Big Ten Football: Picking the best season for each program since 2000

In this century, Iowa has had several seasons with double-digit wins that qualify to be considered the best. However, the 2009 season was probably the most fun and memorable one for Hawkeye fans.

It started off with a seemingly tune-up against Northern Iowa that was anything but easy. The Hawkeyes needed not one but two blocked field goals to hold off the Panthers 17-16, the first time in NCAA history a game ended with two consecutive blocked field goals. Easier wins against rival Iowa State and Arizona followed.

Next came a road game at No. 5 Penn State. The Nittany Lions had revenge on their mind after the 2008 meeting in Iowa City ended on a last second field goal by Iowa, dashing the national title hopes of Penn State. The Lions would go up 10-0 early but the Hawkeyes bruising defense shut them out in the final three quarters on their way to a 21-10 victory.

Iowa would continue winning over the next five games, including wins over Michigan and Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes were 9-0 and ranked No. 4 in the country. Unfortunately their hopes of a national title were squashed in a 17-10 home loss to Northwestern. The Hawkeyes still had a chance at winning the Big Ten with a trip to Columbus the following week. After being down 24-10, the Hawkeyes would comeback to force overtime but would lose by a field goal in the extra frame.

Iowa concluded the regular season with a shutout win over Minnesota and earned an Orange Bowl bid to face ACC champion Georgia Tech.

The Hawkeyes brought the Iowa weather with them as it was the coldest Orange Bowl on record at 49 degrees at kickoff. They used it to their advantage, beating the Yellow Jackets 24-14 and winning their first BCS bowl ever.