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ESPN (paywall) lists IU as potential CFP newcomer...

So outside of IU and Iowa State who are the other teams listed?
Texas A&M
North Carolina
Iowa
Southern Cal
Cincinnati

BTW, I'm not usually one for buying add-ons like ESPN+, but it came with the Disney Bundle or whatever at Verizon when we upgraded our account for mobile hot spot. I'm pleased with it, albeit being something I never would have sought out on its own.
 
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Texas A&M
North Carolina
Iowa
Southern Cal
Cincinnati

BTW, I'm not usually one for buying add-ons like ESPN+, but it came with the Disney Bundle or whatever at Verizon when we upgraded our account for mobile hot spot. I'm pleased with it, albeit being something I never would have sought out on its own.
I enjoy the extra basketball, football and boxing with ESPN+. It is well worth $5 per month for me.
 
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Indiana should be favored in the first 4 games (and I say should because we know by the fall the pundits will somehow give Iowa the edge). If IU wins all 4, then we head to Penn State on Oct 2nd and prepare to ruin their season AGAIN!

Its a long road in the B1G but a lot of teams lost a lot of talent. The OSU's, Penn State's and Michigan's can replenish and have brand new teams the next season. Even the Maryland and Rutgers teams are now scary. They return most of their talent and are recruiting top 25 classes all of a sudden so the East is plain stacked. I would not be surprised to see the Michigan schools finish in the last 2 spots this year.
 
Why should Indiana be favored on the road at Iowa?

It would be a bigger win than Penn State, now that we know what the Nittany Lions were to open the season in the Big Ten.

Iowa wasn't expected to give IU a game back in 1979 the last time Iowa-IU opened B1G and season at Kinnick against one another.
 
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I feel Iowa will be a slight (maybe 1.5 - 2 point) favorite when this game opens strictly due to home field. I do like IU’s chances though with 9 returning starters on D and plenty of back ups. Iowa’s returning D starters number 6, I believe.

On O, unless Petras is much improved from last year, IU should have an edge at QB, be it MP or JT. Am confident the IU WRs (including BT WR of the year, TF) will be ready vs Iowa’s experienced secondary. IU’s lack of run game last year has got to be better, so even not knowing what Iowa has back, will give Iowa the edge, until IU run game shows itself.

Both PKs are great. No idea about Iowa Punter, but IU brings in a new one who has never played.

Should be a great game. I do feel if MP is not ready to go (and the public is aware of it) the line will move another 2-3 points closer to kick. The ‘79 opener was a great jump start for an IU team that surprised in making IU’s 2nd bowl game ever. Expectations for both squads this year are much higher.
Can’t wait!!
 
I feel Iowa will be a slight (maybe 1.5 - 2 point) favorite when this game opens strictly due to home field. I do like IU’s chances though with 9 returning starters on D and plenty of back ups. Iowa’s returning D starters number 6, I believe.

On O, unless Petras is much improved from last year, IU should have an edge at QB, be it MP or JT. Am confident the IU WRs (including BT WR of the year, TF) will be ready vs Iowa’s experienced secondary. IU’s lack of run game last year has got to be better, so even not knowing what Iowa has back, will give Iowa the edge, until IU run game shows itself.

Both PKs are great. No idea about Iowa Punter, but IU brings in a new one who has never played.

Should be a great game. I do feel if MP is not ready to go (and the public is aware of it) the line will move another 2-3 points closer to kick. The ‘79 opener was a great jump start for an IU team that surprised in making IU’s 2nd bowl game ever. Expectations for both squads this year are much higher.
Can’t wait!!

Iowa should continue to trend in a positive direction in 2021.

Since 2014, Iowa has ranked higher each season in ESPN's FPI.

Iowa should be solid in special teams, despite losing both PK Keith Duncan and KR Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

Iowa returns their 6th year DS and KO specialist, who will handle PK duties now. Iowa returns punt return specialist and Aussie punter, who were both new in 2020.

Tory Taylor ranked #3 in B1G as punter. Transfer Charlie Jones lead the B1G last year, after moving back to Midwest from Buffalo. We shall see if he adds kick returns. He will be a guy to watch at WR.

He saw action as wide receiver and return specialist at Buffalo, helping team post 10-4 record while advancing to MAC championship game and Dollar General Bowl. Likely one of reasons Oliver Martin left Iowa for Nebraska.

Spencer Petras lead Iowa to six straight wins. Too bad Michigan and Missouri games were lost due to opponent's covid-19. Bad habits hurt Iowa in opening games, as QB coach Ken O'Keefe mentioned this spring.

Iowa should compete for West division in 2021.
 
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