0xbt

1. I dont want to get on a soapbox, but Theres something so satisfying about a big bowl of irony. Especially when youre dishing it out not choking it down.There was a time when the underachieving $4-million-a-year punching bag couldnt escape the overwhelming narrative of a win-or-walk season. Now Kirk Steven Matz Jersey Ferentz no longer can avoid this beautiful reality: Iowa is the best team in the Big Ten.MORE FIRST-AND-10: | MORE: If the Hawkeyes dont win the conference and serve up a hefty helping of Suck It to all involved, it will be crushing disappointment.Its funny, Ferentz says, There was a different headline earlier in the season about pre sure.The headline now has changed because this Iowa team, despite its lack of Ohio State star power or Michigan momentum or Michigan State big-game experience, is the one never-wavering constant in the Big Ten race.It may be ugly at times, and it may be boring and bland. But you know what its not?Its not full of drama on and off the field. Its not the hope of something that isnt, and its not a rite of pa sage.Its just Iowa football, and for 17 years under Ferentz, thats been good enough, thank you.Closing in on one of those David Wright Jersey rare seasons where everything clicks is simply the reward for grinding through the seasons when it doesn't.Weve stayed true to who we are, says Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard. Were not a bunch of household names or superstars. Were just a group of guys who love to play football.A group of guys who keep winning and keep inching closer to a coveted top four ranking in the College Football Playoff despite the fact that its as pretty as an Iowa City winter. Keith Hernandez Jersey Six years after Ferentz was given a 10-year contract extension that jumped his salary to $4 million a year; six years after the next five seasons produced a 34-30 record and a ton of negative energy, the Hawkeyes have spackled together a season for the ages.Their quarterback, at various times this fall, has injured his groin, back and leg, and most recently, his hip in last weekends victory over Minnesota that moved the Hawkeyes to 10-0 for the first time in school history. Their star tailback has been limited by a high ankle sprain for much of the season, and played last weekend pain-free for the first time since September and had 195 yards and 3 TDs.PLAYOFFS: | | The defense that has carried the Hawkeyes much of the season has slipped the last two weeks against Indiana and Minnesota, giving up 62 points and 841 yards. But here they are, a game away (vs. Purdue) from winning the Big Ten West Division and two games away (at Nebraska) Wilson Ramos Jersey from playing the East Division winner for the right to play for it all.Their best win of the season is a road game at Wisconsin where the Hawkeyes were literally given the game: a Badgers fourth quarter fumble at the Iowa 1 ended what wouldve been a game-winning touchdown.They beat Pitt with a last-second 57-yard field goal, needed a fourth quarter comeback to beat Illinois and held on like grim death to beat Indiana and Minnesota. Not exactly CFP-worthy stuff.Yet somehow this team of misfits few wanted (have you seen ) has bonded like few teams have, ignoring what should be and delivering what cant be.In any sport, you do things because youre teammates, and the people involved, Ferentz said. Thats all that really counts at the end of the day.So let defending national champion Ohio State steal the thunder this weekend with its big game against Michigan State, the winner moving one step closer to clinching the East Division.Let Ohio State and Michigan play The Game next weekend, stealing the headlines from what will be Iowas perfect regular season.Iowa doesnt need the New York Mets Jersey attention. It just needs four quarters in Indianapolis to make it all right.And change the headline for good.FIRST-AND-10 ITEMS 2 THROUGH 9