Iowa Hawkeyes 2009: Getting No Respect

"Champions believe in themselves even if no one else does." 

— Unknown

The universal problem with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes is that no will will count them out—yet, no one quite believes in them, either. It is a terrible dilemma for the shy No. 6 Iowa Hawkeyes. 

At the beginning of the 2009 campaign, all the BCS pollsters and pundits predicted that Iowa, although always good and tough, had the road schedule from Hell and they would probably finish in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten. 

But, the experts went on to pontificate, if the Hawkeyes beat the Penn State Nittany Lions at home, Iowa would indeed be the best.

Not only did the Hawkeyes beat the Nittany Lions at home on prime-time television in front of a record-breaking and noisy Happy Valley crowd draped in white, they beat them in convincing fashion during a downpour, 21-10.  

But the sports analysts reconsidered, tapping their foreheads, saying "Wait a minute, Iowa almost lost when it barely escaped from Northern Iowa, winning 17-16 in the closing seconds of the home opener."

The Hawkeyes cannot be that good to have just barely beaten a FCS team—an FCS team that is ranked No. 6 in the nation with highly-skilled, seasoned players, by the way. 

Northern Iowa could have beaten any number of conference teams on that afternoon.

The point is that Iowa won. When is a “W” not a positive? Sometimes being lucky is as important as being good.

The Iowa faithful face hesitancy, as no one is willing to climb out on that big limb and proclaim the Hawkeyes as worthy. The next big test would be Iowa at home against Michigan. Here was another prime-time outing against a slightly tarnished Wolverine team. 

Iowa won, 30-28, against a fiercely determined Michigan squad. The Hawkeyes had notched another victory; surely the pundits would embrace this team now.  

No, not until the Hawkeyes traveled to Wisconsin, also undefeated at the time, to win another big road contest. Iowa beat the Badgers at Camp Randall, 20-10, becoming the only undefeated team in the Big Ten as Wisconsin fell and so did Ohio State.  

But Iowa’s head is still on the chopping block as the high-flying Hawkeyes soar into East Lansing to face the now-mighty Michigan State Spartans. Michigan State believes. The Spartans think they can win based on statistics derived from teams they have played so far in the season.  

Let’s see: They beat Montana State 44-3—then lost three in a row, to Central Michigan 29-27, at Notre Dame 33-30, and at Wisconsin 38-30. They did upset Michigan at home 26-20 and beat Illinois 24-14 on the road and Northwestern at home 24-14.   

Iowa has won seven in a row, actually 11 when you look back to the last time this team lost. The Hawkeyes have beaten Northern Iowa (H) 17-16, Iowa State 35-3, Arizona (H) 27-17, Penn State 21-10, Arkansas State (H) 24-21, Michigan (H) 30-28, and Wisconsin 20-10. They have the toughest road schedule in the Big Ten.

Yet, Michigan State is favored to win this game.

Once again, Iowa is going to have to prove it is entitled to be undefeated. The Hawkeyes must, at this point, rise up and take this season by the throat. The time for being coy, for being humble, is over. The Iowa team must insist on being recognized for its exceptional play and its breakout season.

Essentially, what must separate these teams at this point in the season is heart.

The Iowa team is a reflection of its head coach, Kirk Ferentz. He is a man of few words, whose loyalty is boundless, and whose ability to motivate extends beyond the expectation to win.  

Yes, Iowa has been lucky to date. But luck is often the product of being in the right place at the right time, and no defense does that better than Norm Parker’s young men.

That ability to think ahead and anticipate separates the great from the good. Iowa excels on defense. Just ask the Penn State, Michigan, and Wisconsin quarterbacks.

Iowa does what it takes to win. The defense is the team’s anchor, yet the offense is what drives this team forward with whatever opportunities the opposition provides. Iowa has proven it can pass and run this year.  

What's more, this team has not reached its full potential. The Iowa team has surprises left to reveal. It certainly works hard and is the most well-coached team from top to bottom in the Big Ten.  

After this week’s road test, Iowa can breathe a big sigh of relief—but that does not mean the Hawkeyes can let down, because they will have a big big bulls-eye on their backsides. They have only one more ticket to ride, Columbus and the Horseshoe on Nov. 14.  

Otherwise, at home they face Indiana, Northwestern, and, as the final game of the season, Minnesota for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy and perhaps the Big Ten championship and the Rose Bowl on the line.

Iowa may or may not end the season undefeated. Chances are that a stumble is in its future. Not many teams go undefeated for an entire season.  

Regardless, the University of Iowa football team, at this point in the 2009 season, is one of the best squads in the nation. 

All we must do is persuade the rest of the country that the Iowa team is not an illusion. Iowa exists and survives week to week in sterling fashion because it is that good.

Fess up and admit: This is a great football team!