Iowa Plays Sixth-Hardest Schedule in FBS; 2020 Win Total Remains 7.5

• Based on SBD’s calculations, Iowa has the sixth-toughest 2020 schedule out of 130 FBS teams
• The Hawkeyes’ 2020 win total is being listed at 7.5 (+110o/-130u)
• Read below for the best over/under bet on Iowa’s 2020 win total

The 2020 Iowa Hawkeyes are staring down a gauntlet. Off-field issues aside, Kirk Ferentz’s team has the sixth-toughest schedule out of 130 FBS teams in our 2020 NCAAF strength-of-schedule rankings. One of the primary reasons for this is due to the Hawkeyes landing one of the toughest back-to-backs in the country. (More on that below.)

Iowa’s win total opened at 7.5 (+110o/-130u) and hasn’t really moved. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 10-3 season and are 47-19 in the last five years under coach Ferentz.

With veteran quarterback Nate Stanley now out of the picture, Iowa may take a step back in 2020. How should you bet on the Hawkeyes in the 2020 college football win totals?

2020 Big Ten Conference Win Totals

Odds taken June 10th. 

Nate Stanley Off to NFL

One of the biggest question marks for the Hawkeyes entering the 2020 season is at the quarterback position. Three-year starter Nate Stanley was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Redshirt sophomore Spencer Petras is projected to be Stanley’s replacement.

Nate Stanley:

3-0 vs. Iowa State
3-0 vs. Minnesota
3-0 vs. Nebraska
3-0 in bowl games

That barely scratches the surface. An all-time Hawk.

— Jordan Loperena (@JordanLoperena) December 28, 2019

Petras has some similarities to Stanley in that he’s 6″5 and has a strong arm. He also impressed in his senior high-school season, throwing for 4,157 yards and 50 touchdowns with just two interceptions.

This is a brutal schedule for breaking in a new quarterback, however. One of Stanley’s best qualities was his leadership ability. If the youngster Petras struggles in the early going, Iowa could be in for a tough year.

Hawkeyes Land Brutal Back-to-Back

Iowa’s 2020 schedule is highlighted by one of the toughest back-to-backs in the country. The Hawkeyes will be hitting the road in the middle of October to face Ohio State and Penn State in Weeks 6 and 7. The Buckeyes could open the season as the top-ranked team in the country, while Penn State is a top-10 contender.

Hawkeyes complete 2020 schedule by adding UNI pic.twitter.com/UNewfC4KzT

— Blair Sanderson (@BlairRIVALS) October 12, 2017

With the way their schedule is set up, it could be easy for Iowa to come out of this back-to-back feeling deflated. They also have to face Wisconsin in the regular-season finale and have lost seven of their last eight games against the Badgers.

If things go according to plan and Iowa loses to three Big Ten powerhouses, they would only need two more losses to hit the “under” on their 7.5 win total. Minnesota is returning an elite offense that includes QB Tanner Morgan (a top-20 Heisman Trophy favorite) and WR Rashod Bateman. The Gophers are projected to be small home favorites over Iowa in Week 3.

The Hawkeyes will get stiff tests from Iowa State and Nebraska, as well. Both played the Hawkeyes tight in recent years. There’s also upset potential for Purdue and Illinois getting Iowa at home.

Program at Crossroads

Iowa is expected to undergo a culture change after several former black players spoke out about negative experiences they had at the program under longtime strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle. Doyle has since been placed on leave by the team.

Iowa players are sharing stories about racially charged treatment they received from strength coach Chris Doyle. Doyle is the highest paid strength coach in the country. https://t.co/KtVwvlwH9o

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) June 6, 2020

Sophomore linebacker Dillon Doyle, son of Chris Doyle, announced on Tuesday that he is entering the transfer portal. The Hawkeyes already have to replace the talents of OT Tristan Wirfs, DE AJ Epenesa, and DB Michael Ojemudia.

These are tough times for the program, and undergoing a culture change while facing such a challenging schedule will be difficult.

Betting Advice

There are things to like about this Iowa team heading into the 2020 season, but a gruelling schedule sets them up to take a step back. They’re likely to incur four losses at the hands of Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, while there are several other games that could go either way.

With some tough road matchups and the loss of a veteran quarterback, the Hawkeyes are a solid bet for the “under” on their 2020 win total.

Pick: Iowa under 7.5 wins (-130)