High Expectations for Hawkeyes Despite Tough Schedule

(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

After a solid 2008 season in which Iowa improved greatly as the season went on, the expectations are very high in Iowa City. Many Hawkeye fans see a Big Ten Championship caliber football team in 2009 and there is no doubt that this group has that kind of potential.

The problem that persists is the schedule, which has been the cause for concern for experts around the country. Iowa must visit Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State, a brutal away schedule that most teams would be happy to escape from 2-2.

Phil Steele points out the dilemma perfectly. He has the Hawkeyes ranked 16th in his power poll and points out that they are at least the 16th best team in the nation, but ranks them 20th in his actual top 40 poll because of the brutal schedule.

While most of the country is expecting a 2-2 split in those four road games and a third place conference finish with a Capital One Bowl berth, many Hawkeye fans are expecting much more.

Many Iowans are expecting a 3-1 record in those games, with most of them agreeing a win would come against Penn State. With that mentality, the Hawkeyes would be 11-1, which means some fans are expecting no less than a BCS Bowl.

We already know that the defense and the offensive line are good enough to achieve this record. Phil Steele says the linebacking corps, which is led by Pat Angerer, "may be the best in the country." The defensive backfield, which was seventh in the nation in pass defense, may be even better this year.

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg calls cornerback Amari Spievey "one of the best in the country" and Tyler Sash should improve on a very impressive sophomore season in which he was tied for the Big Ten lead with five interceptions.

The offensive line, led by possible top 10 draft pick Bryan Bulaga, figues to be one of the best in the nation, as confirmed by many experts including ESPN's Adam Rittenberg and Phil Steele.

While many positions are good enough to maybe even compete for a national title, quarterback Ricky Stanzi is feeling the heat. While he improved greatly over his sophomore season, including leading his team on a game winning drive against Penn State, some feel that his success was only due to Shonn Greene.

Many don't think he will be able to do the same thing with new running back Jewel Hampton.

Hampton is a lot better than most people think. He rushed for almost 500 yards last year as a backup. He will have an even better offensive line in 2009 that should open up even more holes than it did for Shonn Greene. Although he isn't Shonn Greene, he should be one of the better backs in the Big Ten.

Now, back to Stanzi. He has the potential to be an excellent college quarterback, but needs to improve on an average 2008 season for the Hawkeyes to have a legitimate shot at a Big Ten Championship or a BCS Bowl. Granted, he was just a sophomore last year and still has plenty of time to improve.

Last year, he always did enough to survive until Greene took over, but this year, with a less experienced running back, he will have to take over at times when Greene would have in 2008.

The thing that will help Stanzi this year is an improved batch of wide receivers. Last year, his receivers didn't help him out very much and he had to mainly rely on his tight ends. This year, the whole receiving corps will be improved.

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