Could the Iowa Hawkeyes once again play a role in the race for the Big Ten Championship in 2024?
The preseason rankings and rumors about Iowa suggest that most view the Hawkeyes as a fringe force in the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff.
Iowa is ranked 25th in the US LBM Coaches preseason poll and the Hawkeyes were picked no lower than 6th in the Big Ten rankings by CBS Sports college football experts.
Two CBS sportscasters, David Cobb and Will Backus, predicted the Hawkeyes would finish fourth in the Big Ten standings, but no one was willing to go any further.
Andy Staples of On3 actually included Iowa among his potential College Football Playoff teams.
To make this happen, Iowa must survive two annual rivalry dates against Wisconsin and Nebraska. On3’s Andy Backstrom counted Iowa’s rivalry dates against Wisconsin and Nebraska among his 10 games that will decide the 2024 Big Ten championship.
Backstrom explained why Iowa’s game against Wisconsin on Nov. 9 is a perfect fit for her.
Don’t underestimate Iowa. The Hawkeyes have had one of the top five defenses in the Big Ten each of the last nine seasons. That should be no different in 2024. How far Iowa goes this season will depend on whether new offensive coordinator Tim Lester can get his unit to do its part. To say the Hawkeyes’ schedule is favorable would be an understatement. They have only one AP top 25 opponent in the preseason, and that’s Ohio State. The Hawkeyes’ remaining games are winnable.
Of their games against currently unranked opponents, two stand out, starting with a Nov. 9 showdown against Wisconsin for the Heartland Trophy. But more importantly, this game could have Big Ten Championship implications, perhaps for both sides. The Badgers are a league underdog. If Miami transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke fits into offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s “Air Raid” system and if defensive coordinator Mike Tressel’s team — which ranked 39th nationally in yards allowed per game last season — takes a step forward, Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin could make a splash. But those are big “ifs,” especially in a season in which the Badgers must play five AP Top 25 opponents from the previous season, including Alabama, USC, Penn State, Oregon and Iowa. – Backstrom, On3.
Iowa’s final game of the season against Nebraska on November 29 was also one of the top 10 dates for deciding the Big Ten championship, according to Backstrom.
OK, Iowa’s second notable game against a currently unranked opponent is its game against Nebraska on Nov. 29. Speaking of dark horse Big Ten favorites, the Cornhuskers fall into that category. Nebraska could (gulp)… start 7-0. Stay tuned: The Huskers open the year with games against UTEP, Colorado, Northern Iowa, Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers and Indiana. At quarterback, Nebraska’s first true freshman Dylan RaiolaOn one hand, Raiola is a unanimous five-star prospect in the 2024 class. On the other hand, he’s a true freshman. Factor in questions about the depth of the offensive tackles and cornerbacks, as well as the risk of ongoing turnover problems, and it’s entirely possible the Huskers could lose a few games during that time frame.
Regardless, Nebraska is a secretly tough opponent for anyone, including Iowa, towards the end of the season. At this point in the year, the Hawkeyes could are playing not only for a chance at the Big Ten Championship, but also for a place in the CFP. – Backstrom, On3.
These two matchups for Iowa complement Texas-Michigan on September 7, USC-Michigan on September 21, Ohio State-Oregon on October 12, Penn State-USC on October 12, Ohio State-Penn State on November 2, Oregon-Michigan on November 2, Michigan-Ohio State on November 30 and Washington-Oregon on November 30. This makes Backstrom’s ten games the deciding factor for the Big Ten Championship.
Iowa opens its 2024 season on August 31 at 11 a.m. at Kinnick Stadium against Illinois State.
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