NCAAF Top 25 futures: Iowa Hawkeyes seeking more offense
Iowa is always very competitive thanks to a consistently top defense, but the offense has been anemic of late. It is really quite an amazing contrast and further complicated by the fact that the offensive coordinator is the coach's son (for now). Nevertheless, this program wins a lot and while they are not a real playoff threat, they give the big boys fits.
This is the last season that the Big Ten is going to maintain their East-West division format and Iowa is definitely a threat to win the West Division and get to the Big Ten Championship Game. They also have a transfer quarterback from Big Blue nation too, which adds to the intrigue. If they do find offense consistently the Big Ten is that much deeper.
No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes 2023 Win Total
Over 8 -125 / Under 8 -105
This number might change as more money comes in either side but it is interesting right now given that it is a whole number (there are not a lot of those on the board). I don't know about you, but I hate that. You definitely do not want to lose a wager, but to have your money tied up for months and end on a push is basically a loss because you could have put it into play elsewhere. As a reference point, the Hawkeyes won eight games a year ago and the last time they were under this number (in a non-COVID season) was all the way back in 2014. The Hawkeyes always seem to find wins.
The schedule is not too bad for Iowa this season. The non-conference is pretty light, even though they do have to go to rival Iowa State this season. The Cyclones are not elite, nor are Western Michigan or Utah State, so even though they have no FCS games this season they should win all of their non-conference tilts. In the Big Ten, they avoid Michigan and Ohio State (the top two teams) but trips to Penn State and Wisconsin are probably Ls. The rest of the slate in the league is not too bad unless that final road game shows us that Nebraska is significantly improved. I doubt it.
Last season the Hawkeyes were second in the nation in scoring and total defense. They gave up just 13.3 points per game but the offense could only muster just over 17 ppg. They couldn't really do anything well when they had the ball. Enter QB Cade McNamara, who got squeezed out at Michigan. He should be better than what Iowa has had at the position the last couple of seasons and Iowa still knows how to build offensive lines so they will keep him upright. The offense could see a big jump and if the defense holds they are going to be in the thick of the things. That D was great last season but its best playmakers in the front seven are playing on Sundays this season. The best player on the team might be CB Cooper DeJean.
Iowa should have another good season. The offense should be better, but even if it significantly improved I think 9-3 is the ceiling (and most likely outcome). The over is where I would lean and I guess that whole number gives a little more security on that front right now (9 gets you a win but 8 is not a loss)
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