Iowa 2011

Iowa 2010 Statistics

(Big Ten) The Hawkeyes play on an artificial field (FieldTurf) at Kinnick Stadium (seats 70,585)

• Kirk Ferentz is in his 13^th year as head coach at Iowa.  Last year they finished 8-5.
• On offense, they return just 4 starters.  But the key is that three of those starters return to the offensive line, which is the basis for all their productivity.  And the new starters do have some starting experience so as a whole this unit is more experienced than last year.  This will help them improve upon last year’s progress in the running game (rushing yards per game and yards per carry) and in protecting the quarterback (sacks allowed). 
• The running back situation has been strained since the departure of Shonn Green to the NFL in 2009 (in 2008 he was the only FBS player that year to rush for at least 100 yards in every single game).  Last year Adam Robinson was the starter and this unit was supposed to be extremely deep heading into the season.  But when
  

  Running Back Marcus Coker

  Robinson was injured and then suspended, somehow the only available replacement was true freshman Marcus Coker, who had to come in and play and burn his redshirt.  He started just four games, but rushed for 622 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry.   Even with the loss of their starter, I think Iowa’s running game has even more potential this year, especially with an experienced line to help.

• At wide receiver, starter Marvin McNutt returns and he led the team in receptions and receiving yards last year.  However, he surely benefitted from the presence of Iowa’s career receiving leader Derrel Johnson-Koulianos (DJK), on the field.  DJK is gone this year as is their next two most productive receivers.  And experience is going to be critical for this offense as they break in a new quarterback.
• The passing game is going to be the biggest question as quarterback James Vandenberg takes over as starter for Ricky Stanzi (drafted in the 5^th round of the NFL Draft by Kansas City).  He has some experience, but it will be hard to replace a three-year starter, especially given how much Stanzi had improved last year (64% completion and 25-6 TD-INT ratio).  Vandenberg stepped in during the
  

  Quarterback James Vandenberg

  2009 season when Stanzi was injured and was quite inaccurate and inefficient and unfortunately, did not get much practice last year with just 8 attempted passes.  Hopefully now that he is a junior he will have had time to learn the system better and adjust to the college game. 

• Defense only returns four starters.  This coupled with the fact that the defense had declined last year (even though they returned many experienced starters) means that the Hawkeyes could struggle again defensively.  A particular area of struggle in 2010 was the passing defense which slipped from 4^th in the nation to 84^th. 
• The one area that was improved in 2010 was the rushing defense last year.  But having to replace three of the four starters on the defensive line this year means it may take a dip once again.
• Recently Iowa’s nemesis has been…Northwestern? They have lost three straight to them and face them again on October 15^th.  In addition, Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State and Nebraska could all give them trouble. Their top four “Legends” (new divisions in the conference or Legends and Leaders…seriously) opponents all have experienced quarterbacks that this “new” defense is going to have to face.  Ironically the two big Ten opponents they are probably happy to have off of their schedule this year, Ohio State and Wisconsin, both must replace their quarterbacks.  Regardless, it will be hard for the Hawkeyes to match last year’s 8-5 record.