If you’re looking for optimism following Iowa’s 19-10 win over a rising Illinois team, this isn’t the place to be. A win is a win, and that’s all that matters. But a peak behind the box score reveals more.
I’ll do a compliment sandwich: you can’t understate getting a win on senior day. As Kirk Ferentz said in the postgame, they’ve lost a couple of those in seasons past and that is not a great feeling. Beating a border rival that’s starting to catch up to Iowa in recruiting is important, and it’s also important to remember Lovie Smith is 0-4 against Ferentz.