Rank the remaining schedule

[Herky the Uruk-hai]

Of the games remaining - how do you rank the teams from hardest to easiest?

As of 10-5
Northwestern is probably the toughest
Indiana - a lot of OSU's struggles had to do with a much better Hoosier team.
Nebraska - definitely a struggle but I have a feeling they will be ready to play tough at the end of the season.
Minnesota - not the season they expected, but still have something to work with
Maryland - kind of like Minnesota, I think the beat down they are getting this year will take something out of them.
Purdue - hard to tell which team shows up but I am not as concern in Iowa City.
Illinois - I really like Iowa this week but it could be tougher than it needs to be.

My biggest concern is the toughest teams on the remaining schedule are also all road games for the Hawkeyes.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

Toughest opponent on the schedule is Illinois. ONE AT A TIME!!!

 

[Recruiting Violation]

If we're only considering regular-season (which is logical), I've got:

Tier 1
10/17 @Northwestern - They seem to be good this year, so we'll have to find a way to score. Fitz almost always has his team prepared for us. Plus, they are generally smarter than us, so we have to be very disciplined. I like our chances this year, because of what we've shown to this point. This looks to be by far our toughest remaining game.

Tier 2
11/14 Minnesota - If their defense is legit, then it may be a close game like Wisconsin. Minnesota should still have a lot left to play for at this point (trophy, bowl eligibility), so I expect their best shot.
11/7 @Indiana - I'm glad we're playing in November, because I think our superior depth will play a role. Sudfeld keeps getting hurt, and that Diamant kid looks like an 8th grader (though he's a lot bigger than last year, and obviously has some wheels). I think our defense can slow them down, but they can definitely score points.
10/10 Illinois - They have got to be confident after beating Nebraska last weekend, they've got very little to lose, and the team atmosphere must be so much better after dumping Beckman. We're getting them prior to Dudek coming back, and their RB is hurt, so I think we'll be okay.
11/27 @Nebraska - This may change as the year progresses, but they may be completely out of hope by Black Friday. I think getting them at 7-4 or 6-5 might be good, because they won't need to win for bowl eligibility, but they'll be out of the division race. If they need the win to get to a bowl, then this could be more difficult. Based on their lack of defense right now, though, I think we can win this, regardless of any other factors.

Tier 3
11/21 Purdue - They have some life, but I don't think they can keep up with us. By this point, they'll probably be out of contention for a bowl, so there won't be a lot to play for.
10/31 Maryland - I don't see this game getting the Terps very excited, and we'll want revenge for last year. Their team looks like garbage, so we should handle them.

 

[Recruiting Violation]

Toughest opponent on the schedule is Illinois. ONE AT A TIME!!!

We mustn't lose sight of our next opponent. Our jobs as fans is to focus on one game at a time!

 

[Rocky Johnson]

Northwestern
Indiana


ummmmmmmm.....


Nebraska?


The rest of these teams are just awful.

 

[millah_22]

Northwestern
Indiana


ummmmmmmm.....


Nebraska?


The rest of these teams are just awful.

I think
1. @Northwestern. Fitz knows how to game plan the Hawks and they have an incredible defense.
2. @Nebraska. They could just as easily be 5-0 as they are 2-3. A few bad bounces and Hawks in Lincoln could be the difference of bowl eligibility or not for the Huskers
3. @Indiana. If it were home I wouldn't be as nervous, but away in Bloomington is a different game
4.Home against Illinoi
5.@Maryland
6.Home against Minnesota
7.Home against Purdon't

 

[Herky the Uruk-hai]

Toughest opponent on the schedule is Illinois. ONE AT A TIME!!!

If you are talking as a player - I absolutely agree that your focus should always be on the next opponent regardless of what they have done to that point, but as fans we do have a bit more liberty to look ahead.

 

[hawkfan1963]

One at a time and every game is winnable. Barring a rash of injuries, it should be anywhere from a 9-12 win regular season. Also important is a new direction and improved focus on winning and creating a quality program for current and future palyers.