2011-2012 Football Previews – Big 10 Conference – Iowa Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes were expected to contend for a Big Ten title in 2010, but they finished just 4-4 in the conference.
Big Ten Conference 2011-2012 Football Previews: Iowa Hawkeyes
Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz
2010 Record: 8-5
Iowa Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS: +6,000
Iowa Odds from JustBet to win Big Ten Legends Division: +300
Iowa Odds from JustBet to win Big Ten Conference Championship: +850
Iowa Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
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A bit of a strange pattern has been evident at Iowa over the last few years. It seems that when expectations are high the Hawkeyes tend to disappoint, but when no one is expecting them to be a contender they are right in the thick of the Big Ten race.
Given the number of key players they lost from last year, this team has much lower expectations than they have had in the past couple years. Kirk Ferentz and his team still have plenty to build around, but they’ll need several youngsters to step up and be productive right away.
James Vandenburg will be the quarterback, and if the Hawkeyes are going to be successful this season they’ll need him to be solid.
Team Strengths:
True to the style of their coach, this Iowa offensive line is absolutely nasty. Riley Reiff is a dominating offensive tackle who will be the leader of this unit. Center James Ferentz is the son of the Hawkeyes head coach, and he should be an NFL star in the future. The Hawkeyes have depth and lots of size at this position.
Dominating in the trenches can lead to a lot of victories, and I think the Iowa offensive line will be the strength of this team in 2011.
The Iowa secondary did lose a great player in Tyler Sash, but they may have the best pair of cornerbacks in the conference. Shaun Prater and Micah Hyde are both terrific cover corners who will make life difficult on opposing wideouts. Expect these star cornerbacks to make it easier on the inexperienced safeties. Don’t expect anyone to light up Iowa through the air this season.
The Hawkeyes lost a lot from the defensive line, but I still think it will be an area of strength for this team. Mike Daniels is a senior leader in the middle of the defensive line. Daniels should do a good job clogging up the running lanes.
Broderick Binns lost his starting job before last season, but NFL scouts are fairly high on him, and I think he has the potential to be a major force this season at the defensive end spot.
Team Weaknesses:
Iowa lost four of their top five pass receivers from last season. Marvin McNutt will be the leader of the wide receivers group, but who else will step up as a solid option for this team? [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Vandenburg has a big arm and he could help the Hawkeyes open up the passing game, but there really aren’t any real play makers on the depth chart at wide receiver.
Can the Iowa linebackers improve their play? The inexperienced group of linebackers was much maligned in 2010. James Morris has the potential to be great, but the Hawkeyes need more consistent play out of this group.
The fact that they were unable to produce even with an amazing defensive line last year makes me think this unit will continue to be a weakness this season.
2011-2012 Iowa Football Prediction: 9-4
I’m going to give the Hawkeyes the benefit of the doubt this year, because I have seen what a great coaching job Ferentz can do when most believe the program is in rebuilding mode. Vandenburg will likely be a solid quarterback for the Hawkeyes, and I like the fact that Iowa will be so strong in the trenches.
In November, the Hawkeyes will play home against Michigan and Michigan State before traveling to Purdue and Nebraska.
Look for Iowa to be a little better than most expect in 2011.
2011 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule
9/3/11 12:00 PM ET TTECH
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET @IOWST
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET PITT
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET ULMON
10/8/11 12:00 PM ET @PENST
10/15/11 7:00 PM ET NWEST
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET IND
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET @MINN
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET MICH
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET MCHST
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET @PURD
11/25/11 12:00 PM ET @NEB
