The college football season is less than two weeks away and as I try to pass the time between watching Little League World Series highlights and preseason NFL, I can't wait for the gridiron action to get started. So, if we can't watch college football, we're going to talk football. So let's continue the Preseason College Football Top 25 Countdown with the Top 10.
#8. Iowa Hawkeyes - Every season has to have the come out of nowhere overachievers and in 2009 that team was Iowa. In 2010 the Hawkeyes aren't going to be able to sneak up on any teams but that doesn't preclude them from success as this could be Kirk Ferentz' best team yet in Iowa City.By the time Iowa came onto the national scene in 2009 much of the talk was about QB Ricky Stanzi, who did impress last season with 2,400 yards and 17 TDs passing. Then Stanzi got hurt and the national media focus quickly turned to unproven backup James Vanderburg, who performed well enough to win in a big game against Ohio State but came up short.
What was lost through the national narrative was the spectacular play of what is likely the best defense in the Big Ten. Gone off the #10 defense in the nation is powerful linebacker Pat Angerer but the attack should not lose steam with the return of stars like Adrian Clayborn, safety Tyler Sash, and defensive linemen Broderick Binns and Karl Klug.
Offensively the Hawkeyes lose alot on the offensive line including first round pick Bryan Baluga but bring back the gunslinger Stanzi and his top weapon, speedy receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. Iowa still has to be considered the top threat to Ohio State in the Big Ten.
The schedule is also kind with road trips to Michigan, Indiana, Northwestern and Minnesota but games against Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State will be a struggle despite the fact they'll be in Iowa City.
P.S. - Gotta love the Hulk Hogan theme song in the highlights.
No comments:
Post a Comment