Nebraska the Biggest Game in Iowa History So Far?

[Auger]

Iowa is playing for a chance at a National Title, B1G Championship and an undefeated season. Against Nebraska Iowa will be playing for 12 wins the most in an Iowa single season. Never before has Iowa been playing for so much at this point in a season. I can't remember a time in Iowa history where the last game of the regular season meant so much as this one. In '09, '02 and '91 we had a loss already two in '09 and early losses in '02 and '91. Back then we knew we were playing for something big but not this big. '85 is the only season that could compare to this but even then Iowa lost the 1st week of November and knew Rose was the best they could do.

In a few days when Iowa takes the field they will be playing for the chance that no other Iowa team in history has had a chance to play for at this point. A win and they will be on the inside track towards a National Title still. A loss means Iowa is likely not playing for as much in the B1G Championship. I realized all of this for a while now but all of this and Iowa's history just hit me. I am now sitting here at work trying to find tickets to Lincoln. I have to be at this game. Its great to be a Hawkeye!!

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

Once we hit 9-0, every game becomes the biggest in history. They will continue to do so. Even with a loss @ Nebraska. I am not 100% convinced Iowa is out of the thing if they win the B1G title. Call me crazy, but some craziness can happen.

 

[Auger]

I will say this when I look at the rosters of the '85, '91, '02 and '09 teams compared to this year there is a big talent difference. Funny how those things work sometimes. No disrespect to this years D but I would love to have the '09 D right now.

 

[5Fan5]

I will say this when I look at the rosters of the '85, '91, '02 and '09 teams compared to this year there is a big talent difference. Funny how those things work sometimes. No disrespect to this years D but I would love to have the '09 D right now.

Wait five or six more years and you will be singing the new praises of some of the 2015 D.

 

[HawkeyeDenny]

I now wish MSU would have beat Nebby even though a couple of weeks ago I thought it was amusing...they wouldnt be playing for their 6th win and being bowl eligible, they wouldn't be able to say they beat the top 2 teams in the B1G, etc...I do think that if owa loses a close game at Nebby and then still win the B1G champ game by double digits we could go...but Capt Kirk has to not site on the lead like he always does and run it up a little...

 

[JRHawk2003]

No

 

[icu81222]

Once 10-0, every game is the biggest of the year. This week is just another game in line.

I love how Nebraska does everything they can to feel relevant and to try desperately to steal any thunder they can by involving themselves in the convo.

Iowa/Michigan 1 vs 2 was biggest game ever. The CCG will be right there with it.

 

[grosie#2]

A big game but not as big as the Big 10 championship game.

 

[icu81222]

I will say this when I look at the rosters of the '85, '91, '02 and '09 teams compared to this year there is a big talent difference. Funny how those things work sometimes. No disrespect to this years D but I would love to have the '09 D right now.

You can't say that. How do you really know how these guys end up? Hindsight is kind of handy to use eh?

I think this roster is covered on NFL players. 2 DB's, at least 2 LB'S and at least 2 if not 3 DL.

 

[gojojo]

I will say this when I look at the rosters of the '85, '91, '02 and '09 teams compared to this year there is a big talent difference. Funny how those things work sometimes. No disrespect to this years D but I would love to have the '09 D right now.

I agree with this. This team seems to have the most chemistry of any Iowa team I can recall. I don't remember ever feeling so confident in an offense when we really need to move the ball and score than this team here. The 2015 O may not be as explosive as the 2002 offense, but I just feel more confident in CJ than I did with BB. Yes, I know about the Purdue game that year, but CJ just has the moxy that not many other Iowa QB's have had. Let's face it, BB looked like a deer in headlights in the Orange Bowl. I don't see that in CJ

And I would certainly take the 2004 or 2009 D over this one. The D the last few weeks has given cause for concern and is going to need to step up quite a bit if we are to make some big noise in the post season

 

[ichawk24]

You can't say that. How do you really know how these guys end up? Hindsight is kind of handy to use eh?

I think this roster is covered on NFL players. 2 DB's, at least 2 LB'S and at least 2 if not 3 DL.

Agreed that hindsight tells you exactly who makes the league and who doesn't. Who would have projected Karl Klug to a 5+ year NFL career?

There are plenty of current Hawkeyes that have a shot at the league that no one projected even 3 months ago. Jordan Walsh is certainly a midround draft pick, before the season he wasn't talked about as an NFL prospect. Guys like Ben Niemann and George Kittle may end up in the league.

 

[Auger]

Not even really talking NFL talent when comparing '09 D and this years. Back in '09 you knew that D could get to the QB with Calyborn, Binns, Ballard and Klug. Not only that but hardly anyone could run on them. Plus that LB core of Angerer, Hunter and Edds was one of the best LB groups of all time at Iowa. Many of the mistakes or letdowns of this years D have come from the DL and LB's.

 

[ichawk24]

2015
rushing yards per game: 7th nationally
yards per carry: 15th
TD: 4th

2009
rushing yards per game: 34th
yards per carry: 28th
TD: 9 th

 

[ChosenChildren]

When you are undefeated, every next game is the "biggest game"

 

[beatdahuskers]

This game is not even on the radar of the most important.

The goal is to win the Big Ten. The UN game is insignificant in achieving that goal. You can win a National Championship with one loss, but you can't win it if you don't win the conference championship.

With that being said, a loss could diminish the odds of making the playoff even if we won the Big Ten title depending upon how other top ranked teams fare in the next two weeks.

 

[TankHawk]

Iowa is undefeated playing an unranked, six loss team. Biggest game ever?
Are you kidding me?

 

[gojojo]

2015
rushing yards per game: 7th nationally
yards per carry: 15th
TD: 4th

2009
rushing yards per game: 34th
yards per carry: 28th
TD: 9 th

hate to jump on the national narrative about schedule, but MSU, OSU, PST, and Michigan are different that Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois, and Maryland. I like our offense better in 2015, but I would take that D over this one. These last few weeks have been a little concerning on D, don't you agree?

 

[FloridaHawk82]

This game is not even on the radar of the most important.

The goal is to win the Big Ten. The UN game is insignificant in achieving that goal. You can win a National Championship with one loss, but you can't win it if you don't win the conference championship.

With that being said, a loss could diminish the odds of making the playoff even if we won the Big Ten title depending upon how other top ranked teams fare in the next two weeks.

Huge game, only because we are 11-0. We have all assumed we have to be 13-0 to make the CFP, which is still probably true, but with recent losses, now there is still an outside chance a 12-1 B1G champ Iowa gets consideration. What would have to happen?

Making assumptions for CFP spots...

1. SEC. Bama or UF
2. ACC. Clemson, or maybe NC
3. B12. OK or OKS
4. B10 or Notre Dame

13-0 Iowa in

IF Stanford beats ND, it could come down to a 2 Loss Stanford vs a 1 Loss B1G.

So, let's just go 13-0, but just in case, Go Stanford!

 

[Auger]

2015
rushing yards per game: 7th nationally
yards per carry: 15th
TD: 4th

2009
rushing yards per game: 34th
yards per carry: 28th
TD: 9 th

With Drew Ott I think this years DL is right up there with the '09 DL however without him and our QB pressure has almost been non existent. Without Ott we have only 23 sacks and you have to remember with Ott Meier got most of his. Some might say we have benefited also from a somewhat easy schedule. The '09 team D was tested against a very good Ohio St team that finished 5th, and Penn St team that finished 9th and a Wisconsin team that finished 16th not to mention some good offenses from both Michigan and Michigan St. Only 1 offense in the B1G this year that we have faced would rank in the top 6 from what the '09 team faced from the B1G.

 

[El Simbolo]

Well, it's the first time in a long while that we can say "if we win our next 4 games we're national champs"

1985 got to the point where they could say "if we win our next 5". 02 and 09 never reqlly controlled their own destiny

 

[Hawks_Rock_12]

Lot's of football left this season. Worst case 11-3 is still a very good year !

 

[Bernard P. Fife MD]

Although I wasn't around, wouldn't some of Evy's games be considered to be bigger than this weeks game? I think Howard Jones had 2 teams go undefeated.

Having said that, this is a huge game, and to be completely honest, I am a little nervous for all the reasons that have been iterated. I have said for a long time this was the one I was worried about. But, I'm trying to just enjoy the ride.

And, some may say I'm foolish, but I'm expecting Iowa to win the whole thing. Why not?

 

[BleedRed89]

Once 10-0, every game is the biggest of the year. This week is just another game in line.

I love how Nebraska does everything they can to feel relevant and to try desperately to steal any thunder they can by involving themselves in the convo.

Iowa/Michigan 1 vs 2 was biggest game ever. The CCG will be right there with it.

Commenting on the game is us "trying to feel relevant"?

Amazing what Iowa has done this year, but lighten up. Obviously we want to see our boys win on Friday, just like you do. You just have a lot more on the line.

 

[BleedRed89]

This game is not even on the radar of the most important.

The goal is to win the Big Ten. The UN game is insignificant in achieving that goal. You can win a National Championship with one loss, but you can't win it if you don't win the conference championship.

With that being said, a loss could diminish the odds of making the playoff even if we won the Big Ten title depending upon how other top ranked teams fare in the next two weeks.

Sorry, but I just had to point out how ironic this statement is considering your handle...

 

[Kurt Warner]

With all that's at stake with the nebby game?? Hell yes if possibly winning a national title means anything to ya, this game is super huge. These senerios or chances rarely come along for a team like iowa.

 

[aurorabimmer]

Not...for all the reasons already given.

 

[UncleChesterton]

Once we hit 9-0, every game becomes the biggest in history. They will continue to do so. Even with a loss @ Nebraska. I am not 100% convinced Iowa is out of the thing if they win the B1G title. Call me crazy, but some craziness can happen.

Why not? Alabama will have 1 loss and will be in. I think a 1 loss B1G CC is in, especially since Iowa will have had to beat 11-1 MSU or MSU will have had to beat 11-1 Iowa.

People really want to see where the SEC vs. B1G narrative is at.

 

[Suterman]

It's a big game no matter how you slice it. It is also the easiest game we have left. If we can run, we can win.