If there are any other undefeated teams at that time Iowa would be the lowest one. Could Iowa be outside of the top 10 behind a plethora of 1 loss teams? I could see that. I'd like to think they'd be ranked in the top 5 but there are 10 million different things that can affect that. I'm just curious to what extent their schedule would hold them back if they were to have a great season and what will it take for them to get in the playoffs. Sure it'd depend how they win along the way. If Iowa can actually beat down teams they should beat but we all know they rarely do that. Just curious what some of you might be seeing in your crystal balls.
What if..... What is Iowa ranked when they play Wisconsin if they are undefeated?
- Thread starter Hawkfnntn
- Start date
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
If Iowa is 10-0 going into that game, I think they would be Top 10, no doubt. Especially if Iowa is ranked in the initial polls (#18 in ESPN's "too early" poll). Maybe even Top 5 depending on how things play out, much to the chagrin of the SEC lovin', Big Ten hatin' national media.
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
All of that said:
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
All of that said:
Yep...I wouldn't be shocked by a loss at Pitt
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1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
Same here. In fact, part of me expects it. I did a quick analysis recently looking back to 2002 (that's as far back as ESPN's schedules go) and the only non-conference road wins in the KF era, outside of a few wins @ISU, were @Miami OH (2002) and @Syracuse (2006). September road games haven't been too kind otherwise.
If Iowa wins @Pitt, I will consider that a good sign that maybe this team really can go on a 2009-type run, given the schedule.
ibahawkeye
Well-Known Member
In Kirk's 16 seasons, he's went into conference play undefeated 3 times... 2009, 2006 and 2003. Both in 06 and 03, we played only 3 non con games.
In 2001, we technically went into conference play undefeated but lost to ISU later in the year due to the game being postponed.
Every year, it seems acheiveable, but it just doesn't seem to happen very often.
In 2001, we technically went into conference play undefeated but lost to ISU later in the year due to the game being postponed.
Every year, it seems acheiveable, but it just doesn't seem to happen very often.
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
IIRC, Kurt has won a single BCS road game outside of the State of Iowa in September and that was at Syracuse. He also has a losing record against Iowa State. Iowa would be ranked around 6th if they went undefeated, but they won't go undefeated. They'll lose at least one in September and I think Indiana and Northwestern are going to give us problems with 3 new LBs and their well-oiled spread offenses. I think we'll be looking at 2-4 losses before we play Wisconsin.
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
Yep, 2003 and 2009 we had ASU and Arizona, respectively, at home in September. 2006 we won that triple OT game at Syracuse against what is, along with Illinois, one of the worst BCS level programs in the nation.
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
If we start out 10-0 and then still manage to make it to the title game in Indy, I will drive over and personally buy the next 20 people who post in this thread and who appear at the game a beer*.
*Offer valid for US residents aged 21 and older. Offer void where prohibited. OK4P reserves right to select type of beer from those available at stadium.
HawkeyeMHA
Well-Known Member
Well if they did have a chance you just ruined it. Way to go
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
You have me confused with someone else. I'd be ecstatic if Iowa started 10-0. Not that it matters to me one iota whether you or anyone else believes that.
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EST1847
Well-Known Member
ICHawk24
Well-Known Member
My apologies, I confused you with the OP. I should have said Dolorous Hawkfnntn.
It was a good offer till I saw the word "personally".
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
Ok, no worries.
Myself, if the Hawks start 10-0, they will have done everything they can do, and it would be a lot of fun getting to that point. Whatever the polls look like at that point, it is what it is, as far as I'm concerned.
Still, being a Big Ten team with a soft schedule, I personally don't see any way Iowa doesn't get left out of the 4-team playoff. OSU was getting no respect last year (even before losing to MSU), and I think Iowa would get even less.
Way to use facts to take the wind out of ones sails.... I totally agree that the Pitt game will be the barometer. If we lose any of the games before that then pfff we just don't deserve to be ranked. If Iowa wins by double digits against everyone up to the Pitt game and somehow look good against them I think the bandwagon would start filling up then.
ICHawk24
Well-Known Member
OSU was ranked 3rd of three undefeated teams, with the other two being Alabama and FSU. Its not like OSU was ranked behind an undefeated Ole Miss or Kansas State.
If there are four or less undefeated teams, Iowa will make it.
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
I guess I'm not sure what the criteria will be, though. If it comes down to BCS rankings, then yeah, just win and move up the polls, and you're golden. But I was thinking this was going to be more of a selection committee type of process? I heard some talk last year about OSU not being deserving because of their easy schedule, and that other 1-loss teams should get in if there had been a playoff system in 2013. Who knows what the committee would actually do, but it makes me wonder if Iowa's easy schedule this year would work against them.
Iowa was up to #4 in 2009 though IIRC, when they were 9-0. That did include a win @PSU. So if Iowa goes undefeated, I would hope that they would get in. They'd certainly be in the picture.
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