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** 2017 Opponent Previews: Iowa (Game 12) **


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CollegeFootballNews: Iowa, Please Don't Make Us Hate You

 

How are we supposed to take you seriously, Iowa?

On behalf of a desperate and frightened nation, Iowa, can you at least give us a decent bowl game again? All throughout the amazing run in 2015 to the Big Ten Championship Game, Iowa fans kept begging and pleading for the world to give their unbeaten team respect. As the College Football Playoff process went on, and as the wins kept piling up, it all seemed like a mirage, but it didn’t matter. The Hawkeyes kept on winning. It took a brilliant B1G title game and a one-stop-away-from-winning loss to Michigan State to actually get the praise that, yeah, the team really was that good.

 

And then Christian McCaffrey cranked up a bajillion yards in what turned into one of the worst Rose Bowls of all-time – a 45-16 Stanford win that wasn’t even that close.

 

http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/preview-2017-iowa-please-dont-make-us-hate-you

 

2017 Iowa Preview: What You Need To Know

2017 Iowa Schedule Breakdown & Analysis

 

HuskerOnline: Spring Opponent Preview - Iowa

 

We conclude our in-depth series of breaking down Nebraska's opponents this spring with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa enters 2017 with major questions at the quarterback and receiver positions, but they have a very good base of linemen coming back both on offense and defense, along with 1,000 yard running back.

HOL caught up with HawkeyeReport.com's Tom Kakert to get his thoughts and perspective on the Hawkeyes this spring.

 

Overall 2017 win-loss expectation

"This has really been a discussion point here looking at their schedule, because it is tougher. It's going to be challenging with the tough home games and going on the road against some really good teams this year.

 

"I think probably 7 wins. I know Vegas set the over-under for Iowa this year at 6.5, so that kind of tells you that 7 is right about that number where you put the expectation right now."

 

https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/spring-opponent-review-iowa

 

 

Athlon Sports: Iowa 2017 Preview And Prediction

The Hawkeyes rank No. 44 in Athlon’s Top 130 for 2017

 

Iowa won eight games last season, but got blown out by Florida in the Outback Bowl and struggled in general to move the ball and put points on the scoreboard. Head coach Kirk Ferentz overhauled his coaching staff in the offseason, turning the offense over to his son, Brian, who has a 1,000-yard rusher returning and a veteran offensive line, but will be breaking in a new starting quarterback. The defense is anchored by one of the nation’s best linebackers, but will need new playmakers to emerge up front and in the secondary. Between the coaching changes and unknowns throughout the roster, the Hawkeyes probably won’t be much of a threat in the Big Ten West this season.

 

Final Analysis

There is lot to be encouraged about on both offense and defense, but for every strength, there seems to be a matching weakness. Iowa is loaded on the offensive line and also has a star running back in Wadley. But there is little proven depth at receiver, and none of the quarterbacks has started a game. Combine that with having to replace three starters in the secondary, along with the starting punter, and much of the team is unproven at this point.

 

The schedule also could be tricky as Iowa hosts a respectable Wyoming team in the season opener before facing Iowa State in Ames. Ohio State also returns to the schedule for the first time since 2013.

 

A winning record coupled with yet another bowl game appearance seems within reach. But Iowa has too many uncertainties at this stage to be considered a contender in the Big Ten West Division.

 

National Ranking: 44

Big Ten West Prediction: 4

 

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/iowa-football-2017-hawkeyes-preview-and-prediction

 

 

SBNation: Kirk Ferentz might be the dean of major CFB, but is Iowa going up or down in 2017?

2017 should tell us whether the next few years are on the high side or low side of eight Hawkeye wins a season.

 

There are two 20th century guys left in FBS. And they’re both Hawkeyes.

 

Bill Snyder took three years off in the 2000s but is entering his 26th year at Kansas State, having taken the job the first time in 1989. A decade after Snyder’s hire, Ferentz replaced mentor Hayden Fry at Iowa. They are the last two FBS head coaches who were hired by their current schools before 2000. Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer retired a year ago. Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops called it quits in June.

 

In the mid-1980s, three of those four men lived in Iowa City. Snyder spent 1979-88 as Fry’s offensive coordinator until a desperate KSU called. Ferentz, a UConn grad and former linebacker, served as offensive line coach from 1981-89. And after playing there until 1982, Stoops was a graduate assistant in 1983.

 

When Fry retired following a 3-8 1998, Iowa tried to bring in Stoops. He interviewed and considered the job, but the thought of coaching a blue blood overruled alma mater loyalty. Or something like that.

However it played out, Ferentz, Stoops, and Snyder have spent a combined 61 seasons at their institutions. Apparently Iowa City teaches you how to lay down roots.

 

Projected 2017 record and S&P+ ranking: 6-6 (48th)

Biggest strength: The Hawkeyes are absolutely loaded at defensive end and linebacker, as a Ferentz team should be.

Biggest question mark: The passing game stunk last year, and that was before it lost its starting quarterback and nearly every wideout.

Biggest 2017 game: Minnesota (Oct. 27). If Iowa has division title aspirations, this game is a must, and a loss might mean staring 5-7 in the face. It’s also for the Floyd of Rosedale, and new Gopher coach P.J. Fleck will be looking to make a statement.

Summary: Have defense and stud running back, will travel, right? Iowa brings back very Iowa things, but turnover in a lot of bad places could mean a rebuilding year for Ferentz.

 

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/6/30/15869970/iowa-football-2017-preview-schedule-roster

 

 

More to come...

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