I’ll trade the three additional players Iowa has put in the NFL over whatever timeframe this covers for Auburn’s and Wisconsin’s recent successes.
Stats like these are great for recruiting and the Iowa program in general, but badger-007 poses a legit question. Why is it that Iowa is seemingly Top 15 in developing NFL talent, but is capable of actually fielding a Top 15 team at a current rate of once every three to five years? I would argue that Iowa football has become increasingly consistent, and consistently better over the past several years, but still trail the Badgers by 1.0 games won on average over the past five. One win per season is substantial.
I’m not expressing disappointment in Iowa football, the coaching staff, etc., so save the snarky responses. Just looking for some thoughtful discussion on the dissonance between stats like this (which measure the production of talent by a program) and actual on field results.
My initial thought is that it is a result of a lack of production at offensive skill positions, while other positions, especially on defense, have flourished. We’ve seen Iowa’s success (wins) increase drastically since Copeland was brought in and talent has improved in the receiver room. If you look at our losses in recent years, it feels like we almost always pin it on a lack of offensive production (of course there are exceptions, like at Purdue a couple years back). I feel like as we get more Smith’s, Smith-Marsette’s, Tracy’s, etc. in the program, Iowa could be elevated to Top 15 on an every/every other year basis versus on an every four year basis