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Iowa football: Storylines Hawk fans should watch for against Miami (OH)

By Matt Opad

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes calls a play during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes calls a play during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes calls a play during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes calls a play during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Tell me if this sounds familiar: the Iowa football team plays a MAC opponent to open the season. Iowa wins but fans are left surprisingly frustrated.

As I’m sure you all know by now, this game has nothing to do with winning the Big Ten. But that doesn’t mean that this game doesn’t hold a different level of importance for the Iowa football team and the fans.

This is our first opportunity to see how good this iteration of the Hawkeyes is. It will guide, national perception, but perhaps more importantly, it will guide our fans’ expectations for the more meaningful games in 2019.

As I’ve recently predicted, I’m expecting a 9-3 season, falling just 1 game short of a Big Ten West title but predictions and expectations are dynamic. They change with the performance of the team, week-by-week.

Because of that, we aren’t just seeking a win against Miami of Ohio. We are seeking to see something to convince ourselves that we have a better chance to win in Ames, Ann Arbor, and Lincoln.

What does that mean? What am I looking for this Saturday? What should you all be keeping your eyes on this Saturday?

Here are the top five storylines to watch in Saturday’s game.

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