Iowa's OL unit ranked #1 by ESPN

[Ufers_Spirit]

I assume part of the reason for the optimism is Iowa's OL tradition specifically it's OL coaching. The thinking being that Iowa's coaching will work out any bugs with a couple of "new" starters. Ed Cunningham, the ESPN announcer who did the OL ranking, is a former Washington center and played for 5 years in the NFL so he should have some expertise in OL evaluation. A little surprised Iowa's DB's didn't warrant a top 5 ranking w/3 of four starters returning from a strong unit.
http://espn.go.com/college-football...es-rank-college-football-best-position-groups
http://espn.go.com/college-football...es-rank-college-football-best-position-groups

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

Uh, probably not.

Surprised our secondary was not mentioned.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

I assume part of the reason for the optimism is Iowa's OL tradition specifically it's OL coaching. The thinking being that Iowa's coaching will work out any bugs with a couple of "new" starters. Ed Cunningham, the ESPN announcer who did the OL ranking, is a former Washington center and played for 5 years in the NFL so he should have some expertise in OL evaluation. A little surprised Iowa's DB's didn't warrant a top 5 ranking w/3 of four starters returning from a strong unit.
http://espn.go.com/college-football...es-rank-college-football-best-position-groups

Interesting. I definitely think he is basing a lot on Ferentz's reputation of building strong offensive lines. Odd, ESPN is more optimistic about the OL than many Iowa fans I've read on here.

 

[uniFIGHTuniFIGHT]

Count me in with the fans who would question this one. I see us as having a strong OL, but I can't imagine being considered tops in the conference (let alone the nation) without proving it on the field for 3 months. Too much youth still, and who knows about depth.

 

[Ufers_Spirit]

Interesting. I definitely think he is basing a lot on Ferentz's reputation of building strong offensive lines. Odd, ESPN is more optimistic about the OL than many Iowa fans I've read on here.

Right, I do think the OL will be better this year but that will take some "coaching up". With five players with starting experience returning(hoping Daniels is ready to go by fall camp) and some talented but inexperienced back ups. I see this OL being better especially at pass protection. Not sure if #1 in the country is warranted or not but this should be a good group.

 

[DodgerHawki]

Count me in with the fans who would question this one. I see us as having a strong OL, but I can't imagine being considered tops in the conference (let alone the nation) without proving it on the field for 3 months. Too much youth still, and who knows about depth.

Like anything this time of year, no one knows for sure until the games are played. Lots of teams in the B1G had big losses on the OL (Michigan State, Indiana, OSU, others). Iowa lost Blythe and Walsh, who both played well. But return 5 guys who have all started games before and played well at times. If Iowa is able to line up with its preferred lineup (Croston, Myers, Welsh, Daniels, Boettger) that is a potentially very good group.

 

[whatsup13579er]

Uh, probably not.

Surprised our secondary was not mentioned.

I kinda was too. Then I remembered that a walk-on is going to start at FS. Hard for the media to rank a unit with a walk-on starter that has barely seen the field. I think Snyder is going to be good, but he will take some lumps this season.

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

I'll go with Ed Cunningham, a former All American Offensive lineman and excellent Football analyst.

IOWA is #1 !

 

[jhawkinaz]

Regardless of how accurate it ends up being, gotta love the positive exposure!! Sure is a lot more fun reading this ranking, than the worst (over rated, over paid, whatever....) 5 Coaches in the country list from a few years back.

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

I kinda was too. Then I remembered that a walk-on is going to start at FS. Hard for the media to rank a unit with a walk-on starter that has barely seen the field. I think Snyder is going to be good, but he will take some lumps this season.

I believe his back up is Jake Gervase who is also a walk on from Davenport Assumption.

I gotta think if they were super concerned Gair would be playing FS.

 

[NevadaHawk]

I'll go with Ed Cunningham, a former All American Offensive lineman and excellent Football analyst.

IOWA is #1 !

Whenever I have listened to Ed call an Iowa game he always has high praise for KF. He has always considered KF to be one of top coaches in the nation and Ed likes the play of our OL. I agree with other posters in this thread who question if we should be thought of as the top OL unit but I'm not surprised Ed would say something like that. Who knows, maybe it will turnout that way.

 

[whatsup13579er]

I believe his back up is Jake Gervase who is also a walk on from Davenport Assumption.

I gotta think if they were super concerned Gair would be playing FS.

Gair has been fine when he has backed up at safety. I think Snyder is just going to be better. I saw him play basketball in high school and he is a really good athlete. He is quick and fast. I think he was also the QB for West Lyon. Another high school QB position change success for KF.

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

Regardless of how accurate it ends up being, gotta love the positive exposure!! Sure is a lot more fun reading this ranking, than the worst (over rated, over paid, whatever....) 5 Coaches in the country list from a few years back.

Absolutely...........might make some of the Hawkeye defectors get BACK in the fold.

GO HAWKS

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

Whenever I have listened to Ed call an Iowa game he always has high praise for KF. He has always considered KF to be one of top coaches in the nation and Ed likes the play of our OL. I agree with other posters in this thread who question if we should be thought of as the top OL unit but I'm not surprised Ed would say something like that. Who knows, maybe it will turnout that way.

You probably picked IOWA to go 12-0 last year, too ?

GO HAWKS !!!

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I think something was mentioned about number of combined starts and that playing a part in this pick.

 

[Banks Fan]

Ed has probably had a few too many concussions. But I hope our ol is a very good one this season.

 

[NevadaHawk]

You probably picked IOWA to go 12-0 last year, too ?

GO HAWKS !!!

Nope, no way. But I sure as heck enjoyed it!

 

[CUHawkeye91]

Whenever I have listened to Ed call an Iowa game he always has high praise for KF. He has always considered KF to be one of top coaches in the nation and Ed likes the play of our OL. I agree with other posters in this thread who question if we should be thought of as the top OL unit but I'm not surprised Ed would say something like that. Who knows, maybe it will turnout that way.

Cunningham does like the physical, fundamental way Iowa plays. I think he called the 2004 Cap One game and talked about how Iowa's physical nature caught LSU by surprise. Last year, Ed did an Iowa game during which he was high on the talent Iowa had in the OL. I think he basically said that at least 4, if not all 5, Iowa lineman would play in the pros. This includes both tackles who he thought were very talented.

I know some people don't like Cunningham as an announcer, but he's been one of my favorites for the last several years. He seems to do his homework and is prepared. Some won't like him because he's not flashy, but I'd take him every time.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Cunningham does like the physical, fundamental way Iowa plays. I think he called the 2004 Cap One game and talked about how Iowa's physical nature caught LSU by surprise. Last year, Ed did an Iowa game during which he was high on the talent Iowa had in the OL. I think he basically said that at least 4, if not all 5, Iowa lineman would play in the pros. This includes both tackles who he thought were very talented.

I know some people don't like Cunningham as an announcer, but he's been one of my favorites for the last several years. He seems to do his homework and is prepared. Some won't like him because he's not flashy, but I'd take him every time.

He did the Cap One bowl and dude does his homework.

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

BUMP..........

Hopefully, we're out touting this Information to recruits at Camps, this summer

GO HAWKS