In the interest of sparking an off-season college football debate, I'm throwing my team (and myself to a lesser extent ) under the bus. The University of Iowa Hawkeyes had an extremely disappointing season last year with a relatively easy schedule. They finished 6-6, and missed out on a bowl invite. This year they return 10 of 11 starters on offense, and a very strong defense which always plays well under Defensive Coordinator Norm Parker. They should be greatly improved. But here's where you get upset.
Take a look at the schedule for 2008:
2008 Hawkeye football schedule (home games in bold):
Aug. 30 vs. Maine
Sept. 6 vs. Florida International
Sept. 13 vs. Iowa State
Sept. 20 at Pittsburgh
Sept. 27 vs. Northwestern
Oct. 4 at Michigan State
Oct. 11 at Indiana
Oct. 18 vs. Wisconsin
Nov. 1 at Illinois
Nov. 8 vs. Penn State
Nov. 15 vs. Purdue
Nov. 22 at Minnesota
It's really almost an embarrassment. Seven home games, only five on the road. The toughest road game is at Illinois, an overrated team from last year that Iowa beat. There's no Michigan, and no Ohio State. Penn State, Purdue, and Wisconsin all have to come to Iowa City.
Surely the non-conference games must be tougher right? There's Maine and Florida International (both in Iowa City) those are both very winnable to say the least, and Iowa State is always a tough rivalry game, but this year it's (you guessed it) in Iowa City. Following the Iowa State game they do have to go to Pittsburg, but it seems like every year Pittsburg is supposed to be greatly improved, but they never are. They're like the Arizona Cardinals of the College ranks.
Now granted I've already admitted this is my team, so it's a biased opinion, but it is very conceivable for Iowa to finish 10-2 or better, possibly with a share of the Big Ten title, and an invite to a BCS game. So go ahead, send me your hate. SEC fans tell me how much tougher your conference is. Criticize the Hawks for such a cupcake schedule. This year I'll be fine with it, because I'll be in Pasadena while you complain about how your team got screwed by the BCS!
I'm an avid sport fan, but I'm a college football fan first. I'm a Iowa Hawkeyes, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bulls, and LA Angels fan. I also love the UFC, and think boxing is a dying sport. I'm a horrible golfer, but I like to drink while driving a golf cart and the golf course is the only place that lets me do that. I live in Milwaukee now after living in Iowa and Long Beach, CA. And without a doubt, Wisconsin people are the undisputable kings of tailgating. Even Brewer games people tailgate like it's a college bowl game.
