Nebraska has been in every game and could easily be 8-4.

Yes, if MSU wins out today which is most likely then Iowa gaining a win over MSU will erase all doubt and doubters. If they lose to MSU then folks will say they were never as good as the ranking showed and that is fine. Iowa will still be in the top 10 and going to a Major Bowl. Every Bowl is going to be clamoring to grab Iowa because Iowa always travels well and the fans always spend well wherever they go. That is on 7-5 seasons at middling bowls. The Hawkeye Nation is going to be loud and proud this year. Even if they lose the MSU game there will be more controversy when they land a Bowl that some folks think is above them because that is simply how it goes for Iowa.

So either way at this point, things are great for Iowa. Had Iowa crushed Nebraska and every pundit and person in the country was singing their praises of Iowa then I might be worried because that is exactly the kind of team that MSU kicks in that extra gear for. As it stands now, we may be more likely to get one of those mediocre performances that we have seen MSU put in during the season. Personally, if I controlled ESPN, I would have Paul Finebaum on every single talk show. I wouldn't ever let him leave The Compound until the final CFP rankings were in. That guy has done great things for Iowa this year.

(11-28-2015 09:10 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  Yes, if MSU wins out today which is most likely then Iowa gaining a win over MSU will erase all doubt and doubters. If they lose to MSU then folks will say they were never as good as the ranking showed and that is fine. Iowa will still be in the top 10 and going to a Major Bowl. Every Bowl is going to be clamoring to grab Iowa because Iowa always travels well and the fans always spend well wherever they go. That is on 7-5 seasons at middling bowls. The Hawkeye Nation is going to be loud and proud this year. Even if they lose the MSU game there will be more controversy when they land a Bowl that some folks think is above them because that is simply how it goes for Iowa.

So either way at this point, things are great for Iowa. Had Iowa crushed Nebraska and every pundit and person in the country was singing their praises of Iowa then I might be worried because that is exactly the kind of team that MSU kicks in that extra gear for. As it stands now, we may be more likely to get one of those mediocre performances that we have seen MSU put in during the season.

I seriously doubt MSU will be unmotivated to play an unbeaten Iowa with the B1G title and a trip to the playoffs on the line.

As for Iowa, it's been a banner season and you have every reason to be proud no matter what happens, and yes, if Iowa loses the CCG all the big bowls will want Iowa because you have a fantastic traveling fan base.

None of that has anything to do with the unimpressive wins against a schedule that didn't include any major challenges to this point, BTW.

(11-28-2015 09:31 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(11-28-2015 09:10 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  Yes, if MSU wins out today which is most likely then Iowa gaining a win over MSU will erase all doubt and doubters. If they lose to MSU then folks will say they were never as good as the ranking showed and that is fine. Iowa will still be in the top 10 and going to a Major Bowl. Every Bowl is going to be clamoring to grab Iowa because Iowa always travels well and the fans always spend well wherever they go. That is on 7-5 seasons at middling bowls. The Hawkeye Nation is going to be loud and proud this year. Even if they lose the MSU game there will be more controversy when they land a Bowl that some folks think is above them because that is simply how it goes for Iowa.

So either way at this point, things are great for Iowa. Had Iowa crushed Nebraska and every pundit and person in the country was singing their praises of Iowa then I might be worried because that is exactly the kind of team that MSU kicks in that extra gear for. As it stands now, we may be more likely to get one of those mediocre performances that we have seen MSU put in during the season.

I seriously doubt MSU will be unmotivated to play an unbeaten Iowa with the B1G title and a trip to the playoffs on the line.

As for Iowa, it's been a banner season and you have every reason to be proud no matter what happens, and yes, if Iowa loses the CCG all the big bowls will want Iowa because you have a fantastic traveling fan base.

None of that has anything to do with the unimpressive wins against a schedule that didn't include any major challenges to this point, BTW.

Sure it does, havn't you heard? Iowa is 12-0.

Also, there are different levels of motivation. You may not be able to recognize them but that does not mean they do not exist. It happens when MSU either thinks they are the better team or if everyone else thinks the other team is the better team. Will MSU be prepared and motivated for that game? Oh hell yeah, if they win they go to the CFP but there is a level of motivation that isn't controlled by conscious thought. For MSU it is that chip on the shoulder mentality. Teams like Michigan and Ohio State strike it. Iowa may as well, but I doubt it. They will feel like the better team coming in thus they wont be as emotional.

Iowa please win the Big 10.

Then we can have a total meltdown from OSU & Michigan fans.

(11-28-2015 09:37 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-28-2015 09:31 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(11-28-2015 09:10 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  Yes, if MSU wins out today which is most likely then Iowa gaining a win over MSU will erase all doubt and doubters. If they lose to MSU then folks will say they were never as good as the ranking showed and that is fine. Iowa will still be in the top 10 and going to a Major Bowl. Every Bowl is going to be clamoring to grab Iowa because Iowa always travels well and the fans always spend well wherever they go. That is on 7-5 seasons at middling bowls. The Hawkeye Nation is going to be loud and proud this year. Even if they lose the MSU game there will be more controversy when they land a Bowl that some folks think is above them because that is simply how it goes for Iowa.

So either way at this point, things are great for Iowa. Had Iowa crushed Nebraska and every pundit and person in the country was singing their praises of Iowa then I might be worried because that is exactly the kind of team that MSU kicks in that extra gear for. As it stands now, we may be more likely to get one of those mediocre performances that we have seen MSU put in during the season.

I seriously doubt MSU will be unmotivated to play an unbeaten Iowa with the B1G title and a trip to the playoffs on the line.

As for Iowa, it's been a banner season and you have every reason to be proud no matter what happens, and yes, if Iowa loses the CCG all the big bowls will want Iowa because you have a fantastic traveling fan base.

None of that has anything to do with the unimpressive wins against a schedule that didn't include any major challenges to this point, BTW.

Sure it does, havn't you heard? Iowa is 12-0.

Also, there are different levels of motivation. You may not be able to recognize them but that does not mean they do not exist. It happens when MSU either thinks they are the better team or if everyone else thinks the other team is the better team. Will MSU be prepared and motivated for that game? Oh hell yeah, if they win they go to the CFP but there is a level of motivation that isn't controlled by conscious thought. For MSU it is that chip on the shoulder mentality. Teams like Michigan and Ohio State strike it. Iowa may as well, but I doubt it. They will feel like the better team coming in thus they wont be as emotional.

No question, MSU does have the "little brother" chip on their shoulder vs Michigan and Ohio State, as they are always perceived to be in their shadow. That can matter for something. But when it comes to motivation, there is range-restriction, you can only be so motivated.

In this case, even though Iowa doesn't provoke that same chip, the stakes are objectively so high that MSU will be at max-motivation anyway.

Motivated? Yes. Emotional? Not as much.

(11-28-2015 09:46 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  Motivated? Yes. Emotional? Not as much.

We'll see.