On a scale of 1 to Mr. T, how painful would a loss to Wyoming be, Hawkeyes fans? Point to the smiley face that would best describe your pain.
The good news is, most experts think you’ll experience a little discomfort during Saturday’s opener, but ultimately come out of Kinnick Stadium smiling.
Let’s get to the picks:
Featured predictions
Hawkeye Headquarters
Adam Rossow: Iowa 30, Wyoming 21
Saturday’s outcome will depend on two things: the Hawkeyes running game and pass rush. Iowa’s offensive line is too good for Brian Ferentz not to just line up and pound the ball, especially with Nathan Stanley making his first collegiate start at quarterback. The running back combination of Akrum Wadley and James Butler should combine for at least 40 carries and more than 200 yards rushing. About the pass rush… the best way to rattle a quarterback at any level is with repeated hits. The Hawkeyes don’t necessarily need to sack Josh Allen more than two or three times, but getting to him early and knocking him down will pay dividends if the game is tight in the fourth quarter. Don’t expect a blowout — Wyoming is too well-coached for that — but it should be a Week 1 win at Kinnick for the Black and Gold.
Dan Vasko: Iowa 24, Wyoming 21
Jay Kidwell: Iowa 35, Wyoming 21
Hawkmania
Steve Batterson: Iowa 31, Wyoming 21
Josh Allen’s strong arm and quick feet can only carry the Cowboys so far, likely into the second half when the strength of Iowa’s defense should wear down the future NFL quarterback. Behind the work of its line and running game, expect the Iowa offense to collect enough points for a season-opening win against a solid opening-game opponent.
National predictions
Sports Illustrated
Andy Staples: Wyoming
Bruce Feldman: Iowa
Chris Johnson: Wyoming
Joan Niesen: Iowa
Eric Single: Wyoming
Molly Geary: Iowa
SBNation
Bill Connelly: Iowa 31, Wyoming 22
CBS Sports
Jerry Palm: The Hawkeyes are his upset pick of the week at -11, but its against the spread. (So we can’t say for sure he thinks they’ll lose.)
Athlon Sports
Robert A. Boleyn: Iowa 31, Wyoming 17
ESPN
Dan Murphy: Wyoming 33, Iowa 30
Mitch Sherman: Iowa 27, Wyoming 24
Tom VanHaaren: Wyoming 24, Iowa 13
Hawkeye State predictions
Land of 10
Scott Dochterman: Iowa 38, Wyoming 20
Bobby La Gesse: Iowa 31, Wyoming 17
The Gazette
Marc Morehouse: Iowa, 34, Wyoming 17
Hawk Central
Chad Leistikow: Iowa 38, Wyoming 22
Go Iowa Awesome
RossWB: Iowa 34, Wyoming 24
AllHawkeyes
Pat Harty: Iowa 34, Wyoming 21
Tyler Devine: Iowa 35, Wyoming 24
Dylan Burn: Iowa 23, Wyoming 16
Hawkeye Nation
Rob Howe: Iowa 27, Wyoming 17
Jon Miller: Iowa
Sean Neugent: Iowa 37, Wyoming 24
David Schwartz: Iowa
Hawkeye Report
Mike Zierath: Iowa 35, Wyoming 14
Tom Kakert: Iowa 34 Wyoming 17
Blair Sanderson: Iowa 28, Wyoming 20
Torbee: Iowa 35, Wyoming 17
Lyle Hammas: Iowa 34, Wyoming 20
John Kerth: Iowa 37, Wyoming 24
Matt Randazzo: Iowa 34, Wyoming 21
BlackHeartGoldPants
Max Brekke: Iowa 30, Wyoming 21
BoilerHawk: Iowa 28, Wyoming 20
JP Scott: Iowa 27, Wyoming 24
JPinIC: Iowa 45, Wyoming 20
Hello Jerry: Iowa 35, Wyoming 17
Matt Cabel: Iowa 21, Wyoming 17
Benjamin Ross: Iowa 35, Wyoming 17
Jordan Hansen: Iowa
Simulation
Cody Hills: Iowa 27, Wyoming 17
Irrelevant prediction
@Hawkologist
And finally, the totally irrelevant prediction based on playing EA Sports’ NCAA Football 2004 on a PS2, as is the tradition since 2015:
Ryan Jaster: Hawkeyes 24, Wyoming 3. It was a snowy night at Kinnick… and that shows you just how irrelevant this simulation is. Game time is 11 a.m. and it’s always sunny in Iowa City for the opener. The icing on the cake is Iowa aired it out after the ground game stalled. Which Hawkeye receiver do you have down for 209 yards?
This week’s totally irrelevant prediction using NCAA Football 2004: #Hawkeyes 24, Wyoming 3. At night. In snow. See? Irrelevant. Or is it? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/62HdWTQVc5— HAWKMANIAQ, formerly (@Hawkologist) September 1, 2017
Prognosis: The consensus seems to be that the game will be closer than Hawkeyes fans prefer — at least for a while — but Iowa will prevail. The national take appears to be more willing to give the game to Wyoming as an upset special.
Are you a college football insider? Or just some guy or girl who has access to a Hawkeyes site like me? If you want your predictions in here next week, hit me up @Hawkologist on Twitter. For more Hawkeye football coverage, follow @AdamJRossow and @HawkeyeHQ on Twitter — and now Facebook — and Hawkeye Headquarters on OurQuadCities.com all season.
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