21.) Iowa Hawkeyes
What You Need to Know
Last season the Iowa Hawkeyes gave the college football world one of it’s most memorable moments in their 24-23 upset of Penn State. That game cost PSU a potential shot at a national title, and as 2009 opens, the Hawkeyes are hoping they will be Cinderella instead of simply ruining other people’s shots. Aside from the PSU win, Iowa’s 2008 was colored by unbelievably close losses, and despite finishing the year at 9-4, the Hawkeyes were an exceptionally talented team, as evidenced by their 31-10 demolition of South Carolina in the Outback Bowl.
Offensively, the Hawkeyes return 6 starters, but one of the 5 lost was superstar running back Shonn Greene. His 1800+ yards and 20 TDs will need to be at least somewhat replaced for the Hawkeyes to hope to make noise in the Big Ten race. Filling in for Greene will be sophomore Jewel Hampton, who took his 5’9” 210lb. frame for 478 yards and 7 TDs last season. Also returning for the Hawkeyes is their leading receiver in junior Derrel Johnson-Koulianos, as well as junior QB Ricky Stanzi. They also need to replace 2 on the offensive line, and those replacements will need to help open holes for Hampton and drive the success of the offensive unit.
Defensively, Iowa loses only 3 starters from a defense that allowed only 13 points per game. They were stout against the run, decent against the pass, but were not a high pressure team, creating only 19 sacks. They must find a way to replace both of 08’s starting DTs in Mitch King and Matt Kroul as well as CB Bradley Fletcher but Iowa’s unit was one of the best in the country in 08 and looks to be just as talented in 09.
Many offseasons past were dominated by questions regarding head coach Kirk Ferentz and his longevity in Iowa City as he was mentioned time and time again for job opportunities and NFL openings. The UI administration put that issue to rest this offseason as they signed Ferentz to a 7-year contract extension running through 2015. His 9-3 record last season put his cumulative record at Iowa at a very nice 70-53 in 10 seasons, averaging 7 wins per season, a number Iowa looks to dramatically improve on in 2010.
Who You Need to Know & Their 08 Stats
QB Ricky Stanzi: 150-254, 1956 yds, 14 TDs, 9 INTs
LB Pat Angerer: 107 tkls, 1 sack, 5.5 TFL, 3 PBU, 5 INTs
WR Derrel Johnson-Koulianos: 44 rec, 639 yds, 3 TDs
Game to Watch
The Hawkeyes will try to repeat one of last season’s most memorable upsets on 9/26 when they travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State. Out of conference, their toughest games will be their rivalry at Iowa State in week 2 (9/12) and their contest with Arizona the following week (9/19). The Hawkeyes will also travel to Columbus for the Buckeyes on 11/14 with the opportunity to spoil OSU’s special season or continue one for themselves.
They’ll Do Well If…
… the offensive line and Jewel Hampton perform to a level that opens up the pass for Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi’s abilities and athleticism will be put to the test as defenses no longer need to load the box to somehow try and contain Shonn Greene.
Season Outlook
The good news for the Hawkeyes is every game on their schedule is winnable out of conference. The bad news is their “key games” in the Big 10 are all on the road. Their 4 conference road games are against the teams that will give them the most trouble in some of the most difficult stadiums in the country in Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State. Assuming the Hawkeyes manage a .500 run on the road in conference play, they’re looking at a 10-2 season, and pending the outcome of other conference games, that may just be good enough to compete for a conference crown.
