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Iowa Football: Ranking Hawkeyes’ 2020 opponents by toughness

By Connor Muldowney

Iowa football players walk off field (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Iowa football players walk off field (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Northern Iowa football
Briley Moore, Northern Iowa football (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

While Northern Iowa is just No. 12 on the list of opponents by toughness, there could be an argument made for the Panthers to be even higher. They finished 2019 with a 10-5 record and freshman quarterback Will McElvain broke out and could give Iowa problems here in the opener.

Even though the Panthers are serious contenders in the Missouri Valley, they’re still in the FCS and Iowa shouldn’t have much of a problem with them. But there could be an upset alert feeling at some point in the second half.

It was tough to rank Northern Illinois anywhere else other than No. 12, but I gave the Huskies the nod over Northern Iowa because they are in the FBS.

Experts aren’t extremely high on Northern Illinois heading into the 2020 season after a 5-7 campaign and the overwhelming projection has them finishing in last place in the MAC West. Thomas Hammock has his work cut out for him at head coach as the offense was pitiful in 2019. Ross Bowers is back for his senior season at quarterback, but that won’t be enough.

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