Iowa Hawkeyes 2021 College Football Preview
Created August 16, 2021
2020 Recap
Record – 6-2
ATS – 5-3
So close, yet so far.
Iowa was just five (!) points away from an undefeated season and finished the truncated scamdemic year with a fine mark of 6-2. After TRADING PAINT with Purdue and PATS CATS to start things off they rattled off six consecutive wins. The only game that was even a competition was the home game with CORN (W 26-20). Their bowl game was cancelled due to the sniffles and they head into 2021 on a six-game winning streak. Let’s go!
Iowa Hawkeyes 2021 Outlook
OFFENSE
It wasn’t too sexy but the Hawkeyes managed to put up 32 PPG whilst maintaining balance between the run (171 YPG) and the THROW GAME (198 YPG). They lose half of their great 1-2 combo at RB but #1 Tyler Goodson is back to lead the unit (762, 5.3, 7 TD) and there’s no doubt Iowa will find a complementary piece. QB Spencer Petras had his ups and downs but was decent overall LY (57%, 9-5 TD to INT). The WR unit is a bit of a BLACK HOLE and they could really use a playmaker or three (#10 Big Ten YPA LY). Losing three starters on the offensive line stings quite a bit but they still have one of the best centers in the country back for duty in Tyler Linderbaum. We forecast a step back in production and worry about the lack of proven playmakers at WR and TE.
DEFENSE
Iowa has allowed fewer than 20.0 PPG for five consecutive seasons (!) and they were fantastic during the shortened 2020 casedemic campaign (#2 Big Ten scoring D, #2 total D). There’s some serious production to be replaced as they lose their #1 tackler and a pair of doods that combined for 11 sacks and 22 TFL in 2020 (Chauncey Golston, Daviyon Nixon). They’re young up front and don’t have a ton of size but DE Zach VanValkenburg is good piece to build around (3.5 sacks LY). Seth Benson (#2 tackler) and Jack Campbell headline a good-looking LB corps and you know they’ll play solid pass defense with the return of four starters including excellent FS Jack Koerner.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The group was awesome LY (#4 Phil Steele special teams ranking) but they’ll need to replace their fine PK Keith Duncan (14/18 FG). Punter Tory Taylor is a weapon (1st Team Big Ten) and they have solid return doods.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The Hawkeyes should be able to take care of Kent St and Colorado St without a problem but the non-conference road game at Iowa St will be a tough one. They miss Ohio St and Michigan from the East but have to face Wisconsin and PATS CATS on the road in back-to-back weeks.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Kent St (September 18th)
Looks like a prime letdown spot as this tilt comes after the Big Ten opener (Indiana) and the aforementioned slugfest with the Cyclones.
Season Win Total
Per 5Dimes August 16
Over 8.5 +120
Under 8.5 -140
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Under.
They’ll be in a lot of close games. Nine wins would be one impressive regular season.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Per the fine Lindy’s college football preview…..Iowa is on a 51-6 run when rushing for 100+…..Just 2-15 when they fail to hit that marker.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This looks like another MEAT GRINDER squad that’ll contend in the competitive Big Ten West division. The offense doesn’t appear to have much PIZZAZZ and they’ll need to rely on the defense (again) to keep things in range, and then pull RABBITS out of the hat. Major contender to make a trip to the Big Ten Conference Championship Game but best guess is that they fall just short.
Want more Iowa football ?
WEBSITE
http://www.hawkeyesports.com/schedule.aspx?path=football
FORUM
https://iowa.forums.rivals.com/forums/iowa-football.26/
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/
http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/
http://www.thegazette.com/sports
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2294/iowa-hawkeyes
TWITTER
Hashtag – #Hawkeyes
Accounts to follow
https://twitter.com/HawkeyeFootball