HaydenHawk56
Well-Known Member
step. I have been giving this some thought and what Jon has said about Iowa laying a foundation this season for the next couple of years. After the Iowa St game and Penn St game I could see that. Then it appeared Iowa regressed the next few games and I had major doubts (like many of you I'm sure).
But after the killing of OSU, I really think that chance is back on the table. I don't think it is a guarantee, but here it is again.
No matter what happens the rest of the season, this game will certainly go down in history for who they beat and how they did it. But, it would be so nice to have vindication of this win by winning out the rest of the season....including the bowl game. In that scenario, Iowa will beaten all of the best teams on their schedule. If not in the BTT game, there is very good chance that they will have beaten the Big Ten Champion in the process (assuming OSU and Wisky both get there).
True, the 2017 would still be looked back at losing to lesser competition and not opening up the offense in those games. However, no one can question Iowa's schedule and the top teams they beat on it.
Jon has often compared Iowa and Wisconsin in the sense that the difference between these two programs is when Wisconsin has had the chance to make the most of their opportunities....they make them happen. That is not to say that Iowa does not have anything memorable because they certainly do (a number of very good examples), but Wisconsin has typically finished better than Iowa (Barry Alvarez years and beyond). Ditto basketball.
Hopefully Kirk can take this win beyond the "yearly typical beat someone you are not suppose to beat argument." Hopefully destroying OSU is the start of becoming a good program to a great one.
One can dream, but it would be nice to have the stars align for the complete season (including the post season).
Opening up that offense was a damn good start. And, man, Stanley is only 4 more touchdown passes from breaking Chuck Long's record...in his first season as a starter. Incredible.
I still think Kirk is not your man if you want to win a National Title, but is your man if you want a competitive program who keeps its head above water most years, can beat the top program from time to time, and can challenge for the BTT every 4-5 years. But I would love to be wrong moving forward. Not that being just good is a capital offense either because it is not. But, it would feel so good to have another outright Big Ten Title and then playing for it all in the playoffs some day.
But after the killing of OSU, I really think that chance is back on the table. I don't think it is a guarantee, but here it is again.
No matter what happens the rest of the season, this game will certainly go down in history for who they beat and how they did it. But, it would be so nice to have vindication of this win by winning out the rest of the season....including the bowl game. In that scenario, Iowa will beaten all of the best teams on their schedule. If not in the BTT game, there is very good chance that they will have beaten the Big Ten Champion in the process (assuming OSU and Wisky both get there).
True, the 2017 would still be looked back at losing to lesser competition and not opening up the offense in those games. However, no one can question Iowa's schedule and the top teams they beat on it.
Jon has often compared Iowa and Wisconsin in the sense that the difference between these two programs is when Wisconsin has had the chance to make the most of their opportunities....they make them happen. That is not to say that Iowa does not have anything memorable because they certainly do (a number of very good examples), but Wisconsin has typically finished better than Iowa (Barry Alvarez years and beyond). Ditto basketball.
Hopefully Kirk can take this win beyond the "yearly typical beat someone you are not suppose to beat argument." Hopefully destroying OSU is the start of becoming a good program to a great one.
One can dream, but it would be nice to have the stars align for the complete season (including the post season).
Opening up that offense was a damn good start. And, man, Stanley is only 4 more touchdown passes from breaking Chuck Long's record...in his first season as a starter. Incredible.
I still think Kirk is not your man if you want to win a National Title, but is your man if you want a competitive program who keeps its head above water most years, can beat the top program from time to time, and can challenge for the BTT every 4-5 years. But I would love to be wrong moving forward. Not that being just good is a capital offense either because it is not. But, it would feel so good to have another outright Big Ten Title and then playing for it all in the playoffs some day.
Last edited:
