How is Iowa doing in the mythical West Division this year?

[ChosenChildren]

Last year Iowa went 5-1 head to head against the other West Division teams. How is Iowa doing this year? Here are the current records (head-to-head only)

Iowa 3 0 (remaining games: Nebraska)
ILL 2 1 (Northwestern remains)
Wis 2 1 (Neb and MN remain)
MN 1 1 (Wis)
Neb 1 1 (IA Wis)
NW 1 2 (ILL)
Purdue 0 4 None

Iowa was the best team in the West last year. If they beat Nebraska, they will be the best team in the old west division this year. If they lose, Iowa could still finish first or tied for first, depending on the outcome of the other head to head games.

I miss the old division format.

 

[Gibsonian]

Yes where wimpy West gets crushed in the championship. I dunno.....

 

[NCHawker]

the corn belt

 

[Grady]

Last year Iowa went 5-1 head to head against the other West Division teams. How is Iowa doing this year? Here are the current records (head-to-head only)

Iowa 3 0 (remaining games: Nebraska)
ILL 2 1 (Northwestern remains)
Wis 2 1 (Neb and MN remain)
MN 1 1 (Wis)
Neb 1 1 (IA Wis)
NW 1 2 (ILL)
Purdue 0 4 None

Iowa was the best team in the West last year. If they beat Nebraska, they will be the best team in the old west division this year. If they lose, Iowa could still finish first or tied for first, depending on the outcome of the other head to head games.

I miss the old division format.

Exactly. At this time last year, 3-4 fan bases in the West Division were still rooting for their team to win a division title. Increased fan interest = increased passion and support for the programs. Same thing would have been true this year. Getting rid of divisions was a dumb decision by the BTen, ESPECIALLY with an expanded conference of 18 teams.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Exactly. At this time last year, 3-4 fan bases in the West Division were still rooting for their team to win a division title. Increased fan interest = increased passion and support for the programs. Same thing would have been true this year. Getting rid of divisions was a dumb decision by the BTen, ESPECIALLY with an expanded conference of 18 teams.

Agreed. If anything, they should get even more granular and have 4 divisions of 4 or 5 teams. Division titles are a big deal in the NFL, and there are 8 of them each year. Give teams something to play for other than just being one of the two best teams in the very large conference. Axes and Pigs are not enough.

 

[Hawkboys]

Exactly. At this time last year, 3-4 fan bases in the West Division were still rooting for their team to win a division title. Increased fan interest = increased passion and support for the programs. Same thing would have been true this year. Getting rid of divisions was a dumb decision by the BTen, ESPECIALLY with an expanded conference of 18 teams.

I think for interest reasons and travel reasons, it makes a ton of sense to go to either 2 or 4 divisions.