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 predictionsHawkeye HeadquartersAdam 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
HawkmaniaSteve 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 predictionsSports 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 predictionsLand 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
SimulationCody Hills: Iowa 38, Iowa State 14
Irrelevant prediction@HawkologistRyan 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.
This week’s totally irrelevant prediction: #Hawkeyes 29, Iowa State 0. With only one trip to the redzone that ended in an endzone INT (!) pic.twitter.com/8xtqnIruut— HAWKMANIAQ, formerly (@Hawkologist) September 8, 2017
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.
1 to Mr. T, how painful would a loss to Wyoming be, Hawkeyes fans? Point to the smiley face that would best describe your pain. The good news is, most experts think you’ll experience a little discomfort during Saturday’s opener, but ultimately come out of Kinnick Stadium smiling. Let’s get to the picks:
Iowa 30, Wyoming 21 Saturday’s outcome will depend on two things: the Hawkeyes running game and pass rush. Iowa’s offensive line is too good for Brian Ferentz not to just line up and pound the ball, especially with Nathan Stanley making his first collegiate start at quarterback. The running back combination of Akrum Wadley and James Butler should combine for at least 40 carries and more than 200 yards rushing. About the pass rush… the best way to rattle a quarterback at any level is with repeated hits. The Hawkeyes don’t necessarily need to sack Josh Allen more than two or three times, but getting to him early and knocking him down will pay dividends if the game is tight in the fourth quarter. Don’t expect a blowout — Wyoming is too well-coached for that — but it should be a Week 1 win at Kinnick for the Black and Gold.
HawkmaniaSteve Batterson: Iowa 31, Wyoming 21 Josh Allen’s strong arm and quick feet can only carry the Cowboys so far, likely into the second half when the strength of Iowa’s defense should wear down the future NFL quarterback. Behind the work of its line and running game, expect the Iowa offense to collect enough points for a season-opening win against a solid opening-game opponent.
Irrelevant prediction@Hawkologist And finally, the totally irrelevant prediction based on playing EA Sports’ NCAA Football 2004 on a PS2, as is the tradition since 2015:
Ryan Jaster: Hawkeyes 24, Wyoming 3. It was a snowy night at Kinnick… and that shows you just how irrelevant this simulation is. Game time is 11 a.m. and it’s always sunny in Iowa City for the opener. The icing on the cake is Iowa aired it out after the ground game stalled. Which Hawkeye receiver do you have down for 209 yards?
This week’s totally irrelevant prediction using NCAA Football 2004: #Hawkeyes 24, Wyoming 3. At night. In snow. See? Irrelevant. Or is it? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/62HdWTQVc5— HAWKMANIAQ, formerly (@Hawkologist) September 1, 2017
Prognosis: The consensus seems to be that the game will be closer than Hawkeyes fans prefer — at least for a while — but Iowa will prevail. The national take appears to be more willing to give the game to Wyoming as an upset special. Are you a college football insider? Or just some guy or girl who has access to a
