IOWA CITY, Iowa – Like most seasons, it’s hard getting a handle on Hawkeye football heading into the campaign. The unknowns shift from one area to another year after year.

Going into 2017, quarterback was the focus of concern. Iowa was replacing C.J. Beathard. Nate Stanley emerged and answered the questions.

Now the Hawkeyes are looking for three new starting linebackers. They’re also without all-American cornerback Josh Jackson and explosive running back Akrum Wadley. Can the receivers take the next step? Will the offensive line come together with the losses of James Daniels and Sean Welsh?

Graduation is part of college football. At Iowa, a developmental program, players must emerge, and sometimes they’re guys we don’t know much about. Jackson, who was a first-year starter in ’17, is a good example of that.

Who will be this year’s Jackson? It will be tough to top or even match his accomplishments. Plus, this team will be better off if guys step forward at several positions – receiver, offensive line, linebacker, defensive tackle and running back.

We all want to be optimistic at this time of year, looking at the glass (at least) half full. And with the Hawkeyes, there’s a lot to like. They could conceivably be favored in all but two regular season games.

How it unfolds will dictate that. What looks like a win now might set up differently come game day, and vice versa.

That leads us to this exercise, picking how things will go down during the middle of July. We love predicting sports then looking foolish later.

Last season, I picked Iowa to go 7-5 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten. That’s how it shook out. I didn’t call every individual game correct, however.

I picked Michigan State and Purdue as wins and they were losses. I picked Nebraska and Ohio State as losses and they were wins.

As I embark on the task again, please remember it’s what I think will happen not what I want to happen. People get mad at me sometimes. Please don’t.

GAME 1

Sept. 1, 2:30 p.m., BTN

Northern Illinois at Iowa

At A Glance: The favorite of many to win the MAC West, NIU will not be a pushover. It returns all five starting offensive linemen and most of its key pieces from a unit that ranked 32nd nationally in scoring defense. This could very well turn out to be a low-scoring affair with conservative approaches on both sides, at least for the first half. If the Hawkeyes can avoid self-inflicted wounds, they should emerge with the more talented roster.

PREDICTION: Iowa 27, N. Illinois 17

GAME 2

Sept. 8, 4 p.m., FOX

Iowa State at Iowa

At A Glance: I just have a feeling the Cyclones will get a lot of upset love in this one after making strides last season under second-year coach Matt Campbell. And they’re certainly capable of winning this one, where emotions run high and plenty of their fans will be in Kinnick Stadium. I can’t see this being a blowout either way and expect it to be very competitive. Both teams are hoping for better defensive performances than they received last year in Ames. I’m tempted to pick the upset but just can’t get myself to do it.

PREDICTION: Iowa 31, Iowa State 27

GAME 3

Sept. 15, 6:30 p.m., BTN

Northern Iowa at Iowa

At A Glance: The wise Iowa followers aren’t overlooking this game. The Hawkeyes fell to an FCS opponent at home two years ago. Yes, North Dakota State is the pinnacle of that level, but Northern Iowa is traditionally one of the better programs in it as well. And the Panthers almost pulled off the upset in Kinnick nine years ago. They will bring an offense capable of big plays. It’s led by veteran quarterback Eli Dunne. They also have a bye week coming into this game.

PREDICTION: Iowa 38, UNI 16

GAME 4

Sept. 22, TBD, TBD

Wisconsin at Iowa

At A Glance: The road to the West Division title goes through Madison and Iowa gets the Badgers on its home turf to kick off the conference campaign. When opportunity knocks, you have to answer it. Wisconsin is the heavy favorite to repeat as division champs and most outlets see it as the second best team in the conference behind Ohio State. The Hawkeyes are 1-5 in this series this decade and were embarrassed last year at Camp Randall. Wisconsin is very veteran on offense. Iowa can’t let the Badgers impose their will like ’17. A night game would benefit Iowa.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 27, Iowa 24

GAME 5

Oct. 6, 2:30 or 3 p.m., TBD

Iowa at Minnesota

At A Glance: The Hawkeyes will be coming off a bye week before trying to stop the boat from rowing. P.J. Fleck experienced a blah ’17 season, his first in Minneapolis. He still has quarterback concerns and lacks playmakers overall on offense. The defense was decent last year and will need to be again. The Gophers hung around in last year’s game at Kinnick and will try to make this one ugly. And Iowa has experienced some ugly up north.

PREDICTION: Iowa 20, Minnesota 13

GAME 6

Oct. 13, 11 a.m., ABC/ESPN/ESPN2

Iowa at Indiana

At A Glance: Tom Allen has transformed the Hoosiers from an offensive dominant team to one that relies on defense. That probably plays better in the Big Ten than what Kevin Wilson was trying to do, in addition to allegedly mistreating his players. Allen is an Indiana native with strong ties to the high schools and he’s built on Wilson’s upgraded recruiting. There’s talent in Bloomington but it still hasn’t come together. This is a very dangerous game for the Hawkeyes. It’s an early kickoff on the road following a series of later starts. I don’t like it.

PREDICTION: Indiana 23, Iowa 20

GAME 7

Oct. 20, 11 a.m., TBD

Maryland at Iowa

At A Glance: The Terrapins were decimated by injury last year and should be improved this fall. They have playmakers all over the field and will be dangerous. They are learning a new offense, however. It’s a big year for D.J. Durkin. It starts with defense, where Maryland must be better. It’s Homecoming for the Hawkeyes and they shouldn’t meet much resistance here.

PREDICTION: Iowa 34, Maryland 17

GAME 8

Oct. 27, TBD, TBD

Iowa at Penn State

At A Glance: What you hope for here is a night game. It would mean Iowa had performed well up to this point even if it would also make winning that much more difficult. The Hawkeyes used to match up well with Penn State when it played more traditionally. That hasn’t been the case the last few years when the Lions have looked a lot more athletic. Even last year, when Iowa lost late, it was dominated statistically.

PREDICTION: Penn State 30, Iowa 20

GAME 9

Nov. 3, TBD, TBD

Iowa at Purdue

At A Glance: The Boilermakers stunned Iowa and its home crowd on Senior Day last November. It was one of the games in which the Hawkeye offense looked inept and it was a lot tougher to explain than what happened at Wisconsin, Northwestern and Michigan State. Coach Jeff Brohm is legit and will make Purdue dangerous again. It does need to replace a lot on defense and how well it does it will be the key. A veteran offense should be good.

PREDICTION: Purdue 24, Iowa 23

GAME 10

Nov. 10, TBD, TBD

Northwestern at Iowa

At A Glance: Few Iowa losses were as painful to watch as last year’s debacle in Evanston. It missed opportunity after opportunity on offense. With the loss of talented running back Justin Jackson, quarterback Clayton Thorson will have to carry the load. He’s coming off a torn ACL in the bowl game and his career is marred by inconsistency. I think the Hawkeyes bounce back after a couple tough road losses.

PREDICTION: Iowa 28, Northwestern 20

GAME 11

Oct. 17, TBD, TBD

Iowa at Illinois

At A Glance: The Illini aren’t good.

PREDICTION: Iowa 35, Illinois 17

GAME 12

Nov. 23, 11 a.m., FOX

Nebraska at Iowa

At A Glance: Scott Frost should stabilize the Husker program but it won’t happen overnight. The roster is lacking in too many areas, particularly on defense. Plus, adjusting to the new offensive philosophy will take time and players that fit the scheme. The Hawkeyes won’t lose on Senior Day for a second year in a row.

PREDICTION: Iowa 31, Nebraska 15

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Well, there you have it. I didn’t go into this exercise with a number in my head. I looked at each game individually and came up with 8-4 overall and 5-4 in conference. Go easy on me.