It’s about the midway point in the Big Ten soccer season, which means it’s a good time to see where Iowa ranks and what it must do the rest of the season in order to make it to its first Big Ten Tournament since 2014.
Right now, the Hawkeyes are looking up at every other team in the Big Ten with a conference record of 0-3-1.
However, they may not be as bad as their record says; two of the three Iowa losses have come against teams that are ranked in the top-25.
Another reason for Iowa being so far down in the Big Ten standings is it has currently played the fewest games of any team in the conference, along with Nebraska.
Most teams have played five or six Big Ten matches, but Iowa has only competed in four, so hope is still there for the Hawkeyes to climb their way back up.
While they may control their own destiny to a point, the bottom line is they need to win.
The next opportunity for Iowa to capture its elusive first conference win comes tonight against No. 23 Rutgers. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Iowa Soccer Complex.
This will probably prove to be Iowa’s toughest test for the rest of the season, because Rutgers boasts an elite defense that has allowed just 2 goals so far this season.
After the Scarlet Knights leave town, Iowa’s schedule sweetens; five of Iowa’s final six Big Ten games are against teams in the bottom half of the Big Ten standings.
Having an easy finish to the schedule should greatly benefit the Hawkeyes, who have shown growth over the course of the season.
The lone team remaining for Iowa not in the bottom half of the Big Ten is the current leader of the conference: Purdue.
While Purdue has yet to be beaten in Big Ten play, it’s tough to tell how good it is, because most of their opponents find themselves at the bottom of the Big Ten abyss.
Even with the easier slate coming up for the Hawkeyes, they still find themselves 6 points behind where they need to be to secure a spot in the tournament, so they need to start making up ground fast.
Standings aren’t always the most accurate way to see where a team stands with the rest of the teams around them, so here’s a Big Ten power rankings that hopes to be more accurate.
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1. Ohio State (4-1-0)
The Buckeyes started the Big Ten season with a 7-0 rout of a dreary Illinois squad, and other than a hiccup against Northwestern, they’ve been perfect, allowing just 1 goal in conference play. Their victory over Penn State on Sept. 30 gives them the nod for first.
2. Minnesota (3-1-1)
The Gophers started off the Big Ten season with a loss and a tie but have since turned it around, outscoring their opponents 10-3 in their last three games.
3. Rutgers (3-1-1)
It took until the 10th game for the Rutgers defense to yield a goal, and it wasn’t until the 11th when Rutgers finally suffered its first loss. The Scarlet Knights have struggled to score at times, but their defense has been unbelievable.
4. Purdue (4-0-1)
It’s been a great start to the Big Ten season for Purdue. While it hasn’t faced any of the premier teams yet, it has successfully managed the first half of its schedule.
5. Penn State (3-1-1)
As odd as it is to see the highest ranked Big Ten team so low, Penn State has been underwhelming so far in Big Ten play. After an easy 3-0 win against Northwestern, it barely beat Iowa and Illinois before taking a draw with Nebraska and a loss to Ohio State.
6. Northwestern (3-2-1)
For a team that has had to play four of the top five teams in the conference, having only two losses has got to be a good sign for the Wildcats. They have another big test next weekend as they take on Minnesota.
7. Michigan (2-1-3)
Three of Michigan’s last four games have ended in draws. Its last decision was a win against Wisconsin, which is why Michigan is ahead of the Badgers. The Wolverines need to find a way to close out games if they want to be more successful.
8. Nebraska (1-1-2)
The Huskers are tied with Iowa for fewest Big Ten games played so far this season, but in the four games they have played, they’ve looked good. Their lone loss was 1-0 to Ohio State.
9. Wisconsin (2-2-1)
The Big Ten season started well for the Badgers, with wins over Michigan State and Minnesota, but they have only picked up 1 point in three games, and things aren’t getting any easier; they host Purdue this weekend.
10. Maryland (1-3-1)
The Terrapins’ losses are to Minnesota, Rutgers and Northwestern, so it’s been a tough first half of the schedule, but each loss has been by 2 goals. Maryland needs to find a way to score more.
11. Iowa (0-3-1)
As stated earlier, two out of Iowa’s three losses have come to ranked opponents. The loss against Michigan State doesn’t look good, but it has a big test coming up against Rutgers tonight.
12. Michigan State (1-5-0)
With a victory over Iowa last weekend, a case could be made for the Spartans being ranked above the Hawkeyes. But the reason they’re not is the Spartans goal differential is a whopping -14, and that’s not including their 7 non-conference games.
13. Illinois (1-5-0)
It’s a toss-up between the Fighting Illini and the Hoosiers for Big Ten’s worst team, but with the Illini defeating the Hoosiers 3-1 last weekend, they escape the cellar.
14. Indiana (1-3-1)
The Hoosiers beat Michigan State in their Big Ten opener but haven’t done much since. With Ohio State, Minnesota, and Rutgers all on their schedule, it could be as tough of a finish as it was a start for Indiana.