This is a first for Hawkeye fans. IOWA plays back to back Super Bowl games to open 2015. The season opener for Illinois State is likely the biggest season opener for the Redbirds in program history.
As it has been mentioned, the ISU Redbirds are 0-8 lifetime vs. B1G by an average of 38 ppg. Back in 2007, the Missouri Tigers made a Top 5 run. The game with Illinois State was 38-17.
Illinois State most recent win over a FCS program was Eastern Michigan in 2012 by the score of 31-14. Not a huge upset, when you consider how weak of MAC program has been over the years.
Iowa is 12-0 vs. FCS, since the 1978 season. Illinois State is 6-38. since 1978, with the last win over EMU in '12. They have won 15%, over the period Iowa has had two head coaches (Fry and Ferentz).
The worm could turn on Iowa? They are seeking there 50th win all-time per Phil Steele over a FCS program.
Drake beat Iowa State in 1985, which ranks as a major upset in FCS vs. FBS. Illinois State doesn't have that type of resume.
Illinois State is a relative newcomer to the FCS top of the pecking order. They have five FCS playoff appearances and the last time they had back to back FCS playoff appearances was 1998 and 1999.
HC Brock Spack's first FCS team was 2012. The 2014 team was the best in program history. Spack has been head coach, since 2009. Last year, Illinois State and North Dakota State each finished 7-1 in the MVfC. UNI beat ISU in the regular season at the UNI-Dome.
Ironically, UNI beat the #1 and #2 teams in the Country last year, but lost two games in the MVfC to two lesser programs, Indiana State and South Dakota State.
Iowa should cover the -9 point spread. Of course, what will turnovers, explosive plays and special teams impact this season opener?
Iowa opens the season with back to back games vs. ISU. Each game is likely the biggest game of the season for each of them in the OOC. For the Redbirds, they have never faced a season opener, with so much riding on it.
The receiving corp has 2 starts from '14 among the WRs and TE. The three top pass receivers have departed off last year's team. They return their LG and C. The possible third WR, in the slot does have 6 starts, but a FB may start in his place per the ISU fans.
In 2013, as the #13 FCS program, Illinois State played Ball State to open the season. It wasn't the Redbird's day, as Ball State (Iowa's opponent in 2014) defeated Illinois State 51-28 to open the 2013 season.
Is Illinois State disciplined enough to pull off back to back strong seasons?
The 2013 season fell apart, after a productive 2012 season ...
peace
UNI does with wins over K-State and Iowa State three or more times. Appalachian St. and Northern Iowa have both won a record seven games over major FBS opponents. Of course, App State is now a FBS program.
While it isn't the best in FCS history, UNI has two +17 victories over Big 8 ...
1986 Northern Iowa at Kansas St. Big 8 17-0 +17
1992 Northern Iowa at Iowa St. Big 8 27-10 +17
While Iowa could be ripe for a upset loss, after taking care of business the last 36 years under Fry and Ferentz, I don't think it is likely to happen. Iowa has a good group of players, despite the 7-6 season, last year.
Iowa typically takes care of business in season opener's vs. FCS programs. UNI has a relationship to Iowa, in other sports and being in-state. Illinois State may actually have more against them, as a program that hasn't been here before.
Most of the games vs. FBS programs have not been season openers, either.
fwiw
