Early odds give NIU a slim chance of making it a game against Iowa in week one

Get hyped, Hawkeye fans! Game week is officially here, and we are extremely close to some Iowa Football.

The Hawkeyes headed into the offseason with multiple question marks, with only a handful of returning starters and uncertainty in all three phases of the game. With time winding down until Iowa welcomes NIU to Kinnick Stadium, most of those questions have been answered for now, and fans can shift their focus to game one. One of the biggest question marks this offseason was the starting quarterback situation, and while that hasn't been solved just yet, Iowa is still a heavy favorite to take care of business against NIU.

Oddsmakers list Iowa as a MASSIVE early favorite before week one

After releasing the initial depth chart for week one, the program is ready for a traditionally pesky Northern Illinois squad. The Hawkeyes have a 9-1 all-time record against the Huskies, winning the previous meeting 33-7 on September 1, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium, and they are expected to dominate the matchup once again.

Oddsmakers list the Hawkeyes as 31.5 favorites at home against the Huskies, which hints at what they truly think about their chances. Even with some lingering question marks, Iowa shouldn't have a problem with Northern Illinois, and should start the season 1-0.

Iowa has a lot of things working in their favor

Even though Iowa has a starting quarterback dilemma, luckily for the defense, so does NIU. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski carried an "OR" designation on the depth chart, but NIU is in an even worse spot, with three potential starters vying for snaps. NIU has listed Tarron Dickens, Jalen Macon, and Brady Davidson as the potential starters, which could play right into Iowa's hands. While it could create some confusion, it also suggests NIU doesn't have a bona fide QB1, and with a solid defense, Iowa could wreak havoc on the Huskies all game long.

The Huskies will also be led by interim head coach Rob Harley, and facing Iowa in his first-ever game as a head coach will be extremely difficult. Kinnick will be rocking, and it won't be easy to coach in that environment. Starting quarterback or not, Iowa's defense will set the tone in this game, and it will be a nice way for the program to ease into the season. Both the offense and the defense have a lot of talent, and even though several players are unproven on both sides of the ball, Iowa's talent will overwhelm NIU, with the potential for an early blowout.

How NIU could muck things up and make it close

NIU lacks star power on defense, with only one significant returner (Jay'Shon Thomas), but they have a few playmakers on offense that could test the Hawkeyes' defense. The most electric player on offense is Western Carolina transfer quarterback Taron Dickens, who threw for 3,508 yards and 38 passing touchdowns to only two interceptions last season, and he was extremely efficient, completing 74.2 percent of his passes. He presents a unique challenge for the Iowa secondary with his ability to make explosive plays in the passing game. If he gets hot early, it could test the new-look Iowa secondary, especially without safety Tyler Brown.

Iowa must pressure Dickens early, forcing him to throw before he wants to, giving the secondary a chance to make plays on the ball. If the Hawkeyes can get pressure on Dickens and force the offense into a one-dimensional attack, it could get out of hand early. NIU does have a solid running back in Telly Johnson, who rushed for 712 yards and four rushing touchdowns, and the Hawkeyes must contain him. Iowa's strength is in the secondary and linebackers, and if the defensive line can limit the running game and get pressure on Dickens, the Iowa defense will have a field day.

NIU doesn't have a lot working in their favor, but if they can hit some big plays in the passing game and take advantage of an inexperienced Iowa defensive line, they could make it interesting.

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