2026 Iowa Hawkeyes Football Predictions with Betting Odds and Best Bets

by Ryan Cobbett - 8/21/2026

Iowa Hawkeyes football predictions Jeremy Hecklinski

The Iowa Hawkeyes have spent many years over the last decade with some of the best defensive units in the country, only for them to be wasted away by a terrible offense. Last season, the Hawkeyes saw the offense improve with transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski, though it was still tiers behind an average FBS offense. Fortunately, Iowa got busy in the transfer portal and brought in two wide receivers who should top the depth chart at the position, as well as a work horse running back. What remains unfortunate and unclear is who Gronowski’s heir is and whether or not they can replicate or improve on his success. Kirk Ferentz is one of the most successful coaches in college football history, but it is time for him to kick it up a notch on offense in order to reach the playoffs to further boost his storied tenure with the Hawkeyes.

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Iowa Hawkeyes Football Summary of Last Season

The Iowa Hawkeyes were the best 8-4 team in the country a season ago and were much closer to a playoff berth than those four losses would indicate. All four losses came against ranked opponents, and they all happened by a combined 15 points. The Hawkeyes opened up the season with a 3-1 record, narrowly losing to Iowa State on the road (16-13). They fell to the eventual national champions 20-15, with their backup quarterback playing most of the fourth quarter. Iowa would respond to their second loss on the season by dominating rivalry games against Wisconsin and Minnesota, taking those two games by a combined score of 78-3. Unfortunately, they would then lose in back-to-back weeks to Oregon (18-16, on a last second field goal), and to USC on the road (26-21). The Hawkeyes showed their strength by dominating Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt in their bowl game.

Iowa took huge strides on offense last season, in large part thanks to transfer quarterback Gronowski. They still ranked near the bottom of the conference, averaging 320.1 YPG, though they did average just under 30 PPG. Gronowski finished the season with 1,741 passing yards, completing 63.4% of his passes, and with 10 passing touchdowns. He also finished with 545 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. Kamari Moulton led the team with 878 rushing yards, and he added five more rushing touchdowns. Tight end DJ Vonnahme burst onto the scene last season and was the Hawkeyes leading receiver with 434 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. Unfortunately for Iowa, wide receiver was their biggest weakness.

The defense was the heart of the team as usual. Iowa’s defense ranked ninth in the country in YPG (280.4) and eighth in the country in PPG (16.1). Karson Sharar led the team with 83 tackles, and he filled up the stat sheet further with four sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble. Xavier Nwankpa was all around the ball last season as he finished with 76 tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Ethan Hurkett led the Hawkeyes defense with eight sacks, while Max Llewellyn (6.5), and Aaron Graves (five) finished right behind him. TJ Hall Jr. led the team with 10 pass deflections, while Zach Lutmer led the way with three interceptions.

2026 Iowa Hawkeyes Football Key Additions/Losses

Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes, they rank near the bottom in returning production. They are bringing back just 44% of last year’s production, one of the lowest marks among P4 programs. Iowa saw seven players leave via the NFL Draft. Offensive lineman Logan Jones was the first Hawkeye taken, as he was drafted in the second round. He was followed by offensive tackle Gennings Dunker (third round), wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (fourth round), offensive lineman Beau Stephens (fifth round), Sharar (sixth round), Hall (seventh round), and Llewellyn (seventh round). Iowa also lost safety Koen Entringer (Louisville), backup running back Jaziun Patterson (Michigan State), punter Rhys Dakin (Michigan State), and edge rusher Brian Allen Jr. (Vanderbilt) in the transfer portal.

Iowa made some key additions in the transfer portal, though they seemingly focus more on FCS talent. On defense they added defensive linemen Emmanuel Olagbaju (North Dakota) and Brice Stevenson (Holy Cross), edge rushers Lance Ingold (Northern Illinois) and Kahmari Brown (Elon), and safeties Anthony Hawkins (Villanova), Tyler Brown (James Madison), Cody Haddad (Ohio State), and Xavier Styles (Robert Morris). The offense added wide receivers Tony Diaz (UT Rio Grande Valley), Evan James (Furman), and Lance Beeghley (SMU), running back Lendon Phillips Jr. (South Dakota), and offensive lineman Trent Wilson (James Madison).

2026 Iowa Hawkeyes Football Schedule Breakdown

Iowa might run into the perfect storm this year. Not only do they have a huge question mark around the quarterback position, but they also have one of their toughest schedules in years. The nonconference slate is easy now that Iowa State has fallen back to earth, and to mediocrity, with the departure of Matt Campbell. The Hawkeyes open the season with three straight home games against Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa. Then they will be set to face one of the hardest three-game stretches in the country. They travel to Michigan to open up Big 10 play, then return home to host Ohio State, then travel across the country to take on Washington on a Friday night. Despite a hot start, Iowa could find themselves 3-3. Down the stretch it gets a bit easier with road games against Minnesota, Northwestern, and Illinois and home games against Wisconsin, Purdue, and Nebraska.

2026 Iowa Hawkeyes Football X-Factors/Big Questions

Is Iowa a Threat?

No, at least not the playoffs. They could be a playoff ruining opponent for the likes of Michigan, Washington, and maybe even Ohio State who need to be near perfect in the regular season to reach the playoffs. The defense for the Hawkeyes is set to regress, and the quarterback position is a wild card at this point. Iowa will play in a lot of close games as they always do, this year though, they may not win as many of them.

Will the offense improve?

No, not unless Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown can prove they are capable of playing in the Big 10. It is a nice thing that both quarterbacks have multiple years of eligibility remaining, but the experience is lacking and the skill sets are questionable. Iowa has yet to name a starter as we near the beginning of the season, but neither one moves the needle for the Hawkeyes this season.

2026 Iowa Hawkeyes Football Notable Odds:

National Championship: +17500

Big 10 Champion: +4500

Heisman Winner- Jeremy Hecklinski: +40000

Predicted Win Total: 7.5 Games

2026 Iowa Hawkeyes Football Predictions:

As mentioned, the Hawkeyes could ruin the season for one of their opponents, but they themselves will just be looking at making a decent bowl game and developing a strong quarterback for the future. In regards to their win total, Iowa would need to go 5-1 down the stretch in order to hit the over on the win total, assuming they start the season 3-3, and I do not see that happening. While Minnesota and Illinois have both regressed, those will still be tough road games. Then you add the big-time rivalry game with Nebraska, and the likelihood of eight wins decreases. Take the under.

Prediction: Under 7.5 Wins, +106

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Start:	August 21, 2026 @ 7:10 PM
Expert:	Tony George
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2026 Iowa Hawkeyes Football Predictions with Betting Odds and Best Bets

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