You can double check me on this, but the last back to back 8 win seasons was a stretch of roaring success back in 1901 through 1904 where we won 8 or more games in consecutive seasons.
If we ever become a consistent 8 win team, build Belima's statue before he retires so he can enjoy his bronziness.
While I dabble in the orange koolaid from time to time, we are messing with some serious historical things here should games break in our favor.
89 and 90 we won 10 and 8 respectively, but your point still stands.
Since joining the Big Ten in 1953 we've only had back-to-back winning records a few times.
1959-1960 (barely)
1963-1965 (3 year stretch)
1981-1985 (5 year stretch)
1989-1990
2010-2011 (barely)
If you use your 8 game win total or equivalent wining percentage for when they used to play fewer games, we're left with:
1963-1964
1983-1984
1989-1990
That is a SAD history. We've been bad since I can remember, (2001/2007 were the exceptions) but I always thought we had a pretty decent history. Looking at these records on sports-reference, that is not the case. We had a run with Butkus and a decent 10 year stretch in the 80s-90s; otherwise we've been bad.
Gives me an even great appreciation for this staff.