Meaning of a Hawkeye Victory over Wisconsin

C

cincyhawk

Well-Known Member
Much has been made of losses this season. But what about a win vs. Wisconsin? If the Hawks can beat Wisconsin Saturday, what would it mean for the program and the season?

It looked like the offensive line issues were figured out last Saturday against Purdue. If it continues, that would go a long way to beating Wisconsin Saturday. Beating Wisky would put Iowa in second place in the West, barring a disaster at Purdue for Nebraska, and leave them in control of their own destiny. However, despite the close losses Wisconsin sustained at Michigan and vs. Ohio State, a loss to Iowa would finally drop them in the polls and a win by Iowa would net a ranking around 20 - 23 at best.

Wisconsin would be left with a final chance to improve their ranking at home vs. Nebraska. I believe, if the Hawkeyes win, that the win would not be enough of a positive result to give fans and the media confidence of Iowa competing with Michigan and Penn State in the upcoming weeks. In other words, a win vs. a top ten Wisconsin team would fix the pall of negativity surrounding the program currently -- the feeling that Iowa wasn't actually good last year during the undefeated regular season run and the constant expectation of poor performance on gameday that has arisen after the home loss to NDSU.

Expectations were high this season, and rightly so with what Iowa was returning. It would take wins against Wisconsin, Penn State, and Nebraska/Michigan to get back the positive buzz with which the season began. That's a tall order for this Hawkeye team.
 
I think a win would be great, no doubt. How great would depend on the game.

I hope for a game like Wisky-OSU. Both teams attacking, big plays on either side. A great game. That would obviously give the team a ton of confidence and earn back some national respect.

If its more like last year's game - conservative, mistakes on both sides ( aka "ugly" ) - the confidence and especially the respect would be lessened.
 
It would be a surprising win; somewhat of a legitimizing win. However, the legitimizing would be as much for Iowa - better than perceived the last month - as it would be against Wiscy - tough but not quite able to get over.

I'd be thrilled but it would merely mean that 7, rather than 6, wins are likely.
 
I think it would mean Iowa is fairly good (but not elite) and an improving team this year. They have their flaws, but they are capable of knocking off other good teams. It would also mean they would still be in the running to win the West. It would certainly be a very good win, but there is still much work to be done and much more to prove to the masses. Iowa will probably be doubted even with a win though. They could very well be an underdog in most of the games they have left.
 
First off the hawks have two bad losses I would say. they had ndsu down 21-7 at halftime iirc and the coaches were not prepared for jNW's blitzes and their offense.

Now a win over Wisky will be great but also make you wonder what the hell was going on against ndsu, rutgers, and jNW. A win gives the hawks a 2.5 game lead over Wisky and wisky could help later beating Nebby.
 
cincyhawk said:
Much has been made of losses this season. But what about a win vs. Wisconsin? If the Hawks can beat Wisconsin Saturday, what would it mean for the program and the season?

It looked like the offensive line issues were figured out last Saturday against Purdue. If it continues, that would go a long way to beating Wisconsin Saturday. Beating Wisky would put Iowa in second place in the West, barring a disaster at Purdue for Nebraska, and leave them in control of their own destiny. However, despite the close losses Wisconsin sustained at Michigan and vs. Ohio State, a loss to Iowa would finally drop them in the polls and a win by Iowa would net a ranking around 20 - 23 at best.

Wisconsin would be left with a final chance to improve their ranking at home vs. Nebraska. I believe, if the Hawkeyes win, that the win would not be enough of a positive result to give fans and the media confidence of Iowa competing with Michigan and Penn State in the upcoming weeks. In other words, a win vs. a top ten Wisconsin team would fix the pall of negativity surrounding the program currently -- the feeling that Iowa wasn't actually good last year during the undefeated regular season run and the constant expectation of poor performance on gameday that has arisen after the home loss to NDSU.

Expectations were high this season, and rightly so with what Iowa was returning. It would take wins against Wisconsin, Penn State, and Nebraska/Michigan to get back the positive buzz with which the season began. That's a tall order for this Hawkeye team.
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Will be great game experience for Render. If we can just have an average passing game Saturday we should be fine. If not we are probably in trouble. Play book needs to be wide open.
 
uihawk82 said:
First off the hawks have two bad losses I would say. they had ndsu down 21-7 at halftime iirc and the coaches were not prepared for jNW's blitzes and their offense.

Now a win over Wisky will be great but also make you wonder what the hell was going on against ndsu, rutgers, and jNW. A win gives the hawks a 2.5 game lead over Wisky and wisky could help later beating Nebby.
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But that is Iowa football. Get obliterated by Arizona State one week, beat a great team the next. That's football.
 
I'm willing to bet that some would say it only means that Wisconsin is not that good, overrated, beat up from the loss to Ohio State, had some bad seafood the night before, slept on a lumpy bed, something other than Iowa is a pretty good team.
 
It would make us the clear favorites for the West Title. Nebraska is not at Wisconsin's level and we already defeated the other pre-season favorite for the West (Minnesota).
 
After officiating errors cost Iowa wins against Northwester and NDSU, robbing Iowa of its deserved top-10 ranking and spot at the top of the division standings. It is clear that the B1G 10 West is RIGGED!!!! THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! The officials are jealous of Ferentz and his contract and they hate Iowa for no reason.
 
ChosenChildren said:
It would make us the clear favorites for the West Title. Nebraska is not at Wisconsin's level and we already defeated the other pre-season favorite for the West (Minnesota).
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If we win this game, the winner of the West will be the winner of the Iowa/Nebraska game. As long as we don't lose to Illinois that is.
 
What if Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Northwestern all end up with 3 losses? Is the tiebreaker the record against those 4 teams or is it record in the West?
 
cincyhawk said:
Much has been made of losses this season. But what about a win vs. Wisconsin? If the Hawks can beat Wisconsin Saturday, what would it mean for the program and the season?

It looked like the offensive line issues were figured out last Saturday against Purdue. If it continues, that would go a long way to beating Wisconsin Saturday. Beating Wisky would put Iowa in second place in the West, barring a disaster at Purdue for Nebraska, and leave them in control of their own destiny. However, despite the close losses Wisconsin sustained at Michigan and vs. Ohio State, a loss to Iowa would finally drop them in the polls and a win by Iowa would net a ranking around 20 - 23 at best.

Wisconsin would be left with a final chance to improve their ranking at home vs. Nebraska. I believe, if the Hawkeyes win, that the win would not be enough of a positive result to give fans and the media confidence of Iowa competing with Michigan and Penn State in the upcoming weeks. In other words, a win vs. a top ten Wisconsin team would fix the pall of negativity surrounding the program currently -- the feeling that Iowa wasn't actually good last year during the undefeated regular season run and the constant expectation of poor performance on gameday that has arisen after the home loss to NDSU.

Expectations were high this season, and rightly so with what Iowa was returning. It would take wins against Wisconsin, Penn State, and Nebraska/Michigan to get back the positive buzz with which the season began. That's a tall order for this Hawkeye team.
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Not sure you can deem anything from the Purdue game as they are such a bad team, In addition, that team checked out on their coach. To me, it's still completely up in the air of what team we will see Saturday. They could have a wake up call coming off playing a bad non-physical team then playing Wisky who will be touch on both lines and a 3-4 defense who puts pressure on the QB. Not sure what to think.

Don't really know yet. Iowa may come out and surprise. IMO, if they win will be a very good win and bonus which could really help with their identity going forward.
 
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