By Todd Brommelkamp/KGYM Radio
“The Truth! You can’t handle the truth!” – Col. Nathan Jessep
It’s Monday afternoon, almost two full days since then-No. 2 Iowa lost to Purdue in Iowa City, and it’s time to level with you.
Yes, it’s time for a reckoning when it comes to the No. 11 Hawkeyes.
They’re still the best team in the Big Ten West.
Better than Wisconsin, whom the Hawks will face in two weeks at Camp Randall Stadium.
Better than Northwestern, even though Iowa has had its struggles playing sub-par Wildcats teams in Evanston.
Better than Illinois and Minnesota, which both come to Kinnick Stadium next month.
Yes, they’re better than Nebraska too.
If you had told me at the beginning of the 2021 season Kirk Ferentz’s team would begin its bye week with a 6-1 record I’d have asked if you wanted to put your money where your mouth was. I wouldn’t have been able to reach for my wallet fast enough before remembering no one carries cash in this day and age.
What’s your Venmo?
Perspective – and five straight wins – have a way of changing things.
Fever dreams of playing in the College Football Playoffs likely came to end but those were largely hallucinogenic to begin with.
“The one thing we can’t do is stay undefeated but everything else is out there for our taking,” quarterback Spencer Petras said.
With apologies to Barry Goldwater, in your heart you know he’s right.
Last Tuesday Petras and his teammates echoed their coach in framing the schedule as two separate seasons.
Iowa finished the first part of its year 6-1. A 5-0 run on the back half of campaign should still leave the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis as the Hawks’ to lose, perhaps both literally and figuratively.
At the onset of the 2021 season there was plenty to be skeptical about with regard to this team. Believe me, I wasn’t exactly beating Iowa’s drum on preseason podcasts and in discussions both public and private.
“You talk to me just they way you talk on the radio,” I was told Saturday night.
I was led to believe that was meant as a compliment. I’m honest, I was told. I don’t say things just to say them, I was told.
So, the question was put me for the first (but certainly not final) time in the hours and days after David Bell and the Boilermakers spoiled homecoming in Iowa City.
Is this team overrated?
“They’re the best team in the Big Ten West,” I said. “They were this morning and they still are.”
There was silence. Aluminum cans were crushed in the distance as RVs rolled in the direction of the interstate.
“If you say so.”
Sometimes the truth can be hard to handle.
