The new season starts in 64 days and it is time for my preseason Big 10 prediction. Last year I predicted that the Hawks would go 10-1. I was too optomistic. The only games I really whiffed on were the Iowa St and Northwestern games and I don’t think anyone picked the Cats over the Hawks.

My game-by-game picks for the 2006 season:

9/2 Montana

Big Iowa win. I doubt Montana has ever played in front of a crowd like we have at Kinnick. The 2nd and 3rd strings will get a lot of work in this game.

Iowa 56 Montana 0

9/9 at Syracuse

Syracuse has a history of having some good teams. Last year wasn’t one of them as they went 1-10. Since it is in the Carrier Dome, I won’t predict a big blow out.

Iowa 35 Syracuse 10

9/16 Iowa St

This will revenge time for the Hawks and time to once again prove it is the Hawkeye State (not the Cyclown state). Iowa will be too physical and the crowd will help.

Iowa 24 ISU 7

9/23 at Illinois

The Big 10 spanking of Ron Zook will continue. This won’t be pretty for the Illini and our starters will only play the first half.

Iowa 42 Illinois 0

9/30 Ohio St

I’d love to say that since this is in Iowa City the Hawks will take it, but I just can’t see it happen. If it was Michigan in Iowa City, I’d probably pick the Hawks (like I did last year). Ohio St lost some key players, so I don’t think they will be as good as everyone thinks. They will still have too much talent for the Hawks.

Ohio St 21 Iowa 14

10/7 Purdue

I think Purdue will be better this year than last, but I don’t think they have a chance in Iowa City. The Hawks will bounce back from the Ohio St game nicely.

Iowa 34 Purdue 7

10/14 at Indiana

Indiana has some good players, but their overall talent level is pretty low. They did manage to score 21 points in Iowa City last year, so this won’t be a blowout.

Iowa 34 Indiana 21

10/21 at Michigan

I think this is the year the Wolverines make a run at the National Championship. The combo of Hart and Henne will take their play to the next level. If it was in Iowa City I could see the Hawks possibly winning.

Michigan 35 Iowa 21

10/28 Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois seems to be a glutton for punishment as they play two Big 10 contenders, Iowa and Ohio St. I imagine that the Hawks will use this week to rest some injuries and won’t be a big blowout.

Iowa 35 Northern Illinois 3

11/4 Northwestern

With the Wildcats losing their coach to a surprise heart attack this week, I’d have to say the team won’t be able to build on the gains they made last season when they finished tied for third. Iowa will get revenge for the loss in Evanston last season.

Iowa 24 Northwestern 14

11/11 Wisconsin

The Hawkeyes handled the Badgers in Madison last season and I think that Wisconsin won’t be quite as good this year.

Iowa 35 Wisconsin 10

11/18 at Minnesota

The Hawks return to Kinnick North and this should be another blowout like last year’s 52-28. The Hawks will be hoping for another New Year’s Day bowl and will make a statement with this game.

Iowa 49 Minnesota 21

That leaves the Hawks 10-2 overall and 6-2 in the conference. Here is my prediction for the rest of the Big 10:

Iowa should get a 4th New Year’s Day bowl.

Iowa State is getting a little big for their britches. The Iowa State athletic department has paid for a billboard off the 33rd Ave SW exit heading south towards Iowa City on I-380 that says, “It’s a Cyclone State”.

Say, what does a Cyclone fan call it when they beat Iowa in football?

The game of the year.

What does a Hawkeye fan call it when they beat Iowa State in football?

Saturday.

We’ll see what state it is on Sept. 16 in Iowa City. The billboard will be displayed from July 14 to Sept 14. Since they didn’t have it last past the game, I guess they realize their chances are pretty small.