Football reporters Danny Payne and Jordan Hansen offer their predictions for Iowa’s opener with Illinois State.

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Danny Payne, Pregame editor

Well, we’re here. Finally it’s time for football, we don’t have to talk about what’s going to happen anymore, we actually get to watch real, live football. I’m expecting Iowa to win, but do so in an underwhelming fashion. Tre Roberson will do his thing, and C.J. Beathard will spend some time on his butt. Eventually Iowa pulls it out, although it’s a close one. Prediction: Iowa 24, Illinois State 17

Jordan Hansen, football reporter

Iowa needs to win this game and they should. Kirk Ferentz has tried his hardest to quiet fears about this years team over the offseason, but that will be all for naught if the Hawkeyes go down early and can’t pull out a victory.