HawkeyeInsider’s Iowa football 2022 game-by-game, season predictions

Eickholt: This season could go a number of different ways, especially with the Brutal final stretch in November. One of the reasons I’m picking Iowa to win the West is because that’s typically when we see Iowa play its best football. There are legitimate questions about the offense and how big of a step forward it can take.

There are also questions about whether the special teams can continue to produce at the ridiculous rate that it has over the past several seasons. Iowa’s defense has a chance to become the best one in the Ferentz era. I have confidence in saying that Jestin Jacobs, Seth Benson and Jack Campbell are the best trio of linebackers in the Ferentz era.

All eyes are on Spencer Petras this season. Despite what happened last season, this is going to be the one that defines how he’ll be remembered. Fresh off a Big Ten West title and returning weapons– steps forward should be expected. With the level of Talent on Iowa’s roster and how open the Big Ten West is… it should be expected that Iowa Returns to Indianapolis. If the Hawkeyes don’t… there’s going to be a void heading into next offseason.

Bowl Prediction: Orange Bowl

Bock: Well, it looks like 9-3 is the record that I came up with. I went back and forth on the Minnesota game based on where it was scheduled. The last stretch of the season is going to be vital for the Hawkeyes. There are a lot of high-energy, emotional rivalry games to close out the year starting with Purdue and Iowa will need to stack strong performances and keep getting better week to week. All five games are winnable games, but three of the five opponents are ones that the Hawkeyes have had the toughest time with in the Big Ten West over the last few years. On paper, Iowa seems to have an edge over all five, but it will need to show that on the field with consistent offense and a defense that has proven it can be reliable and should be strong this year as well.

The defense should be up there as one of the elite in the Big Ten. This group is loaded from the front to the back and there is depth behind them at certain spots that the coaching staff feels good about, too. However, as we saw last year, the defense cannot be the only strength of this team. Iowa’s offense will need to find ways to produce and get into a rhythm that can make it reliable. The offense figuring things out will be the key to this team and what the ceiling of this group can be.

There is a lot riding on this season and I think a 9-3 regular season with an appearance in the Big Ten Championship depending on how the rest of the Big Ten West shakes up.

Bowl Prediction: The Orange Bowl is certainly a possibility, while the Reliaquest (formerly the Outback) could be the case, too.