Some seasons see it all go right, and some seasons see it all go wrong. The ball can bounce your way all the time, but it can be unforgiving in just as many ways. The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle.
But what if it did all go right? Or all wrong? What would that look like for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2025? CBS Sports looked into the Big Ten and analyzed what each team’s floor and ceiling could be this upcoming fall.
For the Hawkeyes, they have one of the widest variances in the Big Ten conference of just how good the best case could be and just how bad the worst case could be.
If everything goes right, the Hawkeyes could be knocking on the door to make their first trip to the College Football Playoff. The quarterback is there on paper, the offensive and defensive line are strengths, and the schedule is not as daunting as it could be in the Big Ten.
Odds to win conference: +3700
Best Case 10-2: Mark Gronowski puts an end to the Iowa QB Curse and gives the Hawkeyes a balanced, efficient offense. The defense gets back to 2022 levels of dominance and forces a billion turnovers, leading to an upset win over either Penn State or Oregon (maybe both!) at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes, currently at +730 to reach the College Football Playoff according to FanDuel Sportsbook, make the 12-team field. Kirk Ferentz signs a 10-year extension. – Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports
What if the quarterback situation doesn’t answer the questions it is supposed to, and the defense continues a downward dip, rather than a return to otherworldly production?
Is it possible that the Hawkeyes could be seeing one of their worst years in the Kirk Ferentz era, which includes missing a bowl game and giving Iowa a long, hard look in the mirror?
Worst Case 4-8: The offensive gains seen last year disappear with Kaleb Johnson, and the Hawkeyes once again find themselves struggling to score 10 points per game on offense. The defense continues its slide toward the middle of the pack and isn’t able to bail the offense out anymore. The Hawkeyes go winless on the road, including losses to rivals like Iowa State, Wisconsin and Nebraska. After the season ends, fans learn Kirk Ferentz signed a 10-year extension in October. – Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports
What the Hawkeyes will be is likely somewhere in the middle, but if they want to make the College Football Playoff and prove themselves as not just Big Ten players, but national college football players, sometimes everything does go right.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Best, worst case scenario for Iowa football in 2025 season