No. 11 Iowa stays perfect, beats Wisconsin 20-10

Hey Hawks, thanks for letting us crack the BCS Top 25 with that loss.... LOL

Pat M :

Thanks for setting me straight Pat..I'm sure glad there are people like you out there to keep things into perspective. You are the Master...of the obvious. Please use more sports cliches' next time.

To floatpool:

"I'd also put UNI down as a quality win for the Hawkeyes. UNI gave them more of a fight than Iowa State. I have family that attended all three of those fine institutions, so I'm throwing them a bone. As for my University of Central Missouri Mules..well they sucked against Missouri Western, but they still have the coolest mascot in Division II."

You are the only who thinks that. Granted UNI is a fine team and could beat many Div I teams, but on a good day, UNI is at best an average D-I team. Iowa should have buried them, and Ark State. These two close wins are the reason why Iowa is only ranked 11th while being undefeated. If the Hawkeyes had blown them out they would be ranked well into the top ten. As of now they are ranked too low to be in a position to play in the national championship game assumig they go undefeated. Too many other factors outside of their control would have to happen for them to play in a BCS chanpionship game; all becasue they couldn't blow out two teams that Richmod could easily handle.

To p_manshein:

" If Iowa had the recruiting classes that these other teams had, they would be a force in any league. " Huh? If Vanderbilt had the talent these other had they too would be contenders, or Iowa State or...

To: {GLL}WOLF6:

I never said South Carolina gave up, read my post again.

"Don't lump Kirk Ferentz in with the rest of the Big Ten coaches...hes done more with less and left a lot of teams scratching their head! Their schedule this year includes wins over @ PSU (6-1), Mich (5-2), @ Wisc (5-2), Arizona (4-2) and @ Iowa St (4-3)...that's impressive, no matter what the conference! "

I think Ferentz is easily one of best coaches in all of football. He is the real reason why the Hawkeyes are where they are; however, that still does not take away the fact that the Big Ten is highly over rated. While the teams mentioned are good quality teams, none of them would seriously contend in any other major conference. PSU would be at best a 7-5 team in the PAC 10 or SEC. Michigan would probably struggle to be 5-7.

I'd also put UNI down as a quality win for the Hawkeyes. UNI gave them more of a fight than Iowa State. I have family that attended all three of those fine institutions, so I'm throwing them a bone. As for my University of Central Missouri Mules..well they sucked against Missouri Western, but they still have the coolest mascot in Division II.

Enjoyed the AM 1490 KBUR radio show about the Iowa Hawkeyes. Thanks for keeping the working folks on Saturday informed, play by play. The game was awesome and so was the radio show!

Pat M: To say Iowa would not be winning in leagues like the Pac-10, Big East, or ACC is ridiculous. Iowa could beat anyone in the Pac-10 hands down. USC would be the OSU for them, a difficult challenge. Iowa has done more with less than any team I can think of. Iowa's recruitment classes rarely have more than two 4-star recruits, having people like Shonn Greene (3-star) and Amari Spievey (2-star) or go back further to Bob Sanders and Dallas Clark. If Iowa had the recruiting classes that these other teams had, they would be a force in any league.

Pat M,

First of all did you happen to catch the Ark/Fla game, "anybody can beat anybody on any given Saturday" is NOT limited to the Big Ten! (The state of Big Ten football is actually on the rebound.) You discredit Iowa's win against South Carolina because that team gave up...OK, why then were they selected to play in that bowl game? Not Iowa's fault. They lined up and beat whoever they had to, to win. They are 2-2 against teams from the Big 12 and SEC in their recent bowl games...wins against LSU and USC, and close losses to Florida (thanks to the MAC refs who couldn't handle the speed of that game and missed several calls, including how to call an on-side kick) and an over-matched 6-6 Iowa squad against Colt McCoy and Texas, nearly shocking everyone! Don't lump Kirk Ferentz in with the rest of the Big Ten coaches...hes done more with less and left a lot of teams scratching their head! Their schedule this year includes wins over @ PSU (6-1), Mich (5-2), @ Wisc (5-2), Arizona (4-2) and @ Iowa St (4-3)...that's impressive, no matter what the conference! And if they were in some of these other conferences don't you think they would have more athletes than they do? You bet they would! Coach Ferentz would own a lot more wins than he does if Iowa played in SEC or PAC-10 where he could recruit some of these "fair-weather" athletes who don't want to play in the snow and cold! (AND PS: IOWA would own the MAC, ACC, or the Big East...even more so than they are the Big-10 right now!)

15-1starting at 11;00 on sat. bret should go to coaching high school and try to start anew record streak high school starts at the most 7;00 on friday night here in madison good luck

To Philip M:

The only reason why any team can get beat on any given Saturday is because the Big Ten is not a good conference. The conference has lots of average teams with a few that are above average. Iowa is a good team and would be an above .500 team in any conference, but they would not be where they are at now if they played in the SEC, Big 12, PAC, or even the ACC or Big East, and, perhaps they would not be in first place in the MAC. The Big Ten is an over rated conference that convinces the media to keep following it becasue of its past glory. You say they are rebuilding? Still? Seems the conference has ben rebuilidng for the last seven or eight years. The conference teams have trouble winning bowl games, unless they play some lower rung has been in a low budget bowl. Take last year. Iowa was the only Big Ten team to win and that came against a dreadfull South Carolina team. I honestly think Scott Community College could have beaten the Game@#$%. And, about six years ago I remember four Big Ten teams all falling to SEC teams in major bowl games. Three of those four got absolutely blown out. Totally embarresing the midwest. The Big Ten just ain't what it used to be. Thing is, it has been this way for a long time.

Go Hawks !!!!

Iowa is quite possibly the best team that nobody is talking about. Expect then to take it all the way this year. They beat Michigan, Penn state, and Wisconsin already and they will have no problems with Ohio state later this year.

Strange things happen in College Football. I guess that is why many of us prefer College to Pro football. Another crazy win for the Hawks. If horrible gets it done then I will be happy to watch 6 more horrible. ugly wins. But there is plenty of football to be played before we can relax. Am I completely suprised by Iowa's success..............no. These guys were close last year in 4 games and 2 years a go they struggled as young players. They have been working towards success. Next year could be even better if some guys opt to finish before going pro. The Big 10 has been rebuilding the last couple years. Iowa is on track and hungry, michigan is on the prowl, Ohio State was too busy knocking USC around that they forgot to score enough points to win. This week they stumbled, Next week they will be back and ready. Wisconsin is always a gamer, Purdue just decided to go toe-to-toe and was rewarded. On any given Saturday you can get beat. You just have to bring your A game and find a way to win. As long as Iowa wins I am content that they avoid the spotlight of the media. Why distract the players, coaches and staff? Only the final poll means anything. No sense peaking too soon.

Bruno,


Goodness gracious was that a classic misdirection play. I didn’t act mad, I wasn’t harsh and to tell you the truth I am giddy about how this year has shook out. I don’t think Iowa is being disrespected, or I should say if they are I don’t care. That close game with UNI was an absolute gift. That’s all anyone can still talk about. Even though that same UNI (who did look past their own conference rival today) has put up 255 points since.

The truth is you didn’t say anything in your 2nd post other than try to play me off as irrational. I only responded to you because I thought you at least took the time to make some lucid points. I then pointed out how limited the thinking was. Every rival team fan in America could make those same claims about all their recent competition. I pointed out some scores, records and the general lack of a dominating team. You didn’t really say anything. That’s fine of course. When it comes right down to it these blogs/message boards are kind of silly if not out & out creepy, but really………. Iowa hardly has a monopoly on erratic play.

I don’t care if Iowa is in the top 10 (those things typically take care of themselves) and I’d just as soon the media slow play them. All I’m saying is Iowa has copious amounts of future NFL talent on their team. Some preseason rag postulated Iowa has 5, O-linemen who will be in NFL camps next year (some as free agents obviously and a few of those being NON-starters this year) and their best talent is on D, per usual.

Point being time and time again good or bad people make these grandiose assumptions about Iowa doing more with less without having a clue what they are talking about. There aren’t 10 Lbers in the country who can cover a Wr downfield like AJ Edds (who is 6’4” 245) and Angerer is actually faster at 4.57.

And really the thing that probably gets the biggest chuckle out of me is the herd mentality that these announcers and most college football fans have. The lack of insight, perspective or original thought is just baffling.

Is anyone awake at the switch here?!?! Texas has looked amazingly average.

OU proves no one (even teams that recruit top 10 classes every year) has sufficient depth. USC, more of the same and their best win is either OSU in a very close ugly game that doesn‘t look so hot or vs. ND whom Michigan beat and can’t stop anyone. Washington has now lost 3 games and should have lost 4.

Florida has serious deficiencies in their passing game.

Va Tech very up & down.

KU, Nebbie and everyone not Texas is very up & down and quite suspect.

Oregon may be the best team in the PAC and they have passing issues.

LSU is very, very limited and everyone outside of UF/Bama are very average. Auburn sure crumbled to earth fast.

Cincy is probably pretty good, but I’ll wait a game or two.

I like Miami but they’ll lose again.

PSU is actually very good, like it or not and truth be told I think Wiscy is solid. I thought we were better coming in and I actually thought they played pretty solid. Iowa has a tendency to wear teams down. So the 2nd half is usually our thing, but we have lots of work to do still. MSU, NW, even IU in the past has given us fits. We aren’t a lock to win any of those.

In finality I don’t mean your “mad”, but your words are those of sourness. Iowa has given up a high of 354 yds to UNI and has basically only given up 300 yards to all the rest of their opp. With 230 to you and 253 to AZ. They have only given up more than 20-1st downs I think once. I was counting “big” plays the other day and I believe they have only given up like 15 plays greater than 20 yards. That’s amazzzzing. I think they have only given up like 3, maybe 4 TD’s greater than 10 yards and none longer than 14. Heck we’ve only given up 9 TD’s and some of these teams have scored a bunch in other games.

I don’t think Iowa is great, I’m just baffled that all anyone can think about is that 1st game. Heck that may be Iowa’s gift this year and I‘m ok with that. All the same people must have their eyes closed pretty tight to not see all the other ugly, close games that are happening in all these conferences.

Iowa is fast on D, they don’t give up big plays and they are resilient on Offense. They play very good special teams and their QB (maddening as he is) can make all the throws. I’m ok with that. I’m also ok with the fact that every game will be a fist fight.

That’s college football anymore. I have no doubt UF and Bama are better, but I don’t see much to be threatened by after that.. Keeping in mind I’m a college football junky and I have already watched parts of like 60 games. Maybe more.

Chad

PS……………..go back and look close at Iowa’s box scores for the D. Also the injury thing is not nearly as prominent with Iowa as it is others. I can’t remember how Iowa fans acted in 2004 (keeping in mind I live in Illinois and rarely get on the Iowa boards anymore) but if anything that season showed Iowa fasn we can win with injuries and quite frankly we have had more than our share at times. Yet, we also seem to find a way. More evidence we have underrated recruiting, talent & depth.

BCS Rankings
1 Alabama
2 Florida
3 Texas
4 USC
5 Boise
6 Miami
7 Iowa

Go Hawks, one game at a time, nobody is unbeatable.

p_mansheim,

Alright, that I can agree with. And you're right... defenses like big hits. I thought you were trying to say it was good that he got hurt. My bad. I agree though. He should have sat out the second half as he wasn't himself.

Bruno, you obviously don't get what I'm saying. It's a defense's job to smack a player around. You say a QB gets rattled if he gets sacked a few times in a row, a RB gets rattled with a big hit. If Clay was injured, he should have sat. Not hurt your chances by playing at 50%. Ask any defensive player and they'll say that the best feeling is getting the big hit. Big hits hurt. Its football, players get hurt. If a defensive player feels bad for injuring a player, they typically don't have the mentality to be a great player. Thats not to say they wouldn't feel bad about ruining a players career but if they are going to not do their job and not try to give the big hit, they are not a defensive player I want out on the field. Clay should have sat but instead he decided to try to tough it out and play at half-speed.

iowa is horrible along with the rest of the conference.

Oh, and roots, I totally agree with you. I think Iowa should start getting some national attention. It would be nice for the Big Ten. Iowa too as they are a good team and deserve it at this point I think. They will be in the top 10 for sure this week.

p_mansheim,

The defense did not scare Clay. Did you not see what happened to the guy? He was bulldozing through a pile of players and someone rolled up the back of his leg and he was pushed backwards while his leg was caught. Something like that can potentially break a leg, an ankle, sprain an ankle, or tear ligaments in the leg. It's not a laughing matter of saying, "It's football. Toughen up." As a person who is healing from two broken legs (car accident) and have had severe sprains in the past, I can tell you that it's a scary thing. It can end a young man's football career. I think just about anyone would be shaken from that. I don't blame him. He seemed like he was trying not to get in piles like that again by plowing through people. In which case, they should have ran Ball more.

And being proud of hurting a player (going from 100% - 50%) is not cool. And no, it's NOT what great defenses do. They can smack people around with hard hits and prevent scoring from happening. But great defenses (teams in general) don't try to hurt people. It's part of the game and it happens. But it shouldn't be intended.

cmhawks99,

Ok, calm down... breathe... it's ok! Really. It is. I promise.

I'm calm. I don't know where you get the idea that I'm mad. Maybe because I'm a Wisconsin fan? Ya know, much to your chagrin I'm sure... not everyone gets blindly angry just because their team lost. Am I disappointed? Sure. Who wouldn't be? Nobody wants to see their team lose. But does that mean I'm uber angry? No. I'm simply having a very calm, rational, OBJECTIVE conversation with people on here in which I'm stating my own educated opinions based on what I see. Does that mean I'm absolutely right? No. But that's why it's called an opinion.

On that note, I'd like to say that I respect your opinions. You make valid points as well and appear to have a good head on your shoulders. However, I simply don't agree with you. I'm simply calling what I see as I see it. I'm just as critical of Wisconsin if that makes you feel any better (at the beginning of the year, I was telling people they have no defense because they didn't play very well). I guess in your opinion that makes me "bitter," "under the guise of being a realist," or that I somehow have an vendetta against Iowa. I have never once on this post said that I dislike Iowa. I have absolutely nothing against them. Based on that logic, 90% of the country dislikes Iowa just because they don't favor Iowa to go to the national championship this year or simply don't acknowledge what they have accomplished this year.

With all this being said, it would seem that you are the angry one my friend. And for what? Your team won today. I've given them their due. They are a good team. They have a good defense. I just don't think they would beat a team like Alabama or Florida. Are you angry because I'm being critical of them? If that's the case, I don't know how you deal with the media each week when Iowa is not vaulted into the top 5. There's nothing to be upset about.

But I can tell you one thing... just because you believe you know what you're talking about doesn't make your points any more valid than mine. The only thing we can do is wait and see how Iowa does. If they make it to a BCS game and play someone like Alabama or Florida and win, believe me, I would be the first to congratulate the Iowa fans. It would be a very good thing for the Big Ten as everybody looks down on them. I just don't see it happening. That is all. Nothing more. Nothing less.

And please don't talk to me about Badger fans complaining about injuries the last 10 years. Every team fan does it, Iowa included. I remember a few years ago when Iowa had like 5 injured running backs and they complained and complained how they couldn't stay healthy and they were losing games because of that. You're right though. They kept playing. But what else are they supposed to do?

Chill. It's just a game.