Philadelphia, PA (Best E Casino) - 2007 SEASON IN REVIEW: The Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off another disappointing 6-6 season. The team got off to a 2-0 start but then fell to in-state rival Iowa State, 15-13. That loss did more than just raise red flags, as it kicked off a string of four straight losses for Iowa. There were a few highlights scattered throughout the remainder of the schedule, most notably a 10-6 win over eventual Rose Bowl participant Illinois. Iowa also knocked off Michigan State (34-27) in the final week of October, in what was the first of three straight wins for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa could not revel in the win streak though, as the team dropped the ball in the finale, losing at home to Western Michigan when they needed a win to lock up a bowl bid. For a program that not long ago seemed to be on the rise, the season-ending loss was a harsh reminder that the Hawkeyes have indeed fallen on hard times.
2008 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: A successful Hawkeyes' season will hinge largely on the continued development of junior quarterback Jake Christensen, who threw for 2,269 yards and 17 touchdowns last year, with only six interceptions. However, he will need to improve upon his 54-percent accuracy if he wants to keep his job.
Behind Christensen, the running game is as big a mystery as there is on the team. The only two players who logged any significant carries last year (Albert Young and Damian Sims) have moved on, and none of the remaining backs carried the ball even once. The most notable back is junior Shonn Greene, who returns to the Hawkeyes after transferring to a junior college a year ago. He ran for a combined 378 yards and two TDs during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Iowa. The lack of veteran leadership isn't lost on the head coach.
"We're a young football team," Kirk Ferentz said at media day. "We do have some experience and we need a lot of work right now. We're counting on a lot of players to improve."
The receiving corps isn't exactly stacked, either. Leading pass-catcher Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is back, though his numbers (38 catches, two TDs) aren't exactly eye-popping. Andy Brodell had his junior season shortened to four games due to injury but is eager to turn a corner in 08, as is junior Trey Stross, who caught four touchdown passes last year. Christensen will make good use of a talented tight end duo in Tony Moeaki (injury-shortened 2007 season) and Brandon Myers (team-high five TD catches last year).
Iowa ranked 114th nationally in sacks allowed, a ranking that must improve vastly if the Hawkeyes are to improve in 08. Three starters return, although both tackle positions are unsettled.
DEFENSE: The strength of the defense lies with senior tackles Mitch King (6-3, 264) and Matt Kroul (6-3, 277). King logged a team-high 14.5 tackles for loss, while Kroul led the defensive linemen with 74 stops. The Hawkeyes must break in two new starting defensive ends, but the coaches like what they've seen from that group. The heart and soul of last years unit, linebackers Mike Humpal and Mike Klinkenborg, have graduated, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the defense. Junior linebacker A.J. Edds, the teams second leading tackler last year, is a sure thing. There is competition for the other two spots and will certainly be manned by some youngsters.
The defense was stout against the pass last year, but must replace both starting corners. Sophomore Brett Greenwood (seven passes defended) and senior Harold Dalton return to their safety spots.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Sophomore Daniel Murray and junior Austin Signor will again compete at kicker, though neither was particularly impressive last year. Punter Ryan Donahue, who booted an 82-yard punt as a freshman, has already established himself as one of the conferences elite punters. Brodell, who proved to be a decent punt returner (14.4-yard average) in limited action last year, should get another crack at returns, along with wideout Paul Chaney.
OUTLOOK: Coach Ferentz hasn't won more than seven games in any of the last three seasons. In fact, his teams have fallen further and further out of contention since a string of three straight 10-win seasons from 2002 to 2004. If he is feeling any pressure to win right now though, Coach Ferentz is showing it.
"The only time I really felt pressure was when I interviewed at Cleveland from Maine," Ferentz said. "My wife said if I didn't get the job she was going with the guy that did. So I felt a little bit of pressure there."
This years team may test him on that, with plenty of question marks on both sides of the ball. Christensen needs to be more consistent in sustaining drives, but he will need a little more time from the offensive line. Its anybodys guess how the running game will pan out. Defensively, several playmakers must be replaced. On paper, 2008 wouldn't appear to be the year Ferentz and the Hawkeyes regain their form. Then again, the games aren't played on paper.
