CFB Futures – 2024 Iowa Hawkeyes Win Total Odds

Last year was typical and what we’ve come to expect from the Iowa Hawkeyes. They were a menace defensively, but the offense kept them from being a contender in the Big Ten. Despite the shortcomings the Hawkeyes went 10-2 during the regular season and won the Big Ten West. But their postseason demonstrated how badly the program needs an infusion of talent that can move and score the football. Iowa failed to score a point in its loss to Michigan in the conference championship and was shutout 35-0 by Tennessee in its bowl game. The hope for 2024 is that Cade McNamara can stay healthy after going down for the season early last year. Despite what they did in 2023 oddsmakers at BetMGM pegged the Hawkeyes with a win total of 7.5.

Regular Season Wins for the Iowa Hawkeyes

Over 7.5 ( -140 )

Under 7.5 ( +115 )

They’re not flashy and most of the time they’re downright boring, but the Hawkeyes have won a lot of games over the years. Winning 10 games last season marked the eighth time in as many full seasons the program won at least eight games. Reaching that number again would put them OVER their CFB futures odds total. You can only do so much, though, with an offense that can’t score and Kirk Ferentz was forced to fire his offensive coordinator before last season ended. What made the move more difficult was that his son Brian got the axe. 

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Roster

They haven’t caught up with the evolving world of college football but the system in place works. Iowa plays a mean brand of defense and just hopes the offense doesn’t screw it up. It’s led to 11 straight winning seasons with 10 victories in three of the previous four full campaigns. Heck, they even won six of eight games in COVD-shortened 2020. It appears as though Iowa will at least try to have an offense in 2024 and that depends on the health of Cade McNamara. The Michigan transfer threw for 505 yards and four touchdowns before being shelved in the fifth game last season.

There is a new coordinator and some talented players that can help boost the nation’s second-worst scoring offense from a season ago. The Hawkeyes scored more than 20 points only four times, two of those against non-conference G5 programs and three times in games started by McNamara. The played below the CFB odds total in 12 of their 14 contests. Former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester takes over as OC saying the “system is nothing like what’s been done here in the past.”

Lack of depth, especially at QB, was an issue so the addition of transfer Brendan Sullivan will help. Deacon Hill completed less than 49 percent of his pass with eight picks after taking over for McNamara and has since transferred. And there’s no guarantee McNamara starts with Sullivan pushing for playing time. In eight games at Northwestern last season Sullivan completed 63.6 percent of his throws with six touchdowns with 160 yards and two TDs on the ground.

Largely responsible for their win total last season, the Hawkeyes defense should again be stout. The group allowed fewer than 15 points (14.8) for the second consecutive season ranking fourth nationally with an average of 14.8 points. They also finished among the top 10 against the pass and in points allowed. And the unit gets several key players back, including leading tacklers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson. This is Iowa so you can expect the D line to be solid if not spectacular and the secondary will evolve into a strong group even with the departure of Cooper DeJean.

Schedule

Last year the Big Ten West was weak and Iowa bypassed Michigan and Ohio State helping them win 10 games. They catch a break from schedule makers again this year with Michigan, Oregon, Penn State and USC off the board. Opening with home games against Illinois State, Iowa State and Troy and at Minnesota, there’s a chance Iowa could be 4-0 heading into their bye. But the slate toughens up after that with a Week 6 game at Ohio State followed by Washington and Michigan State. Overall the schedule is manageable and considering what Iowa has done in the past it’s safe to assume eight wins.

Prediction

The offense doesn’t have to improve dramatically but enough so the team’s punter isn’t a folk hero on campus will do. The passing game will be aided by TE Luke Lachey as the receivers gain more experience and the defense will keep them in most games. The win total dropped from a season ago and this could be a better team with more production on offense along with a stellar defense. Eight wins seems like the minimum for this program and reaching that number in 2024 gets you a win on the OVER.

Check out the latest college football odds at BetMGM