After starting 0-2, it appeared 2020 might be a lost season for Iowa.

Since then, however, the Hawkeyes have been red-hot, rattling off four consecutive wins. That streak is garnering attention at a national level, specifically with the College GameDay crew.

To be fair, Iowa’s first two losses were close contests to Purdue and Northwestern. Neither loss is anything to be embarrassed about. Since those losses, the Hawkeyes have answered any questions asked of them and now are in the top 20 of the AP poll, which has garnered praise from Kirk Herbstreit.

“This is a team that’s a great story because we get so focused, a lot of times, on the playoff and the six teams that are trying to compete to get into the playoff,” Herbstreit said. “And there are teams like Iowa that are a heck of a story, 0-2, as you said a lot of issues off the field but instead of shutting things down, they kept going back to work.

“The two losses that they have, to Purdue by four points, Northwestern by one point. So not only losing, but losing games you feel you could have won and then instead of shutting down, they turned that thing around. They win four in a row. Just a great job by [Iowa coach Kirk] Ferentz and that staff. It is not shocking if you’ve followed his career.”

Herbstreit’s words ring true. It’s a real great tale of overcoming some adversity and excelling. At this point, the Big Ten title game appears out of the question for Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ final two regular season games are against Illinois and Wisconsin. The game against the Badgers will be a real chance for Ferentz’s Iowa squad to make some real noise.