Hawkeyes, Cyclones season predictions

Marc Morehouse

Iowa: I can't imagine the possibility of big ass turkey legs being removed from outside Kinnick Stadium is a good omen. With that said, I'm predicting a bowl game for the Hawkeyes. I'll say anywhere from Cap One to the Meineke Bowl. How's that for vague April prediction?

Iowa State: The Cyclones might have a QB named Steele Jantz. Or they might have a QB named Jerome Tiller. I'd love it if they had a QB named Steele Tiller. I think ISU will be playing for a bowl bid in November, if the defense holds up and it's not too cold for Steele.

Mike Hlas

Iowa and Iowa State: Season predictions in April? Really? I guess we might as well, in case that end-of-the-world-in-2012 thing happens a few months early. If we'd made 2010 predictions last April, I'd have picked Iowa State over Texas and Minnesota over Iowa. This year? Iowa and ISU will go a combined 23-1 in the regular season. So don't worry. Be happy.

Nick Pugliese

Iowa: Everyone says the Hawkeyes do better when they fly under the radar. Since no one will have them atop the preseason Legends Division rankings, that means good things. How about 10-2 and a spot in the first Big Ten Championship game?

Iowa State: The Cyclones have pulled major upsets the last two seasons and lost games they should have won. It looks like another up-and-down season in Ames. Let's say 7-5 and a secondary bowl date.

John Campbell

Iowa: Lower expectations could serve this Iowa team football well. The schedule looks good but will certainly be challenging with road games at the end (Purdue and Nebraska). Iowa should be in the thick of the divisional chase.

Iowa State: Paul Rhoads says he is not ready to name a starting quarterback at Iowa State and that must mean that neither Jerome Tiller nor Steele Jantz has jumped off the charts in spring drills. This fact should make fall drills even more competitive. Replacing running back Alexander Robinson will be a challenge. The Cyclone defense will revolve around a pair of experienced backers in A.J. Klein and Jake Knott.

Eric Petersen

Iowa: Iowa has been able to reshuffle the deck after top players depart. This year should be no different without Ricky Stanzi, Adrian Clayborn and others. Contending for a Big Ten championship? Doubtful. But without the lofty expectations, this team can fly under the radar and have a nice eight- to nine-win season if the breaks go its way.

Iowa State: The schedule is beefy once again and now playing every team in the Big 12 will be a major test for a team that lost its best offensive players. If the Cyclones are to return to the postseason they'll certainly have earned it. With a new quarterback and an average defense, this season has a 5-7 feel to it.

Bob Brooks

Iowa: Hawks just reload. Big bowl game, at least 10 wins. In general, a very successful season.

Iowa State: Cyclones much improved. More competitive. Have a shot at seven or eight wins. I like what Paul Rhoads is doing with the Iowa State program.

Scott Dochterman

Iowa: The schedule sets up nicely for Iowa, especially when compared to its Legends (yuck) Division competition. Outside of injuries, Iowa's season comes down to one position and one position grouping: quarterback and defensive line. I'll start with 8-4 and it can go either way from there.

Iowa State: The Cyclones play nine bowl teams from 2010. That doesn't include Texas or in-state rival Northern Iowa. Iowa State has a good linebacking corps and a stud left tackle. But without a quarterback, a 5-7 record is optimistic on paper.