Iowa Hawkeyes Win Big in Wisconsin, Polls, and BCS Standings

The Iowa Hawkeyes' come from behind 20-10 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison on Saturday may have finally convinced critics. 

Iowa sits at seventh in the latest AP poll and eighth in USA Today's  rankings.

More importantly, the Hawkeyes hold sixth place in this season's first release of the BCS Standings.

The computers love the Hawkeyes more than pollsters. If the machines had the final say, Iowa would be sitting pretty in third place nationally.

Clearly, the computers don't care about style points. Close games against Northern Iowa and Arkansas State amount to wins.

Pretty wins? No, but wins either way. 

The computers also demand a second look at Iowa's so-called "weak" schedule. Penn State, Wisconsin, and Arizona are all in the Top 25 in the BCS standings. 

It appears Hawkeye critics have been proved stingy in dishing out respect.

Iowa's good fortunes extended beyond Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. Some teams' weaknesses were exposed and boosted Iowa's surge to the top.

Ohio State's loss to Purdue leaves Iowa the lone king of the mountain in the top ten and in control of their destiny.

It's been a long time since Hawk fans have heard that.

The Badgers arguably posed the biggest challenge to the Hawkeyes' hopes of entering Columbus undefeated. Now that the hurdle has been cleared, Iowa's goal of challenging for a Big Ten title is that much closer.

Wisconsin represents one more notch in Iowa's spear. Room remains for five more but there's no need to rush or look ahead.

The Hawks will continue to take things one week at a time. While the road to the goal gets shorter with each passing week, it doesn't get any easier.

The Big Ten may be weak this year; however, the Hawkeyes cannot afford to grow complacent. No team is invincible. Ohio State was shocked by Purdue and it took the officials to save Florida's shot at the national title.

Iowa can't overlook any opponent or count on game-winning calls from the men in stripes.

It will take five more wins for Iowa to become college football's Cinderella Version 2009.

With next week's game against Michigan State set to take place in hostile East Lansing, the Hawkeyes must aim their sights on the Spartans and nothing else.