FWIW, Albany was the 5th ranked team in FCS last year, and lost in the semifinals to SDSU, looks like they are down a little bit this year after starting the season ranked #16
In the Big 10 this year, I would take Michigan (Texas, Fresno State, Arkansas State), Nebraska (Colorado, UTEP, UNI), Oregon (Oregon State, Boise State, Idaho), Purdue (Notre Dame, Oregon State, Indiana State), USC (LSU, Notre Dame, USC), Wisconsin (Alabama, WMU, South Dakota), UCLA (LSU, Fresno State, Hawaii). Some others like Ohio State should be ashamed of themselves. So not everyone has a murderer's row, but let's not prop up the charade that this is the best we can do.So no examples? Iowa is tied to the ISU series for likely ever. That's wishful thinking to replace them with someone else. Is Albany a weak choice? Sure, but its also a last minute filler. SEC teams play similar teams the second to last week of the season.
The only one I disagree with is Nebraska. And at some point I'll get used to seeing UCLA and big ten used in the same sentence but it sounds weird and wrong. Gotta love those BTN instant classic volleyball matches between ucla and rutgers.In the Big 10 this year, I would take Michigan (Texas, Fresno State, Arkansas State), Nebraska (Colorado, UTEP, UNI), Oregon (Oregon State, Boise State, Idaho), Purdue (Notre Dame, Oregon State, Indiana State), USC (LSU, Notre Dame, USC), Wisconsin (Alabama, WMU, South Dakota), UCLA (LSU, Fresno State, Hawaii). Some others like Ohio State should be ashamed of themselves. So not everyone has a murderer's row, but let's not prop up the charade that this is the best we can do.
SEC should have the balls to go to a 9-game conference schedule and cut out the garbage, no question.
I was just going to say. Not as bad of an opponent as some think. They played and lost to West Virginia this year 49-14. Next year's team will have some growing to do. Albany & UMass provide that opportunity.FWIW, Albany was the 5th ranked team in FCS last year, and lost in the semifinals to SDSU, looks like they are down a little bit this year after starting the season ranked #16
Oregon cold ain't the same as Iowa cold, son.Oregon plays in cold weather at Eugene. It won’t be a shock to them.
Hilarious list of teams there.
Ah, Northern Illinois in 2026. They can be a very tough team as the hawks know as does Notre Dame this year.Iowa was originally scheduled to open the 2025 season against Florida Atlantic. That game has been moved to 2030 now, and Iowa will open 2025 against Albany.
Here's the upcoming slate of non-conference games:
2025
Albany (Aug. 30)
at Iowa State (Sept. 6)
UMass (Sept. 13)
2026
Northern Illinois (Sept. 5)
Iowa State (Sept. 12)
UNI (Sept. 19)
2027
Ball State (Sept. 4)
at Iowa State (Sept. 11)
2028
Western Michigan (Sept. 16)
2029
Northern Illinois (Sept. 15)
2030
Florida Atlantic (Aug. 31)
One of the types of teams that will get heavily poached of talent with NIL.Ah, Northern Illinois in 2026. They can be a very tough team as the hawks know as does Notre Dame this year.
Iowa loses to NIU they wouldn't be ranked again all year. Notre Dame loses to them, and they're going to make the CFP.Ah, Northern Illinois in 2026. They can be a very tough team as the hawks know as does Notre Dame this year.
Minneapolis Boat Club? I thought that is who the Gophers are NOW!
Albany? FFS...smfhIowa was originally scheduled to open the 2025 season against Florida Atlantic. That game has been moved to 2030 now, and Iowa will open 2025 against Albany.
Here's the upcoming slate of non-conference games:
2025
Albany (Aug. 30)
at Iowa State (Sept. 6)
UMass (Sept. 13)
2026
Northern Illinois (Sept. 5)
Iowa State (Sept. 12)
UNI (Sept. 19)
2027
Ball State (Sept. 4)
at Iowa State (Sept. 11)
2028
Western Michigan (Sept. 16)
2029
Northern Illinois (Sept. 15)
2030
Florida Atlantic (Aug. 31)
I’ve been there often in November. It can be cold, windy, snowing. The ducks are used to cold crappy weather, I don’t see a big advantage versus Oregon. USC and ucla are different.Oregon cold ain't the same as Iowa cold, son.
I would buy you oneYou wouldn't pay for a beverage your entire time here!
Very few teams play multiple P4 teams during the non conference anymore. USC and Purdue come to mind as teams that did it this year. It sucks that our P4 opponent is already set for the rest of our lives.I would rather watch us play a legitimate Power 4 team and lose than pay any amount of money to watch us plaster whatever Albany is - what is the f'ing point? Same for my own kids in their activities - play someone with a pulse that gives you the opportunity for improvement and to make a statement, even if it means you might lose. Can't just beat up on the equivalent of 8-man football teams every year.
Even though I was raised catholic I have never been a notre dame fan. As a big Iowa fan I was always a big Big Ten fan so even in 1966 I was pulling for Mich ST in the game of the century they had with Notre Dame, the famous 10-10 tie. I even pulled for the service academies and USC etc against Notre Dame I think mainly because ND was an independent.Iowa loses to NIU they wouldn't be ranked again all year. Notre Dame loses to them, and they're going to make the CFP.
Well if they have some really good OLinemen we should go after them because our starters , many of them, are leaving I thinkOne of the types of teams that will get heavily poached of talent with NIL.
We'll see when we have a Minnesota 2022 type game conditions (so cold the refs called 0 penalties to get it over) or a Purdue 2015 game where we had the 8 inches of snow and wind chills well below zero.I’ve been there often in November. It can be cold, windy, snowing. The ducks are used to cold crappy weather, I don’t see a big advantage versus Oregon. USC and ucla are different.
The one that gave me the best giggle was Nebraska playing the Omaha Balloon School. You can't make it up.
Have not paid attention, is Oregon going to continue to play Oregon State annually?Compared to some others in conference
Ohio State Michigan Oregon Wisconsin Nebraska MinnesotaTexas New Mexico Montana St Miami (Ohio) Cincinnati Buffalo Grambling St @Oklahoma Oklahoma St MTSU Akron Northwestern St Ohio Central Michigan Oregon St @Alabama Houston Christian @California
Red balloons?The one that gave me the best giggle was Nebraska playing the Omaha Balloon School. You can't make it up.
And how often do we get those? And just when Oregon is in town You gave examples 7 years apart.We'll see when we have a Minnesota 2022 type game conditions (so cold the refs called 0 penalties to get it over) or a Purdue 2015 game where we had the 8 inches of snow and wind chills well below zero.
You said it was the same and it is in now way the friggin same. Avg temp in Eugene on Christmas is like 47 degrees so their winters don't get anywhere near ours for cold temps. There is a big difference in the cold and our northwest wind blowing out of Saskatchewan.And how often do we get those? And just when Oregon is in town You gave examples 7 years apart.
You said it was the same and it is in now way the friggin same. Avg temp in Eugene on Christmas is like 47 degrees so their winters don't get anywhere near ours for cold temps. There is a big difference in the cold and our northwest wind blowing out of Saskatchewan.
Yeah. The weather is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. It was 57 last Christmas in Chicago.You said it was the same and it is in now way the friggin same. Avg temp in Eugene on Christmas is like 47 degrees so their winters don't get anywhere near ours for cold temps. There is a big difference in the cold and our northwest wind blowing out of Saskatchewan.
They only have a deal to play the next few years and are talking about extending it, but Oregon wants 2 home games for every 1 road game, so we'll see if it happens.Have not paid attention, is Oregon going to continue to play Oregon State annually?
And Wisconsin is gonna get a brutal ass beating in Bama, worse than they suffered in Madison.
I believe if I were Oregon State I would accept that offer.They only have a deal to play the next few years and are talking about extending it, but Oregon wants 2 home games for every 1 road game, so we'll see if it happens.
Yeah very far from normal. You want to count on grilling outside at Christmas in the upper Midwest you are fooling yourself. With averages in the mid 40s I totally would be and probably have shorts on.Yeah. The weather is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. It was 57 last Christmas in Chicago.
That’s what Iowa should do for Iowa State. If they don’t like it…..they can go elsewhere.They only have a deal to play the next few years and are talking about extending it, but Oregon wants 2 home games for every 1 road game, so we'll see if it happens.
Yeah I would tooI believe if I were Oregon State I would accept that offer.