Eventually, the weak links get exposed. The Iowa Hawkeyes in 2021-22 are exhibit A of that old sport maxim.
Their defense was elite in the stacked Big-Ten. They were good enough to allow just 19 PPG while hauling in a nation-leading 25 interceptions.
It led to upset wins over ranked teams, Indiana, Iowa State and #4 Penn State (at the time) and a trip to the Big-Ten Championship game against Michigan. But it all came crashing down from there, first losing to Michigan 42-3, and then getting upset by Kentucky in a Jan. 1 Bowl, the Citrus, 20-17.
Heading into this season, the offense remains a very big question mark, including at the most important position, quarterback.
Iowa has a strong reputation for producing some of the best offensive lineman in the country, but they were among the very worst in the Big-Ten last year. If their reputation is to be believed, it will get fixed, and if they can buy the QB a little more time, then the offense could be better.
The defense is stacked in all three zones, led by an elite group of linebackers, a star cornerback in Riley Moss and bookends on the line in Joe Evans and Lukas Van Ness.
2022 Iowa Hawkeyes NCAA Football Futures Odds
Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 100/1
Odds to win the 2022 Big Ten Conferences: +2000
2022 Regular Season Win Total: Over 7½ (-120)
2022 Heisman Contenders: None
Official website: hawkeyesports.com
Twitter Account : @HawkeyeFootball
Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 100/1
This is a very good team, with a chance to compete for a championship if they can get their offense sorted. But it’s a big leap to go from possible Big Ten contender, to breaking through the monopoly that exists at the very top of the NCAA. The offense would have to improve by leaps and bounds.
Verdict: Skip it
Odds to win the 2022 Big Ten Conferences: +2000
This is a team that should be in the mix and they benefit from playing in the weaker division. But if they do come out of the West again, they’ll have earned it as they play both Ohio State and Michigan in crossover games and they’ll have a real challenge in their opener against a tough San Diego State team.
Verdict: Worth a small investment at these long odds
2022 Regular Season Win Total: Over 7½ (-120)
As mentioned, the schedule is definitely tough. But that is always going to be the case when you play in the Big Ten. This team has flaws, but they do have the makings of an elite defense, and they have one of the most respected coached in the game in Kirk Ferentz to help iron out the shortcomings. They have also finished second or better in the West in five of the last seven years and would have covered this win total (projecting the shortened Covid season) six of the last seven years.
Verdict: Bet the over (best bet)
Odds According to Bovada as of August, 2022
Iowa Hawkeyes 2022 Schedule
| SEASON | |||
| Date | Time | Opponent | TV |
| 03-Sep | 11:00 a.m. | South Dakota State* | FS1 |
| 10-Sep | 3:00 p.m. | Iowa State* | BTN |
| 17-Sep | 6:30 p.m. | Nevada* | BTN |
| 24-Sep | at Rutgers | ||
| 01-Oct | Michigan | ||
| 08-Oct | at Illinois | ||
| 22-Oct | at Ohio State | ||
| 29-Oct | 2:00 p.m | Northwestern | |
| 05-Nov | at Purdue | ||
| 12-Nov | Wisconsin | ||
| 19-Nov | at Minnesota | ||
| 25-Nov | 3:00 p.m. | Nebraska | BTN |
Home stadium: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
*Non-conference game – All times are in Central time
Bet on the Iowa Hawkeyes 2022 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
