There’s at least one voice at CBS Sports that likes the Iowa Hawkeyes’ chances in 2022. CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd is picking the Hawkeyes to win the Big Ten West division.
In CBS’ Big Ten preview, Dodd was the only expert out of seven that predicted Iowa defending its West division crown. The other six each had Wisconsin winning the West and meeting up with Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game.
In the CBS Sports preview of the league, Dodd was also the only writer who chose Iowa as the league’s most underrated team.
What happened to Iowa? Unranked in both major preseason polls after winning 10 games and playing for the Big Ten championship? Riley Ross is an All-American defensive back. Phil Parker has long been a genius there as a defensive coordinator. If Kirk Ferentz can squeeze enough out of Spencer Petras, I can easily see the Hawkeyes playing for the Big Ten title game. The Wisconsin game is at home, too. – Dodd, CBS Sports.
Getting the Badgers at home is huge for Iowa in 2022. It’s well documented the type of defense the Hawkeyes expect to have. Linebacker Jack Campbell and Riley Moss were each just named preseason Associated Press first-team All-Americans in addition to their already lengthy list of preseason accolades.
In a world where it seems many are anticipating a regression from Iowa due to the Hawkeyes’ offensive struggles, give Dodd credit for making what feels like a little bit of a bold prediction to stick with Iowa instead of picking Wisconsin as the West division champion.
A pair of other CBS writers, Tom Fornelli and Shehan Jeyarajah, had the Hawkeyes finishing second in the Big Ten West. Meanwhile, both Chip Patterson and David Cobb picked Iowa third. Lastly, Barrett Sallee and Jerry Palm both pegged Iowa fourth in the West.
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