Iowa football season preview: Can Hawkeyes deliver?
Buckle up, Iowa Hawkeye football fans.
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, left, jokes around with Marvin McNutt during media day.
You’re about to be taken on a ride.
The national experts fueled lofty expectations by ranking Iowa among the elite, and coach Kirk Ferentz seems to have turned the program around after a two-year detour that resulted in a 12-13 record over 2006 and 2007.
As the 2010 season approaches, the Hawkeyes appear to be driving toward a possible Big Ten Conference title.
“Iowa’s got the ingredients to make a run to win a championship,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said. “One thing I would say as a little bit of an asterisk is, in the past, when we’re all excited about Iowa … all of a sudden they finished the year unranked.
“So why is this year going to be different?”
For every sign directing the Hawkeyes to Bowl Championship Series glory, there is also a potential roadblock.
The offensive line remains under construction. Northwestern has become an annual speed bump. And Ohio State continues to barrel through the Big Ten like an 18-wheel truck.
“Are they going to be able to handle the prosperity?” Herbstreit asked of the Hawkeyes, who were 11-2 last season. “Are they going to be able to handle the expectations? And can they get through September without losing to Northern Iowa or Iowa State, or whoever it happens to be this year?”
The answers will come when Iowa begins its journey Sept. 4 against Eastern Illinois.
Until then, keep an eye on the following mileposts:
Senior Nucleus
This summer’s two-deep roster features 17 seniors — the most for Iowa since 2005.
They were true freshmen or redshirt freshmen when the Hawkeyes failed to earn a bowl invitation in ’07, closing out a 6-6 season with a numbing 28-19 loss to Western Michigan.
That defeat punctuated a 14-month skid in which the ’06 team tumbled from a 5-1 start to a 6-7 finish.
“I’ll go on record saying it was my most disappointing year as a coach ever,” Ferentz said. “That was sobering. For whatever reason, a sense of entitlement, complacency crept in.”
Ricky Stanzi helped alter the Hawkeye mindset when he became the starting quarterback midway through the ’08 season.
Adrian Clayborn’s emergence as one of the country’s top defensive ends solidified the attitude adjustment.
Together, they’ve helped Iowa compile a 20-6 record the past two seasons, including wins in the Outback and Orange bowls.
“Adrian and Ricky were good leaders last year,” Ferentz said, “but this is their senior year. To have a good football team, your older guys have to embrace (their roles as leaders).”
Momentum
Ever since Daniel Murray drilled a 31-yard field goal to beat Penn State on Nov. 8, 2008, the Hawkeyes have compiled a 6-1 record in games decided by less than a touchdown.
A 9-0 start last fall included a 17-16 win over Northern Iowa, a 24-21 victory over Arkansas State and a last-second 15-13 triumph at Michigan State.
“The more you flirt with that line, it gets really tough,” Stanzi said. “Because there is one or two plays that can swing a ballgame.”
Narrow escapes reflect grit and composure, but karma has a way of catching up.
The Hawkeyes entered 2005 ranked No. 11 in the Associated Press poll — fresh off Drew Tate’s 56-yard game-saving touchdown pass to Warren Holloway at the Capital One Bowl — but slipped out of the Big Ten race after losing to Michigan and Northwestern by a total of four points.
“We’d love to stay away from that, but you have to understand with this conference a lot of the games are going to be close,” Stanzi said. “You have to be ready for that.”
Favorable Schedule
The Hawkeyes own a 51-14 record at Kinnick Stadium the past 10 years.
That’s a winning percentage of .785 — second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State’s 60-9 mark (.869).
Interestingly, Iowa may be favored in all of its home dates, except a Nov. 20 showdown with the Buckeyes.
“We’ve had some great games with them,” said Ferentz, who is 1-6 against Ohio State, “but we haven’t come out on top too often.”
The Buckeyes are favored to win their sixth straight conference crown, while Iowa’s schedule is full of tricky turns.
The seven teams visiting Iowa City this season were a combined 55-34 (.618) in 2009, with only Ball State (2-10) failing to earn some sort of postseason berth.
“We do have a tough home schedule,” tailback Adam Robinson said. “A couple of the opponents from last year — Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State — are all going to be gunning for us.”
The Hawkeyes’ travel itinerary includes stops at Michigan (where they are 6-24-3 all-time), Indiana (2-3 since 1998) and Northwestern (2-4 since 1995).
“Any type of bowl talk is for later on, when things start to shake down,” Stanzi said. “Right now, you just need to worry about the first game on your schedule.”
Defensive Line
No Big Ten defense features more returning starters than Iowa, which has eight, but the front four is receiving most of the accolades.
Lindy’s Sports preseason magazine listed Clayborn, Karl Klug, Christian Ballard and Broderick Binns as the NCAA’s top defensive line.
“It’s definitely nice and prestigious, but you have to understand we haven’t played a down yet, and that’s all from last year,” Ballard said. “Just because people are ranking us No. 1 doesn’t mean anything, because we can easily be the worst.”
The Hawkeye line combined for 27 sacks a season ago, and was a primary reason only two running backs rushed for 100 yards against Iowa.
“It’s very comforting knowing the guys in front of you,” linebacker Jeff Tarpinian said. “Having those guys taking on blockers and clearing things out is definitely a good thing.”
Depth at Running Back
A year ago, Jewel Hampton’s ailing knee caused some Hawkeye followers to shift their expectations.
This summer, the sophomore running back is quietly getting back into a groove as speculation swirls around teammate Brandon Wegher.
“You never really forget the game of football,” said Hampton, who ran for 463 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008. “You’ve just got to get your feet wet again.”
Wegher and Robinson emerged as capable rushers while Hampton recovered from surgery.
Now, the trio is competing for carries.
“It’s the most time I’ve ever been out,” Hampton said. “I’m very hungry right now.”
The Hawkeyes have even more depth at receiver, with six returning letter winners at that position.
“They’re really doing a nice job,” Ferentz said. “It’s the deepest group we’ve had in my 12 years (as head coach).”
The playmaking ability of Marvin McNutt and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos gives Iowa an extra gear.
Will it be enough to overcome the mounting hype?
“I’m sure the bar is set pretty high as far as people are concerned and how they think the season should go,” Stanzi said. “I’m not too worried about it, because we have a lot of work that needs to be done.”
=== 2010 SCHEDULE ===
Sept. 4 — vs. Eastern Illinois (first meeting)
Outlook: Finished 8-4 last year and won the Ohio Valley Conference, but lost to Penn State 52-3. 11 a.m. kickoff
Sept. 11 — vs. Iowa State (Series: 38-19 Iowa)
Outlook: In two games vs. Iowa, Austen Arnaud has six interceptions and zero touchdowns. 2:30 p.m. kickoff
Sept. 18 — at Arizona (Series: tied 6-6)
Outlook: Ranked second among Pac-10 teams in total defense, allowing 322 yards per game. 9:30 p.m. kickoff
Sept. 25 — vs. Ball State (Series: 1-0 Iowa)
Outlook: Cardinals have 17 starters back from a team that went 2-10 in coach Stan Parrish’s first season. Kickoff TBA
Oct. 2 — vs. Penn State (Series: tied 11-11)
Outlook: Nittany Lions are trying out a new starting quarterback, but defense could be stout. 7 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 16 — at Michigan (Series: 40-11-4 Michigan)
Outlook: It’s been 50 years since the Wolverines had three straight losing seasons in the Big Ten. 2:30 p.m. kickoff
Oct. 23 — vs. Wisconsin (Series: 42-41-2 Iowa)
Outlook: Iowa and Ohio State were only Big Ten foes to hold John Clay under 100 rushing yards. Kickoff TBA
Oct. 30 — vs. Michigan State (Series: 21-18-2 Iowa)
Outlook: Hawkeyes and Spartans may have put on the Big Ten’s most physical game last season. Kickoff TBA
Nov. 6 — at Indiana (Series: 40-27-4 Iowa)
Outlook: Sophomore running back Darius Willis is a rising star, averaging 4.9 yards per carry last fall. Kickoff TBA
Nov. 13 — at Northwestern (Series: 46-22-3 Iowa)
Outlook: Wildcats have earned at least six wins in six of the past seven seasons but have a new QB. Kickoff TBA
Nov. 20 — vs. Ohio State (Series: 45-14-3 Ohio State)
Outlook: Buckeyes seek their sixth straight Big Ten title, with preseason player of the year Terrelle Pryor. Kickoff TBA
Nov. 27 — at Minnesota (Series: 59-42-2 Minnesota)
Outlook: Hawkeyes make first trip to Gophers’ new home, TCF Bank Stadium, which opened last year. Kickoff TBA
=== KEY STRETCH THIS SEASON ===
OCT. 16 AT MICHIGAN: The Wolverines went to 33 consecutive bowls before Rich Rodriguez became coach. In the two years since, they’ve gone 8-16 (3-13 in the Big Ten). Iowa has just one victory at the Big House since 1990.
OCT. 23 VS. WISCONSIN: The Hawkeye defense dominated in the second half last year, holding the Badgers to less than 60 yards over the final 30 minutes. Wisconsin expects more consistency from quarterback Scott Tolzien.
OCT. 30 VS. MICHIGAN STATE: Larry Caper led the Spartans in rushing as a true freshman, with 468 yards. The Hawkeyes held Michigan State to an average of 2.8 yards per carry in 2009’s last-second thriller, a 15-13 Iowa win.
=== BEST ROAD TRIP ===
The Iowa snowbirds have a reason to head west a little early. A Sept. 18 game at Arizona will give Hawkeye fans a gauge on this year’s team, and a 7:30 p.m. (Tucson time) kickoff means they’ll have plenty of time to check out the landscape.
The city is surrounded by mountain peaks and features an average of 350 sunny days a year. The community prides itself on a “burgeoning” culinary scene, with an aroma of mesquite-fired grills and the sound of fajitas sizzling.
On Friday, Sept. 17, the Rialto Theatre is featuring a performance by Big Brother and the Holding Company, the band that helped launch the singing career of Janis Joplin. For more info, go to visittucson.org.
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
Deal me in to your poker game Barry
IF– Iowa goes to a Division that does not include Wisky (Really Not Probable)…and
IF–Each school can only protect one rivalry, it would behove Alvarez to try to get:
A)Iowa to protect the Heartland trophy, and
B)Minnesota to protect the AX rather than the Little Brown Jug,…
Because then Wisky can go after Neb as a trophy game.
I will call your bet Barry, and raise you one game.
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