Big Ten Football 2015: Ranking the schedules
By Mark Rogers
Jan 2, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz in the fourth quarter of the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl against the Tennessee Volunteers at EverBank Field. The Tennessee Volunteers beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 45-28. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
14. Iowa Hawkeyes
This schedule gives Iowa an opportunity to gain some relevance back in the Big Ten. Iowa’s third matchup with the Pitt Panthers in five years highlights a pretty dismal non-conference slate that includes FCS member Illinois State, North Texas and Iowa State. The Hawkeyes hold an embarrassing 5-5 stalemate vs their cross state rivals in the last ten years including last season’s 20-17 home loss to an Iowa State club that finished 2-10.
Iowa’s status as easiest Big Ten schedule is also “strengthened” by its Western Division status and light out of division games vs Maryland and on the road at Indiana. The Hawkeyes’ toughest and most important games are spread throughout the slate. Iowa opens Big Ten play at Wisconsin on October 3, tangles with Minnesota five weeks later, and finishes with what the Big Ten has deemed an annual season finale at Nebraska.
The Hawkeyes blew a late double-digit lead in Iowa City last year before falling in overtime, Iowa’s season ended with a double thud as Tennessee buried the Hawkeyes 28-0 in the first half en route to a 45-28 win.
Kirk Ferentz will need to pick up a few quality wins in 2015 to ease the pressure of a restless Iowa fan base.
Next: Purdue Boilermakers