Iowa Football: Hawkeyes among most underrated teams for 2017

Overrated: Michigan Wolverines

Projected Win Total: 9

This team will be ranked in the top 15 just outside the top ten per some experts despite the loss of their entire team nearly. Count me out.

Wilton Speight was a struggling quarterback last season and couldn’t take care of the ball when he was asked to do so (see Ohio State). They are tied for third with Penn State as of mid-July to claim the Big ten crown.

Last season, most were picking them right up there with Ohio State (myself included). They fell just one JT Barrett stop from nearly reaching greatness, but instead they fell apart down the stretch. Losing to Iowa, Ohio State and Florida State was not what Jim Harbaugh had in mind.

Harbaugh has yet to have a defining moment where they won a premier matchup. The schedule this season is not brutal, but the premier competition they face could cost them a handful of games if the offense does not start out well. The offensive line and passing game will only get worse with so much talent gone.

The opener against Florida is crucial as it could deflate their confidence with a lot of youth on the team. Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State are all potential losses for a team that cannot afford losing any of those with potential tie breakers affecting their division status.

If they slip up to somebody else, they would have no shot at getting even close to where they fell apart towards the end of last season (Orange Bowl is a nice consolation).

I do not despise their talent up front with some NFL studs (Rashan Gary, Maurice Hurst), but it won’t matter when their offense cannot score enough. Harbaugh needs to find an improved quarterback soon. This year, I feel like the Holiday or Outback is the best they will be able to achieve.