This season and Kirk: where do they rank all time?

[OnceAhawk]

IF Iowa were to beat Stanford, consider these final stats:
* Top 5 final national ranking
* 12-0 regular season
* 13-1 final record
* First Rose Bowl win since 1959 (57 years!)

If the above all happens (and they will if Iowa beats Stanford), where will this Iowa team rank all time? 2nd best, after the 1958 team?

And with the 13-1 final record, where would Ferentz rank all time at Iowa, considering:
* 2002 and 2015 National Coach of the Year
* 4 time Big 10 Coach of the Year
* FIVE times finished in the Top 8 of the final AP Poll
* Orange Bowl (BCS/Rose Bowl equivalent) win in 2002 season
* Rose Bowl win in 2015 season
* 127 wins at Iowa, 2nd most all time
* After just 4 wins in first 2 seasons, averaged 8.2 wins per year over the last 15 seasons

 

[yerpHAWK]

Best season in my life for sure. We'll see how MSU does, but may be the best season ever.

 

[OnceAhawk]

Best season in my life for sure. We'll see how MSU does, but may be the best season ever.

I can't believe I am saying this but i want MSU to win it all; it makes our season look better and it helps the perception of the B1G conference overall; the B1G would be the 2 time defending national champion and the SEC could shove that fact where the sun doesn't shine =)

 

[Qued18]

My favorite team win or lose...phenomenal year..ive seen more talented Iowa teams but none with more chemistry/ unity/leadership.

 

[bhuggins1955]

We need to place the 1958 team into a different category. It was the era of single platoon football and the rules were much different during that time. So, with that in mind I personally would rank this team at #2 behind the 1985 Hawkeyes. Yes, the '85 team was 10-2 but look at their schedule. at Ohio State, #2 Michigan and Michigan State. Purdue was a decent team and the Big Ten was loaded with great QB's. I still say had it not been for Harmon's 4 turnovers in the Rose Bowl, they had a real shot at being voted National Champions.

 

[Suterman]

The 1985 team was great, no doubt. But we sure didn't have it against OSU and the Rose Bowl was ridiculous. That last game for the 1985 Hawkeyes changed the perception of that team forever, and it can for this year's team too. If we win the Rose Bowl, this has to go down as the best Iowa team in the modern era. If we lay an egg, this team will have lost the 2 games against stiff competition and would have lost their last 2 games. One more chapter still to write for this team.

 

[Hawks_Rock_12]

I'm with Suterman let's wait for the outcome of the Rose Bowl GO HAWKS !

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Great question. As mentioned above, if we beat Stan & Mich St wins it all, hard to say this isn't the greatest Iowa team ever. Would've been a few inches and/or seconds from being Nat Champs. I would guess they'd finish 3rd n the nation in that scenario.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

I personally think the team with stanzi which beat gt in the orange, was an all around better team, top to bottom.

 

[paladinhawk]

I personally think the team with stanzi which beat gt in the orange, was an all around better team, top to bottom.

I would agree that the 09-10 Hawkeyes were more talented, but this team has (insert your favorite football cliche) something indescribable. Determination is the best I can come up with.

 

[509er]

We need to place the 1958 team into a different category. It was the era of single platoon football and the rules were much different during that time. So, with that in mind I personally would rank this team at #2 behind the 1985 Hawkeyes. Yes, the '85 team was 10-2 but look at their schedule. at Ohio State, #2 Michigan and Michigan State. Purdue was a decent team and the Big Ten was loaded with great QB's. I still say had it not been for Harmon's 4 turnovers in the Rose Bowl, they had a real shot at being voted National Champions.

That's four turnovers and a dropped pass in the end zone that hit him square in the chest.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

That's four turnovers and a dropped pass in the end zone that hit him square in the chest.

and reportedly a large payoff or something like that

 

[b10fn]

This team lacks the signature win that is labeled with great historical teams. I hope future schedules keep this in mind

 

[b10fn]

The 85 team was much more talented

 

[Herkmeister]

Best season of my long life, without doubt!!!!!!!!!!

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

It's been one helluva ride

 

[freemanbrenner]

I personally think the team with stanzi which beat gt in the orange, was an all around better team, top to bottom.

Highest finish in school history at seven.

 

[freemanbrenner]

From an "eye test" standpoint, 2002 is probably the best.

 

[OnceAhawk]

We need to place the 1958 team into a different category. It was the era of single platoon football and the rules were much different during that time. So, with that in mind I personally would rank this team at #2 behind the 1985 Hawkeyes. Yes, the '85 team was 10-2 but look at their schedule. at Ohio State, #2 Michigan and Michigan State. Purdue was a decent team and the Big Ten was loaded with great QB's. I still say had it not been for Harmon's 4 turnovers in the Rose Bowl, they had a real shot at being voted National Champions.

that 1985 team was great, no doubt; but do you think this year's team would fumble away a game like Iowa did in the 1986 Rose Bowl? I just think this team does not beat itself by making mistakes

but this year's team needs to win the Rose Bowl and finish 13-1 and if it does, they will have beaten 2 ranked teams on the road and the #6 team in the country; they will have also done something that 1985 could not do and that's win the grand daddy of them all

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

This team is rock solid across the board. Flashy? Nope, but don't underestimate this group. This is a very very good team and ranks right with the best teams under Ferentz

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

The '85 team only played 3 rated opponents ( # 2 Michigan, # 8 tO$U & # 13 UCLA ) We lost 2 and won the Michigan game on the last play of the game. If this team wins the Rose Bowl they're my # 1. If not then '02 takes the prize cause we lost to Clown U on a fluke and USC, who was hands down the best team in the country by the end of the season. They would only lose about 6 games in the next six years creating one of the great dynasties of all time. ( a cheating one to be sure )

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

Highest finish in school history at seven.

Highest finish is #2 in 1958.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

If we win the Rose Bowl there is no doubt this team is better than 02,09, and 85 (agree that 1958 team would be #1 but for argument sake we will stick with common era). If we go 13-1 and win Rose Bowl I would imagine we are ranked #3 or #4 at season end....don't care who we played, how MSU does, and especially do not care how much or little talent this team has compared to other teams....this team would be #1, 09 #2, 85 #3, and 02 #4....remember this team would be 12-0 playing in BCS bowl in old format and if 85 team ran off 12 in a row they would be national champions...."you are what your record says you are" and besides you have to win your bowl game to be ranked ahead of teams who did win their bowl game (if comparable)
And KF is the GOAT in Iowa football history if wins the Rose Bowl

 

[b10fn]

I'm talking strictly from a talent standpoint. The '85 team had the most...not even close. Also, they owned a signature win over the #2 ranked team in the nation. This team has a couple of nice road conference wins, but neither stack up with the win the '85 team had. Also, Ronnie Harmon had more talent in his pinky than any of our tailbacks. The fact that he threw the game against a very strong UCLA squad still burns in my gut. If he had only "fumbled" twice, we still win that game. The Iowa team that year was incredibly talented & was a joy to watch. I love CJ to death, but our offense back in '85 was loaded with talent.

 

[Pepperman]

And KF is the GOAT in Iowa football history if wins the Rose Bowl

I see what you are saying, but unless KF brings a national championship to Iowa City, Hayden Fry is the GOAT for me. He turned around a pathetic program, and brought a completely new attitude to Iowa.

If we're making a Hawkeye football Mount Rushmore where COACHES AND PLAYERS are eligible, Hayden is on that thing for sure. Nile Kinnick is there too. I'd assume most Hawk fans would put KF on it (including me), and then we'd have an argument about who the fourth person is. Chuck Long? Forest Evashevski? Probably one of those two?

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

If we win the Rose Bowl there is no doubt this team is better than 02,09, and 85 (agree that 1958 team would be #1 but for argument sake we will stick with common era). If we go 13-1 and win Rose Bowl I would imagine we are ranked #3 or #4 at season end....don't care who we played, how MSU does, and especially do not care how much or little talent this team has compared to other teams....this team would be #1, 09 #2, 85 #3, and 02 #4....remember this team would be 12-0 playing in BCS bowl in old format and if 85 team ran off 12 in a row they would be national champions...."you are what your record says you are" and besides you have to win your bowl game to be ranked ahead of teams who did win their bowl game (if comparable)
And KF is the GOAT in Iowa football history if wins the Rose Bowl

Everything he said is correct with the order of teams.

 

[hawkcub]

I see what you are saying, but unless KF brings a national championship to Iowa City, Hayden Fry is the GOAT for me. He turned around a pathetic program, and brought a completely new attitude to Iowa.

If we're making a Hawkeye football Mount Rushmore where COACHES AND PLAYERS are eligible, Hayden is on that thing for sure. Nile Kinnick is there too. I'd assume most Hawk fans would put KF on it (including me), and then we'd have an argument about who the fourth person is. Chuck Long? Forest Evashevski? Probably one of those two?

The HF's is better biggest argument on being better then KF is what he had to start with, there is valadity to that point. But this argument never takes into account being the guy after the guy isn't easy when the guy left the cupboard empty.

No way FE is on that list of Hawkeye Mt. Rushmore. He did as much to kill the program as AD as he did to help it as coach, probably more.

 

[hawkeye122671]

My Rushmore hawks are as follows:

Fry
Ferentz
Kinnick
Long

 

[GPRHAWK]

i could see us passing Oklahoma and Alabama if they lose and we win, so an outside shot at top 3. I was thinking maybe the playoff teams were guaranteed the top 4 spots, but looking back at last year's final rankings, I see they're not. Would be pretty hard to argue that it's not the best Iowa season, at least since 1958.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

This team lacks the signature win that is labeled with great historical teams. I hope future schedules keep this in mind

this

 

[Packer54]

This team lacks the signature win that is labeled with great historical teams. I hope future schedules keep this in mind

Agree with the first part of your statement but what control do they have over the Big Ten schedule? How is this team to blame for where Nebraska is for example. Also by at least playing Pitt our non conf was a bit stronger than Drake, N Illinois and ISU in 85. IF we beat Stanford we will have a signature win and this years accomplishment will surpass that of 85. But I will agree from a talent perspective the 85 team had more.

 

[OnceAhawk]

If we win the Rose Bowl there is no doubt this team is better than 02,09, and 85 (agree that 1958 team would be #1 but for argument sake we will stick with common era). If we go 13-1 and win Rose Bowl I would imagine we are ranked #3 or #4 at season end....don't care who we played, how MSU does, and especially do not care how much or little talent this team has compared to other teams....this team would be #1, 09 #2, 85 #3, and 02 #4....remember this team would be 12-0 playing in BCS bowl in old format and if 85 team ran off 12 in a row they would be national champions...."you are what your record says you are" and besides you have to win your bowl game to be ranked ahead of teams who did win their bowl game (if comparable)
And KF is the GOAT in Iowa football history if wins the Rose Bowl

everyone has an opinion; its interesting you think KF would be the greatest iowa coach of all time if we finish 13-1 and Rose Bowl champion; i am not saying you are wrong; its just interesting how perceptions of KF have changed this season

 

[GPRHAWK]

My Rushmore hawks are as follows:

Fry
Ferentz
Kinnick
Long

I would replace Long with Evasheski. Other than that looks right to me

 

[OnceAhawk]

The HF's is better biggest argument on being better then KF is what he had to start with, there is valadity to that point. But this argument never takes into account being the guy after the guy isn't easy when the guy left the cupboard empty.

No way FE is on that list of Hawkeye Mt. Rushmore. He did as much to kill the program as AD as he did to help it as coach, probably more.

Wasn't Evy a big reason Iowa had 19 consecutive non winning seasons before Fry?

One other thing about KF's legacy: he will be leaving the program in very good shape. Kinnick is about to go under more renovations and the football complex is as good as there is in football (college and pro)

 

[OnceAhawk]

Agree with the first part of your statement but what control do they have over the Big Ten schedule? How is this team to blame for where Nebraska is for example. Also by at least playing Pitt our non conf was a bit stronger than Drake, N Illinois and ISU in 85. IF we beat Stanford we will have a signature win and this years accomplishment will surpass that of 85. But I will agree from a talent perspective the 85 team had more.

this thread is full of great points; its not easy, is it, to compare teams from different generations.

kinda scary, isn't it, that that 85 team is from a different generation; where did those 30 years go?

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

this thread is full of great points; its not easy, is it, to compare teams from different generations.

kinda scary, isn't it, that that 85 team is from a different generation; where did those 30 years go?

Sure is! '85 to now does seem so different but '85 to '56 seems like a whole different game even though both span appx 30 years. It does seem like yesterday that we were on our way to Atlanta for the '82 Peach Bowl. We even bought a few beers for some Iowa players after the game in a bar downtown called Fitzgerald's.

 

[freemanbrenner]

I see what you are saying, but unless KF brings a national championship to Iowa City, Hayden Fry is the GOAT for me. He turned around a pathetic program, and brought a completely new attitude to Iowa.

If we're making a Hawkeye football Mount Rushmore where COACHES AND PLAYERS are eligible, Hayden is on that thing for sure. Nile Kinnick is there too. I'd assume most Hawk fans would put KF on it (including me), and then we'd have an argument about who the fourth person is. Chuck Long? Forest Evashevski? Probably one of those two?

Kirk ferentz four best finishes are better than Hayden's best. Ferentz already has an elite bowl win which fry does not have.

 

[MAXIMUSHAWKEYE]

My favorite team win or lose...phenomenal year..ive seen more talented Iowa teams but none with more chemistry/ unity/leadership.

Agree.. there have been more talented teams,I'm looking at you 2010. But these guys played for each other and as a team. They took advantage of the schedue. But how many teams have blown it against teams that had no business on the filed with Iowa.I'm looking at you Clowns.

 

[Packer54]

Sure is! '85 to now does seem so different but '85 to '56 seems like a whole different game even though both span appx 30 years. It does seem like yesterday that we were on our way to Atlanta for the '82 Peach Bowl. We even bought a few beers for some Iowa players after the game in a bar downtown called Fitzgerald's.

You are right. I have such vivid memories from that team and I guess that just speaks to how old I am. Peach Bowl was a hell of a lot of fun in the old stadium beating Tennessee. That is when I really felt we had turned the corned even though we had previously gone to the Rose Bowl. 85 felt like it was going to be our year until OSU took it to us. The Rose Bowl itself was just a haze to me. I was there and I have never watched a replay. I just could not believe what I was watching. Felt so bad for so many of those talented guys. This year has been phenomenal in a totally different way because nobody saw it coming. If they can finish it off with a win I just can't imagine a much better season. One thing both of these teams have (85 and now) although their style is different, is an exceptional leader at QB. I truly appreciate what both of them have meant to Iowa football and I am thrilled we have another year of CJ.

 

[BigHawksFan]

Best Iowa team I've ever seen. I think the '85 team had a better overall offense, but I may never see this happen again. But if Iowa wins the NC next year, I'll happily shit my pants.