It’s been almost 50 years since the last meeting between the Irish and the Hawkeyes. A historic, classic rivalry series that needs to be revived.
During the beginning to mid 20th-century, the Hawkeyes and Fighting Irish were solid rivals. From 1945, they would play every single year until 1961, where they would play every other year until 1968, which would be the very last time. That game resulted in a 51-28 Irish victory.
With Notre Dame being only two states away in South Bend, IN, it makes sense to have this team become our new rivals, which they once were. Geography plays a huge part when it comes to a series in college football, and that is already checked off on the list. Traveling won’t be an issue. Now, the fact that the Irish aren’t in a conference for football makes it even easier to schedule Iowa. Their schedule is completely freed up, although they have to play at least five ACC teams each year. But this doesn’t have to be series that is continuous every single year, although it would make it all the better if it was. The series could be every other year which will also free up a spot on our end as well to schedule a different team since we have the CyHawk Rivalry every year.
There’s so many possibilities and opportunities with this series if it would come back. The hype for would be incredible since Iowa doesn’t schedule “decent” out-of-conference teams, and definitely draw some major attention outside of conference play. Now, the point where if this would actually be a good match up for the Hawks. My answer is yes, surprisingly. I feel like if this series would come back, it would be a great one, not a slaughterhouse like we would all expect. However, yes, on some occasions that will definitely happen. I’m saying with no real competition outside of conference play, this would be unbelievably amazing and bring in, again, a lot of hype.
With all being said I guess the real overall message of this is that the series would be incredible and to bring back some very, very historic Hawkeye rivalries back, and for Notre Dame as well. Hawkeye fans would absolutely love to play Notre Dame in a rivalry series, and I’m sure Irish fans would too considering the past of these two teams. There isn’t a series I wont more badly than this one. The rivalry that once was will hopefully be reborn sometime in the future, but for now, all we can do is hope and be excited to play subpar group-of-5 teams. Yeah, woo is right.