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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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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 03: Rondale Moore #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs the ball after a catch as John Milani #18 of the Iowa Hawkeyes tries to make the stop at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 3, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 03: Rondale Moore #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs the ball after a catch as John Milani #18 of the Iowa Hawkeyes tries to make the stop at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 3, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

The season-defining B1G West stretch

Opponent: Purdue Boilermakers

Time: Saturday, October 19 11 AM (Central time)

Scenario Summary: While Purdue hasn’t gotten to the 8 wins that Ferentz is criticized for since Joe Tiller was the head coach, they have clearly been on the rise with Jeff Brohm as the man in charge. A large part of me was hoping that Brohm would leave the B1G for Louisville, but alas, not everyone leaves their success for greener pastures.

Synopsis: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times? The saying doesn’t go that far, because you’re supposed to learn from your mistakes. Iowa has been defeated by Purdue in the last two seasons in virtually the exact same manner. If Iowa loses a third, feel free to troll me for writing a defense for Kirk Ferentz.

Prediction: W, because they can’t just go over the top against us at will a third time, right?

Confidence Level: 2, because maybe they can

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats throws under pressure in the first half from defensive end Anthony Nelson #98 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on November 10, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats throws under pressure in the first half from defensive end Anthony Nelson #98 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on November 10, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Opponent: @Northwestern Wildcats

Time: Saturday, October 26 11 AM (Central Time)

Scenario Summary: Remember when Northwestern was the smart kid school that was allowed to play in the Big Ten to get demolished in sports by the rest of the teams? I miss those days.

Iowa hasn’t beaten these Wildcats since the magical 2015 season. In some of the Iowa football teams’ best seasons, they still lost to a much worse Northwestern team.

Synopsis: So why do I think the Iowa football team wins this game? Yes, Northwestern beating Iowa would be only the second time in history that they won four consecutive games against Iowa. Yes, Northwestern is breaking in a new QB, though he is one of, if not, the highest recruit in Northwestern history.

I think the guys on Iowa’s team that were on the field when Northwestern celebrated their Big Ten West Championship recall that this was done in Iowa City. This is a revenge game in an annual series that probably deserves rivalry status.

Prediction: W

Confidence Level: 1, I’m never confident about games against Northwestern, especially when my reasons for picking the game are purely emotional.

Iowa football, Wisconsin Badgers
(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Opponent: @Wisconsin Badgers

Time: Saturday, November 9 (Time to be announced)

Scenario Summary: I don’t understand why we look at the Badgers as anything but the Ohio State of the West. They are that good, that consistently. I’m not saying this as a secret Badger fan. In fact, growing up in Wisconsin has given me an extra level of disdain for the Badgers.

Still, they are one of the best teams in the nation never to reach the playoffs. I predict that this game will ultimately decide the Big Ten West.

Synopsis: Wisconsin is in their own golden age of football and has been since 2010. I know that they took a step back last season, but with a Heisman candidate RB and a healthy defense, they will prove that 2018 was an exception to the rule.

Wisconsin has absolutely dominated the Iowa football team since they broke our hearts with a fake punt in 2010. Iowa is 1-6 against Wisconsin this decade and the one win in 2015 required some lucky Iowa bounces, quite literally. Last year, in Wisconsin’s ‘down year’, the Badgers still defeated Iowa at Kinnick.

Until Iowa can prove that they can beat Wisconsin consistently, I won’t be picking against the Badgers.

Prediction: L

Confidence Level: 4

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