Wisconsin storyline

[Linesetter]

So if Iowa beats Wisconsin on Saturday does that mean the Hawks are really good? Or not a good win because Wisconsin is overrated?

If Wisconsin wins does that mean they are a legit playoff contender or not that good because Iowa isn't that good and it's not a good win?

 

[1hawkeye1]

I would say somewhere in between. If Iowa wins, they are getting their act together and finding their stride. They are... above average and trending up.

If Iowa loses, Wisconsin still has a lot to prove with that crap schedule, as far as a playoff contender is concerned. Iowa is an average run of the mill team.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Iowa's win over Ohio State and the way they did it really helps Wisconsin out. We will know a lot about Wisconsin after Saturday's game. If Iowa beats Wisky at Madison, they will be looked at as a good team. If Wisky beats Iowa they will be looked at as a good team and playoff contender to an extent. Wisky will be questioned, but not as much as prior to Iowa's win over Ohio St.

Iowa State can even play into this to a point because Iowa beat them as well and they are ranked.

 

[Linesetter]

My opinion is that if Iowa wins it shows they've come a long way and are Top 15 team.

If Wisconsin wins (and Wisconsin is somewhat depleted) it shows they're deserving of at minimum Top 6 rating. You can't say a team that beat a team that just whipped OSU and also would be undefeated is just "ok".

 

[99topdawg]

So if Iowa beats Wisconsin on Saturday does that mean the Hawks are really good? Or not a good win because Wisconsin is overrated?

If Wisconsin wins does that mean they are a legit playoff contender or not that good because Iowa isn't that good and it's not a good win?

I don't really know. Let's find out on Saturday.

 

[westender]

So if Iowa beats Wisconsin on Saturday does that mean the Hawks are really good? Or not a good win because Wisconsin is overrated?

If Wisconsin wins does that mean they are a legit playoff contender or not that good because Iowa isn't that good and it's not a good win?

It is always good to beat Wisconsin. Good win or bad win, we don't care as long as it is a win. If Wisconsin goes undefeated they will get in just like Iowa would have. badgers will have beaten Iowa and then Michigan and won the title game against another ranked east division opponent so an undefeated Badger team gets in. A one loss Badger team maybe not so much. I am not so sure the badgers beat Michigan either.

 

[thedukeofearl]

Well it would mean that the Hawks have defeated 2 top ten teams, one after the other, backed up with a come from behind thriller at ranked Iowa State.....

And the very close defeat against Penn State which was lost on the very last play of the game.....

That is Good enough for me.....

 

[homes]

So if Iowa beats Wisconsin on Saturday does that mean the Hawks are really good? Or not a good win because Wisconsin is overrated?

If Wisconsin wins does that mean they are a legit playoff contender or not that good because Iowa isn't that good and it's not a good win?

Are you a half full guy or a half empty guy? That's your answer.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Going into Madison and beating an undefeated team...even if they haven't played a killer schedule...is a big win. No question.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Wisconsin has had the luxury of allowing them to grow each week with inexperience, without suffering a loss. Based on their schedule and the records of the teams on it, they could work on their running game...guys stepping in for injured players have been allowed to learn on the job. This reminds me of the 2015 season. By the time Iowa got to the B10 championship game, they were salty.

To me, the additional injuries this past week could be a huge factor for Wisconsin in this game...Orr especially. If Iowa can sustain drives and keep Wisky's running game from wearing us down...this game swings to Iowa's favor. Taylor has got some wiggle, but he's not Barkley...he's not going to make something out of completely nothing very often. That being said, he's big, his offensive line is huge, and they wear you out if they can keep the chains moving. I know Iowa has built some depth on the defensive line, but we are undersized inside after the first two guys exit for rest. It's an intriguing match up.

I really like Iowa's chances in this game. If they can get off to a good start...and our receivers catch the ball like they did Saturday...I think we win. Drops and turnovers are the wildcards.

 

[mrolympia]

wisconsin is decent but not a playoff contending team, merely the product of their schedule. It's not like they've blown out every team they've played either. If they had it might be a different story.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

wisconsin is decent but not a playoff contending team, merely the product of their schedule. It's not like they've blown out every team they've played either. If they had it might be a different story.

So ... 2015 Iowa was decent but not a playoff contending team?

2015 Hawks: Barely beat #19 Wisconsin, 10-6, thanks to Stave tripping over his Center's foot.
2015 Hawks: Soundly beat #20 NwU, 40-10.
2015 Hawks: Modest (single-digit) W's over Illannoy, Indy, Minny and Nebraska

2017 Vadgers: Have yet to play / beat a ranked opponent (NwU will most likely finish 9-3 and around #20)
2017 Vadgers: vs #25 Iowa - ???;
2017 Vadgers: vs #18(projected when they play) Michigan (finishing 8-4, projected #25)
2017 Vadgers: Modest W over Purdue, otherwise, average margin of victory is 24.4 points.

Lot of similarities, no?

 

[HawkGold]

It's a good win over a solid team with a weak resume.

 

[ChosenChildren]

Iowa is a good team right now. One game isn't going to change that in my mind. I'm hoping for 8 or 9 wins to finish the regular season.....which would be a super record considering right now we have played the 9th toughest schedule in the United States

 

[JoeyLabasForPresident]

So ... 2015 Iowa was decent but not a playoff contending team?

2015 Hawks: Barely beat #19 Wisconsin, 10-6, thanks to Stave tripping over his Center's foot.
2015 Hawks: Soundly beat #20 NwU, 40-10.
2015 Hawks: Modest (single-digit) W's over Illannoy, Indy, Minny and Nebraska

2017 Vadgers: Have yet to play / beat a ranked opponent (NwU will most likely finish 9-3 and around #20)
2017 Vadgers: vs #25 Iowa - ???;
2017 Vadgers: vs #18(projected when they play) Michigan (finishing 8-4, projected #25)
2017 Vadgers: Modest W over Purdue, otherwise, average margin of victory is 24.4 points.

Lot of similarities, no?

There’s no way Northwestern wins out. And honestly I think Wisconsin loses this week and next week, and if they lose those two, Minnesota will play them hard at home to try to spoil their west title. That said, if Wisconsin does manage to win out and win the title game, they’ll likely be in a playoff and get their asses handed to them just like the big ten champ the last two years.

 

[judzeehawk]

There’s no way Northwestern wins out. And honestly I think Wisconsin loses this week and next week, and if they lose those two, Minnesota will play them hard at home to try to spoil their west title. That said, if Wisconsin does manage to win out and win the title game, they’ll likely be in a playoff and get their asses handed to them just like the big ten champ the last two years.

The B1G champ last year didn't make the final 4 playoffs.

 

[cincyhawk]

There’s no way Northwestern wins out. And honestly I think Wisconsin loses this week and next week, and if they lose those two, Minnesota will play them hard at home to try to spoil their west title. That said, if Wisconsin does manage to win out and win the title game, they’ll likely be in a playoff and get their asses handed to them just like the big ten champ the last two years.

I don't think so. Badgers win out, they'll be a force to contend with in the playoff. Unlike nearly every other big ten team, the don't tend to come in big games.

 

[lightning1]

My opinion is that if Iowa wins it shows they've come a long way and are Top 15 team.

If Wisconsin wins (and Wisconsin is somewhat depleted) it shows they're deserving of at minimum Top 6 rating. You can't say a team that beat a team that just whipped OSU and also would be undefeated is just "ok".

Wisconsin is in the same position this year, that we were in during the 2015 season. Don't worry about perception. Just win out and it will work out.

 

[Seth53]

The Northwestern game, at that point in the season, was a defining game for who/what our 2017 team is. We stunk it up and lost. Write us off. Work in progress. No offense. 6-6 at best, etc etc.

Lo and behold, along comes the OSU game. So, in the same context, but further down the road, the Wisky game is another identifying marker for this team. My glass half-full mentality is this team has come into its own and has grown up. 2008 anyone?

 

[NCHawker]

During the KF era, Iowa ends up with a pretty good team in the years that they beat Wisconsin