Previewing the 2011 Iowa Hawkeyes
by Husker Mike on Aug 29, 2011 6:00 AM CDT
in 2011 Nebraska Huskers Football
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PrintEver since it became clear that Nebraska was joining the Big Ten Conference, Iowa Hawkeye fans have crowed about the Hawkeyes "clearly" having the better program as of late, pointing to two shared conference championships and BCS bowl berths in the last decade. Hawkeye fans should be proud of four top-ten finishes for Iowa in the last ten years. But let's put that in perspective. Iowa's record over the last 10 years is 86-41, while Nebraska's is 85-46. In other words, Iowa's best decade of football is ever so slightly better than Nebraska's worst decade since the Eisenhower administration. Oh, and to rub it in a little: even considering that it's been the Huskers worst decade, they still managed to play in the Rose Bowl for a national championship. Iowa hasn't played in the Rose Bowl since 1991; only Minnesota and Indiana have been absent from Pasadena longer.
Last year, Iowa finished 9-5 and in all five of those losses, the Hawkeyes were either tied or led in the fourth quarter. You could understand the loss to Arizona in the heat on the road, or the loss to Ohio State. The Wisconsin loss was tough to accept due to the end-of-game clock mismanagement that sabotaged a potential game-winning field goal attempt. Dan Persa continued Northwestern's domination of jUI (Or does Iowa prefer jIU? I can't get all the new abbrevations right.) But the biggest black mark on the Hawkeyes record was the 27-24 loss to woeful Minnesota and Kevin Cosgrove.
When you talk Iowa football over the last three years, you have to start with quarterback Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi set a school record for passing efficiency last year and became Iowa's first quarterback selected in the NFL draft since Matt Rodgers. He'll be replaced by junior James Vandenberg who only completed five of eight passes in a relief role last season. As a freshman, Vandenberg was called into service after Stanzi was injured against Northwestern. He started two games, with his first being a narrow road loss at Ohio State. So while he hasn't played much, he's played in pressure situations. After Vandenberg, the depth chart is full of inexperience: junior John Wienke (one game, one incomplete pass), redshirt freshman A.J. Derby and true freshman Jake Rudock.
In recent years, Iowa's running back situation could be best compared to a melodrama. Last season's story started with Adam Robinson, Brandon Wegher, and Jewel Hampton ready for a big year. Wegher never joined the team last season. He briefly transferred to Oklahoma, and at last report, he's at Iowa Western in Council Bluffs where he's academically ineligible to play. Jewel Hampton. Hampton injured his knee against Arizona, then transferred at the end of the season to Southern Illinois. That injury forced head coach Kirk Ferentz to pull the redshirt from true freshman Marcus Coker as a backup. Which was important because in December, starter Adam Robinson was suspended, then dismissed from the squad prior to the bowl game. Robinson's now at Minnesota-Duluth. Thrust into the starting lineup in the Insight Bowl, Coker pounded the Tigers for 219 yards, earning MVP honors. Coker is a big back with good speed, and will have to shoulder the load this season. History indicates, however, that something is going to happen once again. If (when?) that happens, Iowa will probably have to turn to freshmen Mika'll McCall, Jordan Canzeri, or Marcus Binns.
Leading receiver Marvin McNutt returns from last year, but after that, it's a green group of receivers. McNutt caught 53 passes for 861 yards and eight touchdowns. He has good size and speed, and is a steady receiver. He'll be the key receiver for Iowa. Junior Keenan Davis caught 11 passes last year, but had a big spring game. The 6'3" 215 pound receiver has the physical tools to do well. Senior tight end Brad Herman should get more attention as a big (6'5", 255 pounds) target for a new quarterback. Even bigger is 6'7" sophomore tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz who was a great receiver in high school. If he can catch the ball at this level, he could be uncoverable.
When you think Iowa football, you can pretty much count on a solid offensive line, and this year is no exception with four returning starters. The Hawkeyes do lose second team all-Big Ten left guard Julian Vanderveide to the Philadelphia Eagles. Junior left tackle Riley Reiff was a second-team all-Big Ten honoree last year, and should be up for even bigger honors this season. He could head to the NFL after this season. Junior center James Ferentz (son of Kirk) started every game last season and should start accumulation honors this year. If sophomore right guard Nolan MacMillan has recovered from shoulder injuries, the 2010 freshman all-American will need a new trophy case by the time his college career is over. Senior left guard Adam Gettis should replace Vanderveide, and if he stays healthy, could be another solid performer up front.
On defense, only four starters return with just one up front. With Adrian Clayborn (1st round, Tampa Bay), Christian Ballard (4th Round, Minnesota), and Karl Klug (5th round, Tennessee) all selected in the NFL draft, the Hawkeyes have huge holes to replace. The only returning starter is senior defensive tackle Mike Daniels who's solid on run support, but like much of the Hawkeyes last season, wasn't so good in passing situations. The Hawkeyes' sack total dropped from 31 to 22 last season, and opponents completed over 62% of their passes. One player to keep an eye on is whether senior defensive end Broderick Binns regains his honorable mention all-Big Ten form from two seasons ago.
At linebacker, Iowa needs to replace two starters including second team all-Big Ten linebacker Jeremiha Hunter, the Hawkeyes' leading tackler last season. Sophomore middle linebacker James Morris was a freshman all-American with 70 tackles last season. One concern with Morris is whether the 6'2" 225 pounder is big enough to be a Big Ten middle linebacker. Senior strongside linebacker Tyler Nielsen tallied 42 tackles in eight games last season before an injury cut his season short. Add in sophomore Christian Kirksey on the weakside at 6'2" and 215 pounds, you've got an undersized group of linebackers that might be susceptible in the running game, much like Nebraska was at times last season.
Former Omaha Central standout Shaun Prater elected to return to Iowa for his senior year rather than declare for the NFL draft. Last season, Prater was an all-Big Ten performer as Iowa's shutdown cornerback. Bill Callahan never offered Prater a scholarship due to his infatuation with measurables over playing ability, and Prater committed to Iowa. Junior Micah Hyde, an honorable mention all-Big Ten cornerback on the other side last season switched to free safety in the spring. Junior Greg Castillo, a nickel back last season with 11 tackles, will take over at cornerback. All told, the secondary is probably the most talented area of the Hawkeye defense, as they finished second in the Big Ten in pass efficency defense last season.
Iowa seems to be the trendy pick this offseason as an upset to make it to the Big Ten Championship game, and the reason seems to be the Hawkeyes schedule. Whereas Nebraska has to play Ohio State, Penn State, and Wisconsin, Iowa gets Penn State, Indiana, and Purdue from the other division. But it's frankly lazy to focus on the schedule and ignore the team itself. Iowa only returns nine starters with way too many question marks on both sides of the ball to be seriously considered a title contender. And the schedule difference isn't nearly as big as you might think: they play Northwestern, Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State, just like Nebraska. Nebraska has to play Wisconsin while Iowa has to play Nebraska; that's a push in terms of schedule strength. So there are really two games that Iowa has easier: Nebraska plays Ohio State and Iowa, while Iowa plays Purdue and Indiana. That should help Iowa get to bowl eligibility and position themselves for a better 2012 season.
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Iowa shouldn't be held accountable for not playing Iowa
Nebraska plays Ohio State andIowaWisconsin, while Iowa plays Purdue and Indiana. That should help Iowa get to bowl eligibility and position themselves for a better 2012 season.
Seriously, though. The Huskers are the better team on paper, but I see this playing out like Colorado always did. Amped up teams, lots of turkey hangover, and close games decided by big plays. I’m still predicting a Nebraska win, but I don’t foresee a blowout.
Always check the words with the red squiggly line. They mean you probably screwed up.
We'll see
Many Iowa fans already have the Colorado/Missouri inferiority complex going on. I have to admit, I’m still skeptical about this as a rivalry. We’re already 26-12 against them, and there’s just not much evidence in my opinion that they’ll be able to do much better than CU or MU in the long haul.
That said, I’m still really excited about playing Iowa and there will always be a bit of a spark there because we’re border states and the fanbases are in such close proximity to each other. If in 10 years we’re 6-4 against them or worse, I’ll be seriously reconsidering my first paragraph.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Rivalries aren't manufactured
And that’s not a blow to Iowa not being a good enough rival. I think they would say the same about us. Sure, the fans are jumping head first into the game, but fans carry it only so far. NU-OU had history, which made the game a rivalry. We didn’t have those crazy moments that carry a game past just another line on the schedule with most of the Big XII North, which is kind of sad. I liked Shatel’s article about history in the B1G, and how that’s going to be such a cool part of joining the conference. We are actually going to be a part of something more than the hunt for the NC. I’m way excited for the prospect of caring about games in the division, regardless of outcome.
As for what happens in the Iowa matchup? I don’t see Iowa-Nebraska as a rivalry yet because we just don’t have enough history. Looking at our series with the Hawkeyes, we’ve generally gotten them when they were down. I think both teams have enough crossover (between states and such) that it could be kind of fun. I still don’t see a blowout happening, though. They grind, we pretend to have an offense, we both look flat because we gorged on turkey… Nebraska by a FG on the leg of our new star Maher? Why not…
Always check the words with the red squiggly line. They mean you probably screwed up.
by KennardHusker on Aug 29, 2011 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I think it'll take some crazy things happening in the game for this to become a football rivalry.
Until then, its just the fan bases from two incredibly similar states’ schools making snarky remarks on the internet about each other’s favorite pastimes and other things.
And HyVee trying to kill the hate with happy thoughts and touching stories.
We have five "National Championships"? Can we try and win the conference first?
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Aug 30, 2011 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions
With Hy-Vee as a sponsor, we better get free food
I think they should give out free HyVee Chinese to the state with the winning team. Then I’d go to HyVee. Otherwise, screw them and their happy thoughts and touching stories. And if they screw this up anymore, I’m boycotting. I like farmers markets and whole foods better anyways (oh, that and Target… still need me some corporate groceries).
Always check the words with the red squiggly line. They mean you probably screwed up.
by KennardHusker on Aug 30, 2011 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good write-up.
I’m not going to dive into rampant speculation, as I say let the results speak for themselves. All I will say, though, to the Rose Bowl factor is that Iowa got jobbed at the end of ’02. Yes, Iowa lost to U$C in the Orange Bowl that year, but the point is that the Rose Bowl wanted us, and even offered the OB a big chunk of cash to not pick Iowa, which was refused. Pretty much everyone felt it was wrong, to the point that the BCS committee agreed and changed the rules thereafter regarding at-large teams and conference affiliations.
"I've never seen a supernova, but if it's anything like my old Chevy Nova it'll light up the night sky." - Philip J. Fry
by HawkOnRails on Aug 29, 2011 10:01 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Know your opponent.
I think Nebraska should probably pull out a close victory in the regular season finale. But as for “rolling” them? An Iowa football team last lost by double digits on Oct. 20, 2007. In that same span Nebraska has had 7 such defeats. That’s not to say the Hawkeyes aren’t beatable; they should be very beatable this season. But their style of play (ball control offense, minimal risk defense) is not conducive to blow-outs. Even if Nebraska dominates play it would be an unwise bet to pick the Huskers by more than 10.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
Couldn't agree more.
We have five "National Championships"? Can we try and win the conference first?
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Aug 29, 2011 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
wtf
MIKE!!!!
Come on, man. You didn’t mention pigs, hogs, or smell. WTF?
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Twitter!
cornnation@gmail.com
Jon are you off your meds?
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
By late November, both teams will be bruised up.
I see the Nebraska-Iowa going down to the wire a la Colorado 2007. Hopefully Nebraska comes out on top.
We have five "National Championships"? Can we try and win the conference first?
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Aug 29, 2011 11:52 AM CDT reply actions
I think Iowa's ball-control offense is going to average being on the field close to 40 min a game.
Which should help the green D line and force opposing offenses to go to the air vs our good secondary.
Isn't ball control offense just a way of saying your new QB poses no threat?
If coaches and local scribes are talking about his “leadership”, then his main strengths may include “doesn’t fumble snaps and handoffs”.
It could also be interpreted as playing to your strengths.
Watching the Cubs piss it away for 31 years.
by CarolinaHawk on Aug 29, 2011 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions
My thoughts on this year's game
I already expressed my doubts about the long term results of the NU-Iowa series, but every year is different.
My overall thought is that the better the overall execution in the game, the better it is for NU. Iowa traditionally runs kind of a grinding ball control type offense (which I respect, its what I run in most of my xbox football dynasties). Nebraska’s offense (when it works) is supposed to be fast paced and explosive. It also tends to blow up more spectacularly when things go wrong.
So, assuming Nebraska’s offense isn’t a smoking crater come next November, it will be crucial for Iowa’s offense to pick up first downs and burn the clock. Being balanced will be important, as will be not falling behind. Nebraska’s defense is quite good all the time but when it absolutely kills teams is when the circumstances of the game force the offense to abandon its gameplan and start tossing the ball around.
Iowa’s path to victory is sort of the opposite of that. Keep a balanced attack going to prevent Nebraska’s defense from attacking. On the defensive side, it’ll be important to avoid letting NU hit the home run. Nebraska (like last year) absolutely has the players to score on just about every play, but until I see otherwise, I’m still going to have a nagging concern about our consistency, so again, I think the big play will be important for NU’s offense. So if Iowa can frustrate NU’s offense and grind out 35-40 minutes of T.O.P. while scoring 17-24 points they’ll have a good chance of winning.
The other end of the spectrum is letting NU hit a couple home runs off the bat combined with some early 3 and outs. If NU has early success on offense and Iowa falls behind 14-0 or so, they’ll have to start getting more aggressive on offense and that’s when things really fall apart for teams who play Nebraska. Example: Missouri came into Lincoln at #6 last year and it was 24-0 NU at the end of the first.
A lot can happen in a season and injuries and momentum play a big role, but the game being in Lincoln with consensus opinion being Nebraska having the talent and depth edge in most areas make NU the favorite at this point.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
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