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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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 06: The Iowa Hawkeyes hoist the Floyd of Rosedale trophy after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Iowa defeated Minnesota 48-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 06: The Iowa Hawkeyes hoist the Floyd of Rosedale trophy after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Iowa defeated Minnesota 48-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

A long-standing rivalry, a new rivalry, and a team desperate for a defining win

Opponent: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Time: Saturday, November 16 (Time to be announced)

Scenario Summary: Minnesota, with a favorable schedule and a coach that has seen modest improvement in performance, will likely enter this game with a better record than we’d normally expect. This is a very balanced team that seemingly has few glaring weaknesses.

Synopsis: Minnesota does play Penn State the game prior to this, but I’m not sure they will have faced a team as physical as Iowa up to this point (they play Northwestern and Wisconsin the two following weeks). This Gopher team scares me more than most previous iterations, but I still think Iowa sinks the boat this year.

Prediction: W, but in a low scoring rock fight that forces us to question our offense late in the season.

Confidence Level: 2, as Minnesota is one of the great unknowns, this could be a tougher game than it looks like now.

CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 19: Noah Fant
CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 19: Noah Fant /

Opponent: Illinois Illini

Time: Saturday, November 23 (Time to be announced)

Scenario Summary: Having not eclipsed the 4-win mark in any of his three seasons at Illinois, Lovie Smith is in a make-or-break year. He will probably need a signature win to retain his position.

Synopsis: Lovie isn’t going to get his signature win in Iowa City. Iowa beat Illinois by NINE touchdowns last year on the road, and I don’t think that talent gap gets narrowed drastically over the course of the year.

Prediction: W

Confidence Level: 4, 5 if Illinois gets their signature win prior to November 23

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Running back Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is brought down during the second half by cornerback Lamar Jackson #21, defensive lineman Mick Stoltenberg #44 and safety Aaron Williams #24 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Running back Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is brought down during the second half by cornerback Lamar Jackson #21, defensive lineman Mick Stoltenberg #44 and safety Aaron Williams #24 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Opponent: @Nebraska Cornhuskers

Time: Friday, November 29 1:30 PM (Central Time)

Scenario Summary: Football wizard Scott Frost has been praised for his incredible turnaround at the University of Central Florida and is expected to repeat that success at Nebraska. With an elite quarterback, he has the talent to make it happen.

Synopsis: Adrian Martinez is good enough to beat the Iowa football team. If he is healthy, he may do exactly that. However, the rest of the Cornhusker team, specifically the defense, are far from championship caliber.

The Nebraska defense will be improved over last year, but they aren’t going to the Blackshirts of old. I don’t believe Nebraska will be playing for anything more than bowl seeding here, and because this isn’t a rivalry to them, they won’t have enough to get past the Hawkeyes

Prediction: W

Confidence Level: 2, because Adrian Martinez is good enough to beat the Iowa football team despite their defense.

Record: 9-3 (7-2 in the B1G), which leaves Iowa a game short of winning the West

Next. Hawks hot on pursuit of 2021 wide receiver Brody Brecht. dark

Fans of Iowa, fans of other teams, where do you agree? Which games am I getting wrong? Let me know in the comments.

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