NCAA Football Predictions – Iowa to Finish Above Miami

BetOnline Sportsbook is back with another set of NCAA football predictions, and this time, the subject has to do with the Top 25 at the end of the year. The question for this NCAA football predictions piece to answer: Who will finish with more votes in the final USA Today poll – Miami or Iowa?

NCAA Football Odds
Miami Hurricanes +110
Iowa Hawkeyes -150

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The first thing to clearly note about these two teams is that one is severely overrated, while the other is severely underrated.

Let’s start with the overrated Hurricanes. Randy Shannon has this program heading in the right direction without a doubt, but there is some serious concern this year about winning the ACC. Every sign points towards the Canes doing well in conference, but when you ultimately sit down and look at the schedule, games at Clemson, at Georgia Tech, and home against Florida State, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech are going to be tough to handle.

Oh yes, let’s not forget the fact that Miami has to travel to Ohio State and Pittsburgh, as well as play host to South Florida on the season.

We digress. This is absolutely a better version of "The U" than Shannon has ever put on the field during his tenure in South Beach. However, last year’s team just barely got in the Top 25 at No. 19 after a 9-4 season. We think there are at least the same four losses to be had this year, and that doesn’t even include a potential ACC Championship Game or a bowl game. Sticking in the Top 25 is going to be difficult.

However, being a Top 25 team is something that Iowa is expecting as a given birthright this year.

Let’s remember that this is the same Iowa team that was undefeated and looked relatively invincible before Ricky Stanzi pulled up lame against Northwestern. The team suddenly collapsed and lost to the Wildcats, but it stormed back the very next week and nearly won at the Horseshoe against the Buckeyes without Stanzi’s services.

Don’t get me wrong, this is still a very tough schedule the Hawkeyes have to endure in the Big Ten. However, after winning last year at Camp Randall and at Happy Valley, roadies at Arizona, Michigan, Indiana, Northwestern, and Minnesota just don’t seem so bad. There legitimately might not be a game this year that the Hawkeyes aren’t favored in, as all of the toughest foes in the conference have to come to Kinnick Stadium.

This is still a senior laden team with Stanzi and nine of his offensive friends returning from last year’s starting lineup. Kirk Ferentz always finds a way to field a great defense, and this year should be no exception whatsoever. Iowa is the way to go here. The Hawkeyes will top Miami in the final poll, and our NCAA football predictions suggest you should be betting on them to do so.

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