IOWA CITY — Just as quickly as Kinnick Stadium filled up with fans this past weekend, the unbeaten Iowa Hawkeyes are gaining momentum. The Hawkeyes are on track for a trip to Pasadena, California: Either for the Rose Bowl or possibly even for the National Championship game there in January. Fans here are flocking to the Iowa bandwagon, but nationally, Iowa’s not getting much respect.

Iowa is fourth in the BCS standings behind Florida, Texas and Alabama. But, Las Vegas doesn’t like Iowa’s odds of winning it all. Florida’s the favorite to win the title at eight to five, followed by Texas and Florida. But Iowa only gets a one in 20 shot at winning the BCS title. Even TCU, at one in 12, and Boise State, at one in 15, are getting better odds. All those rankings have fans and even the university asking, why?

Despite last-second, heart-stopping plays ... the Iowa Hawkeyes have faced criticism from national pundits. Now, the athletic department is speaking out to defend the undefeated team.

University of Iowa Sports Information Director Phil Haddy tells TV9, “Before the season started, people said, ‘Poor Iowa. They’re going to have one of the toughest schedules in the nation this year and they’re going to have an unbelievably tough road schedule.’ Now, we’re 9-0 and people are saying Iowa hasn’t played anybody. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

No one’s really sure why the Hawkeyes haven’t earned more respect. But, some people have a theory. Haddy adds, “A lot of people expect the big, marquee names: the Southern Cals, the Ohio States, the Michigans, they’re supposed to be up there. Iowa’s not supposed to be there. So, if Iowa’s there, there must be something wrong.”

Local t-shirt companies, like Imprinted Sportswear, do have faith in their hometown team. The business has already benefited from the bowl-game hype. Dave Hansen with Imprinted Sportswear tells TV9, “You can almost put ‘Iowa,’ just the four-letter word, on anything and it will sell.”

And, if the Hawkeyes do make it to Pasadena, it will certainly be interesting to hear what all those pundits who doubted them have to say.