Iowa Hawkeyes land in several way too early Top 25 polls
The College football season came to an end on Monday night, which means one thing, on Tuesday sportswriters start releasing their way too early Top 25 teams for 2023.
Iowa Hawkeye fans were generally skeptical regarding their team being included in any of the way too early preseason hype. After all, while Iowa won eight games this season, they also had one of the worst offenses in the nation. Even in a muddled Big Ten West, Hawkeye fans figured it would be difficult to put them in the Top 25.
Also, Iowa will be replacing several starters from the 2022 squad. On defense, they will need to replace All American Jack Campbell, fellow linebacker Seth Benson, cornerback Riley Moss, safety Kaevon Merriweather, and John Waggoner. Also, Lucas Van Ness decided to head to the NFL Draft after three years in the Hawkeye program.
The good news on defense is veteran seniors Joe Evans and Noah Shannon are returning for an extra year, as is wide receiver Nico Ragaini. While Iowa will lose Spencer Petras and Sam LaPorta, the Hawkeyes dipped into the transfer portal and landed Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara and tight end Erick All.
The Iowa offense ranked 130th in the country in total offense, out of 131 D1 programs. But, the defense was outstanding once again this past year, finishing 2nd in the nation, allowing just 270 yards per game and scoring defense at 13.3 points per game.
All of this led to some interesting placements in the way too early Top 25’s that are hitting the internet today.
The most optimistic of the Top 25’s comes from USA Today, who has the Hawkeyes coming in at 13th in their way too early prediction.
“The 2023 team welcomes in Michigan transfer quarterback Cade McNamara, giving Iowa a proven Big Ten starter at a position of major need. The defense loses stud linebacker Jack Campbell, but c’mon: Iowa’s still going to get stops.”
Stewart Mandel from The Athletic has Iowa at 18th in his way too early look at college football.
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“The Hawkeyes fielded the nation’s No. 1 defense in 2022. All-everything LB Jack Campbell will be missed, but star CB Cooper DeJean and productive pass-rushers Joe Evans and Deontae Craig return. Touted freshman S Xavier Nwankpa is next in line. Two Michigan transfers, QB Cade McNamara and TE Erick All, should deliver a much-needed offensive upgrade. All-American P Tory Taylor is coming back as well.”
The LA Times did their homework on the Hawkeyes and have them placed at 20th in their early look at college football for 2023.
“The Hawkeyes are easy to ridicule because of their anemic offense, but their defense is so good year in and year out that it’s hard to keep them out of the top 25.”
The folks at Fox Sports have the Hawkeyes at 24th in their early look at college football for next season and ESPN.com has Iowa at 25th in their way too early stab at college football.
“Will coach Kirk Ferentz make changes on offense or hope things get better with McNamara, a former Michigan starter, coming on board? Iowa’s offense was plagued by a young offensive line and depleted receiver corps in 2022,” said the ESPN piece.
It’s early, but right now it’s good to see the Hawkeyes getting plenty of respect nationally when it comes to the early looks at the 2023 season.
