Iowa Football: Where Hawks stand in the B1G after week one

The first week of Big Ten football is in the books. After week one, here is where the Iowa football team stands compared to its’ conference foes.

The top teams in the Big Ten, including the Iowa football team, did not have any major week one struggles as they got off to a good start to start the season. Here’s a rundown of the East and West standings after week one and what’s on the horizon in Week 2.

East Standings

Indiana:1-0 (0-0)  vs. Eastern Illinois

Maryland: 1-0 (0-0) vs. #22 Syracuse

Michigan: 1-0 (0-0) vs. Army

Michigan State: 1-0 (0-0) vs. Western Michigan

Ohio State: 1-0 (0-0) vs. Cincinnati

Penn State: 1-0 (0-0) vs. Buffalo

Rutgers: 1-0 (0-0) @ #19 Iowa

Teams in the East had no problems in their week one victory. Maryland was the most impressive as they put up 79 points at home shutting out Howard. Indiana traveled to a neutral site and faced Ball State in a competitive game but got a ten-point win, and the Ohio State Buckeyes showed off their new toy in transfer quarterback, Justin Fields, who had a field day in helping his team get a convincing win.

After a 1-11 season Rutgers started the 2019 season on the right foot by beating UMASS 48-21. You’ve got to give the Scarlet Knights some credit as they got behind early and fought back from being down 14. Meanwhile, no Trace McSorley, no problem for the Nittany Lions as, like the Terrapins, they put 79 points against Idaho to start the season.

The state of Michigan also got off to a strong start with wins in week one.

West Standings

Illinois:1-0 (0-0) vs. Eastern Michigan

Iowa: 1-0 (0-0) vs. Rutgers

Minnesota: 1-0 (0-0) @ Fresno State

Nebraska: 1-0 (0-0) @ Colorado

Wisconsin: 1-0 (0-0) vs. Central Michigan

Northwestern: 0-1 (0-0) vs. UNLV

Purdue: 0-1 (0-0) vs. Vanderbilt

The West division did not go undefeated like the East division, and in general, struggled.

Purdue went on the road to Nevada and lost a heartbreaker. Going into the third quarter the Boilermakers were in control leading 24-7 but fell apart and ended up losing on a 56-yard field goal as time expired 34-31.

The Northwestern Wildcats also went on the road as they took on the Standford Cardinal. It was an offensive struggle for the Cats as they only scored 7 points and ended up losing 17-7.

Wisconsin was the third and final team that had to travel to start week one as they took on the South Florida Bulls. Unlike Northwestern and Purdue, they did not have any problems winning 49-0.

One of Wisconsin’s biggest rivals, Minnesota, survived a scared against FCS foe South Dakota State by winning 28-21 after scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the latter half of the fourth quarter. Illinois also had no problem putting away Akron 42-3, and they extended their home-opener winning streak to 22.

Nebraska, however, got off to a rough start against South Alabama, but their defense bailed them out as they won their first game in 2019. Last, but not least, the Iowa football team had an excellent home opener filled with a dominant rushing attack and exciting passing offense and they took care of Miami 38-14.

Besides Iowa football starting a rare conference game in week 2 vs. Rutgers the rest of the conference should have another solid week with the help from Purdue and Northwestern bouncing back.