Lots of bold predictions on this thread, none more bold than the leader of hawkeyenation. One question to all of you that have Iowa losing to Arizona: Why?
The final game of Arizona's 2009 season was against Nebraska. My opinion is that more than any team on their schedule, Nebraska resembled the Iowa Hawkeyes. Smash mouth offense with good use of play action. The Huskers use a stingy defense that flies to the football, much like the Hawks. The outcome of that game...Nebraska 33 - Arizona 0.
IMO, Arizona had one marquee win last year...@ USC. USC started a freshman QB and obviously showed signs of regression near the end of the year.
Aside from the game time and the traveling, why should Iowa be worried about Arizona? Kirk Ferentz has shown he doesn't make the same mistake twice when it comes to travel and preparation (see 2010 Orange Bowl v 2003 Orange Bowl).
12-0 and on to Glendale
I am going to be the "downer" of the group I guess. I just have an uneasy feeling about this season. Maybe if they go down to AZ and look good I will start to relax, but right now I am just not sensing the historic season that everyone else is. I will welcome all the bashing if I am wrong.
E. Illinois W (37-16)
Iowa State W (27-17)
@Arizona L (17-31)
Ball State W (45-10)
Penn State W (24-20)
@Michigan L (14-24)
Wisconsin L (20-21)
Michigan St W (17-14)
@Indiana W (34-20)
@NW W (42-27)
Ohio State L (24-26)
@Minn W (35-17)
8-4 (5-3) Gator Bowl
I will say 11-1 with our lone loss to Wisconsin if John Clay is healthy. We cannot stop that dud very well. We were lucky he got hurt last year.
We will tie for the Big Ten title, but probably with Ohio St.
I'll stick my neck all the way out and say we win it all, but we end up with Boise State
People don't seem to think that MSU can beat us at home, but I'd say besides OSU they are the team that I think has the best chance to beat Iowa. I also think PSU will be fired up and out for blood.
There is no way that Boise St. will be in the NCG even if they win all their games.
If they win against OSU, VT. Don't underestimate how much effect their crying about the unfair system and how they get no respect will have on the national media. Their SOS is only one ranked team better this year than last. They ll whine an cry their way into the game then get killed.Really? I can think of a couple ways they get in. 1. there are no other undefeated teams (certainly possible, and I don't think 'Bama, Florida, or Texas go 12-0). 2. They are one of 2 undefeated teams, the other being the SEC champion (a 1-loss SEC champ probably jumps them).
If they go undefeated, the wins against Virginia Tech and Oregon State are going to be enough to get them in should OSU or 'Bama falter. The pollsters are going to give them a big boost (they never got higher than #5 last year in the Harris or USA Today polls, and they are STARTING at #3 this year), and for as much as the computers "hated" them, they still were #6 in the computers. With wins over OSU and VT, their SOS will be better than last year, so you can bet they will be in the top 5 in the computers, too. They could very easily get in if they go 12-0, and don't be surprised if they got in before we did, even if we are undefeated (remember, we're behind them in the human polls, and will be until BSU loses).