We looked painfully bad against Pitt, especially in the 1H. If we played like that against any team in the B1G we lose. I do not think we played well against Wisconsin.
Right now we have the resume’ of an NCAA team, and I certainly think we have that potential.
The problem is our schedule. I said the week of the Wisconsin game that game was close to a must win game, and I think that might end up being the truth.
Here’s a idea at just how tough our B1G schedule is. Massey ratings rates us as the 29th best team in the country. They are projecting Iowa to begin B1G play at 1-11.
https://www.masseyratings.com/team.php?t=3540&s=305972
Now we certainly aren’t going to begin 1-11, but the next portion of our B1G schedule is brutal. Our next four home games are Neb, OSU, MSU, and Michigan. We might be slim favorites against Neb and OSU and will be dogs against the Michigan’s. Barring something major, we will be underdogs in nearly every road game besides Rutgers.
The issues with starting with a poor record is two fold. It can hurt team morale, and other teams will also be smelling blood in the water when they play Iowa.
Just judging off the schedule in front of them I wouldn’t bet on this team getting enough conference wins to dance.