I was asked to write two Big Ten Football team previews for Comradio’s website (www.comradio.psu.edu) so i figured I would throw them up on the blog as well. I don’t know when they will be released on comradio’s website, probably when all 11 are in so why not get a sneak preview with it right here.
Here is the preview for the Iowa Hawkeyes 2009 season. Wisconsin’s preview will be coming soon.
Iowa Hawkeyes
LAST SEASON: In 2008 Iowa went 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten to finish 20th in the final rankings of the USA Today and AP polls. The 5-3 record left them in a tie for fourth with Northwestern in the end of the year Big Ten standings; however Iowa was the only Big Ten team to pick up a bowl game victory with their 31-10 defeat of SEC foe South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. Going into 2008, Kirk Ferentz was at a crossroads of his coaching career at Iowa, but Ferentz rallied his program from a 3-3 start to go 6-1 to end the season. The big victory of the season came when the Hawkeyes knocked off a previously unbeaten and third ranked Penn State squad 24-23 on a last second field goal to ruin Penn State’s National Title hopes.
STRENGTHS: A big strength of the Iowa offense in 2009 will be their wide receivers. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, a junior, who led the team with 44 receptions and 639 yards last season will be the main target. Former quarterback Marvin McNutt will play at wide out this season and his 6’4’’ frame will add to the diversity of the Hawkeyes receiving corps. Colin Sandeman, Trey Stross, Paul Chaney and freshman Keenan Davis will be other weapons that fill out Iowa’s depth at the receiver position. Another strength on the team will be at linebacker because Iowa has all three of their starters returning. Pat Angerer, a senior, led all Hawkeyes players with 107 tackles last season and also notched 6.5 tackles for loss and five interceptions. Fellow senior A.J. Edds, who had 59 tackles also returns, along with junior, Jeremiha Hunter, who had 80 tackles.
WEAKNESSES: On offense the big weakness or question mark is at the center position. Iowa’s coaching staff was hoping Julian Vandervelde, who started at guard last year, would win the center job for 2009. However, he underwent surgery over the summer, which may have ended his chances of switching to center due to the fact he simply hasn’t been able to practice the new position. It looks like the battle will be down to senior Rafael Eubanks, junior Josh Koeppel and freshman James Ferentz. Currently Eubanks is sitting atop the center depth chart. On defense the two tackle positions are of question for Iowa heading into 2009 with the departures of Mitch King and Matt Kroul. Junior Karl Klug is expected to start at one of the tackle positions, but only weighs 258 pounds. He did have 17 tackles, five for loss and two sacks as a reserve last season. Sophomore Mike Daniels is expected to start besides Klug and he had one sack and six tackles as a freshman in 2008. Expect redshirt freshman Steve Bigach to play an important role as a reserve. Iowa needs a kickoff returner to step up this year and currently starting running back Jewel Hampton is leading the depth chart.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Running back Shonn Greene left one year early after a standout season where he racked up 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns and won the Doak Walker Award. They will miss his 6.0 yards per carry average. Wide receiver Andy Brodell was second on the team in 2008 with 36 receptions and 533 yards and was also tied for first with four touchdowns. He was also the teams punt returner. Defensive tackle Mitch King will be missed along with fellow DT Matt Kroul. They combined to be one of the top tackle duos in Iowa history and were two of the reasons why the Hawkeyes ranked ninth in run defense in 2008. Starting corner back Bradley Fletcher is gone to the NFL as a third round pick, along with offensive guard Seth Olsen, who went in round four and tight end Brandon Myers, who went in round six.
KEY RETURNEES: Iowa gets back six starters on offense and eight on defense for the 2009 season. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi went 8-3 as the starter as a sophomore last season and threw for just shy of 2,000 yards. Junior offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga is considered one of the best in the nation at his position. Running back Jewel Hampton showed signs of talent as a true freshman when he was spelling Greene last season. He carried the ball 91 times for 463 yards and seven touchdowns. Tight end Tony Moeaki is a fifth year senior and back in 2005 was considered one of Ferentz’s biggest recruits; however injuries have plagued him throughout his career. Wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos led the team in receptions and yards last season. Junior cornerback Amari Spievey is considered one of the Big Ten’s top corners and was third on the team in tackles last year. He also had four interceptions and brought one back for a touchdown. Senior linebacker Pat Angerer led the team in tackles in 2008. Punter Ryan Donahue is considered to be an All-American candidate and had a 41.6 yard average in 2008.
NEWCOMERS: Wide receiver Keenan Davis is a 6’3’’ 200 pound recruit and has good speed. Cornerback Micah Hyde has a chance to become a key reserve and redshirt freshman Steve Bigach could make an impact at defensive tackle.
SEASON OUTLOOK: Ferentz got a big pay day in the form of a seven-year deal worth $21 million and with the big contract comes big expectations for 2009. Some people are calling Iowa the Big Ten’s sleeper team this year, with an outside chance at the Big Ten title. With no off week and a tuff schedule Iowa will have to play really well in their big games in order to have that shot at the Big Ten’s top spot. All five of Iowa’s road matchups will be tough, as they have a date with in-state rival Iowa State week two. The four Big Ten road games, at Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State will all be challenging too, especially at Ohio State and Penn State, who were picked number one and two respectively in the conference. A home date with the PAC 10’s Arizona Wildcats will also be a challenging home game on week three. Iowa’s other six home games should be winnable, against Northern Iowa, Arkansas State, Michigan, Indiana, Northwestern and Minnesota. Rivals.com has Iowa ranked number 18 in the preseason. Look for Iowa to register anywhere from seven to 10 wins in the regular season and grab a spot in a mid to upper bowl.
-Mark-
Iowa will be solid, but prob not as good as they were last year. Maybe the same record but not as good of a team all around. Arizona isn’t an easy game at all, OSU,PSU are another 2 losses, and NW is going to be decently solid and could pull it off.