1. Week 1 has officially begun. Looking forward to the depth chart release today; we do know it doesn't always translate to the starting lineups on the field, especially in more recent years, but there's enough uncertainty at enough positions that we'll learn a lot about how some of these position battles are going.
2. Also looking forward to Tuesday's media availability to get something a bit more substantial about McNamara's status for Week 1. For now I'm still considering him questionable, but if he's full-go in practice by Thursday, hard to see a scenario where it makes sense not to play him. Ferentz isn't a "bubble-wrap" guy when it comes to getting his guys ready for action.
3. Iowa released its 2023 player council today; here's the release. Please note Noah Shannon is still a member of the council (he was on it in 2022 as well), despite the effectively career-ending NCAA suspension that's currently under appeal. We've seen this type of stubbornness from Ferentz before when it comes to protecting reputations, but this is still a unique situation, all things considered. What do you guys think of Shannon being included?
Deontae Craig - Jr. - Fort Wayne, Ind.
Cooper DeJean - Jr. - Odebolt, Iowa
Joe Evans - 6th - Ames, Iowa
Kyler Fisher - Sr. - Farnhamville, Iowa
Jermari Harris - Jr. - Chicago, Ill.
Jay Higgins - Sr. - Indianapolis, Ind.
Logan Jones - Jr. - Council Bluffs, Iowa
Luke Lachey - Jr. - Columbus, Ohio
Logan Lee - Sr. - Orion, Ill.
Cade McNamara - Sr. - Reno, Nev.
Nico Ragaini - 6th - East Haven, Conn.
Mason Richman - Jr. - Leawood, Kan.
Quinn Schulte - Sr. - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Noah Shannon - 6th - Aurora, Ill.
Tory Taylor - Sr. - Melbourne, Australia
4. As I mentioned on the podcast, not only am I curious about who the starting five up front will be for the offensive line on Saturday, I'd like to see how deep that rotation goes, especially in the first half when the game will (presumably) still be competitive. Likely looking at Richman-Feth-Jones-Colby-Dunker, with significant playing time for DeJong, Parker and Stephens — who else is earning their way into that mix?
5. Can't say enough about Iowa field hockey taking down #1 UNC in Chapel Hill, and with a pair of freshmen scoring all three goals in the 3-2 OT win. The Big Ten slate won't be much of a reprieve — Northwestern, Maryland, Michigan and Penn State were ranked #2-5 in that same preseason poll — but glory's meant to be earned. Expecting the Hawkeyes to be firmly in the top 5 in tomorrow's poll.
6. Thoughts and prayers for #5, who found himself having to tackle 2024 QB recruit James Resar in the open field.
What are you all excited for the most this week?
2. Also looking forward to Tuesday's media availability to get something a bit more substantial about McNamara's status for Week 1. For now I'm still considering him questionable, but if he's full-go in practice by Thursday, hard to see a scenario where it makes sense not to play him. Ferentz isn't a "bubble-wrap" guy when it comes to getting his guys ready for action.
3. Iowa released its 2023 player council today; here's the release. Please note Noah Shannon is still a member of the council (he was on it in 2022 as well), despite the effectively career-ending NCAA suspension that's currently under appeal. We've seen this type of stubbornness from Ferentz before when it comes to protecting reputations, but this is still a unique situation, all things considered. What do you guys think of Shannon being included?
Deontae Craig - Jr. - Fort Wayne, Ind.
Cooper DeJean - Jr. - Odebolt, Iowa
Joe Evans - 6th - Ames, Iowa
Kyler Fisher - Sr. - Farnhamville, Iowa
Jermari Harris - Jr. - Chicago, Ill.
Jay Higgins - Sr. - Indianapolis, Ind.
Logan Jones - Jr. - Council Bluffs, Iowa
Luke Lachey - Jr. - Columbus, Ohio
Logan Lee - Sr. - Orion, Ill.
Cade McNamara - Sr. - Reno, Nev.
Nico Ragaini - 6th - East Haven, Conn.
Mason Richman - Jr. - Leawood, Kan.
Quinn Schulte - Sr. - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Noah Shannon - 6th - Aurora, Ill.
Tory Taylor - Sr. - Melbourne, Australia
4. As I mentioned on the podcast, not only am I curious about who the starting five up front will be for the offensive line on Saturday, I'd like to see how deep that rotation goes, especially in the first half when the game will (presumably) still be competitive. Likely looking at Richman-Feth-Jones-Colby-Dunker, with significant playing time for DeJong, Parker and Stephens — who else is earning their way into that mix?
5. Can't say enough about Iowa field hockey taking down #1 UNC in Chapel Hill, and with a pair of freshmen scoring all three goals in the 3-2 OT win. The Big Ten slate won't be much of a reprieve — Northwestern, Maryland, Michigan and Penn State were ranked #2-5 in that same preseason poll — but glory's meant to be earned. Expecting the Hawkeyes to be firmly in the top 5 in tomorrow's poll.
6. Thoughts and prayers for #5, who found himself having to tackle 2024 QB recruit James Resar in the open field.
What are you all excited for the most this week?
