Yeah but we went into the bowl game with 3 losses like Iowa and lost to a much better team than Iowa did. one of our losses was the first game of season and I think we played so well the rest of year we just kept moving up. We beat some really good teams and our only B1G losses were UM and OSU. Big ten was really good that year. We do that same this year and we probably finish 17th, don’t think it’s that different now.
So, will we be ranked?
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I could argue Arkansas doesn't belong. No wins vs anyone in the final top 25. Loss to Auburn, who has a losing record.
Utah State with no wins against anyone of substance. Losses to Wyoming and Boise State.
Louisiana with no wins against anyone worth noting. Loss to unranked Texas.
Wisconsin should have been ranked. Purdue should have been ranked. The middle of the Big Ten, which had the best showings in the bowl games (Wisconsin, Minny, and Purdue) inexplicably were left out, IMHO...
But the point is we would have to jump them and there was no justification. You could argue they should have never been that high to start with (and I would agree).
Our 2000 Rose Bowl team went 8-4 and finished ranked #12. We did beat OSU and Michigan that year as well as Wisconsin and Northwestern. They were all ranked.
I did see a too-early ranking that had us #23. Good to be recognized. Betting-wise, Purdue is +25000 to win the title next year, tied with 14 other teams for 45th place in the odds list. Indinia and Maryland are also at the same number. Alabama is the favorite at +150 with Bryce Young returning.
O$U +250
Michigan +3300
Penn St +5000
Wisconsin +5000
Iowa +10000
Minnesota +10000
Nebraska??? +10000
Michigan St +15000
Rutgers +50000
Syracuse +25000
Florida Atlantic +100000
Every team is listed. Just can't see Illinois and Northwestern because the ban hasn't been lifted in Illinois just yet. Soon.
Yeah, Iowa benefited from playing some teams early on that were way over-ranked. Below are the teams that Iowa beat on their way to a #2 ranking with the opponents' ranking at the time and their final record:
#17 Indiana (2-10)
@ #9 Iowa State (7-6)
Kent State (7-7)
Colorado State (3-9)
@ Maryland (7-6)
#4 Penn State (7-6)
Those six teams posted a combined record of 33-44. Yet three were in the top 20 and two were in the top 10 when Iowa played them.
But, I guess that works both ways. Purdue gets credit for beating a #2 opponent that was, in reality, a fringe top-20 team.
Aside from the national rankings, the Big Ten Power projection gave me a good laugh. Poor, poor Indinia.
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