Last season, the Iowa Hawkeyes had a stellar year ending with an Orange Bowl victory over Georgia Tech. However, the season wasn't a total success as the offense struggled mightily in several contests. The other big concern this year is the loss of a few key players to the NFL and it's leader on defense. With all the concerns, the Hawkeyes are still poised to finish in the top ten and have a chance to win the Big Ten title and contend for another BCS bowl game.
As I said, last year the offense struggled to score and put up big numbers. Ricky Stanzi was one major problem. At times he showed brilliance and others not so much. The passing game ranked 55th in the country with 222 yards per game. Ricky's TD to INT ratio wasn't exactly mind blowing either throwing 17 touchdowns to 15 picks. The bowl game was a better performance with 231 yards 2 scores and 1 pick. He needs to do this more for the Hawkeyes to have a shot. The offense wasn't all Stanzi's fault. The running tag team of Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher were 99th with 114 yards a game. Now that number sounds decent when you consider they were over a 100 yards per game. This isn't the pros and numbers are inflated in college ball. Wegher isn't off to a great start this season being talked about for all the wrong reasons. Reports are indicating Wegher won't be back with the team. Adam will have to step up and take the load off Stanzi. The guy that will be missed the most is Tony Moeaki. He missed a few games but when he did play, he was the blanket for Stanzi. He's with the Chiefs now so it's time for McNutt. I love the name Marvin McNutt. He sounds like a stand up comedian. The passing game will rely on his skills even more. I think the offense will be much better than last year and they will win some games instead of having to rely all on the defense.
The Hawkeye defense was hard nosed and kept you from scoring type defense last year. They were the rock when the offense stunk. They ranked 8th, 8th in the country in points allowed with 15.4 per game. That's amazing when you think had they been in the 50 to 60's, this team would not have reached a BCS game. They single handedly saved the UNI game by blocking 2 game winning field goals. Pat Angerer is gone which hurts. He was the anchor. Pat was the only Hawkeye with more than 100 total tackles. The thing is even without him, this defense is well intact. Adrain Clayborn will be the new leader. I expect him to build upon the 11.5 sacks he had last year. Tyler Sash is the corner the secondary will lean on. He picked off 6 balls and should improve his ball hawking skills. The defense will keep Iowa in every game and I think they can once again be a top 15 defense.
Iowa got lucky this year with their schedule. Their non-conference schedule stinks which will make it easy for Ferentz's squad to gain confidence. The only real test out of the 4 games is down in Arizona. Iowa State, which if this were a game in Ames I would say they had a shot, Ball State and Eastern Illinois are at home. Even traveling to Arizona shouldn't be that difficult. Mike Stoops is gaining steam but he's not a top ten program. The conference schedule is set up nicely to start. The first road test the Hawks have is at Ann Arbor, but they aren't the Michigan of old. The first true game they could lose is Wisconsin at home on October 23rd. Again the Hawkeyes found a little luck, the Badgers could be burnt out after hosting on the Buckeyes the previous week. Three out of the final four games are on the road. The Hawks first travel to Indiana, who they struggled with at home in the first half last year, then a rejuvenated Northwestern and end the season at Minnesota. In between Northwestern and Minnesota, the biggest game in terms of the Big Ten title should be Ohio State coming to Kinnick Stadium on November 20th. The Buckeyes are the rightful favorites. Terrelle Pryor returns and is a Heisman candidate. This could be a match-up with National Championship implications as well. The season will be determined on whether they can handle the defending Big Ten champs.
The outcome for the Hawkeyes looks to be another successful season. If you look back at that schedule, I like their chances against everyone except Ohio State. Even at home, the Buckeyes have to much fire power and Pryor will make enough plays and Stanzi will make a mistake or two and cost them a bid for the Big Ten title. With that said, Iowa would have one loss and a BCS game is likely for them. I don't know which one since it's to damn confusing to choose one. Depending on their match up, the Hawkeyes should win the bowl game and get one more win then last year. The real problem with winning, how to keep Ferentz from leaving?
Prediction: Iowa Hawkeyes 12-1 and another BCS bowl win.
J Call
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