Iowa Football: Hawkeyes’ 2017 season preview and predictions
2017 schedule
| WEEK | DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION |
| 1 | Sept. 2 | vs. New Mexico State | Iowa City, IA |
| 2 | Sept. 9 | at Iowa State | Ames, IA |
| 3 | Sept. 16 | vs. North Texas | Iowa City, IA |
| 4 | Sept. 23 | vs. Penn State | Iowa City, IA |
| 5 | Sept. 30 | at Michigan State | East Lansing, MI |
| 6 | Oct. 7 | vs. Illinois | Iowa City, IA |
| 7 | Oct. 14 | BYE WEEK | |
| 8 | Oct. 21 | at Northwestern | Evanston, IL |
| 9 | Oct. 28 | vs. Minnesota | Iowa City, IA |
| 10 | Nov. 4 | vs. Ohio State | Iowa City, IA |
| 11 | Nov. 11 | at Wisconsin | Madison, WI |
| 12 | Nov. 18 | vs. Purdue | Iowa City, IA |
| 13 | Nov. 24 | at Nebraska | Lincoln, NE |
One quick glance at the Hawkeyes’ 2017 schedule and you might be thinking that they have it easy, but you’d be wrong. Sure, the first three games of the season should be sure wins, but the rivalry game against Iowa State on Sept. 9 in Ames is not a given. Although Iowa won 42-3 last season, anything can happen in rivalry games, especially on the road.
Penn State is the first Big Ten foe and the Nittany Lions also happen to be defending conference champions. Michigan State on the road will be no cakewalk, no matter what happened with the Spartans last season. The first truly winnable conference game is Illinois on Oct. 7 before a bye week.
After that, the schedule looks somewhat favorable for a couple of weeks and then the Wisconsin-Ohio State gauntlet hits. Those two games could decide a lot for the Hawkeyes’ race for the Big Ten West.
Purdue and a rivalry game against Nebraska round out the season. Iowa demolished Nebraska 40-10 at home last season and you know the Cornhuskers didn’t forget about that. They will be out for blood.
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Prediction: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
Iowa will begin the season 3-0 and the Hawkeyes will be feeling good heading into a huge game against Penn State at home. Take down the Nittany Lions and the season could be on a fast-track toward success and possible titles. Lose and it’s a long road to the end. Unfortunately Penn State and Michigan State won’t be easy and I can see the Hawkeyes losing both before beating Illinois.
The bye week will do them some good as they come out to win a couple before dropping two against Ohio State and Wisconsin, falling out of the divisional race. Iowa will end the year with two straight wins and a bowl berth.