College football 2019: Biggest trap game facing every Top 25 team

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 17: Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Nate Stanley (4) drops back for a pass as during the Big Ten Conference college football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 17, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

19. Iowa Hawkeyes

Biggest Trap Game: at Northwestern (Oct. 26)

Things could seemingly go a number of ways for Kirk Ferentz’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2019 college football season. Coming off of a nine-win campaign last year, there is no denying the prolific talent that the Hawkeyes have on both sides of the ball coming into a new season. But it’s how they answer the big questions around this team that will ultimately determine the level of success they can achieve.

On the offensive side of the ball, Iowa returns Nate Stanley who, statistically, might already be one of the all-time greats in the history of the program. Having said that, losing tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant to the NFL Draft will not do Stanley and the offense any favors and they must replace that consistent pass-catching production.

The defense has their standouts as well, headlined by defensive end A.J. Epenesa and his running mate, Chauncey Golston. Combined, they can be one of the country’s best pass-rushing duos. However, the lack of standout players at linebacker and in the secondary could come to bite them if guys don’t step up.

Looking at Iowa’s schedule, though, their biggest trap game isn’t a traditional one as it comes against another ranked Big Ten team, the Northwestern Wildcats.

While a ranked team normally wouldn’t qualify as a trap game, this one does simply because of its placement on the schedule and the quality of opponents that the Hawkeyes play over this stretch. After going to Michigan then playing Penn State and Purdue at home, Iowa then travels to Northwestern before then going to Wisconsin. That placement in that stretch makes it a game that should be winnable but could be a huge letdown if the team is caught looking ahead or trying to catch their breath.