Agree with loess and ss; it's what I was trying to explain about Iowa vs "the lights". I'll admit emotional bias can skew perspective (certainly more so immediately after a loss) but, I think most long-timers here would agree with me, it just seems that when Iowa starts getting the hype, they tend to struggle to perform up to the billing and maintain that status.
It's not so much about "getting beat", it's about "losing" -- mostly, performing poorly on the bigger stages when there's nothing standing between them and opportunity but themselves. You have to agree, the Maryland and Indiana losses were uncharacteristically below their ability, skill and smarts, let alone, (what I think loess is saying), well below what would reasonably be expected of a top 5 team. I'm not saying they should have won (I am on record here, many times, saying I expected Iowa to lose at Indiana); I'm saying they should not have lost, that way.
Iowa lost; I get it; it happens a lot, to really good teams. I'm not miserable and certainly not cliff diving, just offering my long-time observations.
Anyway, I'm all in for a little hunting trip ... some gopher, some lion, some badger, gather up some nuts ... just what the Hawks (and myself) need. Then looking forward to exacting revenge on the Hoozshers, whatever the hell they are.
Oh, final note - the lights will be back on and I expect the Hawks to live up.
