2009 CFB Preview: Iowa

Iowa has been, along with Michigan State, a consensus pick in the second tier of the conference. They probably overachieved a little bit last year. They didn't really dominate anybody, and played down to competition against Pitt. Still, they did beat then undefeated Penn State and won the Outback Bowl against South Carolina.



Iowa schedule sets up unfavorably, having to go to Happy Valley and Columbus. Road games against Wisconsin and Michigan State don't help matters, either.





Illinois is probably a smidge better than Iowa, based on the lines set so far. On top of that, Illinois plays better non-conference games. There is no value in either Iowa's futures or their integer win total of eight.