Iowa Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2018
UNI visits the Hawkeyes in Week 3, marking their first visit to Iowa City since 2014, a game where Iowa won 31-23, despite a heroic effort from now-Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson.
Head coach Mark Farley will always have his team ready to play any in-state school, whether it be Iowa, Iowa State or Drake for that matter. The Panthers are coming off of a nice 2017 season in which they finished 8-5, including a first-round win in the FCS Playoffs. UNI does return some vital pieces including quarterback Eli Dunne and running back Trevor Allen.
In recent years, the games between these two schools have been closer than Iowa fans would like. The most memorable game was in 2009, when Iowa blocked not one, but two game-winning field goal attempts to hang on and beat UNI in the season opener. The Hawkeyes would go on to win the Orange Bowl that season. These close encounters also include the 31-23 win in 2014, and Iowa’s 27-16 win in 2012.
With that said, this will be a much better Iowa team than the ones that played in the 2012 and 2014 game. While this could set up as a potential trap game, Kirk Ferentz’s even-keeled demeanor is perfect for this kinds of games and helps Iowa get to 3-0.