Iowa Hawkeyes 2022 College Football Preview

Iowa Hawkeyes 2022 College Football Preview

July 27, 2022

2021 Recap

Record – 10-4

ATS – 8-6

The Hawkeyes got off to hot start (6-0) and then it looked like the season was going down the CRAPPER when they lost back-to-back Big Ten West games (Purdue, Badgers). To their credit, they hung in there and won the divisional WAR OF ATTRITION to make the Big Ten Championship Game. Michigan ripped them to shreds in the big one (L 42-3) and Kentucky slithered past the Hawkeyes in the Citrus Bowl (L 20-17). So the season ended poorly, but it was still a double-digit win season.


Iowa Hawkeyes 2022 Outlook

OFFENSE

The offense was DISGUSTING LY, particularly for a division champ, and they finished the campaign ranked #101 in the nation on the ground and #109 thru the air. Both QBs are back this year but note that Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla combined for a smelly 12-11 TD to INT ratio in 2021. It’s a killer to lose the great Tyler Goodson (1,151 rush, 31 receptions LY) and they need one or two youngsters to develop in a hurry. The WR/TE group is underrated as Iowa features one of the best TEs in the Big Ten in Sam LaPorta (53, 670, 3 TD) and the dangerous WR Keagan Johnson (19.6). The OL looks ok on paper but note that they lose an AA center in Tyler Linderbaum. This looks like an average offense at best unless the QB play dramatically improves.

DEFENSE

Yes, guy.

The Hawkeyes were stout on defense LY (19.2 PPG, #13 FBS; 329 YPG, #17 FBS) and were a very opportunistic bunch (31 forced turnovers, #3 FBS). Seven starters are back this year and they look loaded at every level. The DL is deep and experienced and features a pair of doods that bagged 7 sacks in 2021. The LB unit could be the best in the Big Ten and brings back their top-two tacklers including AA Jack Campbell. Iowa was fantastic vs the pass LY (#5 FBS pass efficiency D, 16-25 TD to INT) and have an elite CB in Riley Moss. They’ll need to find three new starters tho. Yup, this stop unit looks sick.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Fun fact. Iowa has ranked in the top-13 in Phil Steele’s special teams rankings four years in a row. We don’t think they’ll make it a FIVE-BAGGER as they need to break in a new PK and find a replacement for their dangerous PR/KR Charlie Jones.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – It won’t be an easy docket to navigate, yo. They get Iowa St (as per usual) in non-conference play and draw both Ohio St (A) and Michigan (H) from the East. November is going to be a challenge (Purdue, Wisconsin, Minnesota, CORN).

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing overly-spooky is noted.

Season Win Total

Per BetOnline July 27

Over 7.5 -105

Under 7.5 -135

MEGALOCKS says:

Lean: Over

The schedule is demanding later in the season but they could very easily start 4-0 and go from there.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Iowa is an eye-popping +46 in turnover margin over the last 5Y.


MEGALOCKS Outlook:

The Hawkeyes won the West division LY whilst being outgained by their opponents. Yup, that happened. They’ll have to find a better recipe if they want to repeat as division champs but we give them a good shot given the defense they’ll bring to the table every week. Let’s go!


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/

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