Iowa: Drop vs. Keep revisited

**cyclones500** · 06-21-2010, 11:45 AM

I realize this was already discussed at length in another thread (actually, several threads) recently. But Miller & Deace trotted it out again today, arguing to drop Iowa from the schedule for the usual reasons: getting a bowl bid becomes more daunting with the new Big 12 schedule (and mainly because of those automatic losses to UT & OU).

I understand that. It's safer to water down the non-conference schedule, and our record against the South has been bad enough that we may need to have "guaranteed" wins to become bowl eligible.

I just think it's a defeatist attitude that strives for mediocrity. Pretend the Iowa game counts as one more more conference game. What's the minimum "conference" record, then, with two gimmies in non-conf, to get a bowl bid? 4-6 minimum, but 5-5 to be safe.

And let's say ISU will never beat UT or OU. So during years when we lose to Iowa, we'd need a 5-3 record against the rest to be safely in bowl territory. If you can't do that, do you really deserve to play in the postseason?

It's a cop-out. Beat somebody!

**dosry5** · 06-21-2010, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

I realize this was already discussed at length in another thread (actually, several threads) recently. But Miller & Deace trotted it out again today, arguing to drop Iowa from the schedule for the usual reasons: getting a bowl bid becomes more daunting with the new Big 12 schedule (and mainly because of those automatic losses to UT & OU).

I understand that. It's safer to water down the non-conference schedule, and our record against the South has been bad enough that we may need to have "guaranteed" wins to become bowl eligible.

I just think it's a defeatist attitude that strives for mediocrity. Pretend the Iowa game counts as one more more conference game. What's the minimum "conference" record, then, with two gimmies in non-conf, to get a bowl bid? 4-6 minimum, but 5-5 to be safe.

And let's say ISU will never beat UT or OU. So during years when we lose to Iowa, we'd need a 5-3 record against the rest to be safely in bowl territory. If you can't do that, do you really deserve to play in the postseason?

It's a cop-out. Beat somebody!

I just completely disagree with this line of thinking. It's no cop-out. We will be playing one of the toughest schedules in the country every single year now.

**2020cy** · 06-21-2010, 11:50 AM

Drop, need 3 pre-conference home games.

**akclone** · 06-21-2010, 11:55 AM

Keep. The strong schedule has to be attractive to recruits. We need any inch we can gain in the recruiting battle.

**isu200023** · 06-21-2010, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by 2020cy

Drop, need 3 pre-conference home games.

It will be kept for the revenue. Nothing else really matters.

**dosry5** · 06-21-2010, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by akclone

Keep, the strong schedule has to be attractive to recruits. We need any inch we can gain in the recruiting battle.

It may be strong now, but a few years of no bowl games and any advantage that strong schedule may give us will be offset or worse by losing records on no bowl games.

**brett108** · 06-21-2010, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

I realize this was already discussed at length in another thread (actually, several threads) recently. But Miller & Deace trotted it out again today, arguing to drop Iowa from the schedule for the usual reasons: getting a bowl bid becomes more daunting with the new Big 12 schedule (and mainly because of those automatic losses to UT & OU).

I understand that. It's safer to water down the non-conference schedule, and our record against the South has been bad enough that we may need to have "guaranteed" wins to become bowl eligible.

I just think it's a defeatist attitude that strives for mediocrity. Pretend the Iowa game counts as one more more conference game. What's the minimum "conference" record, then, with two gimmies in non-conf, to get a bowl bid? 4-6 minimum, but 5-5 to be safe.

And let's say ISU will never beat UT or OU. So during years when we lose to Iowa, we'd need a 5-3 record against the rest to be safely in bowl territory. If you can't do that, do you really deserve to play in the postseason?

It's a cop-out. Beat somebody!

Keep. People on this board do realize that our record against Iowa is not that bad recently, right? It is a credible win on a national scale as well.

**chuckd4735** · 06-21-2010, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by 2020cy

Drop, need 3 pre-conference home games.

Will never happen consistently, even without the Iowa game. Most non BCS schools are willing to agree to 2 in Ames, 1 at their place, but you wont ever have them agree to come to Ames without a return game...

**mg4cy** · 06-21-2010, 11:58 AM

Let the CPR program mature a few years before making the decision, keep Iowa for now.

**A-town Cy** · 06-21-2010, 11:59 AM

Keep & go to bowl games with beating Iowa and at least 5 other teams. A scenario Miller never laid out. Nice radio show

**Clonegrad07** · 06-21-2010, 12:01 PM

keep - The greatest thing about college sports is the geographical rivalries... the Hawks and Clones are a great, fun rivalry... plus we're going to win at Kinnick this year.

**cyhiphopp** · 06-21-2010, 12:04 PM

I would probably vote to keep the Iowa game and water down the other two Non-con games. If we can maximize our home games and have Iowa as our toughest non-con game, we should be ok. The Iowa game is a big deal, especially when it is in Ames and we get that guaranteed sell out. I just hope we schedule the other 2 non-con games as sure wins in the future.

**Go2Guy** · 06-21-2010, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

I just think it's a defeatist attitude that strives for mediocrity.

I agree, we need to play this game, Home-on-Home series, every year.

I'm old enough to remember the resumption of the series in 1977, after a 34-year hiatus, in short, because Iowa felt is was not "relevant" to their interests.

This game is of paramount interest for the state of Iowa with excellent support on both sides.

1. Who knows how much longer the revised B12 stays together (despite the 10-yr TV deal).

2. 6-6 season records should never be rewarded with a Bowl invite. I would rather attend a game where we lose to Iowa than attend a 6-6 meaningless bowl game in Boise.....in December.

3. I want the bragging rights for the state of Iowa and bragging rights for our conference over the B10. And, when we do go to a legit bowl, I want to point to the scoreboard and say the best team in the state of Iowa is going bowling.

4. If the series with Iowa ever gets dropped, you can kiss off any chance of getting them back on the schedule, unless you want to wait 34-years and have to petition the BOR & legislators to force a resumption.

**Tedcyclone** · 06-21-2010, 12:08 PM

i love the angle they always bring to the table with this as well... its always ISU should drop Iowa because they are so tough... Please... Id rather drop Utah or even NIll before Iowa.... Stop saying Iowa gets nothing from it... ISU gets the same thing from the game Iowa does, a victory in the W/L column... Iowa is pretty good right now, but its not like they are freaking top 10 every year, if ever.

Ill take my chances... And we are talking about 1 extra preceived win here, 1 win we can still get by playing Iowa. They are driving me crazy with this crap.

**Tedcyclone** · 06-21-2010, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by dosry5

I just completely disagree with this line of thinking. It's no cop-out. We will be playing one of the toughest schedules in the country every single year now.

Then just dont schedule Utahs anymore... Please Iowa is not going to be a top 15 team everytime we play them... Dont ruin everything that makes college football amazing and better than the NFL... Rivaliries being one of the biggest reasons its so special... who do we have outside of Iowa? No one.