ESPN’s FPI predicts Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2023 season

The Iowa Hawkeyes just completed their spring season with their annual open spring practice.

Several players—like Michigan transfer tight end Erick All, wide receiver Diante Vines and Wisconsin transfer quarterback Deacon Hill—impressed in front of the live audience.

There could be some final roster shuffling before the second transfer portal window closes on April 30, but Iowa’s roster is close to the finished product. With the spring season behind us, we launch headfirst into predictions season.

ESPN recently unveiled its first Football Power Index rankings of the 2023 season. The Hawkeyes checked in with a Football Power Index rating of 7.3, which ranks 37th nationally.

ESPN’s FPI is intended to serve as a predictive tool that helps project the season.

With the unveiling of ESPN’s first FPI rankings, we also have our first look at their game-by-game predictions for the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2023 season. Let’s take a look at the percentage chance ESPN’s FPI matchup predictor gives Iowa in each game of the 2023 college football season.

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Sept. 2, vs. Utah State Aggies

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 92.8%

Projected 2023 record: 1-0

All-time series: Iowa leads, 2-0

Last meeting: Iowa 48, Utah State 7 (2002)

Sept. 9, at Iowa State Cyclones

Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 47.4%

Projected 2023 record: 1-1

All-time series: Iowa leads, 46-23

Last meeting: Iowa State 10, Iowa 7 (2022)

Sept. 16, vs. Western Michigan Broncos

Kimberly Moss-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 93.8%

Projected 2023 record: 2-1

All-time series: Iowa trails, 1-2

Last meeting: Iowa 59, Western Michigan 3 (2013)

Sept. 23, at Penn State Nittany Lions

Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 16.1%

Projected 2023 record: 2-2

All-time series: Iowa trails, 14-17

Last meeting: Iowa 23, Penn State 20 (2021)

Sept. 30, vs. Michigan State Spartans

Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 54.4%

Projected 2023 record: 3-2

All-time series: Iowa leads, 24-22-2

Last meeting: Iowa 49, Michigan State 7 (2020)

Oct. 7, vs. Purdue Boilermakers

Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 68.6%

Projected 2023 record: 4-2

All-time series record: Iowa trails,40-50-3

Last meeting: Iowa 24, Purdue 3 (2022)

Oct. 14, at Wisconsin Badgers

Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 30.5%

Projected 2023 record: 4-3

All-time series: Iowa trails, 45-49-2

Last meeting: Iowa 24, Wisconsin 10 (2022)

Oct. 21, vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 53.1%

Projected 2023 record: 5-3

All-time series: Iowa trails, 52-62-2

Last meeting: Iowa 13, Minnesota 10 (2022)

Nov. 4, vs. Northwestern Wildcats

Joseph Cress / USA TODAY NETWORK

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 75.8%

Projected 2023 record: 6-3

All-time series: Iowa leads 53-28-3

Last meeting: Iowa 33, Northwestern 13 (2022)

Nov. 11, vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 84.6%

Projected 2023 record: 7-3

All-time series: Iowa leads, 3-0

Last meeting: Iowa 27, Rutgers 10 (2022)

Nov. 18, vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 63.6%

Projected 2023 record: 8-3

All-time series: Iowa trails, 37-39-2

Last meeting: Illinois 9, Iowa 6 (2022)

Nov. 24, at Nebraska Cornhuskers

(AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

ESPN FPI matchup predictor: 57.0%

Projected 2023 record: 9-3

All-time series: Iowa trails, 20-30-3

Last meeting: Nebraska 24, Iowa 17

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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire