses: None
Michigan State: 7-4
Quality Wins: Wichita State
Bad losses: None
Penn State: 6-5
Quality Wins: None
Bad losses: Albany & George Mason
Nebraska: 5-5
Quality Wins: Dayton
Bad losses: None
Minnesota and Rutgers schedules have been extremely easy, whereas MSU and Nebraska have played several top teams.
After putting together the list I think there are 3 clear cut favorites in the Big10: UW, Purdue, and Indiana, who weren't included above. The next tier is probably Michigan State, Maryland and Michigan. Followed by the rest.
With a healthy Cook I think Iowa can beat any team in the league outside of the top 3. Interestingly enough, Iowa only plays two teams in the "projected top 6" twice (Purdue & Maryland), so our schedule sets up favorably.
Minnesota: 10-1.
Quality Wins: Ark & Vandy
Bad losses: None
Maryland: 10-1
Quality Wins: KSU, GTWN, OKST
Bad losses: None
Rutgers: 9-1
Quality Wins: None
Bad losses: None
Ohio State: 8-2
Quality Wins: Providence & Uconn
Bad losses: FAU
Northwestern: 7-2
Quality Wins: Wake
Bad losses: None
Illinois: 8-3
Quality Wins: NCST & VCU
Bad losses: Winthrop
Michigan: 7-3
Quality Wins: Marquette & Texas
Bad losses: None
Michigan State: 7-4
Quality Wins: Wichita State
Bad losses: None
Penn State: 6-5
Quality Wins: None
Bad losses: Albany & George Mason
Nebraska: 5-5
Quality Wins: Dayton
Bad losses: None
Minnesota and Rutgers schedules have been extremely easy, whereas MSU and Nebraska have played several top teams.
After putting together the list I think there are 3 clear cut favorites in the Big10: UW, Purdue, and Indiana, who weren't included above. The next tier is probably Michigan State, Maryland and Michigan. Followed by the rest.
With a healthy Cook I think Iowa can beat any team in the league outside of the top 3. Interestingly enough, Iowa only plays two teams in the "projected top 6" twice (Purdue & Maryland), so our schedule sets up favorably.