Hawkeyes add Middle Tennessee State to 2019 schedule

[Dauminator]

Ok, at least you get what has to be sacrificed, so I applaud you for that. I don't believe many Hawkeye fans bitching about Iowa's schedule really get the problem.

Now, about that solution - you know that would cost the University about $3 million, maybe more depending on the assumptions we make? Maybe you could argue it will help sell more tickets for the years when some interesting P5 team (in this case Texas) has to come to Iowa City, but people might be pissed off if they're asked to make the same seat donations and only get 6 games every other year?

TV money dwarfs gate and economic impact to the area. And nationally broadcast games against high profile competition have knock on benefits for Iowa, too.

The point about season ticket prices is sure a good one. I would structure my system such that the ticket price is based on a game price * number of games. I think people would be more willing to pony up if the schedule looked better. And I wouldn't have that stupid donation requirement. Price would be all inclusive. Now we're really getting into the realm of fantasy.

In what fantasy world is Texas scheduling a series with Iowa? Because it's not this one.

Mine. Besides, I just plucked the first name that came to mind as a top level program. The point was more about how much better those schedules would look, even down a home game, compared to the dreck we get now.

 

[Dauminator]

So you are cool with finishing 8-4? Cool with losing to Iowa State, Illinois, and Michigan? Getting shutout in the Rose Bowl? Kinda funny too how 2/3 of the teams you mention as noncon opponents are now in the B1G.

Aren't we doing that anyway?

 

[ichawk24]

TV money dwarfs gate and economic impact to the area.

Mine. Besides, I just plucked the first name that came to mind as a top level program. The point was more about how much better those schedules would look, even down a home game, compared to the dreck we get now.

TV money is already locked in for the next 6 years, and won't vary based on how Iowa schedules.

There is zero chance that Texas schedules a series with Iowa. Pitt/Arizona State/Syracuse are your typical options. Those aren't national games.

Dorks on the internet cry like babies about the ISU series, but that game is a guaranteed sellout and is a higher financial return than any other OOC game we could line up. The fanbase as a whole has high demand for that game, wants to go to that game, and shows up in larger numbers than any other game we play.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

I don't think you'll find many that would disagree that some SEC schools also have weak schedule, but that's not his point. His point is that we prop ourselves up with a weak schedule and then fall flat on our face by playing a bowl game we shouldn't be in.

Are any of those SEC teams with weak schedules you're referring to 0-5 in their last 5 bowl games?

Those last 5 years we have played Pitt 3x and N Illinois in 13' year they were ranked plus annual ISU game. His argument makes no sense how is Iowa's schedule previous years any worse than most other teams? Again from last season here on out I'll admit with 9 conf and ISU puts Iowa in a bad spot for non conference and Barta needs to figure something out. But maybe those 5 games I think bigger issue was Iowa's anemic offense and fact of the matter was as most Iowa fans hate to admit the other team was better (2011 OU preseason #1, 13' LSU loaded with NFL talent, 14' Tenn, 15' Stanford and 16' Florida). All 5 finished ranked top 20. Plus Delaney and Big 10 putting teams in games where lower big 10 playing higher from other conference. Why conference bowl record hasn't been good overall last decade.

 

[GarryO37]

And it would cost an additional $12 Million plus to the motels, restaurants, gas stations, stores, museums, convenience stores etc. These football games are absolutely vital to the business community. It is about money......period.

If your business hangs on the balance of a 7th football game, then you've got much bigger problems than than Iowa not playing a 7th football game in Iowa City. A good entrepreneur doesn't cry and whine about the way things should be. They adapt to the way things are.

The business community in Iowa City will be fine. There will still be people checking in to motels, going to bars and restaurants, and buying gas in Iowa City on those Saturdays. Plus, the boost received playing Miami OH or NDSU is nowhere near the boost received playing a big time opponent. You schedule a big time OOC home game against a Georgia or Ole Miss under the lights in Kinnick, and Iowa City businesses will take that. A game like that is guaranteed to sell out and bring big revenue every other year.

The business community built themselves around the University of Iowa. The University of Iowa did not build itself around the business community.

I think the point is that it can be done. And if it's done, it should be done right to help mitigate if not completely cover the loss of a seventh home game every other year.

 

[GarryO37]

There is zero chance that Texas schedules a series with Iowa. Pitt/Arizona State/Syracuse are your typical options. Those aren't national games.

That's simply not true at all. They (Texas) gave Maryland a home and home series.

 

[Dauminator]

That's simply not true at all. They (Texas) gave Maryland a home and home series.

If LSU will play Wisconsin, USC will play Minnesota, on and on. Of course Iowa could get a game against a big time opponent. Sure, some years it's a Pitt or Syracuse. Nothing wrong with that. We've had some great games with Pitt. And some years it's a big fish. They want resume building wins, too.

And I have no problem at all with the Iowa State game. I think it's great, and would schedule another P5 school to accompany ISU, not replace them.

 

[SWIowahawks]

its an exciting event because its an in-state game where a lot of the participants played with and against one another in High School.
but the reality is... when it comes to competing for a Conference Championship game... the non con games have an extremely low importance.

For a conference championship yes. But they go along ways in gaining ground on a prestigious bowl game. They are important.

 

[KFsdisciple]

Wouldn't most or all of this issue be moot if Iowa State wasn't AWFUL 11 weeks of the year? Its not Iowa's job to schedule better, its Iowa State's, Illinois', Minnesota's, Rutgers' et al job to get better. The genesis of this whole thing with Colin and the rest of the national media wasn't who iowa played, it was who we didn't play in 2015... Michigan, Michigan State, or Ohio State. Adding Alabama to the non-conference wouldn't have changed that fact. Had the Iowa/ Wisconsin game been played later in the season, in primetime, that could have changed perceptions, maybe. The game was played early in the season, noon kick, went under the radar until people started looking at potential losses the rest of the way.

Iowa navigated one of the easier P5 schedules in recent history, and they could have tried to schedule more difficult opponents for the non-conference schedule... But iowa State could TRY NOT TO SUCK for once in a decade too.

 

[JoelBittner]

Wouldn't most or all of this issue be moot if Iowa State wasn't AWFUL 11 weeks of the year? Its not Iowa's job to schedule better, its Iowa State's, Illinois', Minnesota's, Rutgers' et al job to get better. The genesis of this whole thing with Colin and the rest of the national media wasn't who iowa played, it was who we didn't play in 2015... Michigan, Michigan State, or Ohio State. Adding Alabama to the non-conference wouldn't have changed that fact. Had the Iowa/ Wisconsin game been played later in the season, in primetime, that could have changed perceptions, maybe. The game was played early in the season, noon kick, went under the radar until people started looking at potential losses the rest of the way.

Iowa navigated one of the easier P5 schedules in recent history, and they could have tried to schedule more difficult opponents for the non-conference schedule... But iowa State could TRY NOT TO SUCK for once in a decade too.

Wow
Just wow
Oh wait, the moniker explains all

 

[KFsdisciple]

Wow
Just wow
Oh wait, the moniker explains all

First, Iowa isn't in the business of fortune telling, they don't know who is going to be good or bad 2-3+ years in advance when these games are scheduled.

second-- How many times in the last 20+ years has Iowa actually gone undefeated in the non-conference? I don't have time to look it up but I bet its 5 or less. That's 25% of the time... If we can't year-in-year-out navigate these schedules why in the hell would we schedule MORE DIFFICULT????

Third-- I renew my argument... Its Iowa State's job to be good in the OOC... and in conference if teams like Indiana, Purdue, and Rutgers could get their stuff together it wouldn't matter so much if we miss Ohio State, Michigan or Michigan State... I am sure not every national championship team has played a top flight schedule.

 

[Dauminator]

Good guess! Here's the list.

2015
2009
2006
2003
1997

 

[David1979]

Barta needs to deliver a big name opponent or he can get out as far as I'm concerned.

dumb

 

[KFsdisciple]

Funny thing is, if iowa is undefeated in 2019 and wins games at Michigan and Wisconsin and nebraska etc... Colin will be singing the good captain's praises, touting how great of a season iowa has had... and MTSU and ISUCK... won't even be blips on the radar.

If iowa were to navigate that schedule, beat Ohio State or whoever in the BTT game... the resume won't lack anything.

I for one would LOVE to have this as a problem during the holiday period.

 

[thirteenandtwo]

For a conference championship yes. But they go along ways in gaining ground on a prestigious bowl game. They are important.

prestigious bowl game = pretty girl in a dress

= I don't care

its all about earning a championship, imo
if I were on the team, I would only care about that which I can control.... and in College Football... the only thing the players have control of is winning their Division and competing for a Conference Championship.

if the College Playoff meant anything... they wouldn't take 2nd place teams in a Division over the Conference Champion.
the Bowl games are just a bonus game.

Conference Championship Games are far greater than any possible Bowl Game, imo

 

[Dauminator]

Conference Championship Games are far greater than any possible Bowl Game, imo

Just remember 2015. The Rose Bowl was a hollow prize after that other game happened.

 

[thirteenandtwo]

Just remember 2015. The Rose Bowl was a hollow prize after that other game happened.

I agree... Rose Bowl... Toilet Bowl... its all the same...
Conference Championships are the only thing that matters in College Football.

 

[GPRHAWK]

Wow, people will complain no matter what. Iowa won't schedule any other P5 teams until ISU is off the schedule so no reason to keep complaining.

It is baffling to me that some people still don't understand the ISU + 9 B1G games driving our OOC scheduling.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Funny thing is, if iowa is undefeated in 2019 and wins games at Michigan and Wisconsin and nebraska etc... Colin will be singing the good captain's praises, touting how great of a season iowa has had... and MTSU and ISUCK... won't even be blips on the radar.

If iowa were to navigate that schedule, beat Ohio State or whoever in the BTT game... the resume won't lack anything.

I for one would LOVE to have this as a problem during the holiday period.

The odds are long enough on that scenario that the Vegas payout would be tremendous if it hit.

 

[thirteenandtwo]

Iowa now has 7.0 home games every year.... to go home and home with another power 5 team would leave us with 6.5 home games every year...
and that's ridiculous... that will never happen...
but what is more ridiculous is this idea of getting rid of the most exciting non conference game of the year just to please who?... Colin Cowherd?....
I think people have gone insane.... I really do.

 

[KFsdisciple]

Iowa now has 7.0 home games every year.... to go home and home with another power 5 team would leave us with 6.5 home games every year...
and that's ridiculous... that will never happen...
but what is more ridiculous is this idea of getting rid of the most exciting non conference game of the year just to please who?... Colin Cowherd?....
I think people have gone insane.... I really do.

For some even most, the Iowa State game is only the most exciting non-conference game of the year because that's what we're stuck with... Its not exciting for me... its agonizing. I hate playing Iowa State because they have been one of the worst teams in all of 1A since before Hayden took over, despite having a few seasons of mediocrity under McCarney.

Without Iowa State on the schedule Iowa would be free to schedule the same way Wisconsin and Nebraska and other teams on our level do. Schedule 1 decent/good opponent and 2 cupcakes... But Iowa isn't going to schedule themselves at a competitive disadvantage by playing 2 P5 teams in the non-conference or at a financial disadvantage by giving up *ANOTHER* home game.

 

[ANYCHawk]

That's simply not true at all. They (Texas) gave Maryland a home and home series.

Probably just love the crab cakes. Has nothing to do with under armour or being about 10 feet from Washington D.C. (and the game @ Maryland is gonna be at Fed Ex field)

 

[KFsdisciple]

I'm thinking the issue here might be Hyvee.. They have invested a lot into the Cy-Hawk series and I bet that would change if the games weren't played annually.

 

[huskerssalts]

Wow Mid Ten?? See Iowa is really trying hard to add some tough teams there. My God, id be ashamed.

 

[NashvilleHawk]

I'm an MTSU grad and an Iowa fan.
MTSU plays an up-tempo, spread offense, that tends to give Iowa defenses fits.
Picture Northwestern, just a little less talented.

Iowa will probably pay MTSU $1M for this game,

Outside of Michigan-Notre Dame in 2019, the rest of the B1G non-conference schedule is pretty blah. Notre Dame is only playing 1 B1G team in 2019.