Would you rather…

[Rose bowl or bust]

This is a really tough hypothetical.

Big 10 - way more prestigious and brings a lot of money. Good natural rivals with 4 border schools. Never going to win the regular season, and a real long shot to even make CCG - not to mention win it. Outside chance to make playoffs once a decade or so if the stars align as the 3rd or 4th team in. Let’s be honest…do any of us really expect Iowa to win a national title? I know I’ll never see it.

Big 12 - less money and relevance, but much better competitive balance. Real chance to win conference titles…is this Iowa’s ceiling? Games would have real value if you’re chasing a title, even though it’s ONLY a conference title. Is a conference title from BIG12 less impressive than 4th place in BIG 10?

 

[Rose bowl or bust]

We tied for 5th …..WITH THIS SCHEDULE. That’s an issue. If next years schedule is any indication of what we have to look forward to, I don’t see us finishing better than 5th most years.

And we returned how many starters? 9 guys on defense and an offensive line that has started like 150 games. This was probably the softest schedule we could have hoped for.

 

[swagsurfer02]

Leave and give up all that shared revenue??

Not. A. Chance.


Also, with the way things are changing, teams like Iowa will be very dependent on that new influx of money to compete in terms of spending on recruits & the transfer portal.

I don’t have much faith in what we spend on recruiting and the transfer portal. Cade McNamara, Eric All, Nick Jackson, Kaleb Brown?? were our big portal gets.

I would suggest Nick Jackson is the best out of the bunch by a long shot and it’s not really close.

Besides Jackson, Gill and Sullivan were our best gets. Not sure how much NIL either of them recieved. What im saying is, I don’t have a lot of faith in the staff on navigating the portal or NIL.

 

[swagsurfer02]

And we returned how many starters? 9 guys on defense and an offensive line that has started like 150 games. This was probably the softest schedule we could have hoped for.

Exactly this, it’s like conference prestige means something. No one is walking around with the conference emblem on their chest and if they are it’s worth making fun of.

 

[Rose bowl or bust]

Exactly this, it’s like conference prestige means something. No one is walking around with the conference emblem on their chest and if they are it’s worth making fun of.

Yeah, but we’re being willfully ignorant if we dismiss the $30+ million that comes with being in the BIG10 vs BIG12. The prestige only matters because it affects the pocket book.

 

[swagsurfer02]

Yeah, but we’re being willfully ignorant if we dismiss the $30+ million that comes with being in the BIG10 vs BIG12. The prestige only matters because it affects the pocket book.

No doubt, cash is king. I’m just not sure teams like South Carolina, Mizzou, and Kentucky get some clout because Georgia, Bama, and LSU were winning titles.

My fear is that is going to be Iowa fans go to….”we play in a real conference”. It just doesn’t mean beans if you don’t actually win anything.

 

[ASUHawkeye]

There’s still nothing better than the big venues and big games. I’ve loved living in WA and being a season ticket holder at Husky Stadium the past 3 seasons. It’s elite. I also loved going to Kinnick as a kid. Iowa is a big time program and fits in the BIG.

The Big 12 has some amazing stories and is entertaining but a weird mix of average schools. I’m pumped my Alma mater appears to have found the right coach and hope they beat ISU. Iowa fans will love Skattebo and Leavitt.

 

[ASUHawkeye]

No doubt, cash is king. I’m just not sure teams like South Carolina, Mizzou, and Kentucky get some clout because Georgia, Bama, and LSU were winning titles.

My fear is that is going to be Iowa fans go to….”we play in a real conference”. It just doesn’t mean beans if you don’t actually win anything.

As scary as the NIL can be, it’ll even things out with colleges being able to pay players some. We are already seeing it this season. Teams aren’t near as dominant as they once were and talent is spreading out. Even last year, we had two new teams in the NC.

 

[HawkBall23]

Yeah, it appears the staff is not very good at choosing players due to roster needs, from the portal, but staying in the B1G is likely realistically the only chance they'll have to hit it right every now and again.

 

[ASUHawkeye]

USC Michigan Ohio St Oregon and Penn State will always pump the NIL in.

The rest of the league will be hoping for lightning in a bottle along with an easy schedule. Indiana this year.

Washington is about to have more than USC. They have two billionaires that recently got involved (the next cycle) but not near to the level of Nike $ but enough to have them top 15ish in the coming years.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

This might be the most idiotic question thread ever. May OP die by fireants.

 

[swagsurfer02]

This might be the most idiotic question thread ever. May OP die by fireants.

I guess that’s a possibility of happening, but just incase it doesn’t you should answer the question.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

I'd lose all respect and fandom if they left. There is no argument that could change my mind.

 

[AEG82]

I’ve said it before, I don’t think the new conference alignment is good for teams like Iowa. We got rid of divisions and the Big Ten West was pretty mediocre. Plus we added an elite to very good team in Oregon, and a couple decent teams in Washington and USC……and a bad team UCLA (which some how beat us this year).

ISU looks to be heading to their conference championship game and it seems we beat them more often than not.

Not sure Iowa has much of a shot of winning the conference or even finishing 2nd in the Big Ten.

Hypothetically speaking…. Would it be better to be in a “lesser” conference and be in the championship hunt annually with a crack at the playoff more often?

Okay, stop worrying lol.

In 5-7 years time based on media deals, only B1G and SEC teams will be able to get into the playoffs. The B1G and SEC decide the playoff system. They decide everything. They are God and it's really only the B1G honestly. They are the committee. ISU may not even have an FBS team at that point as a result. I keep saying it but nobody seems to understand or read this. I get it but damn, this is what will happen. All that these teams on the outside are doing is auditioning and ISU isn't getting into the B1G for a myriad of reasons. After everything that has happened the last 15 years regarding college football, how is it possible for people not to see the signs at this point?

ISU remains on the brink...nothing has changed. Nobody gives two shits what the B12 does. Remember how they were shitting their pants during realignment on each occasion...nothing has changed. They still should be. No foresight and denial are evident but they're still in major trouble.

The B12 won't exist in the highest level of football soon. So no, I wouldn't trade places with them in a million years.

400+ million annually per team (and rising) with schools allowed to pay players trumps 50 million annually per team (and lowering).

Never in a million years would I want to be outside of the B1G. Anyone on the outside is essentially an FCS equivalent. Money, money, money rules the day and we have lots and lots of it. ISU doesn't and never will.

Don't worry about them and let them enjoy their moment. It's all they'll ever have. It doesn't mean anything really. I'd rather have a team to watch at the highest level so no, I wouldn't want to compete in a half ass conference just to say we're the winner. Play the best, beat the best, be the TRUE champion IMO.

 

[JerNHawk]

Anybody that votes leave for the Big 12 is a beta.

 

[hahkize]

Leave and give up all that shared revenue??

Not. A. Chance.


Also, with the way things are changing, teams like Iowa will be very dependent on that new influx of money to compete in terms of spending on recruits & the transfer portal.

Not to mention women's basketball, baseball, track, and many other sports

 

[hahkize]

This is a really tough hypothetical.

Big 10 - way more prestigious and brings a lot of money. Good natural rivals with 4 border schools. Never going to win the regular season, and

Big 12 - less money and relevance, but much better competitive balance. Real chance to win conference titles…is this Iowa’s ceiling? Games would have real value if you’re chasing a title, even though it’s ONLY a conference title. Is a conference title from BIG12 less impressive than 4th place in BIG 10?

Is a MAC or Mountain West or AAC (or any smaller DI for that matter) title better than 4th in the Big10?

Iowa isn't going anywhere. ISU would give Pollard's left nut and more to be in the B1G. It's all about the $$$. OUT left the rest of the llittle 12 behind for $. UsCLA left the Pac12 for $ which led Oregon and UW wanting to leave for the $. FSU, Clemson, UNC, Miami want out of the ACC for the $.

The Big10 offers, not only CFP $ but also research $ that no other P5 conference can.

The new Big12 is equivalent to the old B12 North, which ISU tied for a couple times under McCartney, which was equivalent to the MAC, MWC, etc. There are NO big dogs left in that conference and ASU, Colo, KU, BYU and Utah would jump at the chance to join the coming P2. Some may/will get a chance. Will ISU?

 

[hahkize]

Exactly this, it’s like conference prestige means something. No one is walking around with the conference emblem on their chest and if they are it’s worth making fun of.

Kind of like making fun of ISU's B12 North Co-Champions.

 

[hahkize]

In 5-7 years time based on media deals, only B1G and SEC teams will be able to get into the playoffs. All that these teams on the outside are doing is auditioning and ISU isn't getting into the B1G for a myriad of reasons.
ISU remains on the brink...nothing has changed. Nobody gives two shits what the B12 does.

The B12 won't exist in the highest level of football soon.

400+ million annually per team (and rising) with schools allowed to pay players trumps 50 million annually per team (and lowering).

Thank you.

ESPN upped the payout to the B12 to hasten the exit of OUT to the SEC which Espn also controls. I believe their media deal is up for re-do this year or next. Let's see what they get compared to the Big10 and SEC. There are very few remaining programs in that league that draw viewers which is the key. KU gets eyes for BB.

The Big10 and SEC, along w/ their media partners may opt for a 3rd Power conference to help w/ scheduling but only those w/ the means and will to spend the $ will get in. (Some in the P2 may decide to opt out) This 3rd conference will have brands (names) that draw viewers so the media have games for prime slots that are not tOSU vs NW or Georgia vs Vandy which don't add revenue. They would also have access to the CFP and payout to the 3rd league will be less than what the Big10 and SEC receive but larger than B12, Pac12, etc. Candidates for P3 would include opt-outs from the B10 and SEC along with NCState, Duke, VaTech, Utah, Pitt, 'Cuse, Wake, Cal, Stanford, GaTech, Louisville, Baylor, UVa, WVU, Colo, Okie Lite, TTU, TCU, KU, ....

Fascinating to watch.

 

[uihawk82]

I’ve said it before, I don’t think the new conference alignment is good for teams like Iowa. We got rid of divisions and the Big Ten West was pretty mediocre. Plus we added an elite to very good team in Oregon, and a couple decent teams in Washington and USC……and a bad team UCLA (which some how beat us this year).

ISU looks to be heading to their conference championship game and it seems we beat them more often than not.

Not sure Iowa has much of a shot of winning the conference or even finishing 2nd in the Big Ten.

Hypothetically speaking…. Would it be better to be in a “lesser” conference and be in the championship hunt annually with a crack at the playoff more often?

Right now you would be losing a lot of money leaving the Big 10 to the Big 12. So no.

Iowa just needs to up their game. It will probably take Kirk retiring to do this in order to have a really good offense that attracts recruits. Got to keep the really top defense.

Do you want to play Houston, W Virginia, Texas Tech, UCF, and Cincy or play Wisky, MSU, Mich, or Penn ST etc.

 

[uihawk82]

Guys, there isn't a 3 loss team in the current top 12. You really think they'd leave out a 10-2 big10 team?

Just stop

Right now the Big 10 has 4 teams in; OSU is not dropping much because one of their losses is to #1 by 1 point on the road.

The SEC will get at least 3 in because right now they have a 1 loss and 2 2 loss teams and a team should not get dinged by losing their conf champ game.

That is 7 teams and 2 from the ACC and 1 more P4 conf champions make 10; then you get Boise for 11 and one at large.

Miami, if they lose their conf champ game might get in with 3 losses.

 

[doughuddl2]

I get what you’re saying but I’m not sure fans will be happy with getting their teeth kicked in just so they can parrot “at least we are in the Big Ten”

NIT FOOTBALL, BABY!

NEXT 12 IN!!

 

[uihawk82]

This is a really tough hypothetical.

Big 10 - way more prestigious and brings a lot of money. Good natural rivals with 4 border schools. Never going to win the regular season, and a real long shot to even make CCG - not to mention win it. Outside chance to make playoffs once a decade or so if the stars align as the 3rd or 4th team in. Let’s be honest…do any of us really expect Iowa to win a national title? I know I’ll never see it.

Big 12 - less money and relevance, but much better competitive balance. Real chance to win conference titles…is this Iowa’s ceiling? Games would have real value if you’re chasing a title, even though it’s ONLY a conference title. Is a conference title from BIG12 less impressive than 4th place in BIG 10?

Let's look at this years outcomes. An 8-4 overall record, 6-3 in the Big 10, which is just 1 game behind OSU in the loss column. I am not sure if Van Ness would have still been here but DeJean could have.

If Iowa has its normal really good developmental team on the field and has a few all american type talents then lets see what happens. If we had DeJean to lock down one corner, and a Van Ness still here this defense is top 10.

If we have a really good running game and can get a better passing game with a better QB and a couple of receivers, then this offense would be more balanced and scoring 35 pts a game on avg. Throw in a top Lbkr Jack Campbell type and the usual top 10 Tight End.

With that type of situation I think Iowa can be a 10 win team and in the running for the Big Champ Game and then on to the CFP playoffs more often than you think.

 

[Clone2]

Kind of like making fun of ISU's B12 North Co-Champions.

Or winning the BIG West and getting humiliated in the title games?

 

[hahkize]

Or winning the BIG West and getting humiliated in the title games?

Exactly. But you've never seen me post praises on KF / crew for winning the B10 West.

 

[littlez]

I clearly would never want to leave the Big Ten. But as of now some of you talk about all this money that’s coming in and how much it’s “helping us.” Someone correct me if I’m wrong but NIL money is totally separate from TV contracts and such. In the end NIL is where the rubber meets the road. And a coach. There’s currently 3-4 legit teams in the league and 13-14 teams living off their coattails. We’re not going to get any legit wide receivers or quarterbacks to come here unless we make some changes. And we all know that’s not happening. Our best receiver was a cast off from Northwestern. The University is getting all this money but what are we actually doing with it? Our best win was Minnesota, which won 7 games. We’re a long ways away from the big boys running our conference.

 

[Rose bowl or bust]

Let's look at this years outcomes. An 8-4 overall record, 6-3 in the Big 10, which is just 1 game behind OSU in the loss column. I am not sure if Van Ness would have still been here but DeJean could have.

If Iowa has its normal really good developmental team on the field and has a few all american type talents then lets see what happens. If we had DeJean to lock down one corner, and a Van Ness still here this defense is top 10.

If we have a really good running game and can get a better passing game with a better QB and a couple of receivers, then this offense would be more balanced and scoring 35 pts a game on avg. Throw in a top Lbkr Jack Campbell type and the usual top 10 Tight End.

With that type of situation I think Iowa can be a 10 win team and in the running for the Big Champ Game and then on to the CFP playoffs more often than you think.

And this marvelous 8-4 season was against a REALLY easy conference schedule. We didn’t play #1, #2, #3, Tied#5, or Tied#7. Our best win was against Tied#7 Minnesota. Our opponents were a combined 31-44 in conference. The opponents we lost to were a combined 13-14…the opponents we beat were 18-36. This conference slate was brutally easy. Once again, in a game against a top level conference opponent, we lost 35-7 to OSU.

Iowa, in this mega conference, isn’t sniffing a title any time soon.

 

[luvmyhawks]

Calling the Big 10 West “mediocre” is… optimistic.

Calling the big 12 “mediocre” is… dumb.

 

[Iafootballfan]

Calling the big 12 “mediocre” is… dumb.

Sagarin has it as the 2nd best conference this year. I'm sure you have a very, very rational reason to say otherwise.

 

[hexumhawk]

Not even a question.

Teams like Iowa have the money and the P2 will get the lions share of the playoff spots going forward. BIG12 will probably only get 1 team in most years as it stands right now.

 

[AEG82]

Sagarin has it as the 2nd best conference this year. I'm sure you have a very, very rational reason to say otherwise.

It's not. That's me being rational. That's you wanting it to be true and finding sources that back up your belief.

To everyone with eyes and isn't trying to be confrontational, it's pretty obvious. We should know what pedestrian football looks like being in the B1G West previously. Your conference is definitely pedestrian but hey, keep fighting the good fight.

Pro tip, I know you're new in trying to defend a winning team under false circumstances while trolling so let me help you out...Sagarin is irrelevant and so is your continued usage of it. Not going to get anyone to listen using bad arguments like that.

 

[Iafootballfan]

It's not. That's me being rational.

Rational based on... what? Show me something to prove the power ratings and metric sites incorrect.

 

[AEG82]

Rational based on... what? Show me something to prove the power ratings and metric sites incorrect.

It's like arguing with a 12 year old. I'm good.

 

[Iafootballfan]

It's like arguing with a 12 year old. I'm good.

Another day of asking you to provide proof of the BS you type on here, another day of you lacking to do so.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Rational based on... what? Show me something to prove the power ratings and metric sites incorrect.

It's obvious.

Anyone who thinks the Big12 is a better football league than the Big10 this season, simply doesn't know what they're watching

 

[eyesofhawk]

IMO, Iowa would be the best team in the Big12 this season.

But I also understand that I could never win that argument, because there are some who believe ISU is the league's best team, and the head-to-head result will always trump in a situation where both teams can argued for

 

[Iafootballfan]

IMO, Iowa would be the best team in the Big12 this season.

But I also understand that I could never win that argument, because there are some who believe ISU is the league's best team, and the head-to-head result will always trump in a situation where both teams can argued for

Head to head result is the best indicator but it’s not perfect in determining the better team. For example ISU won in Kinnick in 2022 but we were the better team however we won in Ames in 2019 and they were the better team.

 

[Iafootballfan]

It's obvious.

Anyone who thinks the Big12 is a better football league than the Big10 this season, simply doesn't know what they're watching

I’m curious. Was the Big 10 better than the Big 12 when the Big 12 runner up beat the B10 winner in the playoff in 2022?

 

[Iron Doc]

Humble Suggestion:

Resurrect the old Southwest Conference,
join the conference,
enjoy the wild & wooly existence.

Rotous fun would be the norm.

 

[littlez]

IMO, Iowa would be the best team in the Big12 this season.

But I also understand that I could never win that argument, because there are some who believe ISU is the league's best team, and the head-to-head result will always trump in a situation where both teams can argued for

Should it not? And the game was also in Iowa City.