2011 Iowa Hawkeyes Football Preview

The 2010 season could only be described as a tremendous disappointment for the Iowa Hawkeyes. With a senior laden team led by senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi, the conventional wisdom was they’d contend for the Big Ten title and some analysts, based mostly on their schedule, and thought they might even make a darkhorse run at the BCS Championship. Instead, the Hawkeyes were tripped up early and once the early momentum was stopped, the Hawkeyes stumbled to a 7-5 record that they somewhat redeemed with a narrow bowl victory over Missouri. Squandering such an opportunity will make the the upcoming rebuilding job in 2011 that much more frustrating. The Hawkeyes return just nine starters from last year’s team. New faces everywhere mean it could be a long year for Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes in 2011.

Ricky Stanzi was a fixture in Iowa and his departure leaves a very big hole at quarterback for the Hawkeyes. Into his place steps junior James Vandenberg who attempted just eight passes in 2010. Stanzi was a calm, experienced field general that could settle the Hawkeyes’ huddle. It’s not that Vandenberg isn’t or can’t become those things, it’s just that no one has seen him play or experience game stress to see how he’ll perform. The Hawkeyes also lose leading rusher Adam Robinson to off the field issues. Robinson shared carries with Marcus Coker who returns to take the tailback position by himself. Coker is a big running back (6’0, 230) that pushes the pile forward. He’s perfect for Ferentz’ preferred style of play. The team’s leading receiver, senior Marvin McNutt returns, but after him, there’s no one on the roster that caught more than 11 passes last year. At least one viable option will be needed opposite McNutt to keep defenses from keying on him too much.

The best thing the Iowa offense has going for it is a big, experienced offensive line. Ferentz was forced to play a pair of sophomores and a freshman on the offensive line in 2010 and should be rewarded for it this year. Iowa routinely produces excellent offensive linemen and this year’s candidates are the bookend offensive tackles Riley Reiff and Markus Zusevics. Ferentz’ son James returns for his junior season at center. Four reserve offensive linemen that started games or saw significant playing time also return, so the line will be a deep group.

The Iowa defense will be virtually brand new in 2011. Just four starters return from last year’s unit that often held up when the offense was sagging. The defensive line has been hit the hardest by graduation. Just one starter from last year, senior defensive tackle Mike Daniels, returns for the Hawkeyes. Lebron Daniels and Broderick Binns, upperclassmen with little playing time to show for their time on campus, are tasked with replacing first round NFL Draft pick Adrian Clayborn. The staff is excited about 6’5, 310 pound redshirt freshman defensive tackle Carl Davis. The same situation exists at linebacker where only James Morris returns from last year. Tyler Nielsen played a great deal at outside linebacker last year and will step into the starting role fairly easily.

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The Hawkeyes’ strength will be in the secondary. Senior cornerback Shaun Prater is small but fearless as a tackler. He record six pass breakups and picked off four passes last season. Micah Hyde is another somewhat undersized (6’1 but only 185 pounds) defensive back that returns at free safety. Hyde is the team’s leading returning tackler. Experienced juniors Colin Sleeper and Greg Castillo will step into starting roles at corner and strong safety and should make the secondary a team strength.

In the non-conference schedule, the Hawkeyes face rival Iowa State on the road in week two, which will give them little time to break in new starters. The following week the Hawkeyes host Pittsburgh. They have a bye week after Louisiana-Monroe, then play all eight Big Ten games without a week off. The road schedule is manageable as the first game is at Penn State and the finale is at Nebraska. In between, the Hawkeyes get Northwestern and Indiana at home, travel to Minnesota before coming home to face Michigan and Michigan State in back to back weekends. It’s a schedule that should allow for another postseason trip for Kirk Ferentz.