The Iowa Hawkeyes were 10-4 overall and 7-3 in the Big Ten last season. Iowa has been given a projected wins total of 7.5 this season. Iowa lost to Michigan in the Big Ten Championship last season but played in the Citrus Bowl and lost 20-17 to Kentucky.
Iowa's offense last season averaged only 304 yards per game. The starting quarterback job is up for grabs with Spencer Petras, last season's starter, battling with Alex Padilla. Last season Petras passed for 1,880 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions while Padilla passed for 636 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Logan Jones has tough shoes to fill at center but the sophomore is highly talented and will make the offensive line tougher than last season. Mason Richmond will be tough at left tackle, but the Hawkeyes must find answers to questions on the line or the offense will suffer.
Gavin Williams rushed for 305 yards last season, while last season's leading rusher Tyler Goodson is no longer with the Hawkeyes. Last season the passing game was poor but the top receiver from last season Sam LaPorta returns. In 2021, LaPorta caught 53 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns. LaPorta's 53 receptions were 35 receptions more than the next closest receiver. Keagan Johnson averaged nearly 20 yards per catch last season and returns for the Hawkeyes, while Nico Ragaini is an excellent possession receiver and will get many looks on third down.'
Iowa's defense was its strength and forcing turnovers were the key. Iowa led the country in takeaways with 31 and in interceptions with 25. The Hawkeyes defense allowed an average of only 19 points per game. Iowa's secondary will have Riley Moss back at cornerback after he missed much of last season because of a knee injury and new recruits as well as transfers will fill the holes left by members of the secondary that are no longer with Iowa.
Defensive ends Joe Evans and Lukas Van Ness combined for 14 quarterback sacks last season and will be the leaders of a tough front four. Iowa has one of the best linebacker corps in the Big Ten. Jack Campbell had 143 tackles last season and Seth Benson had 105 tackles. Campbell and Benson will be joined by backups from last season and new recruits that will make the linebackers the driving force of Iowa's defense.
Free NCAAF Pick:
Under 7.5