Iowa Hawkeyes' 2011 Football Schedule: Game-by-Game Breakdown
Where it concerns Iowa's 2011 schedule, perhaps the most notable thing to look at is who isn't on it, as much as who is.
The Hawks miss Ohio State, Wisconsin and Illinois. The Bucks figure to be the favorite to win the Eastern Division, while Wisconsin will be a contender. Meanwhile, Illinois should be competitive.
Moreover, the Hawks' only tough road trips are at Iowa State, Penn State and Nebraska.
If I were to lazily rank the Big Ten schedules right now, I'd probably say that Iowa has the second softest in-conference schedule next to the Illini.
It's hard to say whether that will help or hurt, as Iowa missed Ohio State and Michigan in 2007, and they wound up missing a bowl for the first time since 2000.
Nevertheless, it is now 2011 and hopefully we can finally put a mysterious, disappointing, frustrating and often embarrassing 2010 behind us.
Please, let's let it end and put it behind us.
Without further adieu, the 2011 Iowa Hawkeyes' schedule.
Tennesee Tech Golden Eagles
1 of 13
When: September 3, 2011
Where: Kinnick Stadium
Opponent's Recent History: Tech's 2010 record was 5-6 and sixth place in the Ohio Valley Conference (FCS). They played two FBS opponents: Arkansas and TCU. They lost both games by a combined score of 106-10.
Game Outlook: Tennessee Tech should be a sacrificial lamb for the Hawks.
Yes, I remember the 2009 two-blocked field-goal game against UNI, and I know full well how Iowa tends to "play down" to its competition. However, UNI is a perennial powerhouse in the FCS, which means that realistically, they can and do compete with FBS teams.
On the other hand, the Golden Eagles have had exactly one winning season since 2003. That winning season was 2008, and they went 6-5.
If Kirk Ferentz doesn't start clearing his bench by the beginning of the second half, he really needs to reevaluate how he prepares for these sorts of games.
At Iowa State Cyclones
2 of 13
When: September 10, 2011
Where: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
Opponent's Recent History: ISU's 2010 record was 5-7.
Iowa has beaten ISU for the past three years by a combined score of 87-15. They have gone 6-4 against the Clones over the past 10 years. They have also gone 2-3 in Jack Trice over the past five meetings.
Before and After: The Cyclones play Northern Iowa the week before and are at Connecticut the week after.
Probable Area(s) of Strength: Defensive front seven and cornerbacks
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Offensive skill positions and safeties
Game Outlook: ISU will be returning five on offense and seven on defense. They will be breaking in a new quarterback.
It is impossible to predict this game from year to year. However, on paper, Iowa should be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and should be the heavy favorite.
Pittsburgh Panthers
3 of 13
When: September 17, 2011
Where: Kinnick Stadium
Opponent's Recent History: Pitt went 8-5 in 2010, including a strong bowl win over Kentucky.
The Hawks last played Pitt in 2008. Along with Wisconsin in 2010, that was arguably the most poorly coached game in Kirk Ferentz's career. It was also the last game that Jake Christensen started at quarterback. Iowa lost the game 21-20.
The Panthers will be breaking in a new coach in Todd Graham
Before and After: Pittsburgh plays Maine the week before and Notre Dame the week after. Both games are at Pittsburgh.
Probable Area(s) of Strength: Defense and quarterback
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Offensive line and continuity
Game Outlook: This will be Todd Graham's first road test with Pittsburgh. Pitt will be returning six on offense and eight on defense. If the Panthers can adjust to Graham's offensive scheme, they should be a very formidable opponent.
Nevertheless, I expect this one to be a low-scoring, defensive game. It could come down to turnovers and special-teams play.
The Panthers will be breaking in a new kicker and punter, while Iowa will be breaking in a new punter and new return men.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
4 of 13
When: September 24, 2011
Where: Kinnick Stadium
Opponent's Recent History: The Warhawks went 5-7 last season. They tied for fourth place in the Sun Belt Conference.
ULM became an FBS team in 1994, and has not had a winning record since leaving the FCS. They have never been to a bowl game.
This will be the second year in Monroe for head coach Todd Berry.
Before and After: TBA
Probable Area(s) of Strength: Offensive skill positions and the passing game
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Defensive line
Game Outlook: ULM returns 10 on offense and nine on defense, so there is potential on this team. However, as their recent record indicates, there is no reason to believe the Warhawks are any serious threat.
If Iowa lets ULM stay in the game—as Iowa has a history of doing with weaker opponents—this could be a major upset. If the Hawks establish their physical dominance early, then they should have a good chance to clear the bench in the fourth quarter.
It should also be noted that Iowa has a bye the week after this game.
At Penn State Nittany Lions
5 of 13
When: October 8, 2011
Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
Opponent's Recent History: Penn State went 7-6 last year, including an Outback Bowl loss to Florida. Last season, the Hawkeyes beat the Nits 24-3.
Iowa is 7-1 against PSU over the last 10 years. In that time, they are 3-1 in Happy Valley.
Before and After: Penn State is at Indiana the week before and they play Purdue the week after.
Probable Area(s) of Strength: The secondary, defensive line and receivers. The Penn State secondary should be amongst the best in the conference.
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Offensive line, kicker and continuity at quarterback.
Game Outlook: As the recent history indicates, Kirk Ferentz seems to have Joe Paterno's number.
This season, Penn State returns eight on both sides of the ball. If they can get their quarterback situation straightened out, they should be OSU's primary competition to win next season's Big Ten East Division.
More than anything else, I think the schedule helps Iowa out next year. I think PSU's offense will potentially be much more dangerous by the end of the season than it will at the beginning.
On the other hand, the Nit's defense should be much improved from last year's squad.
This one will be won in the trenches.
Northwestern Wildcats
6 of 13
When: October 15, 2011
Where: Kinnick Stadium
Opponent's Recent History: Last season, NU went 7-6, including a bowl loss to Texas Tech. The Cats beat Iowa in 2010 by a score of 21-17.
Over the last 10 years, Iowa is 3-5 against the Wildcats. NU is 3-1 in Kinnick over that stretch of time. Four of the last six meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less, with every one of those four games going to the Cats.
Before and After: Northwestern plays Michigan the week before facing Iowa and Penn State the week after.
Probable Area(s) of Strength: Quarterback, receivers, defensive line and secondary
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Linebackers, depth and special teams
Game Outlook: Northwestern returns nine on offense and seven on defense. As with Iowa State, this one is impossible to look at analytically.
However, I will say that for the first time in a while, I wouldn't necessarily favor the Hawks going into this game (eight months out). Maybe that's a good thing.
In the end, if Iowa can establish their running game and control Dan Persa, they should win. Of course, neither of those goals will be easy to accomplish, especially controlling Persa.
Indiana Hoosiers
7 of 13
When: October 22, 2011
Where: Kinnick Stadium
Opponent's Recent History: Indiana went 5-7 in 2010. When Iowa played them, a dropped pass in the end zone saved an 18-13 win for the Hawks.
Over the last 10 years, Iowa is 6-2 against IU. Since 2001, Indiana is 1-3 in Kinnick Stadium.
Indiana will have a new coach: former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.
Before and After: The Hoosiers will be at Wisconsin the week before. The week after they will have Northwestern at home.
Probable Area(s) of Strength: Running back, receivers
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Quarterback, secondary
Game Outlook: Next season, Iowa should have its most dominant running game since 2008. When Iowa has a dominant running game, they typically run over inferior competition.
If the running game is as expected, Iowa will look to dominate at the point of attack, and steamroll the Hoosiers the same way they did in 2008's 45-9 rout.
Meanwhile, IU will attempt to implement Kevin Wilson's no-huddle, pass-heavy, spread offense—a scheme that seemed to wear the Iowa defense down multiple times last season.
Put simply, if Iowa dominates at the point of attack, they will win. If Indiana is allowed to control the clock and sustain drives, they will win.
At Minnesota Golden Gophers
8 of 13
When: October 29, 2011
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Opponent's Recent History: Minnesota went 3-9 last season. One of those wins was a 27-24 victory over an Iowa team that left their game in Iowa City.
Over the last 10 years, Iowa has gone 8-2 against the Gophers. 2011 will be only the third season for TCF Bank Stadium. Regardless, Iowa has gone 3-2 at Minnesota over the last 10 seasons.
The Gophers will have a new coach in Jerry Kill, the former coach of the Northern Illinois Huskies.
Before and After: Minnesota will be at Nebraska the week before and will host Michigan State the week after.
Probable Area(s) of Strength: Receivers, kick and punt returns.
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Offensive line, kicking game, secondary.
Game Outlook: The Golden Gophers have six returning on offense and nine on defense.
The defense in question was porous last season, so it remains to be seen how they will do this season. However, it is safe to assume they will be better. The question will be how much better.
The offense will also be something of a mystery as the season opens up. Nevertheless, Jerry Kill will have two dangerous playmakers in receiver Da'Jon McKnight and probable quarterback MarQueis Gray.
Either way, this will be another case where Iowa should be able to dominate the line of scrimmage. If they do that, they should win handily.
Michigan Wolverines
9 of 13
When: November 5, 2011
Where: Kinnick Stadium
Opponent's Recent History: In 2010, Michigan went 7-6, including a humiliating 14-52 Gator Bowl loss to Mississippi State.
Last season, Iowa beat Michigan 38-28. Over the last 10 years, the Hawks are 4-4 against the Wolverines and 2-2 at Kinnick.
Michigan will be breaking in a new coach in former San Diego State and Ball State head coach Brady Hoke.
Before and After: UM will be playing Purdue the week before they play Iowa, and will be at Illinois the week after.
Probable Area(s) of Strength: Offensive line, receivers. Michigan should have the best group of receivers in the Big Ten.
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Kicking game, continuity and confidence
Game Outlook: The Wolverines will have 10 returning on offense and eight on defense. With that luxury, most Michigan teams of the past century would have gone into 2011 as the overwhelming favorite to win the conference, let alone the new Western division.
Not this group.
I'm not counting them out, mind you. Nevertheless, there are a lot of questions that Brady Hoke will have to answer; the biggest of which is whether Denard Robinson can be an effective quarterback in his pro-style system.
By the time November 5 comes rolling around, we will know the answer to that question.
Michigan State Spartans
10 of 13
When: November 12, 2011
Where: Kinnick Stadium
Opponent's Recent History: Last season, MSU went 11-2. Despite being a potential BCS bowl team, they got absolutely shellacked by Alabama in an embarrassing 7-49 Cap One Bowl.
Their lone regular season loss of 2010 came to Iowa by an almost equally embarrassing 6-37 drubbing.
Over the last 10 years, Iowa is 5-3 against the Spartans and 4-0 at Kinnick. In fact, Michigan State has not won at Kinnick since 1989.
Before and After: MSU has Minnesota the week before and Indiana the week after.
Probable Area(s) of Strength: Offensive skill positions, defensive line, place kicking and return game
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Linebackers, offensive line, punter
Game Outlook: With seven returning on offense and six on D, Michigan State will enter 2011 as the slight favorite to win the wide-open Big Ten West. They will also arguably have the most to prove, outside of Michigan.
There is no getting around the fact that a number of little things went their way last season. Moreover, they were the beneficiaries of an extremely soft schedule. That won't be the case this season.
Most of the Spartans' toughest games will be in October, so by the time they reach Iowa City, they will be well tested.
I look for this one to be close, and more reminiscent of the 2009 nail-biter than last year's lopsided win.
Last team with the ball wins the game.
At Purdue Boilermakers
11 of 13
When: November 19, 2011
Where: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana
Opponent's Recent History: In an injury-plagued 2010, Purdue went 4-8, including six losses in a row to end the season.
Iowa has not played the Boilers since 2008. Over the last 10 years, the Hawks are 5-3 against Purdue and 1-3 in West Lafayette.
This will be Danny Hope's third year as coach, and he will be expected to get Purdue to its first bowl game since 2007.
Before and After: The Boilermakers will be playing Ohio State the week before and will be at Indiana the week after.
Probable Area(s) of Strength: Running back, offensive line, punting
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Pass defense and pass rush
Game Outlook: Purdue has seven or eight returning on offense (depending upon receiver Keith Smith's status) and nine returning on defense.
There really don't appear to be any glaring weaknesses on this team. On the other hand, outside of returning tailback Ralph Bolden and potentially Smith, there don't appear to be any big-time playmakers.
Much as with so many other matchups in 2011, if Iowa can out-physical the Boilers, then the Hawks will win.
At Nebraska Cornhuskers
12 of 13
When: November 26, 2011
Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
Opponent's Recent History: Nebraska went 10-4 last season, including a 20-23 Big 12 title game loss to Oklahoma and a 7-19 Holiday Bowl loss to Washington.
The last two times Iowa and Nebraska met was 1999 and 2000; the first two years of Kirk Ferentz's tenure as head coach of the Hawks. The Huskers won by a combined score of 84-20.
Before and After: The Huskers will be at Michigan the week before.
Probable Area(s) of Strength: Running back, defensive front seven. NU should have one of the most formidable front sevens in the conference.
Probable Area(s) of Weakness: Offensive line, receivers, special teams
Game Outlook: By the time this game rolls around, the Iowa running game should be chugging along. If the Hawks can avoid the injury bug, the Iowa O versus the Nebraska D will be a battle of two units at the top of their respective games.
In effect, the game might come down to the Nebraska O versus the Iowa D. Whichever group has it more figured out by then could make the difference.
The Big Ten Championship Game
13 of 13
When: December 3, 2011
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Who: If I were laying odds, I'd say Ohio State is a 2-to-1 shot at representing the East. Penn State is 3-to-1. I'd put Wisconsin at 12-to-1, Purdue at 20-to-1, Illinois at 50-to-1 and Indiana at 99-to-1.
Meanwhile, I think the West is wide open, and I wouldn't be surprised if any team other than Minnesota wins it. I don't even think Minnesota is as much of a long shot as Indiana.
I think the team that does win it will have at least two in-conference losses, and as many as three.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
