Iowa Football 2009 Predictions

Written June 18, 2009 by InfoPlays

Iowa-Football-2009-Predictions The Hawkeyes need more strong play out of their offensive and defensive lines if they are to compete in the Big Ten this season. If Iowa can stop the run, and run the ball near the levels they did last season, they’ll be in the hunt for a January Big Ten bowl. Their season really depends on how well they handle five tough road games, including games at Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State. The college football lines for the 2010 BCS National Championship show the Hawkeyes listed at +10000 to win it all.

Offense: Shonn Greene is off to the NFL a year early, but sophomore Jewell Hampton and freshman Jeff Brinson should be able to combine to take his place. Hampton had one of the best seasons ever for a true freshman at Iowa last season, rushing for 463 yards and seven touchdowns. He also averaged a stellar 5.1 yards/carry. Brinson is a big back and should make a good 1-2 punch behind Hampton. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos led the Hawkeyes in receiving for a second consecutive season. The junior has 82 receptions for 1,121 yards in his first two seasons. Iowa records for receptions (157) and receiving yardage (2,271) are clearly within reach.

Trey Stross caught 13 passes last season and he’ll be the No. 2 receiver most likely as we head into the fall. Converted quarterback Marvin McNutt could give this position a shot of size and athleticism. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi saw just about everything he needed to see in 13 games as a first-year starter. He conducted a game-winning drive against then No. 3 Penn State. If he can cut down on turnovers, after having eight in Iowa’s three Big Ten losses last year, the Hawkeyes can win a lot of games this season. Stanzi will have to evolve into more of a playmaker with the loss of Green and offensive linemen Seth Olsen and center Rob Bruggeman.

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Defense: Linebacker will be the strength of the Iowa Hawkeyes defense in 2009. Middle linebacker Pat Angerer suffered through injuries and mono during his 2007 sophomore season. He had just one tackle in four games. But Angerer led the Hawkeyes in tackles last year with 107, plus he picked off five passes. Senior A.J. Edds continued his steady play as the Iowa linebacker covered receivers as well as anyone in the Big Ten at his position. Junior Jeremiha Hunter went from No. 2 behind Jeff Tarpinian to second-leading tackler with 80 stops.

Three starters return in the secondary from a group that helped tie the school record with 23 interceptions. Eleven of those picks came from defensive backs that return in 2009, including corner Amari Spievey, free safety Brett Greenwood and strong safety Tyler Sash. The Hawkeyes lost the 95 starts of Mitch King and Matt Kroul at defensive tackle, so experience on the inside is the biggest headache. Developing bodies is the key for this unit. Karl Klug and Mike Daniels are the frontrunners to fill these positions.

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