Iowa Hawkeyes: Luckiest Team in the BCS?

The Iowa Hawkeyes have led a blessed existence this season, and that charmed play continued on Saturday.

Not many teams can overcome the kind of atrocious circumstances that led to a 24-14 deficit heading into the fourth quarter, including four interceptions in the third .

Especially Iowa, a plodding offense that had barely summoned any momentum in the first half.

Adam Robinson, the Hawkeyes' freshman running back, was out for the season with an injury, Brandon Wegher and Paki O'Meara were getting stuffed in the backfield, and the playcalling was not testing Indiana deep.

But like the wind blustering through Kinnick Stadium (wind Iowa wisely chose to play at their back in the fourth), that all changed heading into the final quarter.

First, Tyler Sash returned a Ben Chappell interception 92 yards for a touchdown to make it 24-14.

Then Stanzi hit Marvin McNutt on a short completion that McNutt turned upfield for a 92-yard touchdown to make it 24-21. Then Stanzi hit Darrell Johnson-Koulianos for a 66-yard touchdown, and suddenly the rout was on.

Note to teams playing the Hawkeyes: do not get a lead on Iowa before the fourth quarter. Let them remain five points ahead all game. They're 4-0 when playing from behind. Your best bet is to beat them on the last play like they did against Michigan State last week and Northern Iowa earlier in the season.

Just look at these little miracles:

Northern Iowa loses when Iowa blocks two field goals in a row to preserve the win.

Michigan loses when Iowa picks off Denard Robinson to ice the 30-28 victory in the final minute of the fourth quarter.

Arkansas State loses when the Hawkeye D recovers an onside kick and breaks up a Hail Mary, ending a late rally to preserve their field goal lead.

Wisconsin loses after the Hawkeyes D allows no points in the second half and picks off Scott Tolzien three times.

Penn State loses when Iowa's Adrian Clayborn blocks a punt and returns it for a touchdown to go up 11-10, and Darryl Clark throws two fourth quarter interceptions to upset the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley.

Michigan State loses in the most brutal fashion, losing on a slant pass for a touchdown on fourth down and the last play of the game.

And now Indiana, blowing their lead in the fourth quarter with some atrocious safety play.

Maybe it isn't luck. Maybe Iowa is just the best second half, or even better, best fourth quarter team in the country.

That alone may be what determines the Big Ten championship in two weeks, when the Hawkeyes will have to do it in the 'Shoe against Ohio State.