WHO: Illinois State Redbirds (0-0)
WHEN: 11:01 AM CT (Saturday, August 31, 2024)
WHERE: Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, IA)
TV: BTN (Mark Followill, Anthony Herron, Melanie Ricks)
RADIO: Hawkeye Radio Network (Gary Dolphin, Pat Angerer, Rob Brooks) | Sirius/XM 137/196
MOBILE: foxsports.com/mobile
ONLINE: foxsports.com/live
FOLLOW: @HawkeyeBeacon | @HawkeyeFootball | @CFBONFOX | @IowaonBTN
WEATHER: highs in the 70s, mostly sunny, minimal wind
LINE: Iowa -22.5 (total of 40.5)
The Redbirds went 6-5 last season and missed the FCS Playoffs, though they were close to a much better season -- four of their five losses came by a combined eight points., including a pair of three-point losses to Youngstown State and UNI and a one-point defeat against perennial FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. Only eventual FCS national champion South Dakota State blew them out, winning 40-21.
Those narrow defeats -- and some positive movement in the transfer portal -- have Illinois State ranked in the bottom half of the preseason Top 25 by several outlets. HERO Sports has them at #24, Stats Perform puts them at #19, and Opta Analyst is the most bullish on them, slotting them at #14.
From an Iowa standpoint, this game is notable for the history it's making -- for the first time since 1998, the Hawkeyes will have a coach other than Kirk Ferentz on the sideline. While Ferentz serves his one-game suspension, assistant head coach Seth Wallace will lead the Hawkeyes. Though Ferentz's absence is only for one week, any change at the head coaching position -- even a very temporary change like this -- can feel a bit seismic for a program that has only had two head coaches since 1978.
MORE HERE:
iowa.rivals.com
WHEN: 11:01 AM CT (Saturday, August 31, 2024)
WHERE: Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, IA)
TV: BTN (Mark Followill, Anthony Herron, Melanie Ricks)
RADIO: Hawkeye Radio Network (Gary Dolphin, Pat Angerer, Rob Brooks) | Sirius/XM 137/196
MOBILE: foxsports.com/mobile
ONLINE: foxsports.com/live
FOLLOW: @HawkeyeBeacon | @HawkeyeFootball | @CFBONFOX | @IowaonBTN
WEATHER: highs in the 70s, mostly sunny, minimal wind
LINE: Iowa -22.5 (total of 40.5)
THE SCOOP
Iowa opens up the 2024 season on Saturday by playing host to Illinois State.The last time the Hawkeyes did that -- back in 2015, which was also a season after a humiliating loss to Tennessee in a Florida bowl game -- it turned out to be the opening salvo (a 31-14 Iowa win) in a 12-0 regular season. Will history repeat itself in 2024? We'll get our first indications one way or another this weekend.The Redbirds went 6-5 last season and missed the FCS Playoffs, though they were close to a much better season -- four of their five losses came by a combined eight points., including a pair of three-point losses to Youngstown State and UNI and a one-point defeat against perennial FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. Only eventual FCS national champion South Dakota State blew them out, winning 40-21.
Those narrow defeats -- and some positive movement in the transfer portal -- have Illinois State ranked in the bottom half of the preseason Top 25 by several outlets. HERO Sports has them at #24, Stats Perform puts them at #19, and Opta Analyst is the most bullish on them, slotting them at #14.
From an Iowa standpoint, this game is notable for the history it's making -- for the first time since 1998, the Hawkeyes will have a coach other than Kirk Ferentz on the sideline. While Ferentz serves his one-game suspension, assistant head coach Seth Wallace will lead the Hawkeyes. Though Ferentz's absence is only for one week, any change at the head coaching position -- even a very temporary change like this -- can feel a bit seismic for a program that has only had two head coaches since 1978.
MORE HERE:
Hawkeye Beacon - PREVIEW: #25 Iowa vs Illinois State
Previewing Iowa's season opener against Illinois State.
iowa.rivals.com
