Phil Steele Projected Preseason AP Top 10

C

CHShawk

Well-Known Member
Phil Steele


#7 IOWA - Last year the Hawkeyes entered the season #22 and even I had them only #20 but did write an article in July which compared them to Alabama of 2008. Keep in mind Alabama finished the regular season #1 in ‘08 despite only being ranked #24 to start the year. Just like Alabama, all of Iowa’s losses the previous year were close and keeping them down in the rankings was a schedule that had road games vs Penn St, Wisconsin, Michigan St and Ohio St. The Hawkeyes almost went undefeated during the regular season and had they not lost QB Stanzi vs Northwestern, could actually have been playing in the Title game. This year they will not be under the radar. DE Adrain Clayborn turned down the NFL and the bulk of their outstanding defense that shutdown Georgia Tech in the bowl holding them to 155 yards offense and 9 FD’s, is back. Offensively almost all of the key players are back as well and Iowa gets to host Ohio St. The Hawkeyes’ road slate this year is vs Arizona, Michigan, Indiana, Northwestern and Minnesota which is much more manageable than last season.
 
Phil Steele is one of the best prognosticators in the business.

This is very encouraging from the Iowa perspective!

Let's hope for an injury-free 2010!!!
 
"here you have it - My projections for the AP Preseason Top 10. As mentioned a couple of times in this article, these WILL NOT BE THE TOP 10 IN MY MAGAZINE."

This is at the bottom of the article. Still good news but Phil Steele is not saying he thinks Iowa is the 7th best team.
 
BSpringsteen said:
You worried Jon?
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Iowa will have Riley Reiff and Julian Vandervelde as players returning with more than two or three career starts. Eubanks was a three year starter as was Bulaga and Calloway. Richardson started whenever he was healthy from his freshman year on. That is four significant contributors gone. Dieting at least knew the drill and he is gone too. So there is five of your top eight linemen that are gone.

So yes, I am concerned about so many unknowns on the line, not just four lost starters, but five of the top eight.

The last time Iowa was this young on the OL their QB was sacked more times than any other in the nation (2007).
 
GodGodGodBathia said:
What OL rebuilding? The OL was in pieces the entire year...soooo...
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With the exception of two games there were at least three multiyear starters last year that were in the game and most of the time there were at least four

also gone is arguably the best blocker in the running game, Moeaki

that is a lot of loss
 
We should ask Norm Parker about the OL at the banquet on the 17th. I wonder what he would say.

It does seem that the OL is the big weakness right now - perhaps Kirk will work his magic again.

Perhaps we change the offense a little bit, and throw more quick outs (we will certainly have the talent at WR). It seems like Northwestern makes that work every year with pretty mediocre O lines.
 
I would suggest that the tight end in our offense is the "sixth lineman" and that Reisner appears to be an excellent, physical blocker.

So in my mind we have 3 of 6 starters returning on the offensive line. Perhaps Kirk's son and Hundtermark (sp?) can make a big difference.
 
Adam Gettis, Josh Koeppel both have 'real' game experience and I think that 2-3 more solid offensive lineman will emerge in the spring. With the juggling, injuries/sickness etc that the O line had early this year, we may be further ahead at the start of next year. Time will tell on when and if this group gels, however, I have every confidence in Reese, Doyle and KF that it will, indeed, gel.
 
Given one of the returning OL is Julian Vandevelde, my optimism is not real high.

He has rarely impressed me, and was tied with Raffy as the weak link of our OL in 2009.

But, I trust Reese and definitely trust Coach Ferentz.

It will all work out
 
JonDMiller said:
Iowa will have Riley Reiff and Julian Vandervelde as players returning with more than two or three career starts. Eubanks was a three year starter as was Bulaga and Calloway. Richardson started whenever he was healthy from his freshman year on. That is four significant contributors gone. Dieting at least knew the drill and he is gone too. So there is five of your top eight linemen that are gone.

So yes, I am concerned about so many unknowns on the line, not just four lost starters, but five of the top eight.

The last time Iowa was this young on the OL their QB was sacked more times than any other in the nation (2007).
Click to expand...

We also had a qb that season to had zero ability to throw the ball away.
 
jparmley3 said:
Given one of the returning OL is Julian Vandevelde, my optimism is not real high.

He has rarely impressed me, and was tied with Raffy as the weak link of our OL in 2009.

But, I trust Reese and definitely trust Coach Ferentz.

It will all work out
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I felt Eubanks played pretty well the latter half of the season. I would take him back for next year right now if we could massage the rule book
 
Another issue we have on the Oline is size. The people that we have coming aren't exactly road graders. We'll really have to be able to sceme and execute, 'cuz we ain't blowin' anyone off the line of scrimmage!
 
jparmley3 said:
Given one of the returning OL is Julian Vandevelde, my optimism is not real high.

He has rarely impressed me, and was tied with Raffy as the weak link of our OL in 2009.

But, I trust Reese and definitely trust Coach Ferentz.

It will all work out
Click to expand...

I'm going to step-in here and say that Julian Vandevelde, a 2 year starter at Iowa, will be a very solid lineman to build this offensive line in 2009. Actually, I think Julian will get a shot in the NFL. Moves well for a big guy and very smart guy.
 
GhostofBTT said:
Phil Steele had Illinois at #19..ahead of Iowa last year. Keep that in mind when handing out your kudos.
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Ghost.............is this correct? He really ranked the Illini in his Top 20, preseason for 2009? That is embarrassing for Phil, who I think is one of the best.
 
edgyhawk said:
Another issue we have on the Oline is size. The people that we have coming aren't exactly road graders. We'll really have to be able to sceme and execute, 'cuz we ain't blowin' anyone off the line of scrimmage!
Click to expand...

With Reif and probably Nolan McMillan, we should have pretty good size at OT... There are also some other fairly good sized youngsters that might start to make some noise as well.
 
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