I love the optimism, and I can understand it, but I'm not sold on it just yet. Yes, I probably am one of those Hawkeye fans that needs to get over the 'we're Iowa so expect a letdown' mentality, but last year did nothing to make that go away. There are a lot of question marks and a lot of potential bright spots but I'm not even going to focus on that right now. Our schedule is what has me nervous. Yes, on paper it looks as though we have a favorable schedule but IMO we're going to need it. Here's the teams I see as potential road bumps.
Penn State - really, how bad can Ferentz dominate this team? they have to win one of these sooner or later, odds would say sooner but who knows.
Northwestern - Persa is good. I mean real good. These guys will be tough even at Kinnick.
Michigan - its cliche but IMO its true; they are Michigan, they will be back. They do have a new coach but that may not necessarily be a bad thing for them and they have an experienced playmaker at QB. I have the feeling they are on the verge of being a dominating program once again. People keep pointing out our similarities to '02, the question I have is this-did Michigan just have their '01 Hawkeye season or is it coming this year? Hopefully its coming this year but they could make a run at the division.
Michigan State - revenge factor X10. They gotta hate us, plus they may have the 2nd best QB in the conference this year.
Purdue - I think they're going to be solid this year and we have them on the road after Mich and MSU and right before heading to Lincoln. Another cliche but that could spell t-r-a-p.
Nebraska - favorites to win not only the division but the conference and its on the road. Right now you have to give Nebby the edge on this game (and it hurts saying that) but theres a lot of time between now and then, lots can happen.
OOC
ISU - not worried about this one, but I guess it is technically a rivalry.
Pitt - not too worried about this one either, especially with the coaching change fiasco, but they are one of the favorites to win the Big East FWIW.
The road games (PSU, Purdue, Nebby): hey, 2 outta 3 aint bad.
Home games (NW, MI, MSU): same, 2/3.
So at my most optmistic I see 2 losses. I would sign up for that right now. But there could easily be 4 losses (PSU, NW, MI, NE) or more depending on injuries and how the ball bounces. Could be a really special season, could be a really frustrating one. One thing is for sure, it should be a really entertaining one.
I'll go out on a limb and say I predict 9-3, but its a pessimistic 9-3 that depends on JVB and Coker staying healthy. I like how someone mentioned Hawkeye fans need to start getting used to reloading. Not sure that we're quite there yet, but if my pessimistic prediction is only 3 losses, well that's getting damn close to being there.