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Iowa Hawkeyes 2015 NCAA Football Gambling Odds & Predictions

2015-2016 Football Previews (Big Ten)- Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes are always one of the toughest teams to predict before the start of the season. It seems that when Iowa is highly touted before the year begins, it falls flat and disappoints. When everyone is overlooking the Hawkeyes, they often rise up and become a contender in the Big Ten.

NCAA Football Gambling Lines

Big 10 Lines

Iowa Hawkeyes
Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz
2014 Record: 7-6
Odds to Win College Football Championship (from BetOnline): +30,000
Odds to win Big Ten (from BetOnline): +3,300
Season Win Total (from 5Dimes): 7.5

A few years ago, Kirk Ferentz was seen as one of the best coaches in the country. With several mediocre seasons, he is no longer seen in the same light. I still believe Ferentz is a good coach, but he isn’t on the same level of the very best in this conference.

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The Hawkeyes don’t get elite recruits, but they do have a team that works hard and never takes a snap off.

Team Strengths

It wouldn’t be a Kirk Ferentz-coached team without a strong offensive line. The Hawkeyes lost Brandon Scherff and some are predicting a huge drop in production from this group, but I’m not one of them. On the whole, last year’s offensive front was a bit disappointing. Iowa isn’t likely to have the same problem this year. Depth isn’t an issue for the Hawkeyes, and I expect this group to be very good.

Jake Rudock left the program and went to Michigan, but I think C.J. Beathard has a higher upside than Rudock. Beathard has a decent amount of experience already in the system, and he has a very strong arm. As long as he can make good decisions with the ball, I think Iowa will be just fine at the signal caller spot.

Iowa’s linebackers were excellent a couple years ago, and then they lost all three starters before last season. Last year, it was a rough year for the Iowa linebackers. They should be much better again this season.

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They learned a lot last year, and they are far more experienced at this spot now.

Team Weaknesses

Iowa is really lacking in talent at the wide receiver spot. The Hawkeyes lost Martin-Manley, who was a good possession receiver for the team. Beathard has the potential to be good, but I’m not sure he has the necessary tools around him to throw the ball to. The Hawkeyes haven’t recruited well at this position of late, and I’m afraid that will show this season.

The running back spot is a question mark too. Jordan Canzeri is the most talented back and he’ll start, but he has some injury concerns from the past. There is very little depth behind him either. Beathard will likely be asked to run fairly often this year, but Hawkeyes fans don’t want to see their quarterback take too many hits.

The secondary is thin. John Lowdermilk was the team’s top tackler last year and he’s gone. There are no shutdown corners or great safeties on this roster. I wonder if this group has enough athleticism to cover the best receivers in the conference.

Iowa Hawkeyes 2015-2016 Prediction: 7-6

I see this team finishing right where it did last season. I don’t think the Hawkeyes are all that good, but they play a very weak schedule.

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They avoid most of the top teams in the Big Ten, and they play an easy non-conference slate as well.

Iowa Hawkeyes 2015 College Football Schedule

Regular Season
Date Time vs
9/5/15 TBD ILST
9/12/15 4:30 PM ET @ISU
9/19/15 8:00 PM ET PITT
9/26/15 TBD UNT
10/3/15 TBD @WIS
10/10/15 12:00 PM ET ILL
10/17/15 12:00 PM ET @NW
10/31/15 TBD MD
11/7/15 TBD @IND
11/14/15 8:00 PM ET MINN
11/21/15 TBD PUR
11/27/15 TBD @NEB

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By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.