Iowa Hawkeyes:
Injuries, poor quarterback play and incompetent offensive coaching were all big problems last year for Iowa, which was shut out three times. So the Hawkeyes had a disastrous season, right? Kirk Ferentz has survived for 25 years in Iowa City by proving the critics wrong. He wins ugly with defense and special teams. Believe it or not, Ferentz finished 10-4 despite dealing with one of the nation’s worst offenses. A new offensive coordinator and a better quarterback situation has the Hawkeyes looking like a factor in the conference race.
Offense
The coach’s son, Brian Ferentz, was finally booted as coordinator after the Hawkeyes produced an abysmal 15.4 PPG, with the defense and special teams setting up and scoring a significant number of points. Iowa was outscored 61-0 in season-ending losses to Michigan and Tennessee. New coordinator Tim Lester, a former head coach at Western Michigan, vows to unleash an aggressive attack. Senior quarterback Cade McNamara will pull the trigger after returning from a knee injury that shortened his season to five games and 90 pass attempts. McNamara had good numbers for Michigan in 2021. The line is big and strong and starts four seniors and one junior. Leshon Williams returns after leading the team with 821 rushing yards. The Hawkeyes, who averaged 234.6 yards per game to rank last in the nation, will use a power rushing attack to show off a much-improved offense.
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Defense
Phil Parker is as good as it gets as a coordinator and his defense surrendered only 14.8 PPG. Eight starters come back, led by senior middle linebacker Jay Higgins, who made 171 tackles last season. Nick Jackson, another senior linebacker, is off a 110-tackle season. Despite the departure of star corner Cooper DeJean, a second-round pick by the Eagles, the Iowa defense will be rock solid, as always.
Outlook
What’s most notable about the schedule is who’s not on it: Michigan, Oregon and Penn State. The Hawkeyes open with three home games (Illinois State, Iowa State and Troy) before hitting the road to Minnesota and Ohio State. Iowa figures to be favored in 10 games and catches a break by getting Washington, Wisconsin and Nebraska in Iowa City. If McNamara stays healthy and the offensive optimism proves to be legit, this team will win at least eight games.
Pick: Over 8 Wins
