Iowa Hawkeyes is 1-0 on the season, 1-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +16.1. Iowa Hawkeyes enters the season with a power rating of +16.1, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Iowa Hawkeyes host Iowa State next in Week 2. In 2025, Iowa Hawkeyes went 9-4 overall, 9-4 against the spread, and 6-6 on totals.
In Week 1 of 2026 the Iowa Hawkeyes Power Rating of +16.1 is 16.1 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Iowa Hawkeyes have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 5,226 miles, ranking 102nd heaviest in the FBS.
Jeremy Hecklinski QB, Hank Brown QB, DJ Vonnahme TE, Kamari Moulton RB
Tyler Brown S, Zach Lutmer S
Eli Ozick K, Boston Everitt P, Tanner Philpott P
| After | Record | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Week 2 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 0-1 |
| Week 3 | 2-1 | 1-2 | 1-1 |
| Week 4 | 3-1 | 2-2 | 2-1 |
| Week 5 | 3-2 | 3-2 | 2-2 |
| Week 7 | 4-2 | 4-2 | 2-3 |
| Week 8 | 5-2 | 4-3 | 3-3 |
| Week 9 | 6-2 | 5-3 | 4-3 |
| Week 11 | 6-3 | 6-3 | 4-4 |
| Week 12 | 6-4 | 7-3 | 4-5 |
| Week 13 | 7-4 | 7-4 | 4-6 |
| Week 14 | 8-4 | 8-4 | 5-6 |
| Postseason | 9-4 | 9-4 | 6-6 |
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics' own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season to the next - see most underrated and overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
Opened +14.7 in the preseason and finished +16.1 after week 2, a move of +1.4 points. High +16.1 (week 2), low +14.7 (the preseason).
PreW2
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for that.
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured and applied home field advantage agree to within 0.9 points here, so smoothing changes little for this venue.
| Opponent | Met | Record | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois | 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Iowa State | 9 | 6-3 | 4-5 |
| Northern Iowa | 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Michigan | 5 | 1-4 | 1-4 |
| Ohio State | 3 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Washington | 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Minnesota | 10 | 9-1 | 8-1-1 |
| Wisconsin | 10 | 5-5 | 6-4 |
| Northwestern | 9 | 5-4 | 3-6 |
| Purdue | 8 | 4-4 | 3-4-1 |
| Illinois | 8 | 7-1 | 4-3-1 |
| Nebraska | 10 | 9-1 | 5-4-1 |
Week 05,226 mi total
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | - | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Northern Illinois | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 2 | Iowa State | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 3 | Northern Iowa | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 4 | Michigan | 404 mi | 808 mi |
| Week 5 | Ohio State | Home | 808 mi |
| Week 6 | Washington | 1,560 mi | 3,927 mi |
| Week 7 | - | Bye | |
| Week 8 | Minnesota | 244 mi | 4,415 mi |
| Week 9 | Wisconsin | Home | 4,415 mi |
| Week 10 | Northwestern | 201 mi | 4,817 mi |
| Week 11 | Purdue | Home | 4,817 mi |
| Week 12 | Illinois | 204 mi | 5,226 mi |
| Week 13 | Nebraska | Home | 5,226 mi |
| Week 14 | - | Bye | |
| Week 15 | - | Bye | |
| Week 16 | - | Bye | |
| Postseason | - | Bye | |
Iowa opened with a dominant 40-0 shutout of Northern Illinois, powered by Kamari Moulton's career-high 183 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The defense held Northern Illinois to 120 total yards, recorded six sacks, and did not allow a first down until the third quarter. The Hawkeyes outgained their opponent 507-120, showing that even with heavy roster turnover, the program's identity of physical running and stingy defense remains intact.
Hank Brown started and led three touchdown drives in the first quarter, finishing 12 of 20 for 129 yards with a touchdown pass. Jeremy Hecklinski played in the second quarter and went 7 of 16 for 76 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Head coach Kirk Ferentz said the competition remains close and will continue, leaving uncertainty at the most important position as Iowa heads into a rivalry game against Iowa State.
Iowa lost its All-America return specialist, starting kicker, and punter, and brought in a new special teams coordinator. In the opener, Evan James returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown, and Caden Buhr made two field goals. The early returns are positive, but the unit is still unproven against tougher competition, and consistency will be key throughout the season.
Iowa had to replace three first-team All-Big Ten offensive linemen, including Rimington Trophy winner Logan Jones at center. Against Northern Illinois, the line opened big holes for Moulton and protected the quarterbacks well enough to allow the offense to score 40 points. The real test comes against Iowa State's defensive front, which will provide a better measure of how this unit holds up.
Despite losing eight starters, including the entire defensive line, Iowa's defense looked sharp in the opener. The secondary, anchored by second-team All-Big Ten safety Zach Lutmer and transfer Tyler Brown, helped secure the shutout. The defensive line, featuring transfer additions, recorded six sacks. Parker's track record suggests the defense will remain a strength, but sustaining this level against more balanced offenses will be the challenge.
Iowa Hawkeyes is 1-0 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 100% of games.
Iowa Hawkeyes holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +16.1, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Iowa Hawkeyes's home field advantage rating is 2.1 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Iowa Hawkeyes's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 7.5 wins, priced at -140 over and +110 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
Iowa Hawkeyes travels 5,226 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 102nd heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Iowa Hawkeyes: 1-0 overall, 1-0 ATS, power rating +16.1 (2026 records).
.png)
