Big Ten enjoys heavy presence in both polls
The Iowa Hawkeyes are ranked No. 17 in one poll and No. 18 in the other. (Christopher Gannon/Register photo)
Allen Reisner likes what he sees in the weekly football rankings.
This is the first season since 2004 — when Reisner, Iowa’s starting tight end, was a sophomore in high school — that six Big Ten Conference teams are listed among the top 25 in both the Associated Press and USA Today coaches’ polls.
“I think we’re finally getting some media recognition that we haven’t been getting the last few years,” Reisner said Tuesday. “I know there are some other schools that say the Big Ten is not very good; we’re just smash-mouth football. But I feel like we’re starting to compete with the other conferences, now.”
For the Hawkeyes, No. 17 in the AP and No. 18 in the coaches’ poll, it’s a mixed blessing.
Iowa’s first four league games are all against opponents currently in the rankings, beginning with Saturday’s 7 p.m. showdown against Penn State, which is 22nd in the AP and 20th in the coaches’ poll.
“It’s huge,” Reisner said. “No one wants to start Big Ten play with a loss.”
The Hawkeyes (3-1) have a week off before an Oct. 16 trip to Michigan, which is No. 19 in both polls.
Up next, is a home date with Wisconsin, No. 11 in the AP, and No. 9 in USA Today.
On Oct. 30, coach Kirk Ferentz’s team hosts Michigan State, which moved up to No. 24 in the AP and climbed to No. 21 three spots in the coaches’ poll.
The Hawkeye also have a Nov. 20 matchup with Ohio State, currently No. 2 in both polls.
“Basically, in the Big Ten, (a ranking) is just a number,” defensive back Tyler Sash said. “In college football, there are so many good athletes out there today you have to show up and play every game.”
Since Ferentz replaced former coach Hayden Fry in 1999, Iowa has never faced more than six ranked opponents in a season. The Hawkeyes went 0-6 in his inaugural year and were 4-2 against top 25 foes in 2003, finishing with an overall mark of 10-3.
Regardless of the results, Ferentz downplays September rankings.
“They don’t mean anything,” he said. “We’ll al know in a month or so what’s what and who’s who.”
Ferentz owns an all-time record of 15-23 against ranked opponents, but he’s 8-7 when the games are held in Kinnick Stadium.
Iowa is a one-touchdown favorite over Penn State.
“I don’t know why they would be considered the underdog,” Ferentz said. “We’ve had tough games with them, or we’ve gotten nailed pretty good.”
Arizona was ranked No. 24 and No. 18 when the Hawkeyes visited two weeks ago.
A 34-27 loss might prove to be a late-night wakeup call for the Big Ten schedule.
“Historically, if you’re waiting for Ohio State to lose three or four games, maybe even two, that could be a bad strategy,” Ferentz said. “If you’re talking about being at the top of the league, you better be at your best every week.”
It was a 21-10 win at then No. 5-Penn State that propelled Iowa to an 11-2 record last season.
“When you get into the conference, it’s a whole other tempo,” offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde said. “It’s another level of excitement.
“For us, it’s kind of a new test.”
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
and yet in most significant ratings, the Big Ten is rated as the FIFTH best conference in the country. Makes you want to go “hmmmm” about the polls…
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No, it makes you want to go hmmmmmmmm about whatever dipsh*t ranks the conferences. Look what Ohio State and Iowa did to their powerhouse opponents in bowl games last year. In fact, all of the top Big Ten teams won their bowl games against SEC and PAC TEN opponents. Arizona is rated as one of the favorites to win the Pac Ten and while they edged Iowa on the scoreboard, the Hawks outplayed them everywhere but special team gaffes, which might not have happened had Norm Parker been with them.
And as for the Big 12 (Big 2, little ten), look what UCLA just did to Texas and how Oklahoma barely escaped some glorified junior college last Saturday.
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And why would you say that these virtually unheralded conference ratings, done by Bubba and ****** over at the filling station??? are “most significant.” What is more “significanat” and respected that the AP and USA Today Coaches polls? You need to get a laxitive because you’re full of you know what.
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