College Football Predictions – Iowa Hawkeyes 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 8-5
2016 ATS – 6-7
That went pretty much according to the script. They had one really surprising loss (North Dakota St) and one yuuuge upset win (Michigan) and ended up with another (yawn) winning season at 8-5. That makes it four consecutive positive campaigns since the 2012 debacle in which they went 4-8. Can they kick it up a notch this year and compete in the tough Big 10 West ? Let’s dive in.
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Big 10 – TBD
West Division – TBD
OFFENSE
Well this should be interesting. The Hawkeyes were 2nd last in the Big 10 in passing offense last season and will now look to a fresh face to try and give the passing game a spark. MEGALOCKS BIG 10 INSIDERS tell us that the starting QB battle is still up for grabs as we near fall camp, and no matter what the result, Iowa will be very inexperienced at the position. Nathan Stanley or Tyler Wiegers. One of these two men will be throwing to a WR group that does not return a single player who had more than 20 receptions last season. The Hawkeyes hope that their top man Matt Vandeberg can have a big season after missing most of 2016 due to injury.
Good news. Even great ? The Hawkeyes bring back RB Akrum Wadley (1,081, 10 TD) AND add in Nevada RB James Butler (1,336, 12 TD). That gives them a FANTASTIC 1-2 punch at RB. The offensive line looks really good and should be able to pave the way for one of the best ground games in the Big 10.
It’s anyone’s guess how the offense will fare given the QB situation. The upside is certainly there if they can get just “average” production out of the passing attack. Stay tuned.
DEFENSE
The defense showed up once again last season and allowed just 18.8 points per game. They ranked #5 in the Big 10 in total defense BUT did display a bit of a SOFT UNDERBELLY vs the run. The Hawkeyes’ stop unit should be stout this season with 8 returning starters including fantastic LB Josey Jewell who earned 4th Team AA honors in 2016. Overall, the front seven looks really solid, even with the loss of leading sack man Jaleel Johnson to the NFL. Iowa allowed only 50.4% completions last year (#3 Big 10) but will have to learn to play pass D without star corner Desmond King who is also off to play on Sundays. This defense should be one of the best in the Big 10 given the way the DL and LB groups look on paper.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This could be an issue. They look fine at PK but need to break in a new P and will definitely miss the KR and PR ability of Desmond King.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
November 18 – PURDUE. This game pops up in a Wisconsin / Nebraska sandwich and the Hawkeyes will likely be laying a bundle of points.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Iowa has now lost FIVE consecutive bowl games. Their last postseason win came in the 2010 Insight Bowl vs Missouri.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 6.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the HAWKEYES a 6.0 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season.
The Hawkeyes start out with three games they should win, but after that warmup, it is big boy time as they take on Penn St at home. That will be a decent gauge of where this team is at and where they might be headed. We like the running game and offensive line. We like the defense. QB is a concern but they got almost nothing out of the passing game last year and still won 8 games.
This feels a bit like a typical “boring” Iowa team that just wins games and covers about half of the time. Maybe a bit more. Do not discount these guys ATS.
Want more Iowa football ?
Website
http://www.hawkeyesports.com/schedule.aspx?path=football
Forum
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http://hawkeyenation.com/forum/index.php?forums/football.6/
http://iowa.247sports.com/Board/Iowa-Hawkeyes-Message-Board-Forum-143
News
http://www.hawkcentral.com/football/
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http://www.thegazette.com/sports
http://sportspyder.com/cf/iowa-hawkeyes-football/news
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Accounts
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