Can Iowa ever be elite?

[hexumhawk]

If they keep up with the facilities race AND their next coach values recruiting yes it is very possible. I think right now we would sit in the top 20 of CFP with teams always going in and out of that because your programs' strength isn't every stagnant. Schools are hiring better coaches, building facilities, getting hit with sanctions, ect...

Iowa is in great financial position and very good position with facilities now. There are about 8 schools that will always be in the mix and then about another 20 that have the means to creep up into that mix sometimes. We are one of the 20 imo.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

Many people have compared Iowa's program to Georgia's, which I think is a very fair comparison. Solid, highly respected programs that will be competitive most years, with some down years, and every once in a while put it together and really compete with the big boys, but still aren't going to be considered realistic conference or national championship contenders on a yearly basis. Hopefully Iowa will someday find their Herschel Walker and actually go all the way.

 

[SoDakHawk]

Comparing Iowa to Georgia is a fair comparison. Thing is, I think both programs have the ability to move into that elite status. Nebraska is considered a blue blood program and that is largely because of a great run in the 90's. Before that the knock was that they were a very good program but TO just couldn't win the big one. Iowa has that capability as well, to go on a great 5-10 year run. Also, going to a divisional format is a game changer for a program like Iowa. Iowa should always be a contender in the West which gets you one CCG win away from the BIG title.

I remember when the Big 12 was formed and it was the South that was considered weak. Then the South became real tough and the North was weak. When the SEC divisions formed it was the East that was the tough side with FLA and Tenn fighting it out for the division and the conference. Eventually the power shifted to the West. Same type of thing can happen in the BIG. I think OSU will always be a contender but between UM, MSU, and PSU, one of those is going to a big loser, and right now that is PSU.

Iowa just needs to focus on getting to the BTCG more years than not and elite status will follow.

 

[Ree4]

 

[whatsup13579er]

Georgia has a big recruiting advantage over Iowa.

 

[CaptainCrunchies]

As a fan of a team who has never won a title for over 60 years I have tempered expectations regarding what constitutes elite. Alabama and Ohio State see 11 win seasons and losses to Auburn and Michigan respectively as failures if they are kept out of the playoffs.

Nebraska views 9 wins as a failure, Minnesota would rejoice at a 9 win season. For a fan like me a national title would make my fanhood fantasies come true. I dont care if it was only 1 title, I could exclaim I am a fan of a National Champion!

Elite to me means grasping and achieving that one glorious moment in time where we as Hawkeye nation could be viewed as the best team in the land, even if it was just one year.

 

[Dauminator]

If Shonn Greene comes back in 2009 and Stanzi doesn't get hurt, Iowa is playing Mark Ingram and Alabama in the National Championship in Pasadena. Not sure they would have won but it realistically could have happened.

I fully believe a healthy Stanzi makes for a 12-0 Iowa team that year. I also fully believe a 12-0 Iowa finishes #3 behind Alabama and Texas. We get the national sympathy title à la Auburn 2004.

There's no reason Iowa can't become an elite program. Get the right coach and have some things go your way. There's a strong case to make that if Evy doesn't sabotage us as AD we become what Nebraska was. Devaney and Osbourne took the opportunity we gave them and became preeminent for decades.

Florida State was nothing before Bowden. Miami nearly folded their football team before Schnellenberger. What was Oregon before Phil Knight and then Chip Kelly? Baylor (freaking BAYLOR) jumped up and became a hot program (not making any moral judgments right now, just looking on the field). TCU, too. Wisconsin. Kansas State is still the crown jewel in the Awful-Programs-That-Got-Good crown.

Some droughts/changes among notable programs:
Army three-peat champs in war years, nothing since
Clemson after 91 until now
LSU "nat'l champs" in '58 (according to some), not again until 03
Michigan 1 nat'l title in the last 68 years no conf title since 04
Mich St 20 year drought in conf titles
Minnesota 6 nat'l titles in 26 years, now 49 years since any title
Mississippi 40 year gap btw conf title and last div title
Oklahoma 87-00
Stanford 2 conf titles in 40 years from 71-11
Tennessee no SEC titles since 98
Texas 35 years between nat'l titles, 2 conf titles in last 20 years
Texas A&M 1 conf title since 93
UCLA no conf title since 98
Washington 15 years since conf title

Dominant programs from areas that aren't glamorous for recruiting:
Oklahoma
Alabama
Notre Dame
Nebraska

My point? If Nebraska can have the run they had, there's no reason Iowa cannot. Fry got us back to respectability. Ferentz has continued and in some respects built on it. Here's to Ferentz getting us to the top of the mountain, and whenever he retires, the next guy taking us one level higher as a program.

 

[HoustonHawkeye]

Facilities is an advantage right now, but with the network money coming, I would assume many programs will be playing catch up on facilities. Our advantage will only last so long. We better keep winning to establish a strong reputation. Kansas has it in basketball. We can do it in football.

 

[tronx95]

Question for the room guys. In your lifetime do you forsee a national title in football. Can Iowa compete with Ohio State and Michigan on a yearly basis like Michigan State has done for the last decade?


It used to be the big 2 but now the depth of the conference is deeper IMO. Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin are the big boys in the western conference but are seen a tier below Ohio State and the Michigan schools. I know we cant compete with them recruiting wise right now but if west division crowns keep coming the recruits will follow.

I wanna see a glorious championship in football, fingers crossed.

What's Iowa's record against Michigan under Ferentz? I think Iowa has been more than competitive with them for the past decade. OSU is a different story...

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

I'd say we know a thing or two about odds and risk management.

But absolutely ZERO about being elite. Btw, any mathematics degree and any university will give you that skill set.

 

[WildIowaCat]

If it can happen in Nebraska at one point, it can happen anywhere.

 

[swagsurfer02]

I'd say chances are slim the Hawks win a NC but the odds of that happening are greater than NW winning a big 10 western division championship.

This is idiotic at best.

No, I doubt Iowa wins a national championship unless the seas rise and Coralville becomes beach front property.

Last year we went 12-0 and got absolutely blasted in the bowl game. MSU went 11-1, won the conference and got absolutely blasted in their bowl. We're pretty far from winning a national championship talent wise.

 

[R1950]

Georgia has a big recruiting advantage over Iowa.

Agree, Georgia has some big-time, HS talent in their back yard. All of the major powers recruit that state hard. In fact, they've actually passed Ohio into the 4th spot for Division one scholarships (behind Texas, Florida, and California). If Georgia can ever get a major portion of their HS talent to stay home - along with some decent coaching - they could be a huge thorn in Alabama's side.

 

[Hawkirish]

This is idiotic at best.

No, I doubt Iowa wins a national championship unless the seas rise and Coralville becomes beach front property.

Last year we went 12-0 and got absolutely blasted in the bowl game. MSU went 11-1, won the conference and got absolutely blasted in their bowl. We're pretty far from winning a national championship talent wise.

That was for my little kitty cat buddy. If anyone would be good at identifying an idiotic statement it would be an idiot. I could actually explain it as it's not that far fetched but it would be over your head so I won't waste my time. I bet you are just hoping the Hawks lose some games aren't you big shooter so you can spew your crap?

 

[swagsurfer02]

That was for my little kitty cat buddy. If anyone would be good at identifying an idiotic statement it would be an idiot. I could actually explain it as it's not that far fetched but it would be over your head so I won't waste my time. I bet you are just hoping the Hawks lose some games aren't you big shooter so you can spew your crap?

Well since NW went to the rose bowl in the 90's and Iowa last won a national championship in the 50's I think the idiot has outed himself.


Play on douche nugget

 

[PHXIowaClub]

Georgia Record Last 10 years:

2015: 10-3 (SOS 33)
2014: 10-3 (14)
2013: 8-5 (10)
2012: 12-2 (15)
2011: 10-4 (14)
2010: 6-7 (19)
2009: 8-5 (11)
2008: 10-3 (15)
2007: 11-2 (17)
2006: 9-4 (32)

Record Last 5 Years: 50-17 (.746)
Record Last 10 Years: 94-38 (.712)
10+ win seasons: 6
Average SOS: 18
Average recruiting ranking: 8

Iowa Record Last 10 years:

2015: 12-2 (SOS 51)
2014: 7-6 (59)
2013: 8-5 (38)
2012: 4-8 (50)
2011: 7-6 (47)
2010: 8-5 (35)
2009: 11-2 (32)
2008: 9-4 (30)
2007: 6-6 (73)
2006: 6-7 (48)

Record Last 5 years: 38-27 (.585)
Record Last 10 years: 78-51 (.604)
10+ win season: 2
Average SOS: 46
Average recruiting ranking: 44

 

[Hawkirish]

Well since NW went to the rose bowl in the 90's and Iowa last won a national championship in the 50's I think the idiot has outed himself.


Play on douche nugget

Oh boy you got me big shooter - man I just wish I was as cool as you. I'm sure you are hoping the Hawks have a great season aren't you Mr. Football?

 

[swagsurfer02]

Oh boy you got me big shooter - man I just wish I was as cool as you. I'm sure you are hoping the Hawks have a great season aren't you Mr. Football?

You got beaten up a lot as a child right?

 

[R1950]

Georgia Record Last 10 years:

2015: 10-3 (SOS 33)
2014: 10-3 (14)
2013: 8-5 (10)
2012: 12-2 (15)
2011: 10-4 (14)
2010: 6-7 (19)
2009: 8-5 (11)
2008: 10-3 (15)
2007: 11-2 (17)
2006: 9-4 (32)

Record Last 5 Years: 50-17 (.746)
Record Last 10 Years: 94-38 (.712)
10+ win seasons: 6
Average SOS: 18
Average recruiting ranking: 8

Iowa Record Last 10 years:

2015: 12-2 (SOS 51)
2014: 7-6 (59)
2013: 8-5 (38)
2012: 4-8 (50)
2011: 7-6 (47)
2010: 8-5 (35)
2009: 11-2 (32)
2008: 9-4 (30)
2007: 6-6 (73)
2006: 6-7 (48)

Record Last 5 years: 38-27 (.585)
Record Last 10 years: 78-51 (.604)
10+ win season: 2
Average SOS: 46
Average recruiting ranking: 44

And that Georgia record over the last ten years got their coach fired. A lot of unrealized potential in that program. Could be a power year in and year out with the right coach because he wouldn't have to go very far to recruit outstanding HS talent.

 

[Hawkirish]

You got beaten up a lot as a child right?

You got it tough guy - bet you were / are a bully without many friends. I'm just a little guy and I'm sure you are one tough hombre aren't you? Thank goodness this is just a message board that I can hide behind or you'd kick my ass wouldn't you? You cheering for the Hawks this year?

Good night princess!

 

[InsaneHawkJJP]

I think what really separates us from the elites(mostly sec and o$u) is d-line play. You can get by with an average O if you can be dominant on D. We have been really good on D a lot of times but rarely have we had the studs up front to get consistent pressure rushing just four and own the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately I don't see that changing this year. Hopefully we can keep up the recruiting success this year and in the next few years. If we do that we have a good shot at gaining that mystical "Elite" status.

 

[crazyhorse63]

As someone mentioned earlier, if Nebraska can be considered elite so can the Hawkeyes. It just time being consistently good but totally doable

 

[PHXIowaClub]

I would say the 5 Elite Teams over the last decade are:

1) Alabama - 107 wins (4 national titles)
2) Ohio State - 110 wins (1 national title)
3) LSU - 103 wins (1 national title)
4) Oklahoma - 101 wins
5) Oregon - 106 wins (2 runner ups)

Boise State has won 113 games over the last decade but they aren't considered elite in my book. Oregon with 106 wins is surprising a little. I would put USC, Florida State, & Florida in there if you're talking elite in the 21st century.

If you're talking historically, you have to throw Michigan, Texas, Notre Dame, Miami, Penn State, and Nebraska in there but I don't consider any of them elite anymore. I think Michigan has the best chance to get back to elite status.

Who am I missing?

 

[swagsurfer02]

You got it tough guy - bet you were / are a bully without many friends. I'm just a little guy and I'm sure you are one tough hombre aren't you? Thank goodness this is just a message board that I can hide behind or you'd kick my ass wouldn't you? You cheering for the Hawks this year?

Good night princess!

You asked a question, I gave you an answer. If you're not man enough to accept it go whine somewhere else.

 

[GBR_Atlanta]

I would say the 5 Elite Teams over the last decade are:

1) Alabama - 107 wins (4 national titles)
2) Ohio State - 110 wins (1 national title)
3) LSU - 103 wins (1 national title)
4) Oklahoma - 101 wins
5) Oregon - 106 wins (2 runner ups)

Boise State has won 113 games over the last decade but they aren't considered elite in my book. Oregon with 106 wins is surprising a little. I would put USC, Florida State, & Florida in there if you're talking elite in the 21st century.

If you're talking historically, you have to throw Michigan, Texas, Notre Dame, Miami, Penn State, and Nebraska in there but I don't consider any of them elite anymore. I think Michigan has the best chance to get back to elite status.

Who am I missing?

Maybe Tennessee and Virginia Tech?

 

[Suterman]

Michigan is the winningest program in the history of college football. To say they are not elite is completely wrong. Can Iowa win a national championship? Yes. Can we be elite, probably not as that means you are almost always contending for the championship and the best players.

 

[whatsup13579er]

This is idiotic at best.

No, I doubt Iowa wins a national championship unless the seas rise and Coralville becomes beach front property.

Last year we went 12-0 and got absolutely blasted in the bowl game. MSU went 11-1, won the conference and got absolutely blasted in their bowl. We're pretty far from winning a national championship talent wise.

I think most Hawk fans probably realized that last years team was a good team that overachieved record wise. 2002 and 2009 were more talented teams. I would lump 2003, 2004 and 2015 together as the next tier.

 

[swagsurfer02]

Maybe Tennessee and Virginia Tech?

I don't think I would consider these two elite. Tennessee I would put on the tier of Georgia and Clemson. Not elite but the next tier down.

 

[swagsurfer02]

I think most Hawk fans probably realized that last years team was a good team that overachieved record wise. 2002 and 2009 were more talented teams. I would lump 2003, 2004 and 2015 together as the next tier.

I agree with this, however OP isn't most fans. From a talent standpoint I maintain '02 was the best Iowa team I've ever seen. I think that team can play with the Stanford team we saw I the Rose Bowl.

The '02 USC team was possibly the best college football program in the country that year. I think you're right about overachieving last year.

If I had to rank bowl opponents we have had it would go something like....

'02 USC...





'15 Stanford
'05 LSU
'09 Georgia Tech
'14 Tennessee??

 

[whatsup13579er]

I agree with this, however OP isn't most fans. From a talent standpoint I maintain '02 was the best Iowa team I've ever seen. I think that team can play with the Stanford team we saw I the Rose Bowl.

The '02 USC team was possibly the best college football program in the country that year. I think you're right about overachieving last year.

If I had to rank bowl opponents we have had it would go something like....

'02 USC...





'15 Stanford
'05 LSU
'09 Georgia Tech
'14 Tennessee??

Don't forget that OU was preseason #1 the season Iowa (7-5) played them in 2011. Florida won the NC the year after the worst officiated bowl game in history.

 

[swagsurfer02]

Don't forget that OU was preseason #1 the season Iowa (7-5) played them in 2011. Florida won the NC the year after the worst officiated bowl game in history.

I'm not forgetting OU, however I'm not sure you can justify preseason rankings for how good a team actually turned out. I mean why in the world would they be playing a 7-5 team?

I couldn't remember which Year we played Florida, I was going just off memory. But since you said that, I'm guessing we played Florida in January '06?

 

[Dauminator]

Michigan is the winningest program in the history of college football. To say they are not elite is completely wrong.

So where are all the national titles?

I completely agree, Michigan is elite. Just look at the money, the recruiting, the caché in the public eye. It's obvious, yet they've found it incredibly difficult to actually win it all. On the other side of the coin, Georgia Tech and Colorado have won titles, what, about 25 years ago? Yes it's been a long time now, but when were those programs ever considered elite?

So Iowa winning a national title and becoming elite are really separate questions. I think both things are possible, with a flash-in-the-pan title more likely than sustained success. I'm just saying that things aren't always so rosy even for the elite schools.

 

[whatsup13579er]

There is also a difference between being elite and being a blue blood program. Michigan hasn't been elite under Rich Rod and Hoke, but they are still a blue blood. If Harbaugh can get them to a consistent 10+ win program, they will be elite again.

 

[CaptainCrunchies]

The phrase "Elite" can be prescribed to anything from a singular to plural. I think we can all agree Kobe Bryant was an elite basketball player for a time while UNLV basketball had two elite teams.

My view is if Iowa wins a National Playoff era title it will be viewed as an elite team, not program. If they win multiples it will enter into the elite echelon.

Winning at Iowa is harder due to built in reasons spoken at nauseam. If we win one National Title I think our fans will appreciate it more than Tide or Buckeye fans for this reason. One title in Iowa would be like 10 in those places because we're the guy in the desert looking for a drink, not the guy chilling on the beach surrounded by beauty and prestige.

 

[blockm2]

Dominant programs from areas that aren't glamorous for recruiting:
Oklahoma
Alabama
Notre Dame
Nebraska

Alabama and Oklahoma have oodles and oodles of talent within close proximity to their campus. Alabama has a bunch of instate talent and is plenty close to Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida. Oklahoma has some instate talent and is right next door to the hordes of talent in north Texas.

That is completely different than Nebraska which is nowhere near much of anything.

 

[Hawkirish]

You asked a question, I gave you an answer. If you're not man enough to accept it go whine somewhere else.

I'm sorry but what question did I ask you other than the one you didn't answer? (I'm sure you are hoping the Hawks have a great season aren't you?) Pretty confident that I wouldn't come to you for an answer.

No whining on my part but I'm not afraid of the big bad internet bully either. Sorry hoss.

 

[swagsurfer02]

I'm sorry but what question did I ask you other than the one you didn't answer? (I'm sure you are hoping the Hawks have a great season aren't you?) Pretty confident that I wouldn't come to you for an answer.

No whining on my part but I'm not afraid of the big bad internet bully either. Sorry hoss.

Why wouldn't I hope they have a good season. I'm an Iowa fan first and foremost. I just realize there's a pecking order. Iowa isn't elite, but to say they would win a national championship before Northwestern wins the west division is asinine.

Iowa, historically is probably somewhere from 25-30. Nothing wrong with that but it's tough sledding to win a national championship (especially now with the playoff). Wait till they expand it to 8 teams, it will be even more difficult.

 

[PHXIowaClub]

There is also a difference between being elite and being a blue blood program. Michigan hasn't been elite under Rich Rod and Hoke, but they are still a blue blood. If Harbaugh can get them to a consistent 10+ win program, they will be elite again.

I would agree with this. That's why in a previous post, I clarified elite over the past 10 years and elite historically. In most people's minds, Michigan is still considered elite. Which tells us that you've got to be extremely successful over a long period of time to be considered elite or to fall into that "blue blood" category. I've always wondered when will Notre Dame & Nebraska fall out of that "blue blood" category and it never seems to happen. High School kids today were newborns when Tom Osborne left Nebraska in 1999. Nebraska was a DOMINANT PROGRAM for 30 years in a row. Notre Dame was the premier school in the country for 70 years in a row.

 

[Hawkirish]

Why wouldn't I hope they have a good season. I'm an Iowa fan first and foremost. I just realize there's a pecking order. Iowa isn't elite, but to say they would win a national championship before Northwestern wins the west division is asinine.

Iowa, historically is probably somewhere from 25-30. Nothing wrong with that but it's tough sledding to win a national championship (especially now with the playoff). Wait till they expand it to 8 teams, it will be even more difficult.

Thanks for a response without some name calling. I think you missed my comment about that statement being intended for my kitty cat buddy (NW fan). I'm sure the odds of Iowa winning a national championship vs. NW's odds of winning a west division championship are a bit higher and I'm pretty confident that I was aware of that. Next time I poke the kitty I'll use a smiley face. Oh and I agree with your history regarding iowa and the challenges of recruiting to Iowa.

 

[swagsurfer02]

Thanks for a response without some name calling. I think you missed my comment about that statement being intended for my kitty cat buddy (NW fan). I'm sure the odds of Iowa winning a national championship vs. NW's odds of winning a west division championship are a bit higher and I'm pretty confident that I was aware of that. Next time I poke the kitty I'll use a smiley face. Oh and I agree with your history regarding iowa and the challenges of recruiting to Iowa.

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