Well please excuse us. Understand we're not from Missouri but over time we have developed a little bit of a "Show me" attitude. We'll just see how "severe" that talent gap is on the 17th. I sure hope your team has that same thought in the back of their minds. That will get them beat.
Oh and, someone help me out here, didn't we just graduate four or five guys who are at present in an NFL camp? Just imagine if we actually had 85 full rides!
I know, right? Is the talent gap between Iowa and NDSU anything like the talent gap between Jacksonville State and Auburn?
The problem that Iowa presents is that they've got a wining program's attitude. Other than Kansas State and some of the G5 schools that NDSU spanked, the FBS schools NDSU has beaten haven't had that kind of tradition. Moreover, Iowa is stout on defense/OL - I'd much rather play one of those Big 12 offensive juggernauts like Texas Tech than a complete, fundamentally-sound team like Iowa, but, unfortunately, P5 teams aren't exactly lining up to schedule NDSU (I'm looking at you, Arkansas.)
Yep, the Bison lost to Montana in the season opener, with a new defense. The defense managed to get better every single game throughout the season and playoffs, right up to the National Championship. While it was a heartbreaking loss for the Bison, there's no shame in losing a close game to a team that goes on to make the playoffs, when you learn from the experience and go on to improve dramatically.
And USD beat the Bison mid-season, the week after a grueling game against UNI. Carson Wentz broke his wrist during the second drive of the game, but continued to play. The losses - both of the game (that we should have won) and of our NFL-caliber QB - served as a wake-up call to the team, and we all know how the rest of the season (and post-season) went.
Shhhhhiiiiiit!!!!!
Why didn't coach tell us
that this gap is so
damn huge!!!
That game didn't bother me about the strength of the Big 10 as much as Michigan State's total destruction by the hands of Alabama. Iowa's lost to Stanford could have been blamed as a let-down lost due to them losing to Michigan State in the Big 10 Championships. However, when the team that won that game goes on to the College Football Playoffs and loses just as bad as Iowa did to Stanford tells me that the Big 10, regardless of the subconference, was just plain out terrible last year among the Power Five conferences.
Hail the BISON!!!
As usual, I agree with you, CM.........except for those times that I don't. I'm even starting to wonder if there's not a huge talent gap the other way.
The truth is, here's what Iowa fans have to look forward to: Your team screwed the pooch when it counted, and......... in the case of Stanford......... in a big, embarrassing way in front of millions of people in the granddaddy of all Bowl Games. Like it or not, THAT is your legacy until your team does something positive, when it counts, to avenge it. Oh, and here's the good part..........NOTHING that happens in your game against NDSU will EVER change that dynamic for the positive (we're FCS, remember), but can only enhance your negatives.
NDSU, on the other hand, hasn't a thing to lose. Sweet dreams, boys.