When was the last time, Iowa debuted an new starting QB with game experience vs. LSU and Tennessee?
Not quite Wisconsin Football, who have played four SEC programs over the past two seasons, but there should be a lot to look forward to in 2015, with addition by subtraction with the Iowa roster.
Iowa doesn't have the best path to a Big Ten title. Wisconsin actually does, since they host Iowa at home. Both Iowa and Wisconsin travel to Nebraska.
Wisconsin did lose in 2012 during last trip to Nebraska, on route to a 8-6 season and a Rose Bowl season.
Iowa has a new junior RB leading the RB committee in 2015, as well.
What can we expect from Tevaun Smith in 2015? Seniors in the past have stepped up well as senior WRs. Iowa needs it in a big way.
Ultimately, Iowa's success will come in the offensive line, with defense and special teams. However, those are areas where Iowa has players on the roster who should be able to step up there games from the 2013-14 seasons.
Iowa has struggled the past 3 seasons. They also are 3-0 in Big Ten openers. There are building blocks in place and that has been the MO of the Kirk Ferentz era.
This is a year 4 of new OC and DC. Year 4 paid dividend in 2002. It isn't the same program, as it was in 2002. The Big Ten is not the same either, with the Big Ten West.
Ultimately, timing is right for a breakout season for Iowa. Not one head to head with OSU, MSU, PSU or Michigan, but one with a schedule that can allow Iowa to chase and catch Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska, while staying ahead of Northwestern, Purdue and Illinois.
Iowa's OOC games are Maryland and Indiana, which are programs with questions, as well.
Iowa at Illinois State is a good match up for Iowa's bookend DEs to be tested, like they were at Ohio State in 2013. QB Tre Roberson and RB Marshaun Coprich not Braxton Miller or Carlos Hyde. Copich doesn't have the same make-up as UNI's David Johnson.
Iowa should make it 13-0 vs. FCS programs in the modern era.
It is the first time since 2004 that Iowa opens the season without a returning statistical leader in at least one of those categories (2003: QB Nathan Chandler, RB Fred Russell, WR Ramon Ochoa). C.J. Beathard, LeShun Daniels and Tevaun Smith should all be upgrades over last year's edition.
Iowa will have a new SS and MLB, both sophomores to provide an upgrade over John Lowdermilk and Quinton Alston. I am looking forward to Miles Taylor and Josey Jewell, as the new starters for Iowa. Jewell played well vs. Tennessee.
LB Josey Jewell led all players with a career-best 14 tackles. Jewell, a redshirt freshman, made his fourth career start. Further, I think OLB Ben Niemann may have the most upside of Iowa's three sophomore linebackers.
Bottom-line, Iowa needs more than one LB to lead the team in Top 8 in tackles. In Iowa's base defense, it isn't good, when Iowa's SS is leading the team in tackles. Look for improvement in the defense from a chemistry and overall performance, as DC Phil Parker has said in fall camp.
DE Drew Ott lead Iowa in both sacks and QBH in 2014. He should be ready for a breakout final season. Phil Parker likes this defensive unit.
Special teams should be improved, as well. Iowa needs explosive plays and they need to reduce the explosive plays allowed. Look for those to be trends in 2015.
Kirk Ferentz is always cautious, but listening to both Greg Davis and Phil Parker ... there is a sense of a United Iowa growing with the 2015 Iowa Football team.
peace
Not quite Wisconsin Football, who have played four SEC programs over the past two seasons, but there should be a lot to look forward to in 2015, with addition by subtraction with the Iowa roster.
Iowa doesn't have the best path to a Big Ten title. Wisconsin actually does, since they host Iowa at home. Both Iowa and Wisconsin travel to Nebraska.
Wisconsin did lose in 2012 during last trip to Nebraska, on route to a 8-6 season and a Rose Bowl season.
Iowa has a new junior RB leading the RB committee in 2015, as well.
What can we expect from Tevaun Smith in 2015? Seniors in the past have stepped up well as senior WRs. Iowa needs it in a big way.
Ultimately, Iowa's success will come in the offensive line, with defense and special teams. However, those are areas where Iowa has players on the roster who should be able to step up there games from the 2013-14 seasons.
Iowa has struggled the past 3 seasons. They also are 3-0 in Big Ten openers. There are building blocks in place and that has been the MO of the Kirk Ferentz era.
This is a year 4 of new OC and DC. Year 4 paid dividend in 2002. It isn't the same program, as it was in 2002. The Big Ten is not the same either, with the Big Ten West.
Ultimately, timing is right for a breakout season for Iowa. Not one head to head with OSU, MSU, PSU or Michigan, but one with a schedule that can allow Iowa to chase and catch Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska, while staying ahead of Northwestern, Purdue and Illinois.
Iowa's OOC games are Maryland and Indiana, which are programs with questions, as well.
Iowa at Illinois State is a good match up for Iowa's bookend DEs to be tested, like they were at Ohio State in 2013. QB Tre Roberson and RB Marshaun Coprich not Braxton Miller or Carlos Hyde. Copich doesn't have the same make-up as UNI's David Johnson.
Iowa should make it 13-0 vs. FCS programs in the modern era.
It is the first time since 2004 that Iowa opens the season without a returning statistical leader in at least one of those categories (2003: QB Nathan Chandler, RB Fred Russell, WR Ramon Ochoa). C.J. Beathard, LeShun Daniels and Tevaun Smith should all be upgrades over last year's edition.
Iowa will have a new SS and MLB, both sophomores to provide an upgrade over John Lowdermilk and Quinton Alston. I am looking forward to Miles Taylor and Josey Jewell, as the new starters for Iowa. Jewell played well vs. Tennessee.
LB Josey Jewell led all players with a career-best 14 tackles. Jewell, a redshirt freshman, made his fourth career start. Further, I think OLB Ben Niemann may have the most upside of Iowa's three sophomore linebackers.
Bottom-line, Iowa needs more than one LB to lead the team in Top 8 in tackles. In Iowa's base defense, it isn't good, when Iowa's SS is leading the team in tackles. Look for improvement in the defense from a chemistry and overall performance, as DC Phil Parker has said in fall camp.
DE Drew Ott lead Iowa in both sacks and QBH in 2014. He should be ready for a breakout final season. Phil Parker likes this defensive unit.
Special teams should be improved, as well. Iowa needs explosive plays and they need to reduce the explosive plays allowed. Look for those to be trends in 2015.
Kirk Ferentz is always cautious, but listening to both Greg Davis and Phil Parker ... there is a sense of a United Iowa growing with the 2015 Iowa Football team.
peace
