First Look '09: Iowa Hawkeyes
Penn State hosts Iowa in its Big Ten opener, an 8 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 26. 
This will be a revenge game of epic proportions, since the Lions fell by a mere point in Iowa City last season, ruining any chances for a national championship. Iowa has been dominant over Penn State this decade, losing only once, a 27-7 thrashing in Beaver Stadium two years ago. But the series has been closer than it looks, with the one-point loss last season, and two overtime wins for the Hawkeyes (2000, 2002). Both teams lose stars from their 2008 squads, but enough return on both sides to make for an early-season Big Ten Title showdown. But what do we really know about the 2009 Iowa Hawkeyes? Let's find out, in today's First Look.
More with less - Head coach Kirk Ferentz has gained a decent reputation at Iowa for getting a lot of production out of his players, who are usually not very highly recruited out of high school. From 2002-04, Ferentz's Hawkeyes won 31 games, and shares of two conference titles. But the most impressive part of all those wins was that Iowa's roster wasn't a star-studded roll of elite high school recruits. Ferentz knew how to will his team to play above their competition, and deservedly earned the reputation for developing talent.
But over the last few seasons, Iowa hasn't performed as well, despite 2005 recruiting class boasting seven U.S. Army All-Americans. Iowa has gone 28-22 since its last 10-win season in 2004, including last year's 9-4 record, its best during that span.
Filling the gap(s) - Iowa averaged 189 rush yards per game in 2008, most of those yards coming from everyone's All-American, Shonn Greene (1,850 yards). Greene never broke the two-deep until last season, but then exploded for a school-record-setting year. Now, he's off early to the NFL, and there's a gigantic hole to fill in the Hawkeye backfield. Going into this season, Jewel Hampton was supposed to be the projected starter, but word came in this past Friday (July 3) that he sustained a knee injury. It could be minor, but also could be enough to keep him out or down for a while. Keep an eye on this situation, as it might be the biggest issue this summer.
On the other side of the ball, Iowa lost the single best pair of defensive tackles in college football from 2008 -- Matt Kroul and Mitch King. The two accounted for more than 100 tackles and 16 TFL, as the soul of a defense that allowed only 94 rush yards per game last year. Replacing them will be impossible, but enough returns on defense to minimize that impact.
Back on the slate - Iowa didn't have to play Ohio State or Michigan the last two seasons, but now they're both back on the rotation. It was a mixed back last year, as playing Michigan might have been a blessing, but missing Ohio State is always a good thing. This season, the Wolverines should be a much better team, and the Buckeyes remain a title contender. The Hawkeyes host Michigan on Oct. 10, and travel to Columbus on Nov. 14.
The Big Ten overall should be weaker than it was in 2008, so Iowa has a shot to do well with its schedule. Opening against Northern Iowa (FCS), @Iowa St and hosting Arizona should be a manageable road before the big showdown at Penn State. If Iowa can go 4-0 to open the season, I wouldn't doubt if the Hawkeyes were 10-0 heading into the Ohio State game. Much of this season could depend on Iowa's performance at Penn State under the lights.
2009 Iowa Schedule
Iowa Spring Practice Review
First Look '08: Iowa Hawkeyes
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Temple Owls
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2 Commented on this story:
Great First Look Mike. Everyone keeps harping on how the Iowa game will be a revenge game, but don't forget Penn State has lost both of their "revenge games" under the lights. To Ohio State, and then to Michigan. Both losses were our only home losses in the last 4 seasons too.
If Penn State still hasn't solved their secondary problem by then, Iowa will rip us apart through the air much like Ohio State did a few years back in a humiliating white out loss. Keep up the good work.
Good review of the Hawkeyes. It's very true that the 2005 class of recruits was very highly rated and thus far have not really lived up to the hype. There have been lots of injuries (Trey Stross, Tony Moeaki, Dace Richardson, Dan Doering...) and transfers (Jake Christensen, Ryan Bain...), but some guys have actually done really well. Shonn Greene, remember him?. He was from that class. Kyle Calloway (minus the moped incident) and Pat Angerer are also having good careers. And don't be surprised when all those injured guys come back this year and finally live up to their potential.
I also wanted to add that the Jewel Hampton loss does sting, but Jeff Brinson is rumored to be just as good as, if not better than Hampton. And, incoming freshman Brandon Wegher is expected to do big things.
Lastly, yes Ohio State and Michigan are back on the schedule, but what really hurts is the fact that the road schedule is brutal (I'm not overly worried about Michigan). At Penn State, at Michigan State, at Wisconsin, and at Ohio State. I'm hoping to go 2-2 in those games.
Anyway, like I said before, good write up. I'm looking forward to September 26!
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