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Iowa Football: Game by game predictions for the 2019 Hawkeyes

By Matt Opad

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 22: Defensive end A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates a stop during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers on September 22, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 22: Defensive end A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates a stop during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers on September 22, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 3: Defensive end Parker Hesse #40 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs back a recovered fumble during the first quarter against the Miami (OH) RedHawks on September 3, 2016 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 3: Defensive end Parker Hesse #40 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs back a recovered fumble during the first quarter against the Miami (OH) RedHawks on September 3, 2016 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

First-quarter predictions

Opponent: Miami (OH) Redhawks

Time: Saturday, August 31, 6:30 PM (Central Time)

Scenario Summary: Miami (OH) is an upper-middle echelon MAC team that has a history of keeping games closer than anticipated. Yes, the close games they had with Iowa were in the early 2000s and they were led by some kid named Roethlisberger.

Synopsis: I’m not backing down from what I said in my article which blueprinted the path to Indianapolis. Iowa has no business losing this game, and they won’t. Do not be surprised if this is closer than any of us would expect.

Prediction: An ugly W, but a W nonetheless.

Confidence level (1-5): 5, book it

PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 24: Akrum Wadley
PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 24: Akrum Wadley /

Opponent: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Time: Saturday, September 7, 11 AM (Central Time)

Scenario Summary: For those wishing for a second Power 5 conference game in Iowa’s non-conference schedule, sorry, it’s not going to happen. But hey, we can play a team from New Jersey and call it a conference game.

Synopsis: From what many of my friends in coaching say, the biggest progression you’ll see during a season occurs between the first and the second game. I expect this to hold true for both teams; however, Rutgers likely doesn’t have the horses to compete for four quarters at Kinnick Stadium.

Prediction: W

Confidence Level: 4, I’m pretty sure of it, but don’t book it just yet.

Iowa football, Cy-Hawk
(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Opponent: @Iowa State Cyclones

Time: Saturday, September 14, 3 PM (Central Time)

Scenario Summary: This is a battle for the state of Iowa. This year, both teams will be ranked and the winner will be mentioned in the playoff conversation.

Synopsis: At some point, outcomes regress back to the mean. Iowa has beaten Iowa State four straight times, but I don’t believe this is a sustainable trend, unfortunately.

Prediction: L, but one that leaves fans with multiple “what-ifs”

Confidence Level: 2, three points, either way, wouldn’t surprise me. A blowout on either side would be the only surprising result to me.

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