ESPN's 2016 Way-Too-Early Top 25

[FanGuru]

16. Iowa Hawkeyes

2015 record: 12-2, 8-0 Big Ten
Returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense, 0 special teams

Key losses: RB Jordan Canzeri, TE Henry Krieger Coble, WR Tevaun Smith, CAustin Blythe, G Jordan Walsh, LB Cole Fisher, FS Jordan Lomax, DE Nate Meier

Outlook: The Hawkeyes awoke from what seemed like a long slumber to win more than 10 games for the first time in six seasons. There's a good nucleus of talent coming back, including All-America cornerback Desmond King, who said he'll return for his senior season. Iowa's schedule might once again help its chances in the Big Ten title race, as it doesn't play Michigan State or Ohio State during the regular season and plays Northwestern, Wisconsin, Michigan and Nebraska at home.
http://espn.go.com/college-football...a-crimson-tide-lead-2016-way-too-early-top-25
More: http://espn.go.com/college-football...a-crimson-tide-lead-2016-way-too-early-top-25

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Im sure after signing day and what not, they will move all the Big Ten teams down a few notches and put the SEC back in. Im sure the top 25 will consist of 7-9 SEC teams.

They are really liking Michigan next year. I realize they have a transfer QB coming in who can play, but dang top 5 pre-season. That showdown in Iowa City next year will be a HUGE game.

 

[Herkmeister]

Sweet

 

[HoustonHawkeye]

Iowa has a favorable schedule, but also favorable circumstances. Over the last few seasons, we caught multiple teams that had 2 weeks to prepare for us or had easy games the week before playing us. Next year, no team has a bye week before playing us, and 5 teams have a tough game the week before, and we get 2 weeks to prepare for a road game against PSU. Games in Red indicate games where the opponent is going to have a tough game the week before playing Iowa.

A list of opponents the week before playing Iowa:

• Miami, OH.....1st game
• ISU.....UNI
• ND State.....Eastern Washington(bye week 1)
• @Rutgers.....New Mexico
• NW.....Neb
• @MN.....@PSU
• @Pur.....@MD & @IL
• WI.....@OSU
• Bye week
• @PSU....OSU & @Pur
• Mich...@MSU & MD
• @IL....@WI
• Neb....MD

 

[SDHawkDoc]

16th sounds about right.
Hawks have a tougher schedule. Hope they have some carry over confidence from this season.
10 wins, take the B1G west, beat nebby and michigan, play in a new years day game would be a really good year and nice follow up to the unexpected breakout this season.

 

[thewop]

I thought we had more than 6 offensive starters returning. maybe starter vs. starting experience is where they're drawing the line.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

Iowa has a favorable schedule, but also favorable circumstances. Over the last few seasons, we caught multiple teams that had 2 weeks to prepare for us or had easy games the week before playing us. Next year, no team has a bye week before playing us, and 5 teams have a tough game the week before, and we get 2 weeks to prepare for a road game against PSU. Games in Red indicate games where the opponent is going to have a tough game the week before playing Iowa.

A list of opponents the week before playing Iowa:

• Miami, OH.....1st game
• ISU.....UNI
• ND State.....Eastern Washington(bye week 1)
• @Rutgers.....New Mexico
• NW.....Neb
• @MN.....@PSU
• @Pur.....@MD & @IL
• WI.....@OSU
• Bye week
• @PSU....OSU & @Pur
• Mich...@MSU & MD
• @IL....@WI
• Neb....MD

That's good to see, for a change. We always seemed to get the short end of the stick with such things. The biggest horse-sh*t was Nebraska last year, who had two weeks to prepare for us, last game of the year with absolutely no distractions, while we had to travel there on a short week. Of course, we open the B1G season on the road again; I think they even moved that Rutgers game special for that reason.