AP top 10s since 2000

[all2matt]

to me a top 10 should be considered a great team.
if the season ended today these are the AP top 10 finishes since 2000:

tier 1: consistently great teams
tOSU-11 okla-10 bama-9 oregon-8 USC-8 texas-7 LSU-7 georgia-7

tier2: usually great teams
florida-6 florida st-5 VaTech-5 Iowa-5 Stanford-4 Auburn-4 TCU-4 Boise-4 MiamiFl-4

tier3: proved its not a fluke
clem-3 south car-3 wisco-3 michst-3 ND-3 mich-3 pennst-3 west va-3 washST-3

tier4: flash in the pan? debatable
Utah-2 Neb-2 mizzou-2 louisville-2 kansas st-2

tier5: 1 and done
tenn, baylor, cincinnati, kansas, CAL, miamiOH, colorado, oreoST, Wash, Okla St, Ark, UCF, GT, UCLA, texAM

 

[all2matt]

so what does that say? iowa's a little better than some want to perceive? Iowas consistently been a "flash in the pan"? a few of the Bluebloods/elites/helmet schools dont exactly hold like one would think?

I would say if your school is in tier 1, 2, or 3 then you have a right to talk crap otherwise maybe/maybe not

 

[markfromj]

I love my Hawks, but no way I would say we are "usually great".

 

[all2matt]

I agree but how would you define teams that have been in the top 10 33% of the polls when only 9 teams have proved better?

thats top 10 of being in the AP top 10 since 2000 using only this stat its tough to define when you look at any other team other than IOWA in that group. Weird stats are fun

 

[crHawkeye92]

I love my Hawks, but no way I would say we are "usually great".

Agreed. It feels like Iowa fluctuates wildly between really good and mediocre. We'll have three 6-8 win seasons and then all of a sudden win 11 one year.

 

[Cougar63]

Agreed. It feels like Iowa fluctuates wildly between really good and mediocre. We'll have three 6-8 win seasons and then all of a sudden win 11 one year.

Or 12

 

[icu81222]

this is very interesting. I've always felt that Iowa was sooooo close to being elite. Just look at how many years Iowa had one of the best D's in the country but would lose 2-4 games per year by less than a score. It was maddening to watch but it also kept me coming back because I always held out hope that Kirk would make those little tweaks that would win those games and put them over the top.

It's fun to play the "what if" game. What if Kirk would have made some of these changes and moves years ago? Arrrrrrrrgh!!

There's no reason Iowa shouldn't be talked about in the same breath as those Tier 2's such as Florida, Stanford, Auburn, Florida State etc.

They've got the program set up. There's a track to run on. So long as they get a QB, they will generally have a shot going forward.

 

[SirLawrence44]

to me a top 10 should be considered a great team.
if the season ended today these are the AP top 10 finishes since 2000:

tier 1: consistently great teams
tOSU-11 okla-10 bama-9 oregon-8 USC-8 texas-7 LSU-7 georgia-7

tier2: usually great teams
florida-6 florida st-5 VaTech-5 Iowa-5 Stanford-4 Auburn-4 TCU-4 Boise-4 MiamiFl-4

tier3: proved its not a fluke
clem-3 south car-3 wisco-3 michst-3 ND-3 mich-3 pennst-3 west va-3 washST-3

tier4: flash in the pan? debatable
Utah-2 Neb-2 mizzou-2 louisville-2 kansas st-2

tier5: 1 and done
tenn, baylor, cincinnati, kansas, CAL, miamiOH, colorado, oreoST, Wash, Okla St, Ark, UCF, GT, UCLA, texAM

 

[ANYCHawk]

Or 12 13

FTFY

 

[SirLawrence44]

Since 1939, "the Modern Era" of college, Iowa has finished in the top 10 thirteen times. 1939, 1953, 1956, 1957,1958, 1960, 1985,1991, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009 and I am including 2015, or once every 6 years. Since 2000, once every 3 years. Not bad considering the 1961-1980 dark ages of Iowa Football. We also had some excellent teams that finished in the top 25--1981,1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995, 1996, and 2008.

 

[yerpHAWK]

Amazing that every year we finished ranked, it's inside the top 10 (besides 08, where we were 2 plays from being a top 10 team.) So I suppose that stat could be a bit skewed, but non the less impressive.

Also we've only started in the top 10 3 times (counting 2005 because we were 11th, and 10th in coaches poll) and ended in the top ten once. Maybe the we aren't as bad when the expectations are high, as we don't have enough data for 1/3 to conclude (though we did start 16th in 2006). We will probably be preseason top 10 next year so we'll see.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

I think the main reason why Iowa is not considered great is because of the many mediocre seasons they've had in between those top 10 finishes. Plus, three of those top 10 finishes occurred three years in a row between 2002-2004. Since the 2005 season (the last 10 years), Iowa has only finished in the Top 10 once (twice if they stay in the Top 10 after the Rose Bowl, which I suspect they will).

However, it is impressive how many top 10 finishes Iowa has had over the last fifteen years considering they have never been a traditional powerhouse or blue blood. Almost as remarkable as only having two head coaches since 1979.

 

[The_Joker13]

Another thing that hurts is lack of hardware. Iowa rarely wins the "big one" it seems. Hopefully they can win the rose and add to the bling.

 

[mlb1399]

I think to be considered consistently great, you would have to win multiple BCS level bowl games and compete for national championships at least once a decade.

Outside of that, it's great to see that over time Iowa fairs well with some pretty nationally respected, high profile programs. A testament to the job that Kirk has done and quite impressive considering some of the recruiting challenges we face.

 

[GPRHAWK]

Since 1939, "the Modern Era" of college, Iowa has finished in the top 10 thirteen times. 1939, 1953, 1956, 1957,1958, 1960, 1985,1991, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009 and I am including 2015, or once every 6 years. Since 2000, once every 3 years. Not bad considering the 1961-1980 dark ages of Iowa Football. We also had some excellent teams that finished in the top 25--1981,1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995, 1996, and 2008.

I was thinking 2008 was the only other top 25 in the ferentz era other than the top 10 years. Teams have sort of been all or none in the ferentz era.

 

[Hawks_Rock_12]

this is very interesting. I've always felt that Iowa was sooooo close to being elite. Just look at how many years Iowa had one of the best D's in the country but would lose 2-4 games per year by less than a score. It was maddening to watch but it also kept me coming back because I always held out hope that Kirk would make those little tweaks that would win those games and put them over the top.

It's fun to play the "what if" game. What if Kirk would have made some of these changes and moves years ago? Arrrrrrrrgh!!

There's no reason Iowa shouldn't be talked about in the same breath as those Tier 2's such as Florida, Stanford, Auburn, Florida State etc.

They've got the program set up. There's a track to run on. So long as they get a QB, they will generally have a shot going forward.

No Iowa should not be talked about in the same breath as Florida, Auburn or Florida St those teams all won N.C's in the last 10 years. Iowa hasn't even won a Conference Championship in that time.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

No Iowa should not be talked about in the same breath as Florida, Auburn or Florida St those teams all won N.C's in the last 10 years. Iowa hasn't even won a Conference Championship in that time.

Then those teams should've done more to not be in the same category as Iowa.

 

[icu81222]

No Iowa should not be talked about in the same breath as Florida, Auburn or Florida St those teams all won N.C's in the last 10 years. Iowa hasn't even won a Conference Championship in that time.

Reading is hard for some of you, isn't it?

 

[Hawks_Rock_12]

Reading is hard for some of you, isn't it?

I'll get back to you after the Rose Bowl big guy. My guess is that you'll be one of the "I'm so PROUD" people. The landscape of College football has changed going undefeated in the regular season doesn't win a Conference Championship anymore. Going to the Rose Bowl is nice but it's only great if you win the game. 12-2 with only a division title is hard on some of you, isn't it ?

 

[icu81222]

I'll get back to you after the Rose Bowl big guy. My guess is that you'll be one of the "I'm so PROUD" people. The landscape of College football has changed going undefeated in the regular season doesn't win a Conference Championship anymore. Going to the Rose Bowl is nice but it's only great if you win the game. 12-2 with only a division title is hard on some of you, isn't it ?

You are dense. Go back and read my post you responded to.

I know, it's hard. What, with no pictures and all.

Read and comprehend what my point was.

 

[Herkmeister]

I love my Hawks, but no way I would say we are "usually great".

I agree, BUT WE ARE GREAT THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!

 

[GunnerHawk]

this is very interesting. I've always felt that Iowa was sooooo close to being elite. Just look at how many years Iowa had one of the best D's in the country but would lose 2-4 games per year by less than a score. It was maddening to watch but it also kept me coming back because I always held out hope that Kirk would make those little tweaks that would win those games and put them over the top.

It's fun to play the "what if" game. What if Kirk would have made some of these changes and moves years ago? Arrrrrrrrgh!!

There's no reason Iowa shouldn't be talked about in the same breath as those Tier 2's such as Florida, Stanford, Auburn, Florida State etc.

They've got the program set up. There's a track to run on. So long as they get a QB, they will generally have a shot going forward.

Stanford yes, the Florida schools and Auburn no. Too much talent in those states, they have as many D1 talents in one city as we do in the state.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Stanford yes, the Florida schools and Auburn no. Too much talent in those states, they have as many D1 talents in one city as we do in the state.

Thanks for weighing in Mr. Cowherd.