I’d like to say back and forth with Wisconsin but if I’m being realistic I’d say 2nd place in the west and once in a blue moon beating them out in a down year. They have an AD who cares about sports and knows football, and they are better “developers” than Ferentz & Ferentz. Wisconsin has the lowest recruiting budget in the B1G by far, they are usually at or behind Iowa’s recruiting rankings, but they eat our lunch.
That, folks, is the difference between having an AD with expectations and accountability, and a mental defective who most likely couldn’t tell you how many timeouts each team gets.
Iowa could be where Wisconsin is, but we won’t be. The ceiling is 6.5 wins average, same as it always has been unless someone can give a compelling reason why not.
The same way Ohio State has been successful for almost a century.If Alvarez is the difference between Wisconsin and Iowa then how could Wisconsin ever replace the legend.
I think he meant consistently, however you do bring up a very good point. That Rose bowl was a joke.The ceiling for a single season is pretty obviously the playoffs at the bare minimum because of the way they are structured. 13-0 and you’re in. We were one flagrant targeting call away. That said, I can’t reasonably see anything beyond that until Ferentz shows that he can still succeed in high-level bowl prep.
Alvarez is 72. No way he has more than 10 years left. I would guess 3 to 5. If Alvarez is the difference between Wisconsin and Iowa then how could Wisconsin ever replace the legend. Wisconsin's run in the sun is almost over. Someone will need to step up to dethrone them. I am hoping Iowa can edge out Nebraska (assuming Frost era is successful) for the head seat at the table when the time is right.
Agreed, Michigan State played terribly too. More generally 9-10 regular season wins is attainable given a better AD.I think he meant consistently, however you do bring up a very good point. That Rose bowl was a joke.
We didn't even look like we belonged on the same level as them, so it was probably better we didn't make any sort of playoff. We not only have to make it to good bowls, we have to win them.
A better AD and a head coach other than Brian Ferentz. If that guy stays, hello 1973.Agreed, Michigan State played terribly too. More generally 9-10 regular season wins is attainable given a better AD.
The Iowa ceiling is what Wisconsin is doing now, but the coaching and talent is on a different level. The AD in Madison is far superior to the one in IC and has a real, winning, system in place. Kirk is comfy in his spot and has no real reason to get any better. Dude gets paid bank to have one great year every 7.
This isn’t the Little 8 for Nebraska in the 90s where we can play “no one” during the season (although the B1G has been nationally worthless outside tOSU since the 90s) and hope that the paper votes us high eback when.Now what is he??Doeswant
Agree.Agree..Funny did he not call someone "Fat Cat" waay baack when huh?The Iowa ceiling is what Wisconsin is doing now, but the coaching and talent is on a different level. The AD in Madison is far superior to the one in IC and has a real, winning, system in place. Kirk is comfy in his spot and has no real reason to get any better. Dude gets paid bank to have one great year every 7.
This isn’t the Little 8 for Nebraska in the 90s where we can play “no one” during the season (although the B1G has been nationally worthless outside tOSU since the 90s) and hope that the paper votes us high enough to get into the “national championship” game.
Lofty dreams there. Pretty sure Ferentz and Barta worked out a deal with the U of I hospital as part of that last contract extension. They’re working on research to keep him on a ventilator so that he can live forever and keep Brian as the head coach no matter how bad it gets.A better AD and a head coach other than Brian Ferentz. If that guy stays, hello 1973.
We won’t have that other power 5 issue forever.Iowa starts with some disadvantages....a small in-state population, another in-state power 5 school to contend with recruiting, and a long distance from most of the recruiting hotbeds. It's actually sort of amazing what Iowa has done when you compare them to schools like minnesota and Illinois.
That being said Iowa still gets outrecruited by nebraska and hasn't developed players as well as Wisconsin. Both of those things should be preventable.
Over the last 10 years Wisconsin has won 101 games. They average almost exactly 10 wins a year. If you expand that to 15 or 20 years they are short of 10 wins a year. My point is 10 wins a year is barely sustainable....but I guess that would be Iowas ceiling.
The same way Ohio State has been successful for almost a century.
Our head coach gets BONUS at 7 WINS....OUCH???? Some say OY...Lofty dreams there. Pretty sure Ferentz and Barta worked out a deal with the U of I hospital as part of that last contract extension. They’re working on research to keep him on a ventilator so that he can live forever and keep Brian as the head coach no matter how bad it gets.
Also, a moment of silence for that ‘73 team. They couldn’t even manage to score a single point on Illinois, and Indiana won two more games than them.