19 years of Fry vs. Ferentz, how may top 25 finishes for each?

[DutchyFunStar]

I think it was perhaps easier to finish in the top 25 in the Fry era as team like Bosie State, TCU, Central Michigan/Florida weren't really relevant. The top 25 was more dominated by the power conferences and less by the MAC and WAC and other smaller schools. Maybe that was a product of more scholarships and lesser talent at those schools. Seems like a Fry 8-4 would finish in the top 25 but a Kirk 8-4 is on the outside looking in.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

Someone needs to explain to me why is there so much dilike for KF? He has been very bit as good a coach as Fry was and doesn’t appear to be slowing down and actually maybe moving upwards. I think Iowa has been really blessed to have only 2 head coaches in 40 years how many has ISU or Nebraska been through?

Hayden got his fair share of criticism, once he retired people only remember the good. Typical human behavior, don’t know what you go until it’s gone. Assuming same will happen with KF

 

[Titanhawk2]

Agreed. But that's because he had a murderers' row when he first took over. He still played tougher non-conference opponents than Ferentz has throughout the majority of his tenure.

Fry's Notable Non-conference Opponents:

1979: #3 Oklahoma, #7 Nebraska
1980: #6 Nebraska
1981: #7 Nebraska, #6 UCLA
1982: #3 Nebraska
1983: Penn State (who finished 8-4-1)
1984: #12 Penn State
1987: #17 Tennessee
1988: Colorado (who finished 8-4)
1989: Oregon (who finished 8-4)
1990: #10 Miami(FL)
1992: NC State (who finished 9-3-1), #1 Miami (FL), #10 Colorado
1994: Oregon (who finished 9-4 and won the Pac 10)
1998: #17 Arizona



Yes, as I pointed out by writing this:



Ferentz, too, has played his fair share of opponents who were complete garbage (i.e. North Texas). Regardless, there's no question Fry played significantly better opponents in the non-conference, as I clearly laid out above.

My feeling is Hayden's influence on the schedule didn't occur until the early 80's. He hated having to play Nebraska, Oklahoma and UCLA, then play a big ten schedule. Most of these teams were no longer scheduled after 82 or so. I'd be curious to know how far in advance the 83 and 84 Penn State games were scheduled. Hayden scheduled Drake, No. Ill 3 times, Hawaii twice, Tulsa 4 times, C. Mich, UNI and KSU (pre-Synder) each twice, New Mexico and UTEP. Colorado was scheduled before they were any good. Arizona teams were hit and miss, Miami a definite biggie. Tennessee wasn't scheduled by the university, I think NC State as well, that was done by third parties.

 

[Franisdaman]

How many did each coach have over their first 19 years? Who was more successful?

not this bleep again LOL