Iowa Hawkeyes Future Odds 2023: National Championship, Conference, Regular Season Wins and Player Props

Hawkeyes Have Some Holes to Fill on Best Defense in Big Ten Conference

The script hasn’t changed when it comes to looking at the 2023 Iowa Hawkeyes odds as the Hawkeyes figure to be one of the best defensive teams in the Big Ten. There are questions when it comes to putting points on the road.

Iowa is coming off an 8-5 season and the Hawkeyes averaged 10.8 points in the five losses. The Hawkeyes led the Big Ten in total defense and ranked last in total offense. Will things be any different in 2023?

Iowa is priced at +300 in the odds to win the Big Ten West Division and only Wisconsin is ahead of the Hawkeyes in the division odds.

When looking at the NCAAF standings, Iowa finished in a three-way tie for second place in the Big Ten West Division a season ago after losing to Nebraska in the final game of the regular season.

Iowa finished 21st in the 2022 Sagarin college football rankings.

Let’s take a look at the prospects of the Iowa Hawkeyes heading into the 2023 season.

Pair of Michigan Transfers Could Play Key Roles for Hawkeyes

Iowa brought in a familiar face to Big Ten fans when it comes to improving the offense as former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara is now expected to be the starter for Iowa. McNamara threw for 169 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception in 2022 in his only game against Iowa when he was at Michigan. His presence is having an impact on the 2023 Iowa Hawkeyes odds.

McNamara will get to throw to former Michigan teammate Erick All as he will team with Luke Lachey to give Iowa a pair of pass-catching tight ends to rely on.

Kaleb Johnson, who led the Hawkeyes with 779 rushing yards despite playing sparingly in the first two games of the season, could be ready for a breakout season.

The defense will need to replace leading tackler Jack Campbell, defensive back Riley Moss and edge rusher Lukas Van Ness. Cornerback Cooper DeJean is the top returnee on defense after finishing tied for the national lead with three interceptions being returned for touchdowns.

National Championship Odds: Looking to Get Offensive

Whether it is fair or not, a shadow is cast by Michigan and Ohio State over the rest of the Big Ten. There are times when it feels like the winner of the West Division feels like little more than a sacrifice to whoever wins the Michigan and Ohio State when it comes time for the Big Ten title game.

Iowa would have to make significant strides to become a factor in the national title race and that is proven by a look at the 2023 Iowa Hawkeyes odds.

There are no NCAAF regular-season meetings with Michigan or Ohio State. However, there is a NCAAF matchup against Penn State on the road and a showdown with division rival Wisconsin is also away from home.

Conference Odds: Chasing That Elusive Title

Iowa reached the Big Ten title game in 2015 and 2021. There was a near miss before losing to Michigan State 16-13 in 2015. However, the last time Iowa played for the Big Ten title, it was not pretty as Michigan rolled to a 42-3 victory.

Before Iowa can get to face the East Division and a team in the national title picture, the Hawkeyes will need to take care of business in the West Division race.

Regular Season Wins: Ready to Go Over

Iowa will have its annual meeting with Iowa State along with facing a 6-7 Utah State squad and a Western Michigan program coming off a 5-7 season so even if Iowa takes care of business, those games would help Iowa’s quest to be relevant on a national level. According to the college football spreads, Iowa is favored by 22.5 points against Utah State in the Sept. 2 season opener.

However, with an expected win total of 7.5, losing non-conference games could make it hard to top that number thanks to facing Penn State, Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin in the first four conference games.

Each of the last five games during the regular season might not be as challenging as the earlier conference games so if Iowa can get through the first part of the season in decent shape, going over the total could be possible.

To Make Playoffs: Plenty of Work to Do

Four Big Ten teams have been national title odds that Iowa so the Hawkeyes will need to leapfrog some NCAAF teams to get into contention to make the playoffs.

Iowa State is the only team from a Power-5 conference on Iowa’s schedule and the Cyclones have longer title odds than Iowa so even a win in that rivalry game probably won’t do much to put Iowa in the position to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff field.

Michigan and Ohio State might be able to afford a loss and still get into the CFP field. Iowa doesn’t have that luxury as the odds to reach the playoffs will be hard to locate with an early loss or two.

For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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