Iowa Hawkeyes
Overall Rank: #33
#6 Big Ten
Iowa Team Page
2010 Record: (8-5, 4-4)
2010 Bowl: Insight Bowl vs. Missouri (W 27-24)
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (89-60 at Iowa, 101-81 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Ken O’Keefe
Defensive Coordinator: Norm Parker
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Marcus Coker, RB, 622 yards
Passing: James Vandenberg, QB, 45 yards
Receiving: Marvin McNutt, 861 yards
Tackles: Micah Hyde, S, 82
Sacks: Mike Daniels, DT, 4.0
Interceptions: Micah Hyde, S, 4; Shaun Prater, CB, 4
Other Key Returnees: TE Brad Herman, C James Ferentz, K Mike Meyer, LB James Morris, LB Tyler Nielsen, OT Riley Reiff, OT Markus Zusevics
Key Losses: DE Christian Ballard, DE Adrian Clayborn, S Brett Greenwood, RB Jewel Hampton, LB Jeremiha Hunter, WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, G Josh Koeppel, DT Karl Klug, TE Allen Reisner, RB Adam Robinson, WR Colin Sandeman, S Tyler Sash, QB Ricky Stanzi, G Julian Vandervelde
It really does not matter who is in the backfield, Iowa will always have a solid rushing game. Injuries and defections have ravaged the Hawkeye running backs over the last couple of years, but somebody else has always stepped up. By the end of last season it was Marcus Coker. His 219 rushing yards against Missouri in the Insight Bowl have fans excited about his potential. However, keep an eye on freshmen De’Andre Johnson and Rodney Coe because one never knows what will happen with the Iowa running backs.
Strengths:
The offensive line returns five players who have some starting experience, most notably tackles Riley Reiff and Markus Zusevics. With those two leading the way, the ground game will thrive. Add James Ferentz to the middle of the line and a couple huge bodies at the guard spot and Coker will have a field day against most opposing defenses. Getting a passing game going would help. James Vandenberg has paid his dues and the 6-3 junior should turn into a fine replacement for Ricky Stanzi. Vandenberg played a memorable game in 2009, leading Iowa to an overtime loss against heavy favorites Ohio State. However, he followed that up with an awful performance against Minnesota. Last season he barely played at all. Yet, Vandenberg has a stronger arm than Stanzi and as long as he can make smart decisions, the passing game should be fine. The return of Marvin McNutt, who caught 53 passes for 861 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago, will make things much easier for the new signal caller. Keenan Davis and tight end Brad Herman are also capable pass catchers.
Weaknesses:
It is hard to call the Iowa defense a weakness, but the unit is certainly on a down swing right now. Only three of the top 11 tacklers return from a unit that was very disappointing down the stretch. The front four that failed to live up to expectations is now without Christian Ballard, Adrian Clayborn and Karl Klug. Mike Daniels has some experience manning the middle and Broderick Binns is full of potential and could be the next great pass rushing end in Iowa City. The linebackers had to deal with a lot of injuries in 2010, but one bright spot was James Morris. The sophomore is ready to emerge as a leader and Iowa may need him to or the defense could be in bigger trouble than most expect. The secondary lost safeties Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood. Those two combined for seven interceptions and a ton of tackles. Micah Hyde is a great replacement and Shaun Prater is a shutdown corner who could have gone to the NFL, so the secondary has the tools to be very good.
The Bottom Line:
This should be a very interesting season for Coach Kirk Ferentz and Iowa. They do lose a lot of talent, but there plenty of younger players who are ready to pick up the slack. The Hawkeyes have a history of exceeding expectations when the expectations are lower than usual. This year certainly fits the criteria. The schedule is manageable and this is a team that should be able to win eight games again.
Projected Bowl: Insight Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 148.38 (70th in nation, 8th in conference)
Passing Offense: 234.54 (49, 5)
Total Offense: 382.92 (57, 8)
Scoring Offense: 28.92 (50, 6)
Rushing Defense: 101.54 (6, 2)
Pass Defense: 230.54 (84, 7)
Total Defense: 332.08 (25, 3)
Scoring Defense: 17.00 (7, 2)
Turnover Margin: 1.00 (7, 3)
Sacks: 1.69 (83, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 1.54 (38, 7)
Madness 2012 NFL Draft Rankings:
#42 Riley Reiff
#72 Shaun Prater
Madness 2011 FBS Football Recruit Rankings:
#118 Rodney Coe
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