It’s time to talk football.
The season starts September 4th at Kinnick Stadium against Indiana. The next two weeks I’ll talk about the schedule and try to predict who will be favored. Last year Iowa played only eight games (6-2) because of the virus.
Last year was the first time in 39 years that I didn’t go to an Iowa football game. The last time the Hawks played eight games was in 1944 going 1-7. In 1939, with Heisman trophy winner Nile Kinnick leading the way, Iowa was 6-1-1 losing to Michigan 27-7 and tying Northwestern 7-7. Michigan was led by Tom Harmon, who won the Heisman in 1940 and Forrest Evashevski, who would become the Hawkeyes head coach in 1952.
September 4 — Indiana HoosiersIndiana won their first four games last year before losing to Ohio State 42-35. They finished 6-2 losing to Ole’ Miss in the Outback Bowl 26-20. The Hoosiers have eight back on an offense that averaged 28.9 points per game. All five offensive linemen and quarterback Michael Penix return, as Penix passed for 1,645 yards and 14 touchdowns. Michael was named second team All Big Ten. The defense has nine starters returning and allowed 20.2 points per game. Linebacker Micah McFadden was a third team All American and will be a leader on defense.
This will be a tough home opener for the Hawks and the early line is five in favor of Iowa.
September 11 — at Iowa State CyclonesThe Clones are loaded and coming off one of their best years going 8-2, including wins over Oklahoma and Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. They return nine on offense including all five offensive linemen, their All American running back and quarterback, Brock Purdy, owns 25 individual school records.
Breece Hall led the nation in rushing last year with 1,572 yards and scored 21 touchdowns. The Clones averaged 32 points and 436 yards total offense last season. On defense they gave up 21 points per game and also have nine starters back including all three linebackers.
Preseason rankings have State ranked in the top 10. The early line has the Clones favored by 10. Iowa has won five straight … six straight will be a tough battle at Ames.
September 18 — Kent State Golden FlashesKent State only played four games last year winning three. They scored 62 points against Bowling Green and 69 against Akron averaging 49.8 points per game. They led the nation in scoring and they have nine starters back including all five offensive lineman and quarterback Dustin Crum.
Dustin passed for 1,181 yards and 12 touchdowns in only four games last year. The defense, which gave up an average of 38 points per game, has eight back including all three linebackers. Kent State gave up 70 points to Buffalo and 35 to Akron. The Hawks should be able to score, but the Hawkeye defense will be tested. Iowa will be favored.
September 25 — Colorado State RamsThe Rams played only four games last season going 1-3. The Rams have nine starters back on an offense that averaged 22 points per game. All five offensive linemen return, but they have to replace their quarterback. State has 10 starters back on defense and gave up an average of 35.8 points per game. Their rushing defense gave up only 108.5 points per game. Which was 12th best in the nation. The Hawkeyes need to take to take control of this game early and will be favored.
October 1 — at the Maryland TerrapinsMaryland only played five games last year going 2-3. They beat Minnesota 45-44 and Penn State 35-19. The Terrapins have seven starters back on offense including quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who passed for an average of 252.8 yards per game. The offense averaged 23.6 points and 409 yards per game last season. Maryland has all three receivers back and they have good talent. The defense has eight starters back including all four defensive backs. Their defense gave up an average of 32 points and 430 yards per game last fall. This is a Friday night game and I’m not a big fan of night games on Friday. I like the Nebraska game on Friday afternoon the day after Thanksgiving, but during the season Fridays should be kept for high school games. Iowa will be favored.
October 9 — Penn State Nittany LionsThe Lions lost their first five games last year including a 41-21 home loss to Iowa. That snapped a six-game losing streak to the Lions. Iowa scored four rushing touchdowns including two by Mekhi Sargent. The big play of the day came when Daviyon Nixon intercepted a pass on the Hawkeye 29 and took it 71 yards for the score. The All American tackle caught the pass in the flat, ran down the right sideline, and put a move on the Penn State quarterback. He outran everyone else. State has nine back on offense and they averaged 29.8 points and 430 total yards per game. Clifford Sean is a 3-year starter at quarterback passing for 1,883 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Jahan Dotson led the receiving core with 52 receptions and four touchdowns. The Lion defense gave up an average of 27.7 points and 329 yards per game last fall. They have six starters back and the 27.7 points allowed were the most in school history.
The first four games — all four teams have all five starters back on offense. That will be a challenge for Iowa which doesn’t have a lot of experience at defensive line. If my predictions are right, the Hawks could be 5-1 to start the season. Next week, I’ll talk about home games with Purdue, Minnesota and Illinois. Road trips to Wisconsin, Northwestern and Nebraska.