How far can Iowa go?
- Thread starter besserheimerphat
- Start date
Can always jump up even within division/conference when the time comes.
I think Kiffin might do that if LSU comes knocking.
Cyclone fans are pissed about our 3-2 record and how that record came about, but the fact of the matter is all the analytics models still have ISU in the top 15 because we are really efficient on both sides of the ball. So even though we're unranked by AP/USAToday, the analytics like Sagarin are counting us as a good win for Iowa.
Sagarin has ISU at #12 (Iowa #5). FEI has ISU at #9 (Iowa #6). SP+ has ISU at #11 (Iowa #16). Massey has ISU at #16 (Iowa #3). ESPN FPI has ISU at #8 (Iowa #13).
And look, I get it - "you play to win the game." But when you look at what it takes to win games, ISU largely does that stuff. Human polls don't care how you win, just that you win. The analytics care more about how well and how consistently you play, even if you lose. And ISU has played well enough in general to be 4-1 or 5-0 so far. But a few bad plays here and there have tripped us up.
Sagarin has ISU at #12 (Iowa #5). FEI has ISU at #9 (Iowa #6). SP+ has ISU at #11 (Iowa #16). Massey has ISU at #16 (Iowa #3). ESPN FPI has ISU at #8 (Iowa #13).
And look, I get it - "you play to win the game." But when you look at what it takes to win games, ISU largely does that stuff. Human polls don't care how you win, just that you win. The analytics care more about how well and how consistently you play, even if you lose. And ISU has played well enough in general to be 4-1 or 5-0 so far. But a few bad plays here and there have tripped us up.
ISU will play its entire conference. Iowa will get a pass on 3 of the top 4 potential opponents.
This looks like 2015-16 all over again. Enjoy getting stomped in the Rose Bowl after rolling over in the Big10 title game
Sagarin rankings last year had Iowa ahead of ISU.
ESPN FPI had a 4-3 Wisconsin ranked above ISU last year
These seem like totally legit rankings
You think Big10 teams should play a round robin 13 game schedule?
I don't think an ASU could beat IA, Oregon sure, but other than that, the PAC is a train wreck.
Exactly. I said this last night, I kinda want Iowa to go the CFP semifinals so they would get destroyed by 40+.
I'm not talking about last year, I'm saying that SOS is generally determined by computers and many computers are still very high on ISU even though our fans aren't. Hence Iowa's "difficult schedule" despite only playing one team with an impressive record. The SOS calculators still say ISU is a quality win for Iowa even though our fans are really down on our current record. Still a lot of ball to be played, and just like most everyone else ISU is still in the hunt for a conference title.
ETA: but you are right, as frustrating as it may have been the analytics loved Iowa last year. Those two early losses last year didn't hurt them in the computers' "eyes," and they spent a large part of the year ranked ahead of ISU.
CFP is a heckuva achievement. With their defense I don't see them getting killed tho.
That‘s the response to pointing out the Big Ten West is garbage and Iowa is going 12-0? You should learn to enjoy life or get a job or something
Or the luckiest team I've seen in a generation
Agreed. ISU still has a shot at a very special season especially when compared to (very recent) history. I too am disappointed we didn't beat Iowa, and jealous Iowa is doing as well as they are, but there is still a lot of season left for ISU.
Are you saying that 4 Big Ten East teams are in the top ten and Iowa plays one of them?
My rational Iowa fan friends (trust me, although a rare breed they do exist) realize there is still many unknowns about this team. They are open about the fact they lose that game Saturday if Clifford stay healthy. But at the end of the day you can only play the team lined up in front of you, and it's not Iowa's fault Penn State keeps a backup QB that, at least to my untrained eye, had never thrown a football before Saturday. And with Iowa State's inability to stay out of their own way I've come to kind of appreciate Iowa's ability to firmly hold their fist out and let other teams run their face into it.
I'd imagine they have one slip up somewhere, maybe Nebraska or Wisconsin. I just don't think you can get by each week with such a deficient offense. Get into the Big 10 Championship and see what happens. Win, and they are likely in even with 1 loss. Lose and you're probably looking at a Rose Bowl.
I'd imagine they have one slip up somewhere, maybe Nebraska or Wisconsin. I just don't think you can get by each week with such a deficient offense. Get into the Big 10 Championship and see what happens. Win, and they are likely in even with 1 loss. Lose and you're probably looking at a Rose Bowl.
Great win for Iowa. The crowd was crazy and impacted the game. I have to imagine that will pay off on the recruiting trail as well. Only thing that can stop Iowa from getting to the Big Ten Championship game is Iowa. I think their toughest game remaining is at Nebraska but if that is the only game they lose it won't matter.
I think ISU can get to the Big 12 championship game as well. I have a feeling they will come back better after this bye week. It would be pretty crazy to have both schools playing for a conference championship in the same year.
I think ISU can get to the Big 12 championship game as well. I have a feeling they will come back better after this bye week. It would be pretty crazy to have both schools playing for a conference championship in the same year.
Ha. You have to recalibrate your standards on this board. Any team Iowa plays is terrible, basically a bye. It‘a a coping mechanism for some of the best posters here. They are having a tough time.
Right now, with the schedule in front of them, Iowa is in the driver seat for the West. Their defense is incredible and I think I'd put them up against any offense in the country. Petras and the rest of the offense have performed not awful enough and haven't turned the ball over. If for whatever reason they have an off day and start coughing up the ball, I think they could lose to anyone.