No. 22 Baylor | No. 24 North Carolina | Top 25
No. 23: Iowa
Last Season: 12-2 (8-0 Big Ten West)
The Hawkeyes rode their luck last year to come within seconds of securing a playoff spot. Luck might not be with them in 2016, but they might not need it. Iowa is a much stronger team, with one of the conference's best defensive tackle duos in Nathan Bazata and Jaleel Johnson, who along with middle linebacker Josey Jewell combined for 213 tackles. Iowa's five Big Ten road opponents went a combined 10 -- 30 in conference play last year -- the Hawkeyes take on all of their toughest opponents at home. Fans can look forward to double-digit wins.
Iowa's chances to win each game
09.03 vs. Miami (Ohio): 94.7%
09.10 vs. Iowa State: 85.2%
09.17 vs. North Dakota State: 83.3%
09.24 @ Rutgers: 66.3%
10.01 vs. Northwestern: 72.1%
10.08 @ Minnesota: 66.6%
10.15 @ Purdue: 67.4%
10.22 vs. Wisconsin: 56.4%
11.05 @ Penn State: 44.0%
11.12 vs. Michigan: 33.7%
11.19 @ Illinois: 73.4%
11.25 vs. Nebraska: 52.8%
Key returning players like QB C.J. Beathard, CB Desmond King and LB Josey Jewell should help the Hawkeyes stay near the top of the Big Ten West Division, but think more like 9-3 than another magical 12-0 season. -- Brian Bennett
A second straight undefeated regular season might be pushing it for these Hawkeyes but, with Beathard and returning Thorpe winner King, a 9-3 season shouldn't be a problem. Iowa should remain in the conference title race until the very end. -- Josh Moyer
Save for a November visit from Michigan, there once again aren't a ton of roadblocks on Iowa's schedule for 2016. An undefeated season will be hard to reproduce, but Beathard returns to lead an offense that is capable of going 10-2 and winning the West again. -- Dan Murphy
Iowa is the Big Ten West favorite because of both its talent and a forgiving schedule. Another perfect regular season is a stretch, but the Hawkeyes finish 10-2 and reach the Big Ten title game for a second straight year. -- Jesse Temple
The schedule once again sets up favorably for the Hawkeyes, so it might be a good idea nationally to prepare for another Kirk Ferentz run to the division title in the Big Ten West after an 11-1 regular season. -- Austin Ward
No. 22 Baylor | No. 24 North Carolina | Top 25
