At the onset of the 2022 season, Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz will be age 67. Although some members of his staff have recently departed, Ferentz carries on. Further, Ferentz recently agreed to a new contract extension that runs through the 2029 season. Ferentz is the longest-tenured head coach in college football odds betting. Additionally, he will enter his 24th season in Iowa City. It is a tenure that will not likely be seen again in college football. Iowa fans and gamblers say that Ferentz is like a fine wine and getting better with age.
Iowa Hawkeyes Future Odds at SBG
| Prop | Odds |
|---|---|
| To win the National Championship | +15000 |
| To win the Big Ten | +1800 |
| Over/Under Win Total | 7.5 |
2022 Iowa Hawkeyes SBG Odds Overview
Consider that Iowa is coming off an offshore betting season in which it won the Big Ten West Division for the second time and finished 10–4 overall. Further, the Hawkeyes have won 10 games in two of the last three seasons and have a 26–9 record since 2019. On the other hand, Iowa won 10 games last season with a popgun offense.
Overall, the offense ranked at or near the bottom of the Big Ten in numerous statistical categories. In comparison, the 2021 season ended with a thud. Iowa was mauled by Michigan 42–3 in the Big Ten Championship Game. And then the Hawkeyes were embarrassed in a 20-17 defeat to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl.
Offense Has Been a Drag on Iowa
The putrid Iowa offense has struggled during most of Brian Ferentz’s tenure as offensive coordinator. Ferentz took over in the 2017 campaign but would have been fired if not for being the HC’s son. Consider that Iowa hasn’t had a first-team All-Big Ten quarterback since Drew Tate in 2004. Further, the Hawkeyes have not had a quarterback complete at least 60 percent of his passes since CJ Beathard seven years ago.
Thus, College football betting odds gamblers and fans have felt a sense of being burned. The Hawkeyes’ defense and special teams have been good enough to win titles. And that should be the case again this year.
Overall, the Hawkeyes averaged just 123.6 rushing yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry in 2021. However, the quarterback is a major concern for the Iowa faithful and a host of handicappers. Senior Spencer Petras completed only 57.3 percent of his passes last season and threw nine interceptions with ten touchdown passes.
Defense Bails Out the Offense
Long-time defensive coordinator Phil Parker has built some nasty and rock-ribbed defenses. But his 2022 edition could be one of his best. Senior middle linebacker Jack Campbell leads it. To illustrate, Campbell led the nation with 143 tackles in 2021. Iowa led the country with a school record of 25 interceptions last season. And they had 11 players picking off at least one pass.
Iowa has sustained a solid level of success for over two decades under Ferentz. Winning records and bowl games are expected and delivered. But not much more than that.
2022 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule
- September 3: South Dakota State
- Sep 10: Iowa State Cyclones
- September 17: Nevada Wolf Pack
- Sep 24: at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- October 1: Michigan Wolverines
- Oct 8: at Illinois Fighting Illini
- October 15: OFF
- Oct 22: at Ohio State Buckeyes
- October 29: Northwestern Wildcats
- November 5: at Purdue Boilermakers
- Nov 12: Wisconsin Badgers
- November 19: at Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Nov 25: Nebraska Cornhuskers