HawkeyeHQ.com predictions: Confidence follows perfection

Posted on by hawkive
My “totally irrelevant” prediction was launched in 2015 — and had a 12-0 start, just like the Hawkeyes — but never in all of my years of predicting games — any Bears fans remember these on ChicagoSports.com? — have I seen my forecasted score on the board at the end of the game. Until Saturday. Maybe within a point or two, but never exact. So after Iowa’s 24-3 victory to open 2017, the stakes are raised. How do you follow that up? Well, with an overwhelming number of expert picks. I’ve collected as many as I can here, with a few of Hawkeye Headquarters’ friends and family featured below and many more insider insights available at their links. (Always click every link.)   Featured predictions Hawkeye Headquarters Adam Rossow: Iowa 24, Iowa State 20 The warning signs are there for an Iowa State upset. The Hawkeyes have a quarterback making his first road start in a hostile environment. On the other side of the ball, the Cyclones have experienced playmakers at running back and wide receiver, which could create some matchup problems with Iowa’s linebackers and defensive backs alike. Still, the Hawkeyes defense has been stingy since being throttled against Penn State last season. They’ve kept every opponent under 23 points (Florida had a pick-six in the Outback Bowl) and abused Josh Allen and Wyoming in the opener. This should be a great early litmus test for both teams, and one that will probably be decided in the fourth quarter. Dan Vasko: Iowa 31, Iowa State 17 Jay Kidwell: Iowa 28, Iowa State 21

Hawkmania Steve Batterson: Iowa 24, Iowa State 20 The difference begins close to the football, where the experience of the Hawkeyes on the lines on both sides of the ball will decide what should be an entertaining football game. Matt Campbell’s Cyclones will make strides in his second season and will certainly test the Hawkeyes with the skill of lanky receivers Allen Lazard and Hakeem Butler. Expect Iowa to counter with the strength of its running game. The more touches Akrum Wadley and James Butler get, the more likely it is the Hawkeyes will take home a win from Jack Trice Stadium.

National predictions Sports Illustrated Andy Staples: Iowa Bruce Feldman: Iowa State Chris Johnson: Iowa Joan Niesen: Iowa Eric Single: Iowa Molly Geary: Iowa Scooby Axson: Iowa SBNation Bill Connelly: Iowa State 28, Iowa 27 Athlon Sports Steven Lassan: Iowa Mitch Light: Iowa Bryan Fischer: Iowa State Robert A. Boleyn: Iowa 17, Iowa State 7 ESPN Dan Murphy: Iowa 20, Iowa State 9 Mitch Sherman: Iowa State 17, Iowa 14 Tom VanHaaren:  Iowa 24, Iowa State 13 Hawkeye State predictions Land of 10 Scott Dochterman: Iowa 31, Iowa State 17 Bobby La Gesse: Iowa 27, Iowa State 21 The Gazette Dylan Montz: Iowa 28, Iowa State 21 Marc Morehouse: Iowa 27, Iowa State 17 Hawk Central Chad Leistikow: Iowa 28, Iowa State 20 Go Iowa Awesome Mark Hasty: Iowa 27, Iowa State 26  AllHawkeyes Pat Harty: Iowa State 24, Iowa 23 Tyler Devine: Iowa 17, Iowa State 14 Dylan Burn: Iowa 28, Iowa State 24 Tyler Luebke: Iowa 27, Iowa State 10 Hawkeye Nation Rob Howe: Iowa 23, Iowa State 17 Jon Miller:  Iowa State Sean Neugent: Iowa 40, Iowa State 17 David Schwartz: Iowa State Mitch Smith: Iowa Hawkeye Report Mike Zierath: Iowa 21, Iowa State 17 Tom Kakert: Iowa 13, Iowa State 10 Blair Sanderson: Iowa 34, Iowa State 20 Torbee: Iowa 31, Iowa State 20 RDietz: Iowa Lyle Hammes: Iowa State 27, Iowa 24 Matt Randazzo: Iowa 17, Iowa State 13  BlackHeartGoldPants Max Brekke: Iowa 31, Iowa State 10 BoilerHawk: Iowa 24, Iowa State 20 JP Scott: Iowa, 28, Iowa State 6  JPinIC: Iowa 27, Iowa State 17 Hello Jerry: Iowa 30, Iowa State 24 Matt Cabel: Iowa 28, Iowa State 24 Benjamin Ross: Iowa 31, Iowa State 10 Jordan Hansen: Iowa  Rob Donaldson: Iowa 31, Iowa State 17 Simulation Cody Hills: Iowa 38, Iowa State 14 Irrelevant prediction @Hawkologist Ryan Jaster: Hawkeyes 29, Iowa State 0. How do you follow up a “perfect” prediction? Perhaps with a knockout punch to a rival. The Cyclones’ lone threat in this simulation was intercepted in the endzone. We know the Hawkeyes defense looks solid, but if this shutout comes true, expectations for Iowa this season — not to mention me and my NCAA 2004 PS2’s football forecasts — will be next to, but not through, the roof. Prognosis: More positive than expected, perhaps due in part to last week’s outcome. After Wyoming was a popular national upset pick last week, those pundits stayed away from the Iowa game this week for the most part. The split is close to the same as last week, with a couple more votes the Hawkeyes’ way, actually. The scores are generally lower, but as anyone around for the 9-6 Cy-Hawk snoozer that followed a 44-41 thriller knows… anything goes when it comes to the ‘Clones. Predicting isn’t easy. The pain index lands at the exact same place on the scale.

For more Hawkeye football coverage, follow @AdamJRossow and @HawkeyeHQ on Twitter — and now Facebook — and Hawkeye Headquarters on OurQuadCities.com all season.