Bowl Opponents…

[swagsurfer02]

We’ve already talked about the underwhelming match up with Mizzou, but it seems like Iowa St seems to get more interesting matchups lately.

Just within recent years they have matched up with Miami, Notre Dame, and Oregon.

We seem to get Mizzou, Kentucky x2, and Boston College 🤢. Just not great from a name brand standpoint. I get some folks want to play games we can win but the matchups lately have been meh….

Ps. I forgot somehow about Tennessee taking us to the woodshed

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

I seem to remember ISU playing Clemson in a bowl game recently also.

Probably some agreement with their bowl representatives that if they take a marquee program (that falls to them because they had a down year), then they also have to take a shit program. Makes sense.

 

[swagsurfer02]

I seem to remember ISU playing Clemson in a bowl game recently also.

Probably some agreement with their bowl representatives that if they take a marquee program (that falls to them because they had a down year), then they also have to take a shit program. Makes sense.

They just mentioned Clemson. I completely forgot about that match up too.

 

[JerseyCityHawki]

We’ve already talked about the underwhelming match up with Mizzou, but it seems like Iowa St seems to get more interesting matchups lately.

Just within recent years they have matched up with Miami, Notre Dame, and Oregon.

We seem to get Mizzou, Kentucky x2, and Boston College 🤢. Just not great from a name brand standpoint. I get some folks want to play games we can win but the matchups lately have been meh….

Ps. I forgot somehow about Tennessee taking us to the woodshed

Agree - they do get better matchups

 

[TheGuy9]

Only in the minds of those who don't stay current on how teams are playing year to year.

 

[yrunvs]

Iowa States bowl record is horrible and over the years they have played only about 3-4 decent teams. They played memphis last year and lost.

 

[Niko13]

We’re a tired program and the rest of the nation sees it. KF is uninteresting and unappealing and he’s sold that brand as our football team. He got what he wanted. No one cares about Iowa football, right now

 

[Iafootballfan]

We’re a tired program and the rest of the nation sees it. KF is uninteresting and unappealing and he’s sold that brand as our football team. He got what he wanted. No one cares about Iowa football, right now

Unfortunately this is the answer. Watching some of the bowl games yesterday we almost play a completely different game, the general public doesn’t care to watch us squeak out a 13-10 win on national TV over the holidays in a borderline exhibition game. The TV execs know what they are doing.

 

[ICWestfan]

Is there still such a thing as Conference Bowl Affiliations? More than likely that has to do with the perceived lack of interesting opponents.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

We’re a tired program and the rest of the nation sees it. KF is uninteresting and unappealing and he’s sold that brand as our football team. He got what he wanted. No one cares about Iowa football, right now

I will cosign this.

Even in the bowl games against Kentucky, each one was an absolute snooze fest. Perception is paramount, and Iowa doesn’t pass the eye test.

They’re boring. That’s just the truth. Those who remember fondly the Woody and Bo days of “three yards and a cloud of dust” might be entertained, but the rest of the world has moved on from bell bottoms and platform shoes, even if Kirk has failed to take notice.

I was planning on watching some of the Iowa/Mizzou game, but I looked up the date and time yesterday and realized I will be getting a tattoo when the game is on, so I shrugged and thought, oh well.

I miss the days I couldn’t wait for the next Iowa game. 😒

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Unfortunately this is the answer. Watching some of the bowl games yesterday we almost play a completely different game, the general public doesn’t care to watch us squeak out a 13-10 win on national TV over the holidays in a borderline exhibition game. The TV execs know what they are doing.

If I were choosing between (e.g.) Iowa State and a school whose fan base has adopted the mantra “Punting is Winning,” I know which school I am extending an invite to.

No brainer.

 

[hawkjt]

Iowa is in the BIG.
The BIG has bowl matchups vs the other super- league, the SEC.
So whenever Iowa has a top 5 BIG season, get matched up vs a ranked SEC opponent.
ISU is in the BIG 12.
Their bowl matchups are with the ACC/ Pac 12, minor league conferences.
Not sure why anyone thinks a top 20 ranked SEC opponent is somehow not worthy.
Iowa always ends up in better bowls vs better opponents than our record supports because our fan base travels well.

Now, winning the bowl is a big challenge every year as the SEC has few fake ID programs.

 

[yrunvs]

I see the anti Hawkeye vermin is crawling out and just itching for a loss. Claiming Missouri as being a shit team is the start. So win or lose the haters are setting the stage for a full blown post season anti KF hate fest.

 

[Iafootballfan]

I see the anti Hawkeye vermin is crawling out and just itching for a loss. Claiming Missouri as being a shit team is the start. So win or lose the haters are setting the stage for a full blown post season anti KF hate fest.

Seems to me no one was saying Missouri is a shit team, it was about Iowa State playing bigger brands.

Notre Dame, Clemson, Miami, and Oregon are all better brands than Missouri, Kentucky, etc. That’s the point.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

I see the anti Hawkeye vermin is crawling out and just itching for a loss. Claiming Missouri as being a shit team is the start. So win or lose the haters are setting the stage for a full blown post season anti KF hate fest.

Dude, just stop. Other than Nebraska trolls, no one here is rooting for Iowa to lose.

 

[swagsurfer02]

I see the anti Hawkeye vermin is crawling out and just itching for a loss. Claiming Missouri as being a shit team is the start. So win or lose the haters are setting the stage for a full blown post season anti KF hate fest.

It’s not rooting to lose, it’s just boring matchups.

 

[jonesy5960]

Dude, just stop. Other than Nebraska trolls, no one here is rooting for Iowa to lose.

Hater!!!!

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Hater!!!!

Obviously.

If the mantra “Punting is Winning” doesn’t pucker up your asshole, then I guess nothing will.

 

[yrunvs]

Iowa has won more bowl games than bowl games Iowa State has played in. Thank you Kirk Ferentz and Hayden Fry.
edit: and against many big name schools.

 

[jonesy5960]

Iowa has won more bowl games than bowl games Iowa State has played in. Thank you Kirk Ferentz and Hayden Fry.
edit: and against many big name schools.

 

[intrepodor]

I seem to remember ISU playing Clemson in a bowl game recently also.

Probably some agreement with their bowl representatives that if they take a marquee program (that falls to them because they had a down year), then they also have to take a shit program. Makes sense.

Ouch

 

[TXHCHawk]

I will cosign this.

Even in the bowl games against Kentucky, each one was an absolute snooze fest. Perception is paramount, and Iowa doesn’t pass the eye test.

They’re boring. That’s just the truth. Those who remember fondly the Woody and Bo days of “three yards and a cloud of dust” might be entertained, but the rest of the world has moved on from bell bottoms and platform shoes, even if Kirk has failed to take notice.

I was planning on watching some of the Iowa/Mizzou game, but I looked up the date and time yesterday and realized I will be getting a tattoo when the game is on, so I shrugged and thought, oh well.

I miss the days I couldn’t wait for the next Iowa game. 😒

I’ll be joining my local I-Club game watch, as I’m on PTO and my wife (no pics) is working. Usually the game watches are well attended, but given the day and time, I’m interested to see if it’s just me and a bunch of retired folks. At our I-Club, that would mean a very small group.

 

[hawkjt]

You want wins vs " brands"?
9 wins in 10 years vs a top 6 all-time wins program in Nebraska.

Miami is no bigger brand than Huskers.
Minny is a 6 title brand...hawks have won something like 10 of 11 vs gophers.

Beating a Miami, nd or clemson in a down year is same as Iowa beating Huskers or gophers every year.

Of course, just winning is not enough.
Must beat Bama or Georgia scoring more than 35 points to meet the minimum standard set by some KF critics.
Iowa FB fans want Fran as coach and Iowa BB fans want Phil Parker as coach...winning is optional...just be different.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Bowl game representatives would rather have a 56-50 game vs 20-17 game.

When the outcome doesn’t matter at all, entertain me.

 

[hawkjt]

Bowl game representatives would rather have a 56-50 game vs 20-17 game.

When the outcome doesn’t matter at all, entertain me.

So you really do not care whether Iowa wins tomorrow,, only that they score a lot of points?

Glad Jay Higgins disagrees.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

So you really do not care whether Iowa wins tomorrow,, only that they score a lot of points?

Glad Jay Higgins disagrees.

No. I don’t care. Playoffs or bust is the new motto.

Playoffs are 11 games that matter. That’s enough football for me.

I don’t care about preseason NFL either.

 

[hawkjt]

I knew this playoff would re-set fan expectations , especially among younger fans who have grown up with an NFL mentality so not surprising.

I am old so I still cherish each gameday and each win like a newborn babe.
And losing still depresses me for a few days.

Still haunted by the 19 straight years of non-winning records, I guess.
Even with year after year of losing I never for a second considered changing loyalties to a winning program. When did have a win it was exhilarating.
Some hawk fans seem unsatisfied with just winning now...must be sexy.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

I knew this playoff would re-set fan expectations , especially among younger fans who have grown up with an NFL mentality so not surprising.

I am old so I still cherish each gameday and each win like a newborn babe.
And losing still depresses me for a few days.

Still haunted by the 19 straight years of non-winning records, I guess.
Even with year after year of losing I never for a second considered changing loyalties to a winning program. When did have a win it was exhilarating.
Some hawk fans seem unsatisfied with just winning now...must be sexy.

I am closer to 60 than 50. Not some puppy. 11 playoff games is enough quality football for me.

If a program that takes in $100 million a year can’t get in…. try harder next year. The top players don’t even care much of the time.

Even more so when it goes to 16 teams.

 

[swagsurfer02]

You want wins vs " brands"?
9 wins in 10 years vs a top 6 all-time wins program in Nebraska.

Miami is no bigger brand than Huskers.
Minny is a 6 title brand...hawks have won something like 10 of 11 vs gophers.

Beating a Miami, nd or clemson in a down year is same as Iowa beating Huskers or gophers every year.

Of course, just winning is not enough.
Must beat Bama or Georgia scoring more than 35 points to meet the minimum standard set by some KF critics.
Iowa FB fans want Fran as coach and Iowa BB fans want Phil Parker as coach...winning is optional...just be different.

Miami and Nebraska are much larger brands than Missouri, Kentucky, or Boston College in football.

It’s kind of the reason why people like you still bring up the Ohio State win 7 or 8 years ago, because it actually meant something to beat a large brand.

Also, it is playoffs or bust anymore.

 

[hawkjt]

Why the hell does "brand" even matter if a program that cannot muster a winning record for 9 years still is considered special?
In the 18 years before this year Miami has won 10 games once and 9 games twice.
How long can a program languish in mediocrity and still be considered a blue-blood?
Iowa has out-performed Miami, Nebraska, Minnesota this century.

 

[swagsurfer02]

Why the hell does "brand" even matter if a program that cannot muster a winning record for 9 years still is considered special?
In the 18 years before this year Miami has won 10 games once and 9 games twice.
How long can a program languish in mediocrity and still be considered a blue-blood?
Iowa has out-performed Miami, Nebraska, Minnesota this century.

The college football landscape has changed, with NIL brands matter. Larger fan bases and big donors scan attract talent in the transfer portal. Miami landed Cam Ward who’s responsible for being one of the last teams left out of the playoff and winning 10 games this year. They will continue to get good players due to brand AND buying players.

 

[BrewHawk]

Minnesota does not and will not have any national brand recognition.

Just wanted to get that out there.

I do remember over the past several seasons wishing the Hawks would have had the bowl matchups the Clones got.

You're going to see fewer and fewer players caring about playing in non-playoff postseason games. If they don't care, then I certainly don't care.

Fortunately the playoff is going to continue to expand with 16, 20, 24, 32 teams. There's too much money to be had.

 

[swagsurfer02]

Minnesota does not and will not have any national brand recognition.

Just wanted to get that out there.

I do remember over the past several seasons wishing the Hawks would have had the bowl matchups the Clones got.

You're going to see fewer and fewer players caring about playing in non-playoff postseason games. If they don't care, then I certainly don't care.

Fortunately the playoff is going to continue to expand with 16, 20, 24, 32 teams. There's too much money to be had.

I believe it will go to 16 eventually and no one gets a bye.

 

[grayhair81]

Why the hell does "brand" even matter if a program that cannot muster a winning record for 9 years still is considered special?
In the 18 years before this year Miami has won 10 games once and 9 games twice.
How long can a program languish in mediocrity and still be considered a blue-blood?
Iowa has out-performed Miami, Nebraska, Minnesota this century.

You are 2/3 correct. Miami has nine more wins and one more top 25 finish than Iowa in the 26 years that Ferentz has coached here. They also have a NC and another that was stolen by the refs.

 

[jonesy5960]

I guess we now know why Elsbury hasn't played much this year.