7.26.2007

2007 BIG TEN PREVIEW: IOWA

The Big 10 team-by-team breakdown has finally surpassed programs that belong in Conference USA. Up next: an Iowa team looking to rebound from a massive meltdown after starting the season 5-1.

2006 Record: 6-7 (2-6 Big Ten)
Projected 2007 Finish: 6th
Returning Starters: 14
Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz
Best Player: RB Albert Young

5 Reasons for Optimism:
- You wouldn't know it from '06, but Ferentz is an NFL-caliber coach
- The defense returns almost the entire front seven
- No Michigan or Ohio State? Why don't you just give 'em the trophy...
- Albert Young is a poor man's Mike Hart
- WR Dominique Douglas is a stud and led freshmen in receptions last year

5 Reasons for Pessimism:
- Hawks lost 6 of their last 7 games, with only win against Northern Illinois
- Turnover margin (-11) ranked 111th in country last year
- As always, just too many white dudes to take this program seriously
- Both safeties are gone from a secondary that wasn't any good to start with
- Normally dominant, the O-Line is a big question mark this season

Realety:
Drew Tate is gone and highly touted Jake Christensen is in (note: has there ever been a more overhyped Big 10 player than Tate?) Aside from Young, Christensen and the rest of the offense is just too young for Iowa to return to the conference elite in '07.


If we have to hear about Iowa's "controversial" pink locker room one more time, we're going to smash a lampshade over our head...

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