Can the #19 Hawkeyes Make the Playoff?

In a conference that seems to be the Ohio State show every week, the Iowa Hawkeyes are not backing down without a fight. Iowa doesn't have the toughest schedule. They have faced a good Iowa State team and Wisconsin so far. They have to play a ranked Penn State and Northwestern who currently leads the Big Ten West standings. If Iowa can win-out, are they worthy enough to be in the playoff?

According to espn.com, Iowa is ranked 77th in the FBS offensively, defensively they are ranked 7th. Offensively, Iowa started out slow, but they have come alive as of late. Iowa has scored 40+ points the last two games. They average 33 points per game this season. Defensively, they average 16 points per game, only giving up 99 points on the season. They have gave up an incredible 489 yards on the ground. That is 3rd in the FBS. They also give up 200 yards per game in the air and 3 sacks per game. They have an impressive secondary and pass rush. Those are good stats, especially for a team who was considered a contender in the West, but not against Ohio State.

Iowa has always been an underdog when it comes to the rankings in the modern era of college football. Iowa has been ridiculed for a number of things. They win, but not by enough points, or they don't have the talent to contend with teams in the SEC. The one excuse experts make when it comes to them being ranked is their schedule.

Preseason, Iowa had Penn State and Wisconsin as ranked opponents on their schedule. According to the AP Poll, (October 14th, 2018) Penn State is 18th and Wisconsin is 23rd. Penn State has lost to Ohio State by 1 point and Michigan State by 7 both at home. Wisconsin has lost at home to BYU on a missed field goal and Michigan by 25 on the road. Despite the losses, the polls believe they're still worthy of being ranked. Other teams on Iowa's schedule like Iowa State and Northwestern do not get the credit they deserve.

Iowa State has beaten two ranked opponents back-to-back, Oklahoma State and West Virginia. They lost to Oklahoma at home by 10 and TCU by 3 on the road. In my opinion, I think Iowa State should be ranked along with Iowa. They have more ranked opponents on the schedule, lost to Iowa by 10 on the road, and may have ruined West Virginia's chances at the playoff. They should be ranked at least 25th or be receiving votes, Texas has a rude awakening coming for them. Meanwhile, Northwestern lost to Michigan by 3 at home and beat 21st ranked Michigan State on the road. Northwestern came back to defeat a now 0-6 Nebraska squad. Their setbacks have been the losses to Akron and Duke. Northwestern has played hard in conference play that is why they're leading the Big Ten West. They are a surprise team that may upset people down the stretch. So why isn't Iowa getting respect?

As I mentioned, the Big Ten Conference is the Ohio State show every week. Iowa's schedule isn't much different than Ohio State's. Ohio State only plays four ranked opponents this year as opposed to Iowa's two. The difference is that Ohio State's ranked non-conference opponent was TCU. The rest are of the teams remaining on the schedule, three Big Ten East opponents, two of which are ranked, and two Big Ten West opponents. Iowa plays in a weaker Big Ten West division, can you really blame the Hawkeyes for what they're dealt with? Seeing where they're ranked defensively, I'd say that is where you should be if you have a weaker schedule. They could play ranked non-conference opponents I do agree, but Iowa State, despite being 3-3, has knocked off two ranked opponents already. One was ranked in the top ten. Iowa State should be considered a tough test for the Hawkeyes.

I say don't sleep on the Hawkeyes. Although Iowa lost to Wisconsin, I think this team has a chance against anybody. They have great linemen on both sides of the ball. Their pass rush is top notch and their secondary is underrated. Defense is what could carry this team to Indy.

If Iowa can win-out and hope for one more Wisconsin loss, they will represent the West in Indy. Will they make the playoff, or will the playoff be missing a Big Ten team this year if they win?