Why, they are the #1 team in the computer portion of the BCS right now?........
I guess you think they will get knocked off in one of their four remaining games, which if is the case, I would tend to agree with you, especially considering one of those games involves a visit to the Horseshoe in Columbus.
Also, there is breaking news out of Iowa City that their leading rusher on the season may require season ending surgery.......which would be devastating.
It would be nice to see Okla. State knock off Texas this weekend.......but of #1 importance to you is having Oregon win.
Your line could not be more wrong.
The fact is if Boise State met Iowa for the championship it would be one of the toughest tickets for a title game since the inception of the BCS.
Boise State is a relatively short drive and the majority of the fans would not want to miss their teams first chance at a title.
More importantly though is the fact that Iowa has proven time and time and time again that they are one of the, if not the best, travel team in the entire country.
Iowa alone would have a MINIMUM 65,000 fans making plans to Pasedena and many would be shutout for tickets. Iowa sent over 60,000 fans to the Orange Bowl a few years back, and that was not even a title game.
Iowa travels very well for numerous reasons but is not limited to ........
1. Great fans and Iowa is the only true followiing in the entire state other then Iowa State........the state of Iowa craves college sports.
2. What better excuse to leave what would be a week of sub zero temps the first week of January with potential wind chills of -40 degrees and worse.
3. The economy is much better recently in Iowa then many other places and people can actually afford a week long trip to California.
4. Hawkeye football has many generations of lifelong fans from all over the country, as the football program started before 1900.........look at me, I'm a 78 year old living in Florida and i wouldn't miss the title game for anything..........and I'm broke to boot!
Chances are Iowa will lose to Ohio State or another team and NOT be playing for the title game.
However, if they have ONE loss and play in a BCS game, you can expect a MINIMUM of 55,000 Iowans attending that game also if it came about...........probably would be the Rose Bowl a week before the title game in Pasedena or the Orange Bowl in Miami, where as I stated, Iowa sent masses a few years back.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/ar...utlook-isn-t-rosy-but-still-room-for-a-Fiesta
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<!--PRINTER FRIENDLY ARTICLE-->[FONT=verdana,arial]November 16, 2009
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Iowa outlook isn't rosy, but still room for a Fiesta[/FONT]
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By ANDREW LOGUE
alogue@dmreg.com [/FONT]A shakeup in the Bowl Championship Series standings would likely bounce Iowa out of contention for an at-large bid.
The 15th-ranked Hawkeyes (9-2) enter this week's regular-season finale against Minnesota (6-5) needing a victory and a little help to land a spot in the Fiesta Bowl or Orange Bowl.
If form holds through the next three weeks - and Texas plays either Florida or Alabama in the national title game - then Iowa could be among the teams listed when BCS pairings are unveiled Dec. 6.
"We know Iowa's reputation and how (fans) travel," said Tony Alba, director of media relations for the Fiesta Bowl. "So they certainly bring a lot to the table, assuming they can continue to win.
"They're very attractive not only to us, but a lot of other bowls."
The BCS system includes five bowls, with all the matchups hinging on conference tie-ins and which teams are available once the championship game is set.
The Sugar Bowl has a tie-in with the Southeastern Conference, but will most likely lose the league champion (Alabama or Florida) to the BCS title game.
If the Gators or Crimson Tide are No. 1 in the BCS point standings, the Sugar Bowl gets the first choice for an at-large team.
John Sudsbury, a Sugar Bowl representative, said Monday his organization would favor picking the SEC runner-up to fill the void.
"That's a good assumption," Sudsbury said. "If we can keep our relationship with the SEC as our anchor, we're going to look at doing that."
The Fiesta Bowl, which has a tie-in with the Big 12 Conference, will likely lose Texas.
That leaves a potential opening for the Hawkeyes, but Alba says as many as a dozen teams could be in contention at this point.
The same could be said for the Orange Bowl, which has a tie-in with the Atlantic Coast Conference and picks third in the BCS process.
"It's wide open," Alba said. "Certainly, the No. 2 team from the Big Ten is one of those (possibilities)."
A team is eligible for BCS selection as long as its ranked among the top 14 in the points standings, and has at least nine wins.
Iowa is seeking its 10th win against the Gophers and is currently No. 13 in the BCS.
Once a team qualifies, intangibles such as fan following play a factor.
"It's important," Alba said. "We're not going to lie about that. Part of our responsibility and part of what we aim to do is serve as an economic engine for the state of Arizona."
The Hawkeyes, however, could get squeezed out by a series of upsets.
If the Longhorns stumble - either to Kansas this week, at Texas A&M on Nov. 26 or in the Big 12 title game - they'll likely slip to the Fiesta Bowl.
Florida and Alabama have a combined four games remaining, before playing each other.
"There are a lot of games that have to be played that would factor into our picture," Alba said. "I think a lot of people are kind of penciling in Texas into the (BCS) championship game, but..."
Injury update: Tailback Brandon Wegher and linebacker Jeremiha Hunter were both listed on Iowa's weekly depth chart released Monday.
Wegher missed Saturday's game at Ohio State with what coach Kirk Ferentz described as an "internal" injury. Hunter missed the second half with an ankle injury. Ferentz was optimistic both could play against Minnesota.
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Additional Facts[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Iowa in a BCS?[/FONT] Should the Hawkeyes (13th in the current BCS standings) stay ranked among the BCS's top 14, they would be eligible for an at-large bid for the Fiesta, Sugar or Orange bowls.
Bowl predictions
OHIO STATE (6-1, 9-2): Claimed first dibs on the Rose Bowl by beating Iowa last week.
IOWA (5-2, 9-2): Remains alive for a BCS bid, heading into game against Minnesota.
PENN STATE (5-2, 9-2): May be competing with Hawkeyes for Fiesta Bowl invitation.
WISCONSIN (5-2, 8-2): Suddenly in BCS picture. Games left at Northwestern, Hawaii.
NORTHWESTERN (4-3, 7-4): Bowl eligible. Need an opponent that will bring lots of fans.
MICHIGAN STATE (4-3, 6-5): Bowl eligible, with a chance to spoil Penn State's BCS chances.
MINNESOTA (3-4, 6-5): Bowl eligible, but game at Iowa more about pride than positioning.
PURDUE (3-4, 4-7): Will stay home for the holidays, despite beating Ohio State, Michigan.
ILLINOIS (2-6, 3-7): Has whole offseason to wonder about Ron Zook's coaching future.
MICHIGAN (1-6, 5-6): Must beat arch-rival Ohio State to become bowl eligible.
INDIANA (1-6, 4-7): No bowl. Near misses vs. Michigan, Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin.
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<!--PRINTER FRIENDLY ARTICLE-->[FONT=verdana,arial]November 16, 2009
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Iowa outlook isn't rosy, but still room for a Fiesta[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
By ANDREW LOGUE
alogue@dmreg.com [/FONT]A shakeup in the Bowl Championship Series standings would likely bounce Iowa out of contention for an at-large bid.
The 15th-ranked Hawkeyes (9-2) enter this week's regular-season finale against Minnesota (6-5) needing a victory and a little help to land a spot in the Fiesta Bowl or Orange Bowl.
If form holds through the next three weeks - and Texas plays either Florida or Alabama in the national title game - then Iowa could be among the teams listed when BCS pairings are unveiled Dec. 6.
"We know Iowa's reputation and how (fans) travel," said Tony Alba, director of media relations for the Fiesta Bowl. "So they certainly bring a lot to the table, assuming they can continue to win.
"They're very attractive not only to us, but a lot of other bowls."
The BCS system includes five bowls, with all the matchups hinging on conference tie-ins and which teams are available once the championship game is set.
The Sugar Bowl has a tie-in with the Southeastern Conference, but will most likely lose the league champion (Alabama or Florida) to the BCS title game.
If the Gators or Crimson Tide are No. 1 in the BCS point standings, the Sugar Bowl gets the first choice for an at-large team.
John Sudsbury, a Sugar Bowl representative, said Monday his organization would favor picking the SEC runner-up to fill the void.
"That's a good assumption," Sudsbury said. "If we can keep our relationship with the SEC as our anchor, we're going to look at doing that."
The Fiesta Bowl, which has a tie-in with the Big 12 Conference, will likely lose Texas.
That leaves a potential opening for the Hawkeyes, but Alba says as many as a dozen teams could be in contention at this point.
The same could be said for the Orange Bowl, which has a tie-in with the Atlantic Coast Conference and picks third in the BCS process.
"It's wide open," Alba said. "Certainly, the No. 2 team from the Big Ten is one of those (possibilities)."
A team is eligible for BCS selection as long as its ranked among the top 14 in the points standings, and has at least nine wins.
Iowa is seeking its 10th win against the Gophers and is currently No. 13 in the BCS.
Once a team qualifies, intangibles such as fan following play a factor.
"It's important," Alba said. "We're not going to lie about that. Part of our responsibility and part of what we aim to do is serve as an economic engine for the state of Arizona."
The Hawkeyes, however, could get squeezed out by a series of upsets.
If the Longhorns stumble - either to Kansas this week, at Texas A&M on Nov. 26 or in the Big 12 title game - they'll likely slip to the Fiesta Bowl.
Florida and Alabama have a combined four games remaining, before playing each other.
"There are a lot of games that have to be played that would factor into our picture," Alba said. "I think a lot of people are kind of penciling in Texas into the (BCS) championship game, but..."
Injury update: Tailback Brandon Wegher and linebacker Jeremiha Hunter were both listed on Iowa's weekly depth chart released Monday.
Wegher missed Saturday's game at Ohio State with what coach Kirk Ferentz described as an "internal" injury. Hunter missed the second half with an ankle injury. Ferentz was optimistic both could play against Minnesota.
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Additional Facts[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Iowa in a BCS?[/FONT] Should the Hawkeyes (13th in the current BCS standings) stay ranked among the BCS's top 14, they would be eligible for an at-large bid for the Fiesta, Sugar or Orange bowls.
Bowl predictions
OHIO STATE (6-1, 9-2): Claimed first dibs on the Rose Bowl by beating Iowa last week.
IOWA (5-2, 9-2): Remains alive for a BCS bid, heading into game against Minnesota.
PENN STATE (5-2, 9-2): May be competing with Hawkeyes for Fiesta Bowl invitation.
WISCONSIN (5-2, 8-2): Suddenly in BCS picture. Games left at Northwestern, Hawaii.
NORTHWESTERN (4-3, 7-4): Bowl eligible. Need an opponent that will bring lots of fans.
MICHIGAN STATE (4-3, 6-5): Bowl eligible, with a chance to spoil Penn State's BCS chances.
MINNESOTA (3-4, 6-5): Bowl eligible, but game at Iowa more about pride than positioning.
PURDUE (3-4, 4-7): Will stay home for the holidays, despite beating Ohio State, Michigan.
ILLINOIS (2-6, 3-7): Has whole offseason to wonder about Ron Zook's coaching future.
MICHIGAN (1-6, 5-6): Must beat arch-rival Ohio State to become bowl eligible.
INDIANA (1-6, 4-7): No bowl. Near misses vs. Michigan, Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin.
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But they won, unlike other teams in the nation that LOST games the should have won.
Iowa has lost 6 games this season and last......by a total of 22 points.
If you want to play shoulda woulda could of.......then Iowa could just as easily be working on their 2nd straight national championship.
