Here's what Phil Steele says about Iowa

[steventrelain]

http://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/24850598/teams-set-rise-fall-due-schedule-strength

The Hawkeyes are not currently ranked but will be at the end of the year. The Wisconsin final score was misleading as they lost by 11 points but led 17-14 with about a minute left. Iowa has five road games left but takes on just one ranked team the rest of the year in Penn State. I currently have Iowa favored in seven of its last eight games, and the Hawkeyes should enter the top 25 in the next few weeks and should continue to climb as they rack up more victories.

 

[steventrelain]

t-minus 3-2-1 until
FBnBB or Hawkinsocal posts the same thing in their own thread

 

[takai]

Hooray for our cupcake schedule

 

[scotthawk1964]

Hooray for our cupcake schedule

Sure as hell wasn't a cupcake schedule last year.

 

[chuck285]

Hooray for our cupcake schedule

It's the B1G and Iowa can't pick who they play or how bad the other teams are. Check out most of the top 10 teams and they most have cupcake teams also. It's just football...

 

[Forgery5]

If the offense shows up, they can win 7 of 8.

 

[mvhomerj]

Sure as hell wasn't a cupcake schedule last year.

The discussion is this years schedule.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Hooray for our cupcake schedule

That obviously doesn’t matter as Va Tech is ranked 24 after losing Old Dominion 2 weeks ago. A win over Duke vaulted them back in a week later

 

[StallmanCurse]

t-minus 3-2-1 until
FBnBB or Hawkinsocal posts the same thing in their own thread

Add franisdaman to your list.

 

[iowa12]

Sure as hell wasn't a cupcake schedule last year.

It was as it always is and we went

Sure as hell wasn't a cupcake schedule last year.

it was as it always is. Plus, went 8-5 and had a losing record in conference so not sure your point

 

[Lone Clone]

http://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/24850598/teams-set-rise-fall-due-schedule-strength

The Hawkeyes are not currently ranked but will be at the end of the year. The Wisconsin final score was misleading as they lost by 11 points but led 17-14 with about a minute left. Iowa has five road games left but takes on just one ranked team the rest of the year in Penn State. I currently have Iowa favored in seven of its last eight games, and the Hawkeyes should enter the top 25 in the next few weeks and should continue to climb as they rack up more victories.

I didn't watch the second half of the game....is that correct, that you guys were ahead with a minute to play in the game?

 

[Hawkfan_08]

That obviously doesn’t matter as Va Tech is ranked 24 after losing Old Dominion 2 weeks ago. A win over Duke vaulted them back in a week later

Yeah, I am confused by VT. For anyone keeping track, that was Old Dominion's only win of the year.

 

[wedomn8]

I didn't watch the second half of the game....is that correct, that you guys were ahead with a minute to play in the game?

yes, Wisconsin scored with just about a minute to play to take a 21-17 lead. We threw a pick on a tipped ball and had Wisconsin in 3rd and long with about 35 seconds left and had 1 time out I think. We sold out for the run and the back broke through the line and had an easy score with no safeties back to make the final score look a lot worse than it was.

 

[Lone Clone]

yes, Wisconsin scored with just about a minute to play to take a 21-17 lead. We threw a pick on a tipped ball and had Wisconsin in 3rd and long with about 35 seconds left and had 1 time out I think. We sold out for the run and the back broke through the line and had an easy score with no safeties back to make the final score look a lot worse than it was.

Ouch!

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

Hooray for our cupcake schedule

Hey, you must be talkin' Alabama. But don't knock the poor Crimson Tide. Somebody's gotta play Arkansas State, Louisville, LA Lafayette, and The Citadel. And those four games are only 33% of their schedule. Give the boys a break. Life's tough enough in Tuscaloosa....

 

[General Roman Malaise]

That obviously doesn’t matter as Va Tech is ranked 24 after losing Old Dominion 2 weeks ago. A win over Duke vaulted them back in a week later

Yeah, I am confused by VT. For anyone keeping track, that was Old Dominion's only win of the year.

Hmm...maybe the upcoming nationally televised prime time matchup with a T10 Notre Dame has something to do with it?

 

[K OKeefe]

Hey, you must be talkin' Alabama. But don't knock the poor Crimson Tide. Somebody's gotta play Arkansas State, Louisville, LA Lafayette, and The Citadel. And those four games are only 33% of their schedule. Give the boys a break. Life's tough enough in Tuscaloosa....

Please, you bring up Bama as an example? Like Iowa could run with the Tide? The gulf between Iowa and Alabama is huge- end of story.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Hey, you must be talkin' Alabama. But don't knock the poor Crimson Tide. Somebody's gotta play Arkansas State, Louisville, LA Lafayette, and The Citadel. And those four games are only 33% of their schedule. Give the boys a break. Life's tough enough in Tuscaloosa....

That can't be! Iowa plays weak schedules. The big boys play marquee games, right?

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Please, you bring up Bama as an example? Like Iowa could run with the Tide? The gulf between Iowa and Alabama is huge- end of story.

Alabama may be better than Iowa, but they're still playing a weak schedule...especially the part they control.

 

[GunnerHawk]

Hooray for our cupcake schedule

5 Games on the road is not a cup cake schedule. Playing on the road in the Big is never easy.

Purdue is much improved as is Indiana. We'll have to bring our "A" game. Minny and Illinois should be wins but a couple turnovers and look out. Penn State is a for sure loss. That leaves a very good Maryland team coming to Iowa City, they have great athletes. NW always plays us tough in Iowa City. Nebraska rounds out the schedule, they really have issues in the trenches but Martinez is very good. I see three we should wIn and 4 toss-ups. I still think 8 - 4.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

This won't go down well with some, but...

You really don't know strength of schedule until AFTER the season is over. A range...perhaps (we know that Ohio State is tougher opponent than Rutgers).. but there are always teams who surprise, both under and over performing.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

Please, you bring up Bama as an example? Like Iowa could run with the Tide? The gulf between Iowa and Alabama is huge- end of story.

The gulf between Alabama and 99% of the rest of the CFB teams is huge. Less than a handful of teams could hang with Alabama at all. That doesn't mean they aren't beatable or that their schedule isn't loaded with crap opponents.

 

[mickv]

Iowa played 7-8 games last year against teams who won bowl games, Iowa State one of them.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

The gulf between Alabama and 99% of the rest of the CFB teams is huge. Less than a handful of teams could hang with Alabama at all. That doesn't mean they aren't beatable or that their schedule isn't loaded with crap opponents.

I agree. There MIGHT be 2 teams that can compete with them.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Phil Steele is essentially Captain Obvious on Iowa looking at the rest of the schedule.
Nothing revelatory here.

 

[dekhawk]

5 Games on the road is not a cup cake schedule. Playing on the road in the Big is never easy.

Purdue is much improved as is Indiana. We'll have to bring our "A" game. Minny and Illinois should be wins but a couple turnovers and look out. Penn State is a for sure loss. That leaves a very good Maryland team coming to Iowa City, they have great athletes. NW always plays us tough in Iowa City. Nebraska rounds out the schedule, they really have issues in the trenches but Martinez is very good. I see three we should wIn and 4 toss-ups. I still think 8 - 4.

Agree on the 8-4 call. Not enough offense. Good d.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Hooray for our cupcake schedule

Should we change conferences?

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Please, you bring up Bama as an example? Like Iowa could run with the Tide? The gulf between Iowa and Alabama is huge- end of story.

Iowa > Alabama

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

It was as it always is and we went

it was as it always is. Plus, went 8-5 and had a losing record in conference so not sure your point

The point is that

Iowa > your team

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

If the offense shows up, they can win 7 of 8.

Actually I think if we're gonna win 7 of 8, our D needs to get back to forcing turnovers.

Yes our Offense needs to show up, but we're not typically a team that will match blow for blow with a Penn State, or for a recent example in Wisconsin, without forcing turnovers.......and of course NOT turning the ball over ourselves.

In the Wisconsin game we kept waiting and waiting for that one damn turnover to change the game and it never came. And then when we needed to stop them at the end, we didn't, plain and simple. Didn't matter that we were ahead.

Iowa has to be able to finish games on BOTH sides of the ball, and creating turnovers is a big step towards doing that.

 

[DaCDiggity]

Actually I think if we're gonna win 7 of 8, our D needs to get back to forcing turnovers.

Yes our Offense needs to show up, but we're not typically a team that will match blow for blow with a Penn State, or for a recent example in Wisconsin, without forcing turnovers.......and of course NOT turning the ball over ourselves.

In the Wisconsin game we kept waiting and waiting for that one damn turnover to change the game and it never came. And then when we needed to stop them at the end, we didn't, plain and simple. Didn't matter that we were ahead.

Iowa has to be able to finish games on BOTH sides of the ball, and creating turnovers is a big step towards doing that.

Well they did cause a fumble, it just wasn't reviewed

 

[Forgery5]

Actually I think if we're gonna win 7 of 8, our D needs to get back to forcing turnovers.

Yes our Offense needs to show up, but we're not typically a team that will match blow for blow with a Penn State, or for a recent example in Wisconsin, without forcing turnovers.......and of course NOT turning the ball over ourselves.

In the Wisconsin game we kept waiting and waiting for that one damn turnover to change the game and it never came. And then when we needed to stop them at the end, we didn't, plain and simple. Didn't matter that we were ahead.

Iowa has to be able to finish games on BOTH sides of the ball, and creating turnovers is a big step towards doing that.

Got to agree. I will say the longer the offense is on the field the longer the defense gets some rest which I think makes a difference at the end of the game where we need to make a play or a stop.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

Please, you bring up Bama as an example? Like Iowa could run with the Tide? The gulf between Iowa and Alabama is huge- end of story.

Then why the hell is ONE THIRD of Alabama's schedule cupcakes? Four of twelve games are gimmes. If the Tide is so invincible, why is little old Iowa maligned for an allegedly "weak" schedule but 'Bama gets a pass? That's crazy as it gets, and that's my point. A team as brilliant as the Tide apparently should be playing the Rams and the Patriots, not Arkansas State and The Citadel.

BTW: Founded in 1842, The Citadel has an undergraduate enrollment of about 2,300 students who make up the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. In addition to Alabama, the Citadel football team also plays Wofford, Mercer, and Towson this season.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

The point is that

Iowa > your team

This.

He may as well be arguing that the earth is flat

 

[scotthawk1964]

The discussion is this years schedule.

Iowa doesn't have a say in the BIG schedule. Sounds like anyone unhappy with the schedule should get a hold of the BIG TEN commissioner.

 

[scotthawk1964]

It was as it always is and we went

it was as it always is. Plus, went 8-5 and had a losing record in conference so not sure your point

My point is, people like to gripe about a"Cupcake" schedule on the years the BIG schedules it, but I don't see the same people praising Iowa when they play a tough schedule. Also, is it Iowa's fault that Nebraska sucks? That game should be a schedule enhancer instead of a detractor. Last years schedule was rated a top 10 toughest schedule if I remember correct, so 8-5 with a first year sophomore QB, two freshman tackles isn't all that bad. I am sure every Badger fan was upset by there cupcake schedule last year.

 

[K OKeefe]

Iowa > Alabama

I can see how your heart can lead you to this because my allegiance leads me to this conclusion; however, your brain is forming a resistance to this notion based on the number of National Championships that Bama possess. If I am not mistaken that is the measuring stick that college football uses to determine their best every year.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I can see how your heart can lead you to this; however, your brain is forming a resistance to this notion based on the number of National Championships that Bama possess.

My heart does what my brain tells it to...........


And do you know what it tells me?

 

[K OKeefe]

Then why the hell is ONE THIRD of Alabama's schedule cupcakes? Four of twelve games are gimmes. If the Tide is so invincible, why is little old Iowa maligned for an allegedly "weak" schedule but 'Bama gets a pass? That's crazy as it gets, and that's my point. A team as brilliant as the Tide apparently should be playing the Rams and the Patriots, not Arkansas State and The Citadel.

BTW: Founded in 1842, The Citadel has an undergraduate enrollment of about 2,300 students who make up the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. In addition to Alabama, the Citadel football team also plays Wofford, Mercer, and Towson this season.

No where did my post proclaim that Bama is not guilty of playing a cupcake schedule. I totally agree that they are. I do not think that the difficulty of a teams schedule determines the best program. By the way, Bama has a strength of schedule that ranks #24 and Iowa's ranking is #42. I was shocked to see that the Cyclones have the second toughest schedule in the country.

https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/ranking/schedule-strength-by-other

 

[steventrelain]

Phil Steele is essentially Captain Obvious on Iowa looking at the rest of the schedule.
Nothing revelatory here.

I disagree -
Grouping: [Iowa]
Washington
Texas
Miami
Notre Dame
Michigan
Florida
USC

Steele implies Iowa will finish ranked. Did they in 16 or 17? How often do fans on Hawkeye boards say "Iowa doesn't get any respect"? The grouping suggest that Iowa is getting respect, which contradicts a popular narrative. And a prediction is only revelatory if it becomes fact. Insightful is the word you should have chosen. But even then I would've challenged you since that distinction also won't be known for months.