7. Iowa Hawkeyes 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Iowa is always a weird team. It seems like they shouldn’t be good, but they always surprise you. This is the season the Hawkeyes take a step back, though.
- Biggest Wins: Washington, Wisconsin
I don’t have Iowa beating anyone of prominence this season. The Hawkeyes’ two biggest wins are likely to come against Washington and Wisconsin, both of which are home games.
Washington had a good run last season, but they are a different team with a different head coach. Iowa could pounce on those massive changes.
I think the Badgers will have a good team, but their new quarterback isn’t great. Wisconsin is likely to take a step back this season, and I think Iowa takes advantage of that.
- Biggest Losses: Iowa State, @ Minnesota
Early season and non-conference games are crucial to help get a team on the right track. I have Iowa falling to rival Iowa State in the second game of the season. That is a tone-setter game.
Iowa doesn’t respond well to that loss, as two games later, I have them dropping the Big Ten opener on the road against Minnesota. These two games will shape the course of the rest of the 2024 campaign for the Hawkeyes.
- Biggest Threats: @ Michigan State, Wisconsin
There are a couple of games that I marked as wins that could go either way. I think Michigan State could be a threat to Iowa. This game is in East Lansing, and the Spartans might have a solid quarterback on their hands.
I see Wisconsin being a tough game too. While the Badgers are projected to fall to the Hawkeyes, this will be a hard-fought defensive battle. This is a big test for Iowa.