In this first edition, I’ll look at a topic that will certainly come up again…the BCS. Ohio State has secured the Big Ten’s automatic spot but one of the conference’s other contenders can still have BCS dreams. The rest will be left out. We know only two teams from a conference can make the BCS (See two years ago: Oklahoma, Kansas in, Missouri out).
Today’s question comes from faithful reader CJ:
Who should get a BCS at-large spot…Penn State or Iowa?
Iowa
The 10-2 Hawkeyes started the season 9-0 but have lost two of their last three without injured quarterback Ricky Stanzi. However, they eeked out wins throughout the undefeated stretch. A 17-16 win over Northern Iowa, 24-21 over Arkansas State, 30-28 vs. Michigan and 15-13 to beat Michigan State. Yes that’s an FCS (I-AA) school, a 2-8 Sun Belt team, a 5-7 Big Ten team that has one conference win and a .500 Big Ten team. Those are teams you shouldn’t be squeaking out wins against. Needing to block two potential game-winning field goals against Northern Iowa or score on the last play of the game against Michigan State make you wonder about the strength of this team.
Nonetheless, Iowa came out winners in those close ones. It also has quality wins against 6-4 Arizona and 10-2 Penn State. That win over Penn State is a big one in this debate, as head-to-head the Hawkeyes were the victors.
Penn State
The Nittany Lions share the same 10-2 overall and 6-2 conference record with the Hawkeyes. Penn State has taken care of business against teams they should beat and done so handily. It has crushed opponents in just about all of its wins. The Nittany Lions’ average points per game are 29.7 to 11.8 for opponents. Nine of their 10 wins have been by two touchdowns or more.
However, one can question the strength of Penn State’s victories. Only two of their nine FBS (DI) victories came against teams over .500 (vs. Temple, @ Northwestern). The rest were at home against the bad Akron and Syracuse and the bottom half of the Big Ten, including the three worst (Illinois, Michigan, Indiana).
The Nittany Lions have lost to the only two top 25 teams they played this season, Ohio State and Iowa. Both were at home and both were double-digit losses.
The Verdict: Iowa and Penn State both have their strengths and faults. Iowa has looked good against better teams but worrisome against the mediocre. Penn State has crushed the majority of its schedule but come out ghostly against the good teams.
Ultimately, though, the BCS decision must come down to the head-to-head factor. A lot else is equal but Iowa beat Penn State on the field. That should put the Hawkeyes, and not the Nittany Lions, in line for a BCS bowl, most likely a trip to Glendale and the Fiesta Bowl.
Good points Connor, however, remember that Penn State will attract a much large audience and higher ratings than Iowa would in a BCS game. If Pitt were to win the Big East, a Pitt-Penn State Fiesta Bowl would be a dream come true for BCS selectors. Iowa did beat Penn State, but PSU is also a different and better team now than the were before. I'm fine with either team getting a bid, but the appeal factor of a university like PSU with Joe Pa will be key.
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