Schedule Analysis: Iowa

Games in which Iowa will be a heavy favorite:
Northern Iowa
Central Michigan

Games in which Iowa will be a heavy underdog:
None

Favorable matchup games:
Northern Illinois @ Chicago
Iowa State
Minnesota
Penn State
@Indiana
Purdue

Unfavorable matchup games:
@Michigan State
@Northwestern
@Michigan
Nebraska

Iowa has been the classic overachieving program relative to their talent level under Kirk Ferentz.   However, with that being said they have also been the classic underachieving team when expectations have been high.  Luckily for Iowa not much will be expected of this team.  Most pundits will pick Iowa to win 7 or 8 games this year.  Iowa will have a relatively young and undersized front seven on defense, but somehow someway Iowa always produces stars along the defensive front and at linebacker and this year shouldn’t be much different.  The passing attack will be potent with James Vandenberg throwing to C.J. Fiedorowicz and Keenon Davis and it may have to be given the Hawkeyes lack of depth at running back.  True freshman Greg Garmon, whom many considered to be the front runner to land the starting running back gig may face disciplinary action after being arrested for marijuana possession last week.

As far as the schedule is concerned Iowa won’t be heavy underdogs in any games and even their unfavorable matchup games are winnable.   I suspect this team will improve as the season progresses and they will end up with 8 or 9 wins.

Prediction: 8-4