Although it feels like a distant memory or perhaps a distant dream, the Iowa Hawkeyes climbed up to No. 2 in the AP Poll midway through last season.
Yes, it came undone (at least somewhat). And yes, Iowa was eventually blasted by Michigan in the Big Ten Championship Game. But the Hawkeyes got there, thanks largely to a defense that intercepted more passes than anyone last year.
Linebacker Jack Campbell and cornerback Riley Moss return, which is wonderful news. The defense as a whole should be excellent, which leads us to a very simple question heading into 2022.
Can the offense finally close the gap?
That depends. Iowa has to get more at quarterback, whether the starter is Spencer Petras once again or someone new. It has to run the ball better, and there has to be more on offense than tight end Sam LaPorta, who is one of the nation’s best.
Iowa Odds 2022: National Championship & Win Total
All Iowa NCAAF betting odds are current as of June 26, 2022 at 9 p.m. ET at Caesars Sportsbook.
- Win National Championship: +7500
- Win Total: 7.5 (Over +100 / Under -130)
- Win Big Ten: +2500
Iowa Schedule
| Game | Opponent | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota State | Home |
| 2 | Iowa State | Home |
| 3 | Nevada | Home |
| 4 | Rutgers | Away |
| 5 | Michigan | Home |
| 6 | Illinois | Away |
| 7 | Ohio State | Away |
| 8 | Northwestern | Home |
| 9 | Purdue | Away |
| 10 | Wisconsin | Home |
| 11 | Minnesota | Away |
| 12 | Nebraska | Home |
Iowa Key Games
Iowa vs Michigan (10/1/2022):
- Iowa lost to the Wolverines 42-3 in Big Ten Championship last season
- Michigan has won the last two matchups
- Iowa listed as a 3.5-point underdog at Betway
Iowa at Ohio State (10/22/2022):
- Iowa upset Ohio State last game (2017) with a 55-24 win
- Ohio State leads all-time series 46-15-3
Iowa vs Wisconsin (11/12/2022):
- Wisconsin won last meeting in 2021
- Wisconsin holds all-time series edge 49-44-2
Iowa Win Total Bet
Iowa Over 7.5 Wins (+100) at Caesars
The schedule certainly isn’t easy. Games against Michigan and Ohio State out of the East paint a much different path than the one we witnessed last year.
The good news? Iowa plays Michigan at home. The Hawkeyes get Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium as well.
Games at Purdue and Minnesota seem likely to sway this bet one way or another, and a finale against a potentially improved Nebraska squad is also one to look out for. Still, Iowa finds a way to hit the eight-win mark.
