Does Iowa have the right stuff for Big Ten Football?
Can Iowa win in 2012?
Head Coach - Kirk Ferentz is a fine coach... grandpa to be, which should make it all a little more interesting this Big Ten season. When is the due date?
QB - James Vandenberg is not a mobile QB and is not a use your feet to beat your opponent type guy. That is sexy right now in the Big Ten...
So, he is ranked by Phil Steele #17 for his looks? But, not mentioned really among Big Ten Top 4, even though only Denard Robinson #7 is ahead of him. Iowa has a solid starter at QB. Could Iowa have a special season in 2012. It starts here.
RB - Iowa has gone through 10 RBs over past four seasons or so? Committee assignments for 2012?
Phil Steele says true frosh Greg Garmon in his preview, with Barkley Hill next. By season's end, he may be right. Marcus Coker did just in 2010, as a true frosh. He was slowed by injury.
Does Damon Bullock remind anyone of Mike Sanders? Sanders played both WR and RB for J Hayden Fry...
DeAndre Johnson appears headed to doghouse for 2012. He certainly appears to have a Big Ten body for RB. Wisconsin off the field issues at RB, so maybe he should play on in home games this year and see how that works for him?
Iowa does not have a RB strength like other Big Ten teams. Player to be named later? Will Jordan Canzeri redshirt in 2012? It will be an interesting year at this position.
FB - Junior Brad Rogers had a great game in 2010 in Ann Arbor, if I recall correctly. Will he see the ball a little in one back sets as a junior? Depth should be fine at FB, but Rogers appears the top dog.
WR - I am not high on the Big Ten at the receivers position heading into 2012. MSU must completely retool. Iowa is under the radar heading into 2012, at QB and the receivers position.
Keenan Davis is the #2 top returning WR behind Wisconsin's Jared Abbredaris in Big Ten. Adrian Arrington played at Michigan for Lloyd Carr. Davis has had a quick career for Iowa. Will he shine as a senior. Who will have the better fourth season in his career? I am rooting for Davis. Arrington never had to play the #1 spot at Michigan. Can Davis shine as Iowa's #1 or will the TE emerge as the go to man or someone else?
Kevonte Martin-Manley was clearly Iowa's #3 WR as a freshman last year. Can he emerge as a top 12-16 WR in the Big Ten. Many names are being thrown out before him. He caught and scored like Nebrantska's freshman Kenny Bell, but he is not looked at as a big play threat (25 yd long) and not much for average. He made some big plays to move the chains though...
Will Maurice Fleming emerge at WR, as true frosh in 2012? What role will junior Don Schumpert play, as a tall WR, like Davis? Does senior Steve Staggs play that role like a lot of Iowa walkons at WR for Iowa.
Receiver doesn't look all that bad, but Ohio, Michigan and Nebrantska will get the press heading into season.
TE - Iowa and Wisconsin typically find a way to reload at TE. Iowa is stronger than any other Big Ten teams in this unit, though other individuals may rank higher than Iowa's top dog.
OL - Phil Steele has Iowa tied for 9th with Big Ten rival Purdue. If true, good reason Iowa is 50th in the Top 124 power ratings (pg 331). Purdue is #52.
James Ferentz is the anchor in his senior season. Is he better than Brian and will he finish better than his big brother new OL coach? How will this line play out under the rookie position coach. How much of a role will Dad play in Brian's development as an assistant? Was this the right move for Iowa?
Iowa must emerge with a solid O-Line in 2012 to have a good, solid season. Can Iowa compete for a division title? It starts in the O-Line at Iowa.
Sophomore Brandon Scherff needs to channel the mojo Riley Reiff and LTs past at Iowa. Scherff is expected to be Iowa's next NFL can't miss, but he only has thee starts under his belt at LG to build on. Further, Iowa is young in O-Line outside seniors Ferentz and G Todd Tobin. Will juniors Conor Boffell and Brent Van Sloten play the next man in role to perfection. Where will redshirt freshmen Austin Blythe and Jordan Walsh fit in? Does junior Nolan MacMillian return from injuries, after 6 starts as a freshman? Iowa has other parts, but how will they end up fitting in 2012?
Offensive coaches bring mix of youth and experience to Iowa with new OC Greg Davis and new O-Line coach Kirk’s son, Brian Ferentz. Will WR coach Soup Campbell enjoy new look and opportunities? Davis will be upstairs, so who will lead from the sidelines? It should be an interesting 2012 for Iowa. Schedule is favorable.
Can Iowa offense and defense emerge as Purdue did in 2000? How strong will special teams be? Can offense and special teams help young defense develop and keep them out of negative situations to allow time to grow? Can LBs stay healthy to emerge better than just a middle of a pack unit?
Iowa's defensive line is rated better than Northwestern, Minnesota and Indiana coming into 2012. Ouch!
Watching Iowa vs. Michigan 2011... Iowa will miss wing span and play of DE Broderick Binns. Who will step in?
Not one player is among Top 16 mentioned in Big Ten lists as a player worthy of all-Big Ten mention. How will new coach Reece Morgan do moving over from OL spot? Will Iowa fans need to stock up on Capt'n Morgan to stomach the results in 2012 of this unit?
No question "that this is the D's biggest ?" indeed for 2012!
The unit was up and down... the good, the bad and the ugly was on display and changes were needed, after 2011. However, it performed well in wins over Northwestern and Michigan in 2011. Can Iowa get some substance of a stout unit for 2012.
A new defensive coordinator will be tested as all the position coaches are new. Is this Good or will it get ugly most of the time in 2012? How good will opponents running games be vs. Iowa?
LB James Morris is considered the cream of the unit, with Christian Kirksey receiving mention, as well. Both are juniors, along with junior Anthony Hitchens at the third LB spot. Will the D-Line keep opponents honest enough to allow Iowa's LBs to have success? Remember the issues in 2005-07 at Iowa with ups and downs in D-Line. Depth is not outstanding, but if top players remain healthy, we all should agree that this unit should only get better.
New defensive attack will really change look of secondary. Are they ready to play differently and execute and beat the opponent? Iowa was known to be strong, bend, but don't break under former DC Norm Parker. Will risk, reward under new DC Phil Parker pay dividends? Or will Iowa see more one sided losses, but better games vs. weaker opponents?
Is senior Micah Hyde capable of becoming an All-American in 2012? How does he compare with the best in the Big Ten at CB? Is MSU Johnny Adams the best CB? Is Hyde next?
How well will junior BJ Lowery be at other corner spot? Is junior Tanner Miller a lock to be a solid three year starter? What will new starters bring?
Iowa special teams have declined, since better seasons under Kir Ferentz. 2012 doesn't rank well?
A lot of questions to be answered as Iowa nears 2012 season.
peace
