Iowa Football: Ranking The Opposition For The 2017 Season
By Joe Favia
The Hawkeyes go into the 2017 season this Fall with tempered hype in terms of national expectations. Some media outlets forecast middle of the Big Ten West results, while others think this will be a ‘rebuild’ year, if there is such a thing in college football.
But, as the tenure of Kirk Ferentz has proven, some seasons predictions often can go ‘out the window’ as far as the Hawkeyes are concerned. They were blown out last season at Penn State, and then knocked off #2 Michigan the next week; when it was nearly inconceivable for them to beat Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines.
But, the 2017 season does come with many question marks going forward.
- Who will win the quarterback job, Tyler Wiegers, Nathan Stanley or potentially someone else?
- Can the team find new solid starters on the interior of the defensive line and in the secondary?
- And, who will be starting at the depleted wide receiver position?
But, the Hawkeyes possess strengths such as the Joe Moore Award winning offensive line returning, and three senior starting linebackers. And, with new offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, it may keep some teams on their toes, not knowing what to expect. Well table predictions until we get closer to the season opener.
So, lets take a look at the schedule, and see the obstacles that are coming.