Iowa Hawkeyes Believe, But One Game at a Time

The Iowa Hawkeyes haven't put together the prettiest 6-0 start to the season but it's where they stand, regardless of style points.

In fact, Iowa has treated fans to its best start since 1985.

It's been a long time coming.

Doubts are still circulating as to whether or not the Hawkeyes are the real deal this year but let's be honest, some of those doubts exist with good reason.

Iowa has eked out victories against teams they should have been able to beat handily and they've emerged victorious from games in which the "experts" thought they were supposed to choke.

What you see simply isn't always what you'll get with the Hawkeyes. Topsy-turvy not-so-trendy teams always leave the gate down on the band wagon for doubters to jump off when the road gets bumpy. 

The road has been rough but Iowa has yet to lose. 

It hasn't been easy to watch. To tell the truth, it would be foolish to assume things will get any easier for the Hawkeyes. The stress hasn't reached it's climax.

Sorry, fans. Stock up on those antacids. 

Still, here they are, mid-October and the Iowa Hawkeyes are six-and-oh.

It's time to hitch up the tail gate. Decide: On the wagon or off.

Only five teams ranked ahead of Iowa in the AP Top 25 are undefeated. If Iowa can stock up on wins, there's a lot of ground to make up. While the AP places Iowa in 11th, the Hawkeyes could argue they're already a top ten team.

The trendy teams like Virginia Tech, Boise State, Miami, Cincinnati, Ohio State, appear to be playing hopscotch over the Hawkeyes in the polls every weekend for no solid reason.

The Hawks have wins over respectable opponents such as Arizona, Penn State and now Michigan. The reasons for keeping Iowa out of the top ten in the polls are running thin.

Iowa is the only remaining unbeaten team in the Big Ten. If anything, that statistic will keep the national spotlight on Iowa.

Iowa and Ohio State are the only Big Ten teams with perfect conference records. Both will fight hard to keep that status before meeting in November. 

While the overall level of respect for Iowa continues to improve, many Hawkeyes are not getting the credit they deserve. The defense has been getting a lot of attention, as they should, but the offense is winning these games, too.

Despite his struggles, Ricky Stanzi and the Hawkeyes are fifth in passing in the Big Ten. Surprising, considering his first half to second half Jekyll and Hyde transformations.

While fifth is still not spectacular, Stanzi leads both Terrelle Pryor and Tate Forcier in passing yards, pass completion percentage and touchdowns.

However, Stanzi's horrible miscues have most recently been limited to only one pick-six and not hideous play throughout the first 30 minutes.

On the other hand, Stanzi always manages to make up for his mistakes. Maybe critics will look at Stanzi's blunders a little less harshly with this in mind.

Iowa's rushing statistics need to be put into perspective, too. 

Both Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher are in the top ten in rushing yards for Big Ten backs. Robinson is in fourth and Wegher holds eighth. 

Iowa is the only team with two running backs in the top ten of the Big Ten in rushing yards.

A surprise to some this year but not to Hawkeye fans is the presence of tight end Tony Moeaki.

Tony Moeaki is third among Big Ten tight ends with 17 receptions. He is second in receiving yards (192) and touchdowns (three). Moeaki leads all Big Ten tight ends with a long reception of 42 yards. Hawkeye fans don't need to be told this guy is an athlete and a threat as one of Stanzi's favorite targets.

The coming schedule for Iowa isn't exactly easy street. They will travel to Wisconsin and Michigan State before coming home for contests against Indiana and Northwestern. 

Wisconsin will be attempting to prove it isn't as bad the thrashing it received from Ohio State and Michigan State believes it's a lot better than a 3-3 record.

Indiana and Northwestern will be a well deserved break before heading into Columbus but it doesn't take a close look at the history books to see that Pat Fitzgerald's Wildcats have won three of the last four meetings against Iowa.

Suddenly, the easy part of the schedule only looks harder.

The Hawkeyes will have to take it one game at a time.

With all that said, who's on board with the Hawkeyes?