Winning streak update...

[CP87]

11 wins in a row.

380 - 141 over that span.

average points: 34.5 - 12.8

Lowest point output in that span: 26 vs. Neb, 27 vs. ISU this year, 24 vs. CSU this year
Highest point outputs in that span: 49 vs. Mich St, 41 vs. PSU, 51 vs. Maryland

Most points allowed in that span: 21 vs. PSU, 20 vs. Nebraska, 21 vs. Illinois
Games allowing single-digit points: Mich St., Minn, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kent St.

One-score victories: Neb (26 - 20)
Victories greater than 20 points: Mich St (42 pts), Minn (28 pts), PSU (20 pts), Wisc (21 pts), Indiana (28 pts), Kent St. (23 pts), Maryland (37 pts)

I am having a hard time finding record ATS for last year, but this year they are 4-1 ATS. They were -14 ATS vs. CSU (their only stinker of the year), but were +73.5 vs. the spread in their other 4 wins.

I would guess they were 5-1 ATS last year, with Nebraska being their only stinker (won by 6, I think that was a double-digit spread). The Illinois victory (14 pts) might not have beaten the spread, not sure. The Nebraska game and 1st half of Illinois were the only times the Hawks legitimately struggled (compared to expectations) last year.

Do you believe yet? If not, what is it going to take?

As an aside, last night was a complete anomaly, we are not 37 pts better than Maryland every time we play, and we will not turn them over 7 times every time. So don't overinterpret the one result into thinking they are an unstoppable juggernaut. They could still lose to any team (that's football). But they have undoubtedly been one of the top 5-10 teams in the country over this span, it's time to recognize.

 

[ssckelley]

11 wins in a row.

380 - 141 over that span.

average points: 34.5 - 12.8

Lowest point output in that span: 26 vs. Neb, 27 vs. ISU this year, 24 vs. CSU this year
Highest point outputs in that span: 49 vs. Mich St, 41 vs. PSU, 51 vs. Maryland

Most points allowed in that span: 21 vs. PSU, 20 vs. Nebraska, 21 vs. Illinois
Games allowing single-digit points: Mich St., Minn, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kent St.

One-score victories: Neb (26 - 20)
Victories greater than 20 points: Mich St (42 pts), Minn (28 pts), PSU (20 pts), Wisc (21 pts), Indiana (28 pts), Kent St. (23 pts), Maryland (37 pts)

I am having a hard time finding record ATS for last year, but this year they are 4-1 ATS. They were -14 ATS vs. CSU (they're only stinker of the year), but were +73.5 vs. the spread in their other 4 wins.

I would guess they were 5-1 ATS last year, with Nebraska being their only stinker (won by 6, I think that was a double-digit spread). The Illinois victory (14 pts) might not have beaten the spread, not sure. The Nebraska game and 1st half of Illinois were the only times the Hawks legitimately struggled (compared to expectations) last year.

Do you believe yet? If not, what is it going to take?

As an aside, last night was a complete anomaly, we are not 37 pts better than Maryland every time we play, and we will not turn them over 7 times every time. So don't overinterpret the one result into thinking they are an unstoppable juggernaut. They could still lose to any team (that's football). But they have undoubtedly been one of the top 5-10 teams in the country over this span, it's time to recognize.

Complete anomaly? It’s not possible that the defense was good enough to force some of those turnovers? Am I wrong to think the offense played like they had something to prove? Do I think Iowa is 37 points better than Maryland, no, but it wasn’t a “complete anomaly”. Iowa won and they earned every bit of it.

 

[CP87]

And continuing a point I have been trumpeting the last few years: under this current iteration of this staff (since start of 2017 when current coordinators were put in place), Iowa is 32-3 in games they are favored (Damn you, Northwestern!).

Over that stretch, only 4 P5 teams are better
Texas A&M 34-2
Alabama 55-4
Ohio State 46-4
Notre Dame 43-4

Maybe it is time to retire the "Iowa always loses a game it shouldn't" trope? Unless they are playing NW, then all bets off.

 

[CP87]

Complete anomaly? It’s not possible that the defense was good enough to force some of those turnovers? Am I wrong to think the offense played like they had something to prove? Do I think Iowa is 37 points better than Maryland, no, but it wasn’t a “complete anomaly”. Iowa won and they earned every bit of it.

Did you really take from my post that I thought that beating Maryland was an anomaly? I thought it was pretty clear that I said the 37 pt margin and the +7 TO margin were anomalies. I thought Iowa would win easily (2 scores or more).

 

[ssckelley]

Did you really take from my post that I thought that beating Maryland was an anomaly? I thought it was pretty clear that I said the 37 pt margin and the +7 TO margin were anomalies. I thought Iowa would win easily (2 scores or more).

I still wouldn’t call it a “complete anomaly”