Iowa Football: Ranking Hawkeyes’ 2020 opponents by toughness

The 2020 season is right around the corner and Iowa football is hoping to make a push at the Big Ten title. How does the Hawkeyes’ schedule look?

Iowa is coming off another 10-win season under Kirk Ferentz and the 20-year head coach is hoping to get back to the Big Ten title game in 2020 for the first time in five years.

The Hawkeyes will have to take aim at a Big Ten West title, however, without Nate Stanley and AJ Epenesa which were arguably the best players on each side of the ball a year ago. However, four receivers who accounted for at least 400 yards a season ago return as do the team’s top two leading rushers and second-leading tackler.

Defense was the name of the game for the Hawkeyes a year ago, ranking No. 12 in the country in total yards allowed per game and fifth in scoring defense — also good for second in the Big Ten. Moving forward, the offense needs to find a way to catch up with its defense.

In fact, the offense ranked just 99th in total yards per game in the country and 88th in scoring. It was a tale of two sides of the ball which was surprising given Stanley’s return.

Now that Stanley is gone and the Hawkeyes will have to rely on first-year starter Spencer Petras — or Alex Padilla — under center. That could cause some problems.

Iowa could still contend for a Big Ten West title with Wisconsin losing Heisman-hopeful running back Jonathan Taylor, Nebraska and Purdue failing to meet expectations and both Northwestern and Illinois looking like potential bottom-dwellers again. Minnesota is the team to chase.

How do Iowa’s stack up against each other?