The 2002 Iowa Hawkeyes: A Near‑Miss That Could Have Changed College Football
The 2002 Iowa Hawkeyes finished 11‑1, captured a share of the Big Ten, and were ranked No. 5 in the final BCS standings, yet a controversial exclusion from the Rose Bowl sent them to the Orange Bowl, where they fell to USC. In a world where a 24‑team playoff had existed, the Hawkeyes would have been heavy favorites, reshaping the championship picture.
Jul 28, 2026