Spartan Nation 2007 scouting report: Iowa Hawkeyes
Spartan Nation 2007 scouting report:Â Iowa Hawkeyes
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Predicted record:Â 9-3 (5-3)
Projected Big Ten standing:Â 5th
Returning Starters:Â OFFENSE:Â 6 DEFENSE:Â 8 Lettermen return:Â 37Â
Head Coach:Â Kirk Ferentz 6-7 Lifetime 55-43
Top assistant: The Spartan Nation’s own, DC Norm Parker
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If you know anything about football, you know that Ferentz is not a good coach he is an elite coach. I rank him in my top 10 nationally and if here were at a school that does not have the limitations that Iowa does, you would see him each and every year in the thick of things.
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Ferentz has a lot talent, albeit not real old on his offense. He has a young but very capable OL and a QB that came in with a lot of fan fare but not a lot of experience. The good news for the Hawks however is that they have a stud at RB in Albert Young. He is tough and hard to bring down. If he can avoid and injury the sky will be the limit for him as he looks for a huge season.
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The defense is the key to this team and they are good. Led by the Spartan Nation’s Norm Parker, the Hawks D will be tough and they will punish people. They are lead by a star that will play on Sunday’s in DE Kenny Iwebema; he has great lateral movement and can attack the ball with the fierce fire of a warrior. He is a game breaker and he has to double teamed or he will take away his side of the field.
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The Hawks don’t face UM or OSU so to say that they have a nice schedule would be a joke. How about a present? The Hawks play at Kinnick Stadium, and that is one of the top five most difficult places to play. Fans in Iowa when it comes to football are rabid and loud and I would recommend any college football fan to make the trip to watch a game there.
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Ferentz gets it when it comes to special teams and that is why the Hawkeyes are consistently competitive. Like Beamer at VTU he comprehends that the game is played in three phases and that is why the Hawkeyes always among the best nationally and always competitive.
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All in all this will be a good season for the Hawks, but they need to enjoy it because whenever JoePa at PSU retires, Ferentz will be the next coach at Penn State. That is when his abilities will really be felt. Iowa is a great school and that is in no way meant to disrespect them. For the rest of the Big Ten however, imagine him at PSU where life is a lot easier for a perennial powerhouse with a great coach. Not a good thought.