2008 Iowa Hawkeyes College Football Predictions

Last season, hopes were high for the Hawkeyes without Michigan and Ohio State on the schedule, but a regular season finale loss to Western Michigan, of all teams, kept Iowa from bowling for the first time in a long time. The Hawks have the benefit of not playing perennial powers Michigan and Ohio State again this season. Find out if Jimmy Boyd thinks the Hawks will take advantage of a favorable schedule in his 2008 Iowa Hawkeyes predictions and season preview. 
 

Bet on Football Using Your Credit Card

Offense

Iowa didn't play much offense last season and much of the blame fell on the shoulders of offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe. QB Jake Christensen also took plenty of heat and rightfully so. Christenson struggled terribly in his first year under center. Iowa averaged only 18.5 points per game and Christenson's 6.13 yards per passing attempt average was the lowest among Big Ten starting signal callers. And to add insult to injury, he was the lowest rated passer in the Big Ten. If Iowa wants to get this ship turned around, Christenson is going to have to lead the way. Not all the blame should fall on him as the offensive line was less than good in 2007, allowing 46 sacks, which was the sixth highest tally in the nation. The inconsistent line play translated over to the running game as well with the Hawks averaging just 3.5 yards per carry – worst in the Big Ten. Turning around the running game this season does not look promising either as the senior duo of Albert Young and Damian Sims is gone and sophomore Jevon Pugh has left school. That leaves the Hawkeyes with a junior college transfer, two true freshman, and two walk-ons to get the job done.

Defense

Iowa's defense has been the backbone of its recent success and the Hawkeyes have always proven to be especially stingy defensively at home. They played their best defensive game of the season last year at home, holding Illinois to just six points to win the game. The Hawks look tough up front in 2008 with four year starters Mitch King and Matt Kroul at the tackles. These two monsters combined for 132 tackles last season. The secondary will mourn the loss of the hard hitting Charles Godfrey, but they should be able to bring in someone better than Adam Shada, who was constantly tested by opposing offenses. Iowa has produced some top notch linebacker talent the past few seasons and A.J. Edds looks to be the next great. He came up with 80 stops as a sophomore last season.

Special Teams

Punter Ryan Donahue looks to be a good one and he got plenty of practice last season as he punted a school record 86 times. He averaged 41.1 yards per punt and booted an 82-yarder, which was the second longest in school history. Iowa has been blest with great place kicking the past few seasons, but last year it tailed off with Austin Signor and Daniel Murray each missing a pair of PAT's and combining to make just 10 of 16 field goal tries. Also, the Hawks need to get better production from their kick returners to get some better field position. Iowa has not returned a kickoff for a TD since the 2003 Orange Bowl.

Prediction – 7th in Big Ten

Iowa has a favorable schedule and they are always tough at home so they very well could finish as high as third if a few things go its way. But, with no running game, and an unproven QB, the Hawks will likely fall to the bottom half of the league ahead of Purdue and Indiana, but behind Michigan and Michigan State.

Check out all of Jimmy Boyd's 2008 Big Ten Conference predictions to see how he likes one of the best leagues in the country to shake out. And make sure you're playing Jimmy's college football picks this season for the most winners in the industry.

June 15th, 2008