I think the Hawkeyes will be ranked somewhere between 15 and 20 in most of the Pre-Season polls that come out.
I like to break the schedule down in 3 game stretches.
First 3 Games - South Dakota State, ISU, Nevada - Predicted Record: 3-0 - Ranking after 1st 3 Games: 12
South Dakota State - will be a tough opponent for sure but no reason the Hawks shouldn't win this game by 2 TDs - 31-17
Iowa State - they lose a lot and the game is in Kinnick so I expect to win by 10 plus - 27-16
Nevada - they lose their stud QB to the draft and have a new coach - Hawks win by 10 plus - 38-20
Next 3 Games: at RUT, MICH, at ILL - Predicted Record: 3-0, Overall Record: 6-0 - Ranking after 6 games: 5
At Rutgers - Road games in the Big 10 are never easy, but need to win this one handily - 31-13
Michigan - most likely will be a night game vs. a top 10 Michigan team - the atmosphere and crowd help gets a signature win - 24-23
At Illinois - might be a little ugly coming off a huge win but still get a W - 24-13
Next 3 Games: at OSU, NW, at PUR - Predicted Record: 1-2, Overall Record: 7-2 - Ranking after 9 games: 14
At OSU - tough game and environment vs. an uber talented team - 17-30
Northwestern - get an early lead and for once don't let off the gas vs NW - 38-17
at PUR - the struggle continues vs. Purdue - 23-27
Next 3 Games: WIS, at MINN, NEB - Predicted Record: 3-0, Overall Record: 10-2 - Ranking after 12 games: 10
WIS - get a huge home win over Bucky to secure the tie-breaker nod for the Big 10 West - 23-20
at MINN - they return some weapons but Floyd stays home - 34-24
NEB - the winning streak vs. continues - 31-17
Hawks finish 7-2 in the West and get back to the Big 10 Title game vs. OSU.
I like to break the schedule down in 3 game stretches.
First 3 Games - South Dakota State, ISU, Nevada - Predicted Record: 3-0 - Ranking after 1st 3 Games: 12
South Dakota State - will be a tough opponent for sure but no reason the Hawks shouldn't win this game by 2 TDs - 31-17
Iowa State - they lose a lot and the game is in Kinnick so I expect to win by 10 plus - 27-16
Nevada - they lose their stud QB to the draft and have a new coach - Hawks win by 10 plus - 38-20
Next 3 Games: at RUT, MICH, at ILL - Predicted Record: 3-0, Overall Record: 6-0 - Ranking after 6 games: 5
At Rutgers - Road games in the Big 10 are never easy, but need to win this one handily - 31-13
Michigan - most likely will be a night game vs. a top 10 Michigan team - the atmosphere and crowd help gets a signature win - 24-23
At Illinois - might be a little ugly coming off a huge win but still get a W - 24-13
Next 3 Games: at OSU, NW, at PUR - Predicted Record: 1-2, Overall Record: 7-2 - Ranking after 9 games: 14
At OSU - tough game and environment vs. an uber talented team - 17-30
Northwestern - get an early lead and for once don't let off the gas vs NW - 38-17
at PUR - the struggle continues vs. Purdue - 23-27
Next 3 Games: WIS, at MINN, NEB - Predicted Record: 3-0, Overall Record: 10-2 - Ranking after 12 games: 10
WIS - get a huge home win over Bucky to secure the tie-breaker nod for the Big 10 West - 23-20
at MINN - they return some weapons but Floyd stays home - 34-24
NEB - the winning streak vs. continues - 31-17
Hawks finish 7-2 in the West and get back to the Big 10 Title game vs. OSU.