Iowa--an Unrecognized National Power
Posted 04-18-2010 at 05:13 PM by GodGodGodBathia
Whenever people think of college football in general, certain teams come to mind, such as Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Alabama, Florida, USC, Ohio State, and Texas, among others. These teams consist of the elite programs in college football; their fans consider anything less than a national championship or BCS victory a lost season. Whether this is the result of a long history of winning, famous coaches, legendary games that still live in highlight reels today, or old tradition, the elite programs receive the majority of the national media’s spotlight, focus, and criticism, even during their down years. However, despite a great deal of success, Iowa is not usually associated with the top tier college football programs while they have proven themselves as a power in college football that should be a part of this group and gain the attention it deserves.
Similar to other national programs, Iowa has had a considerable deal of success recently under the tenure of Kirk Ferentz. Year after year, Iowa is seemingly in another January bowl game playing as a heavy underdog, including three Outback Bowls, two Orange Bowls, and a Capital One against Florida, South Carolina, USC, and Georgia Tech. Not only did Iowa silence the critics that claimed that the Big Ten’s physical style of play could simply not compete with the SEC’s speedy offenses, they flat out proved them wrong by blowing out Florida, beating LSU, and shutting down Georgia Tech. Even when Iowa has not played in a great bowl game, they have still competed with college football powers such as Texas in the Alamo Bowl. Recent success, consistency in the past, and multiple Rose Bowl appearances should help to position Iowa in the group atop college football.
In addition to success, Iowa has many program-defining games. Almost every team has at least one game that is remembered by both fans of the team and casual fans: Nebraska’s fumblerooski to beat Miami for the national title, Vince Young’s fourth down run to the endzone to put Texas ahead of USC, California’s kickoff return through Stanford’s band. Not only does Iowa have one specific game that stands out, Iowa has more than most elite teams, going back to 1985 when Rob Houghtlin kicked the game-winner over number two Michigan, and carrying through to this decade with LSU, Penn State, and Michigan State. The list could go on forever, another reason why Iowa should be considered one of college football’s elite programs.
Furthermore, Iowa has a history of traditions and values that rival all of the schools considered college football powers. Iowa’s tradition can be traced back all the way to the World War Two era, when Iowa’s first and only Heisman winner, Nile Kinnick, delivered his famous acceptance speech that still echoes through Kinnick Stadium today. Like Notre Dame’s Era Parsegian or Ohio State’s Woody Hayes, Iowa had a hall of fame coach that resurrected the program in Hayden Fry. Also, the atmosphere in Iowa City is incredible; it was ranked one of the toughest places to play. Everyone knows that the locker rooms are pink, and, similar to Nebraska’s tunnel walk, Iowa plays Back in Black as Herky and the team takes the field. It’s been said that Iowa does not have the tradition that more renowned teams do, but all of these examples, coupled with the fans’ passion for the game, make Iowa’s tradition rival that of elite programs.
Given all of these reasons, why isn’t Iowa considered one of the nation’s powers? Is it because the school isn’t located near a super large city? Is it because Iowa has the connotation of being comprised of slow white farmers? Or is because the spot in the trophy room for a national title still remains empty?
While this doesn’t seem like an overly important topic, it is both critical and relevant in a sport like college football where media and fan perception actually effects a team’s postseason. For instance, last year Iowa was in a position to go undefeated, yet it did not get any real consideration from the national media or fans around the country as a legitimate threat to make it to the national championship game. Why? Why would a team in a powerful conference that had a tough schedule that had a legitimate shot at going undefeated on the season not have a chance at making it to the national championship game? The answer is that Texas and either Florida or Alabama looked as if they were going to finish the season undefeated; therefore, as the elite program at the top of the totem pole of college football, that status put them ahead of Iowa and gave them the tiebreaker in the case of all three teams ending the season with a perfect record. In the future, specifically next year as the team makes a run for the national title, hopefully another team’s image and power from the past doesn’t get in the way of Iowa’s future.
Similar to other national programs, Iowa has had a considerable deal of success recently under the tenure of Kirk Ferentz. Year after year, Iowa is seemingly in another January bowl game playing as a heavy underdog, including three Outback Bowls, two Orange Bowls, and a Capital One against Florida, South Carolina, USC, and Georgia Tech. Not only did Iowa silence the critics that claimed that the Big Ten’s physical style of play could simply not compete with the SEC’s speedy offenses, they flat out proved them wrong by blowing out Florida, beating LSU, and shutting down Georgia Tech. Even when Iowa has not played in a great bowl game, they have still competed with college football powers such as Texas in the Alamo Bowl. Recent success, consistency in the past, and multiple Rose Bowl appearances should help to position Iowa in the group atop college football.
In addition to success, Iowa has many program-defining games. Almost every team has at least one game that is remembered by both fans of the team and casual fans: Nebraska’s fumblerooski to beat Miami for the national title, Vince Young’s fourth down run to the endzone to put Texas ahead of USC, California’s kickoff return through Stanford’s band. Not only does Iowa have one specific game that stands out, Iowa has more than most elite teams, going back to 1985 when Rob Houghtlin kicked the game-winner over number two Michigan, and carrying through to this decade with LSU, Penn State, and Michigan State. The list could go on forever, another reason why Iowa should be considered one of college football’s elite programs.
Furthermore, Iowa has a history of traditions and values that rival all of the schools considered college football powers. Iowa’s tradition can be traced back all the way to the World War Two era, when Iowa’s first and only Heisman winner, Nile Kinnick, delivered his famous acceptance speech that still echoes through Kinnick Stadium today. Like Notre Dame’s Era Parsegian or Ohio State’s Woody Hayes, Iowa had a hall of fame coach that resurrected the program in Hayden Fry. Also, the atmosphere in Iowa City is incredible; it was ranked one of the toughest places to play. Everyone knows that the locker rooms are pink, and, similar to Nebraska’s tunnel walk, Iowa plays Back in Black as Herky and the team takes the field. It’s been said that Iowa does not have the tradition that more renowned teams do, but all of these examples, coupled with the fans’ passion for the game, make Iowa’s tradition rival that of elite programs.
Given all of these reasons, why isn’t Iowa considered one of the nation’s powers? Is it because the school isn’t located near a super large city? Is it because Iowa has the connotation of being comprised of slow white farmers? Or is because the spot in the trophy room for a national title still remains empty?
While this doesn’t seem like an overly important topic, it is both critical and relevant in a sport like college football where media and fan perception actually effects a team’s postseason. For instance, last year Iowa was in a position to go undefeated, yet it did not get any real consideration from the national media or fans around the country as a legitimate threat to make it to the national championship game. Why? Why would a team in a powerful conference that had a tough schedule that had a legitimate shot at going undefeated on the season not have a chance at making it to the national championship game? The answer is that Texas and either Florida or Alabama looked as if they were going to finish the season undefeated; therefore, as the elite program at the top of the totem pole of college football, that status put them ahead of Iowa and gave them the tiebreaker in the case of all three teams ending the season with a perfect record. In the future, specifically next year as the team makes a run for the national title, hopefully another team’s image and power from the past doesn’t get in the way of Iowa’s future.
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