2026 Season Prediction

[AnonymousNolonger]

Ok, let’s hear your thoughts on next year.

The schedule looks to be a bit easier.

I say 3-0 through the Non Conference.

At Illinois could be a toss up since it’s away, I’m going with the W though

Nebraska at home is a win

Ohio State at home, I’ll predict an L, but hope we can pull off the upset

Purdue, Wisconsin at home are both W’s

Michigan away, I’ll predict a L, but I think this game may be more likely for an upset even though it’s an away game

At Minnesota and Northwestern, both W’s

At Washington, Can we finally break the West Coast curse? I say yes, if Wisconsin beat them last year, we can beat them next year.

That puts me at 10-2. And if I’m off, it will be more likely to be 9-3 than 11-1 IMO.

 

[Heathen Raider]

Hard to make any real predictions until You see if Hecklinski leans more toward Tate or if He becomes a Hobbit version of Deacon Hill , Iowa will go as far as the QB play takes them next Year

 

[BrandonJ8]

Op you r smoking crack

 

[2D]

8-4
Losses to ISU, OSU, Michigan, and Washington. I have zero faith Kirk can outcoach Campbell and win on the West Coast.

 

[AnonymousNolonger]

Op you r smoking crack

I can confirm that this prediction is false.

 

[AnonymousNolonger]

8-4
Losses to ISU, OSU, Michigan, and Washington. I have zero faith Kirk can outcoach Campbell and win on the West Coast.

Campbell is 3-6 vs KF. The loss in 2025 had more to do with a rusty MG than anybody getting out coached.

OSU: We’ll pretty much always be the underdog. But, things like 2017 do occasionally happen, especially at Kinnick.

Michigan: Northwestern, Purdue, and Nebraska all gave Michigan a tough game this past year. This is a program that is ready to start a steady decline under Sherrone Moore.

Washington: Please don’t be a night game. I think we proved we are capable of playing well on the West Coast. Just need to do it for a full game now.

 

[AnonymousNolonger]

This is a perfect opportunity for those who claim the Hawks will only win 4-5 games next year, to put it down in writing. So you’ll get the credit if it comes true.

 

[AnonymousNolonger]

Hard to make any real predictions until You see if Hecklinski leans more toward Tate or if He becomes a Hobbit version of Deacon Hill , Iowa will go as far as the QB play takes them next Year

If we have a projected starter that even vaguely resembles the play of Deacon Hill, I would hope Lester would be hitting the portal again.

 

[Palmerhawk]

Wash is on the upswing...that QB is dynamic.
OSU will lose a lot of defenders but Sayin and Smith will be hard to stop.
Mich QB Underwood will get better as soph.

Getting one of those three games would be a bonus.
Our o- line probably wins the Moore award..we lose 3 all- league guys....growing pains in line are likely...too early to speculate really but the off-season is so long so what else can we do?

 

[QChawks]

8-4

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Hard to make any real predictions until You see if Hecklinski leans more toward Tate or if He becomes a Hobbit version of Deacon Hill , Iowa will go as far as the QB play takes them next Year

He sure don't seem to lack any confidence.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Wash is on the upswing...that QB is dynamic.
OSU will lose a lot of defenders but Sayin and Smith will be hard to stop.
Mich QB Underwood will get better as soph.

Getting one of those three games would be a bonus.
Our o- line probably wins the Moore award..we lose 3 all- league guys....growing pains in line are likely...too early to speculate really but the off-season is so long so what else can we do?

Vs Ohio State, especially with Iowa maybe replacing both safeties.

 

[HawkFan10]

8-4 or 7-5

 

[RuggieC]

Campbell goes to PSU as well as some of his roster.
I'll go with 9-3 with an outside shot at 10-2.

 

[HawkinK.C.1]

Looks like 9-3, give or take a game either way.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

The return of our most hated rival to Kinnick Stadium.

 

[OnlyTheObscure]

I like 9 wins.

if Vegas puts it at 7.5 I would bet more than I usually do. If Campbell takes Penn St job 7.5 wins would be a double code red free money alert.

 

[Passing Is For COMMIES]

8-4. Around weeks 6-8 there will be hype that we can go 10-2 and make the playoffs. But we will lose to Washington on the road in a close game ending that dream. Then we'll blow a game we shouldn't have to go 8-4 instead of 9-3.

I do think we beat ISU at home this year.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

NIU - W
ISU - W
UNI - W
ILL - 50/50 - but with Altmeyer gone I will take the Hawks - W
OSU - L -- new safeties against Smith, LOLZ
NEB - W - for obvious reasons
WIS - W
WAS - L - until we win one in the west, just gonna say L
PUR - W
MIC - 40/60 - but this will be my sleeper for the road upset - W
MIN - W - we own Peej
NOR - W - will be a tough one, but I expect Hawk fans to flood that new billion dollar stadium and make it loud!

I am going 10 - 2. Mostly likely though 9 - 3.

 

[Max Rebo]

For the record, I predicted 7-5 heading into this year, so 8-4 was somewhat satisfying.

I'll predict 8-4 for next year, with losses against tOSU, at Michigan, at Washington, then one of either at Illinois or at Minnesota. (I reserve the right to amend this when we know more about our roster, other teams' rosters, and the specifics of the schedule.)

But it will not be foolhardy or unrealistic to hope for better. Like this year, we will be in position to turn some of the Ls into Ws, which would put us in the CFP conversation. At the end of the day, that's all you're asking for most seasons.

 

[ChicagoHawk2020]

8-4. Lock it in

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Hopefully don't lose Seth Wallace for the D

 

[nu2u]

- Transfer portal losses (each team)
- Transfer portal additions (each team)
- Injuries (each team)
- Coaching changes
- Position battles (esp. Iowa QB)

….just a few reasons why trying to predict a next season W-L record before the current season has finished is a monkey throwing dart endeavor.

The best you can do this far out is to feel comfortable predicting home wins against Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa.

 

[Max Rebo]

Oh, and just to beat another poster to the punch:

0-0.

Carry on.

 

[oldxbbc]

I am predicting 9-3, but with a west coast change one time see a possible 10-2.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Bet some posters are changing their ISU pick as we speak.

 

[HawkInDenver]

9-3 seems about right to me. I predict we lose to OSU and Mich and also lose a woulda, shoulda, coulda game to somebody else (IL or WashU).

 

[kwik44]

10-2. Drop a game not really supposed, but beat either OSU or Michigan.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Hopefully they drop the schedule dates this week. Last year they dropped them in December.

 

[Myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

F it. 16-0

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Hopefully they drop the schedule dates this week. Last year they dropped them in December.

Cornholios on Black Friday in Kinnick

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Bet some posters are changing their ISU pick as we speak.

I had as a dub, but it may actually be a closer game now

 

[shiphappens]

8-4

 

[HawksRule73]

For me, 2026 is a developmental year, with 2027 being the year we could make a real playoff push.

We'll be young at QB, breaking in 3 new offensive linemen, and losing 9 of 11 starters on D (I'm assuming Koen is gone). But with the exception of whoever moves into the starting spots on the OL, pretty much every other replacement has a real possibility to be better than the guy they're replacing....they just don't have a lot of game experience. So if we can squeeze out an 8-4 or 9-3 year in 2026, then the real noise will be made in 2027. Of course, given Kirk's history of surprising years when you don't expect it.....that means 2026 will be like 11-1 and 2027 will be 7-5.

 

[uihawk82]

Ok, let’s hear your thoughts on next year.

The schedule looks to be a bit easier.

I say 3-0 through the Non Conference.

At Illinois could be a toss up since it’s away, I’m going with the W though

Nebraska at home is a win

Ohio State at home, I’ll predict an L, but hope we can pull off the upset

Purdue, Wisconsin at home are both W’s

Michigan away, I’ll predict a L, but I think this game may be more likely for an upset even though it’s an away game

At Minnesota and Northwestern, both W’s

At Washington, Can we finally break the West Coast curse? I say yes, if Wisconsin beat them last year, we can beat them next year.

That puts me at 10-2. And if I’m off, it will be more likely to be 9-3 than 11-1 IMO.

View attachment 1053867View attachment 1053868

What, season predictions!!!! You dont even know if we will lose anymore players, if Wetjen might be back, and if we strike out in the portal. I will read your predictions and see what I think.

We most likely lose to OSU at @ Mich. At Wash will be tough if they still have that fast, shiftly QB who can throw it. Yes we should win the 3 non conf games

Altmeyer is gone iirc so I think we can win at Illinois and we have most every other teams number so I say 9-3 is possible but another 8-4 is also. Caveat, will we have a better passing game and can we reload on the DLine

 

[uihawk82]

Ok, let’s hear your thoughts on next year.

The schedule looks to be a bit easier.

I say 3-0 through the Non Conference.

At Illinois could be a toss up since it’s away, I’m going with the W though

Nebraska at home is a win

Ohio State at home, I’ll predict an L, but hope we can pull off the upset

Purdue, Wisconsin at home are both W’s

Michigan away, I’ll predict a L, but I think this game may be more likely for an upset even though it’s an away game

At Minnesota and Northwestern, both W’s

At Washington, Can we finally break the West Coast curse? I say yes, if Wisconsin beat them last year, we can beat them next year.

That puts me at 10-2. And if I’m off, it will be more likely to be 9-3 than 11-1 IMO.

View attachment 1053867View attachment 1053868

At jNW could be a tough one, if their QB is back he was sneaky good

 

[uihawk82]

Campbell is 3-6 vs KF. The loss in 2025 had more to do with a rusty MG than anybody getting out coached.

The loss in 2024 is mostly on some KF in game decisions, not milking the clock the whole 4th qtr, and KF and LEster not having an inside the 5 yard line Off lineup with Sullivan for McNamara, especially on 1st and 2nd down ( could have easily spread them out with 4 wide outs and then have Sully and KalebJ do their option magic or throw to an unguarded wideout)

 

[AnonymousNolonger]

F it. 16-0

What, season predictions!!!! You dont even know if we will lose anymore players, if Wetjen might be back, and if we strike out in the portal. I will read your predictions and see what I think.

We most likely lose to OSU at @ Mich. At Wash will be tough if they still have that fast, shiftly QB who can throw it. Yes we should win the 3 non conf games

Altmeyer is gone iirc so I think we can win at Illinois and we have most every other teams number so I say 9-3 is possible but another 8-4 is also. Caveat, will we have a better passing game and can we reload on the DLine

Trust me, there will be another season prediction thread or 6 posted by someone before the season starts.

Everyone can reserve the right to change their prediction based off of any future information that develops in those threads.

And to answer your question, yes the passing game will be better. No idea how the DL will be next year, could see some portal addition(s) in that group.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I'll tell you what will happen...............

Spoiler

NATIONAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Passing Is For COMMIES]

NIU- W

ISU - I had this at 55/45 Iowa before Campbell leaving. Rogers has a solid track record, but year 1 ISU will probably have a mass exodus. He will bring a lot of his WSU players and some SDSU players over but that won’t be enough. He might improve them by year 2 or 3 but year 1 should be the easiest cyhawk game this decade. W

UNI - W

ILL - I like Iowa over them this year, even with IL at home. Losing Altmeyer next year I have Iowa here. W

OSU - It’s in Kinnick, so I bet Iowa keeps it closer than expected and covers. But they won’t have the horses to pull it off. - L

NEB - W

WIS - W

WAS - Potentially a ranked team on the road, hat our chances here. L

PUR - W

MIC - I don’t think Michigan is as good since Harbaugh left, but I hate our chances on the road here. Iowa still can’t beat ranked teams. If they beat Vandy at the Reliaquest I might be able to hype myself up for an upset here, but not atm. L

MIN - W

NOR - W

Campbell leaving ISU makes me think 9-3 will be the new 8-4. But just like the past 6 years, we will probably lose to all our ranked opponents causing us to miss the playoffs.