2016 Opponent Previews: Iowa

Saunders

Saunders

Heisman Trophy Winner
CollegeFootballNews.com


Okay, Iowa, here’s the deal the college football world will make with you this season.
Everyone will continue to disrespect you, and in exchange, you don’t care and you have fun winning.

Considering the way the year ended by setting the standard for disastrous Rose Bowl performances in the 45-16 loss to Stanford, and with the relatively light and breezy schedule the team was able to face on the way to the 12-0 start, it just wasn’t that easy to believe it was all for real.
Yeah, beating Wisconsin in Madison was terrific, but the Badgers deserve about 94% of the credit for the Iowa win with dumb mistake after dumber mistake in a six turnover performance in the 10-6 loss. Winning ugly is still winning, but America was forgiven for not exactly buying in.

With no Michigan, Ohio State or Michigan State on the schedule, and the toughest non-conference game coming at home in a fight vs. Pitt, the prevailing belief was that Iowa’s happy fun time would be all over the moment it played a great team.

But Iowa turned out to almost have the last laugh...

Preview Part 1: http://collegefootballnews.com/2016/iowa-preview-2016-make-america-mad-again

Preview Part 2 & Prediction Video: http://collegefootballnews.com/2016/iowa-hawkeyes-preview-2016

Ten Players You Need To Know: http://collegefootballnews.com/2016/iowa-hawkeyes-preview-2016-10-players-you-need-to-know

Schedule and 5 keys to the season: http://collegefootballnews.com/2016/iowa-football-schedule-2016-5-keys-for-the-hawkeyes

Prediction: 9-3
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Athlon Sports

The 2015 season was certainly a memorable one for Iowa. The Hawkeyes finished 12-2, claimed the Big Ten’s West Division title and came within a goal-line stand of reaching the College Football Playoff. Considering Iowa had not won more than eight games since 2010 and coach Kirk Ferentz was starting to feel a little heat, last year’s record was a huge surprise. While the Hawkeyes may have trouble repeating last season’s success, this team is the favorite to win the West Division once again. Quarterback C.J. Beathard anchors a solid offense, while the defense returns standout cornerback Desmond King. With a favorable schedule in place, Iowa could once again challenge for 10 (or more) wins...
National Forecast - #20
Big Ten West Prediction - #1

http://athlonsports.com/college-football/top-25/iowa-hawkeyes-2016-preview-and-prediction
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Phil Steele

Iowa has not won a bowl since 2010. They were +11 turnovers last year. They have a Stock Market Indicator of -4.5, had an offensive ypp of 12.5 and 2 net close wins last year. They were 8-0 in Big Ten play in the regular season but just +36.6 ypg (4th best). All those factors are pointing down and I do not expect Iowa to match last year's 12-0 regular season record and basically being 1 play short from making the playoffs. This years team is more exp'd than 2015 and also has a schedule tailor made for success. They do have 5 Big 10 road games but none come vs a team that had a winning Big 10 record last year (comb 10-30). They get NW, Wisconsin and Nebraska all at home (7-0 at home in '15) and get my call to return to the Big Ten Title game and maybe get that elusive bowl win. They are my #3 Surprise Team this year

https://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2016_Top_40_Countdown/14_Iowa.pdf
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SBNation: Iowa could make another Big Ten title game run, but don't expect another 2015

We might see them finish the regular season 12-0.

We might see them take a fourth-quarter lead in the conference title game on a gorgeous bomb.
Iowa did all of those. Granted, the last 70 minutes or so (the last 10 of the Big Ten title game against Michigan State and all 60 against Stanford) didn't go well. But some great movies don't quite have the ending they deserve. And for most of us, it's not about the final destination so much as the moments along the way.

Now comes the awkward part. A magical run is, by definition, almost impossible to replicate. It uses up most of your dark arts quota. It also sets a bar that you probably can't clear.

2016 projected wins: 7.4

Projected S&P+ ranking: 38 (7 in Big Ten)

5-year recruiting ranking: 51 (9 in Big Ten)

Biggest strength: The run defense should be even stronger (and Stanford game aside, it was quite good).

Biggest question mark: Short-yardage rushing and place-kicking were huge in Iowa's run of close wins, but what happens when you lose two all-conference interior linemen and a great kicker?

Biggest 2016 game: Nebraska (Nov. 25). It won't be to cap another 12-0 season, but it could still decide the West.

Summary: Iowa rode clutch play (usually unsustainable) and a lack of defensive injuries (ditto) to a 12-0 regular season. The Hawkeyes should again contend in the Big Ten West, but they are anything but runaway favorites.



http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/7/19/12208418/iowa-football-2016-preview-schedule-roster
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More to come...

 
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Iowa returns a lot. They have all their toughest games at home. I think see a 9-3 type season. I'm guessing they will be the presumed favorite in the West.

And whoever decided that it would be a good idea to schedule NDSU should be fired.

 
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Like a clock, Ferentz dishes out a 'good' season every 5 years or so. Exactly at the time Iowa fans seem ready to kick him out of town. That 'good' season consistently burns out right at the end, leaving Iowa fans thinking 'next year is the year'. And it never has arrived. I fully expect Iowa to find a way to lose 4 or more games this season, as has been tradition there during Kirk's time. He'll probably finish off a bit more of his contract and hand the team over to his son if he can.

 
That NDSU game might be a telling one. Even though they lose Wentz that's always a really dangerous team.

 
It's not like NDSU will be breaking in a completely green QB. Wentz basically missed the 2nd half of the season last year and didn't play in the playoffs until the title game IIRC. Prep's Easton Stick filled in fine and got them to the title game.

 
Just glancing over our schedule. I could see the B10 West coming down to the winner of Nebraska v. Iowa on Nov. 25. Should be a good game to watch when we're sitting around stuffed with way too much turkey and mashed taters.
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