Iowa Football: Are Hawkeyes serious Big Ten title contenders in 2020?

How will Iowa football fare in 2020?

With the Big Ten’s decision to go conference only, then cancel then reverse that decision to start in late October, this is the third iteration of Iowa’s schedule.

Originally, the Hawkeyes had non conference matchups with Northern Iowa, Northern Illinois and in-state rival Iowa State. The Cy-Hawk Trophy game had been played annually since 1977.

• Game 1: at Purdue (W) — Rondale Moore will test the Hawkeye secondary, but Iowa has the talent advantage overall.
• Game 2: vs. Northwestern (W) — Wildcats do not have what it takes to win in Iowa City this year.
• Game 3: vs. Michigan State (W) — Spartans are rebuilding and Hawkeyes will take advantage.
• Game 4: at Minnesota (L) — Golden Gophers get first win over the Hawkeyes since 2014 season.
• Game 5: at Penn State (L) — Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions last three matchups have been decided by six points or less. Another close one but Penn State takes their seventh straight win over Iowa.
• Game 6: vs. Nebraska (W) — Huskers could pull out a win in Scott Frost’s third season. A toss up matchup goes to the home team.
• Game 7: at Illinois (W) — Illini looking for first win in series since 2008. They will still be looking after this year’s game.
• Game 8: vs. Wisconsin (L) — Badgers could be playing for a Big Ten West title. Hawkeyes put up a fight but do not have enough to win.

Prediction: 5-3

Depending on where they finish in the Big Ten West standings, Iowa will get a ninth game versus a team from the Big Ten East. Hard to predict the potential matchup but the Hawkeyes could end up at 6-3 and bowl eligible.

Iowa fared better with the revised schedule as they lost Ohio State, a big relief for a team losing a lot of production. Michigan State will be more than manageable but a trip to Happy Valley even without fans will be difficult.

The Hawkeyes are breaking in a new starting quarterback and lost a lot of defensive production. It is hard to consider them serious contenders in the Big Ten and the Hawkeyes appear to be behind Wisconsin and Minnesota in the division.