Iowa Hawkeyes 2010 NCAA College Football Preview, Schedule, Odds, and Predictions: Head football coach Kirk Ferentz had the Iowa fans a little restless a couple years ago after two mediocre seasons. The last two seasons Iowa has won 20 games, finishing 11–2 in 2009 and with a 24–14 win over Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl got the teams first BCS bowl triumph. This year the Hawkeyes are picked for a number two finish in the tough Big Ten. “I suppose it’s flattering,” Ferentz said, talking directly about the recent Big Ten media poll, “But the reality is we haven’t won a single game yet in 2010.” With 14 starters returning, a stacked d-line on a defense with eight starters back, and a quarterback, Ricky Stanzi who is 18-4 as a starter and unbeaten in the postseason, they have the foundation for a good start. Vegas odds makers have the Iowa Hawkeyes +1700 odds to win the 2011 BCS National Championship.
Offensively, senior quarterback Stanzi leads the show with his NFL size 6’4” and 230 lbs. is a leader while not flashy. He passed for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2009 while missing most of the last two regular-season games due to an ankle injury. With a solid line returning the running game should improve from last season’s 10th in the Big Ten and 99th in the nation. Wide receivers senior Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and junior Marvin McNutt are among the most productive receiver duos in the conference. The odds makers at Diamond have the Iowa Hawkeyes +350 to win the Big Ten Conference.
Defensively rumors that coordinator Norm Parker (68) is in his final season appear to be false. “He’s never indicated any thoughts of quitting, but at some point he’s going to, just like I will at some point,” Ferentz said. “He’s never indicated that. He loves doing it and has great passion for it. I’ll be very, very surprised if it’s in his near future, but that’s something out there on the chatboards.” Why quit when you have such a good unit returning led by Adrian Clayborn, a Playboy Preseason All-American who could be a first rounder in the 2011 NFL Draft. Clayborn doesn’t have to do it alone, senior tackles Christian Ballard and Karl Klug and junior end Broderick Binns are all back on the D-Line. The odds makers at Diamond have the Iowa Hawkeyes middle number listed at 8 1/2 wins for the 2010 NCAAF regular season.
The Hawkeyes have Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State and Wisconsin all at home and only travel to Michigan for a Big Ten game that could be close. I have Iowa at preseason No. 7 and predict a 10 win season and a third place finish in the Big Ten with a decent bowl berth.
2010 Iopwa Hawkeyes College Football Schedule
9/4/2010 Eastern Illinois 12:05 PM
9/11/2010 Iowa St. 3:36 PM
9/18/2010 at Arizona 10:35 PM
9/25/2010 Ball St. (TBA)
10/2/2010 Penn St. 8:05 PM
10/16/2010 at Michigan 3:35 PM
10/23/2010 Wisconsin (TBA)
10/30/2010 Michigan St. (TBA)
11/6/2010 at Indiana (TBA)
11/13/2010 at Northwestern (TBA)
11/20/2010 Ohio St. (TBA)
11/27/2010 at Minnesota (TBA)