I have been to Bloomington and witnessed an Iowa win, as well as an Iowa loss. The games were back in the 1980s and over the years there have been some heartbreaks on either side.
The series in many ways mirrors the Iowa State series. Iowa typically wins 2 out of 3, dating back to 1981. The Hoosiers have found ways, like Iowa State, to be a thorn in Iowa's side, though Iowa has won 5 of the last 6 games in the series.
I have been a Big Ten Football fan, ever since the days of watching one game on ABC ... Michigan vs. Ohio State - the Big 2 and Little 8.
I have yet to see Indiana or Minnesota win a B1G Title. Of course, Maryland, Nebraska or Rutgers have yet to win one either. It has been six years, since Iowa has played for a Big Ten title. IU was last in the hunt back in 1987, if I recall correctly. A good year, when IU finished 6-2 in the Big Ten.
The Iowa-IU basketball series has always brought some great memories. Iowa hasn't won a Big Title, since 1979, so one is a Football school and one is a Basketball school? Actually, Iowa has been pretty balanced, lead by wrestling, but a decent history in the other sports of basketball, women's basketball, football, e tal.
Indiana basketball has a great rich tradition. Not as much of late, but not Nebraska football level either.
What is up in Soccer this year, only #26. Sadly, Creighton dropped to #6 and dropped their final regular season meet to Georgetown today ... oops, back to American Football
In 1981, Hayden Fry helped open up the Big Ten to others. No, I wasn't watching Big Ten football back in 1967. But, I enjoyed the 1981 season greatly, the first season Kirk Ferentz was on the sidelines for Iowa. The Hawkeyes won the Big Ten. The 1982 game in Bloomington was a classic, down the wire game, with TE Scott McNabb being halted on the 2 yard line by Iowa's Devon Mitchell to preserve a 24-20 Hawkeye victory.
Great memories under Fry/Ferentz in the 1980s, as well as during the Fry and Ferentz era from 1979 to now. I can't remember all the IU coaches names. There have been some heartbreaks, with Hep.
Iowa is 18-9, since 1981, but the last time Iowa-IU played in Bloomington, the Hawkeyes fell 24-21, after opening up to a 14-3 lead. QB Sudfeld was benched and the Hoosiers and Hawkeyes closed out the 2012 season at 4-8. Iowa's only non-bowl eligible season, since 2001.
This week, #10/#11 Iowa arrives 8-0, 4-0 in the B1G West, while IU is 0-4 in the East. The Hoosiers are all rested and healed up, so the Big Game nears.
The last time Iowa was 8-0, the Hoosiers were were the 9th opponent during the 2009 game. The Hawkeyes won 42-24, in an exciting game that even witnessed a pin ball Pick 6.
Talk about Pick 6 plays, Iowa has had back to back Pick 6 first halves against QB #7 Nate Sudfeld. LB Chirs Kirksey in 2012 (now with Cleveland) and CB #14 Desmond King (2014), who leads FBS in Interceptions and has a couple more this season, including last week in Iowa's 31-15 win over Maryland.
Does Nate Sudfeld continue his interceptions vs. Iowa?
Indiana is looking to pull off the biggest upset, since beating #9 Ohio State in Columbus in 1987. #11 Iowa won in 1987 over the Hoosiers, who went on to finish 6-2 in the conference.
A season that could have been, in 2015, had IU defeated Ohio State again, like back in 1987?
Typically, bowl seasons run through Iowa for Indiana. The 2007 team, it was certainly the case. It cost Iowa a bowl trip. Of course, the season ending loss to WMU had more to do with it, but IU was chosen over Iowa. 1987 was an exception, I think 4 out of 5 years, IU beat Iowa in the years they bowled (looking at last five bowls or so).
Of course, a handful of 5-7 teams may bowl in 2015?
Special teams have been huge this year for Iowa. As Kevin Wilson has pointed out, Iowa has improved in all three phases of the game.
"We have to play assignment football. Everyone has to be in the right gap and the right coverage at the same time," said UI sophomore linebacker #43 Josey Jewell. "We have to be ready, and once we see (the offensive alignment), we have to be able to make the calls right away. There can't be a lot of thinking, it has to be second nature to us."
Sudfeld, who leads the Big Ten in passing (292.7 yards per game) and total offense (295.1). He has completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,049 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.
"You play this game because you want to play the best," said UI junior #13 cornerback Greg Mabin. "Right now Indiana is up there as far as its passing game. It will be a challenge for us."
Last October the Hawkeyes defeated Indiana, 45-29, in Kinnick Stadium. Sudfeld suffered a season-ending injury in the second quarter after being sacked by Carl Davis and Drew Ott. Hoosier running back Tevin Coleman went on to rush for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Coleman is now with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons; the top ground gainer for Indiana is Alabama-Birmingham transfer Jordan Howard, who averages 131.2 yards per game.
"They can throw the ball, they can run it," Jewell said. "We have to be ready."
Iowa's rushing defense is better than Ohio State or Michigan State. Clearly, against Maryland, OSU didn't do as well, holding the top Terrapins rushing down.
Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State all have some chinks in the armor. However, this is a very good Iowa team, that is looking to beat IU and get to 9-0, just like they did in 2009. This is clearly the best Iowa team, since 2009.
In many ways, they are playing better. Iowa struggled with some real close games in 2009.
"I don't know if it's a great group, but they're better together than they are independently," Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson said. "You don't win all these games the way they're winning (by accident). They're scoring points. They've done a nice job. I've always had a lot of respect for their program and the job that they've done there. This is a good football team."
Will IU upset Iowa, as many suggest? History may favor the Hawkeyes, but each team has a very good offensive line. Each team has a good quarterback, but each has been dinged and one clearly isn't as effective, as he was vs.ISU and Pitt.
Special teams will be something to watch closely. Defense favors Iowa. Defense often is referred to in winning championships. Does Iowa have a championship team in 2015?
In 2013, it was Michigan State. In 2014, in was Ohio State. For 2015, Iowa fans are hoping it becomes Iowa. The defense has taken a hit, with the #1 player hurt. However, Iowa has won without him this season. Iowa has three Power 5 road wins in three outings. Two of those teams are bowl eligible.
IU has a nice Power 5 win @ Wake Forest. However, 0-4 since, so something will give on Saturday.
Iowa beat Iowa State 31-17, but the game was tied at 17 early fourth quarter. Iowa won a close game at Wisconsin 10-6. The Northwestern game was a 40-10 blowout. Iowa beat NW 48-7 last year. It will be an interesting game on Saturday.
The Fourth Quarter has been strong for Iowa, over the past 9 games Iowa QB #16 C.J. Beathard has played. It has been unkind for IU. Iowa 31, IU 17, if it is an Iowa win, would be my pick, similar to Iowa's first road trip of the season.
If Iowa can't separate, then 2010 was 18-13 Iowa, while 2012 was 24-21 IU. The Hawkeyes were up 14-3, back in the last game, in 2012. The same thing happened at Kinnick last year, as Sudfeld threw another Pick 6 early ... so, who gets out to an early start. In the 2009 game, the last time Iowa sat 8-0, IU got off to a early start, and the Hawkeyes came back to finish it 42-24.
Hold onto your seats ... a classic Iowa-IU game in near!
peace
