Iowa Football: Can The Hawkeyes Get Back To Indianapolis

One drive by Connor Cook and the Michigan State Spartans was all that stood between the Iowa Hawkeyes and a Big Ten Title, and a spot in the College Football Playoff. But, alas. It wasn’t meant to be. But, in 2017, can the Hawkeyes get back to Indianapolis?

Preseason hype and national fanfare usually isn’t an exact recipe for success for Kirk Ferentz led Iowa teams since he took over in the 1999 season. Getting things done with little pre and early season precision have springboarded the Hawkeyes to some of their best teams in 2002, 2004, 2008, and 2015. Can this Iowa group have similar successes. It remains to be seen, but some of the ingredients appear to be in place.

The favorite among the West division teams is Wisconsin. The Badgers who have been to the most championship games since its inception in 2011 are coming off an 11 win season, and sport a cast of players that could see them end up in Indianapolis in December. But, the recent lose of senior linebacker Jack Cichy will be tough to get over.

The game in Madison against the Hawkeyes could play a huge factor on the division face. The Badgers have won 4 of the last 5 in the rivalry, but the Hawkeyes won the last meeting in Madison in 2015, 10-6.

The next team that is presumed to be a ‘player’ in the West are the Northwestern Wildcats. Pat Fitzgerald and the ‘Cats haven’t made an appearance in Indy yet. And, despite being the second longest tenured head coach in the Big Ten behind Kirk Ferentz, Fitzgerald has not won a title in the conference yet, despite doing so as a player and assistant coach.

Nebraska and Minnesota have questions going into this season. Mike Riley could use a big season in 2017. The Huskers have yet to assert any dominance of the 90’s in the Big Ten, and it isn’t likely that it would start this season. Fleck and the Gophers are in year one of the ‘Rowing The Boat’ era in Minneapolis. A trip to Indianapolis right away would be a shock. Especially since Minnesota hasn’t won 10 games since 2003.

And, lets simply say that it would be a shock if Illinois crawled out of the Big Ten West basement, and made the 2 hour drive to Indy.

But, the Hawkeyes have a realistic shot to surprise in 2017.

The quarterback position does remain murky heading into the latter weeks of August, and there is great unknowns about what to expect from new OC Brian Ferentz, wide receivers and a young secondary. But, some of the unknowns might work to the Hawkeyes advantage.

Despite only getting 5 total votes on the first edition of the coaches poll, Big Ten analyst Gerry DiNardo has already sung the Hawkeyes praises during his recent visit to Iowa City:

And, as for those young, inexperienced wide receivers. Maybe they will come along faster than most anticipated:

The backbone of this Hawkeye team will undoubtedly be the offensive line and the linebackers. Both units feature outstanding upperclassmen who were decorated with preseason award designations. With dynamics running back threats James Butler and Akrum Wadley running the ball, it could be the best running duo in the conference.

And, the senior group of Josey Jewell, Bo Bower and Ben Niemann, the Hawkeyes have the talent and game-experience on defense to handle late game pressure. Also, this is a group that was on the field for the 9 minute and 4 second drive by the Spartans in 2015 to effectively end the Hawkeyes perfect season. This group knows about big pressure.

Will this group deal with the inexperience, a tough schedule and a competitive division to win their second trip to Indianapolis?

We’ll leave predictions for another day.