SI Early Top 25

[burky247]

Which teams would you have in your top five? I think every team except Boise State, which returns 21 of 22 starters, has question marks. Obviously being an Iowa fan you follow the Hawks more closely than many of the experts, but I think sometimes this means you become overly critical of the weaknesses of this team compared to their strengths.

If this wasn't Iowa and you heard that a team went 11-2 and soundly defeated the ACC champion GT in the Orange Bowl last year. Returned 9 of 11 starters on D, including possibly the best D-Line in the country. Returned maybe the best senior punter in the country. Their top two RBs, both who were freshman last season, returned as well as the preseason starter from last year who missed all of last season with an injury. They had possibly the most talented WR group in school history and a senior QB who is 18-4 as a starter. Yes, they're losing four starters on the offensive line but their head coach is regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in the country. Are you telling me that doesn't sound like a top 5 team to you?

Good post. I'm not saying Iowa won't be good. Just that I don't see them as a Top 5 team early in the season. Had we not lost Bulaga, I could have seen us worthy of a spot. Iowa football is all about the offensive line. As great as KF is, he's not a miracle worker. It will take a little time for the less experienced guys to get going on the OLine. KF's methods seem to be about technique and repetition. I am confident he will get them where he wants them to be. But it may be a little ugly early on. People expecting 42-0 blowouts at the beginning of the year because we are a Top 5 team are going to be disappointed.

I'm not going to say who I think should be in the Top 5, because that wasn't the point I was trying to make. I'm not trying to say Team A or B is better than Iowa and deserve to be ranked higher. As others have said, it's just a preseason poll(by SI no less) and those are normally based on the previous years results and returning starters. I think it's great publicity to have the Top 5 ranking. I just hope people on here temper their enthusiasm a little. Because I think it will take a little time before we start hitting on all cylinders.

I was kind of surprised by Oregon's ranking. 19 returning starters off of a 10-3 team. I think I would have had them higher than #8(if this is in fact the criteria they are going by). Yes they lost their QB for the year. But they return their entire offensive line so that should be a benefit. Bama at #1 with only two defensive starters returning also was an eye opener.

 

[JHHawk]

I think Oregon took a huge hit,perception-wise, when they lost that star qb. He made them go last year. Maybe they have a great guy in the wings,but hard to believe he could be as impactful as the guy they lost.

I think these ratings are always going to be a mixed bag between actual talent on a team and how teams will fare against their schedule. Right now, on paper, Iowa will be a favorite in at least 10 games...maybe Az and OSU being the exception. Last year at this time, the prognosticators were acknowledging Iowa had a good team but a daunting road schedule kept them out of the rankings. This year we have a good road schedule,which means we could win all of our games,so despite losing 4 key guys on the O-line including Tony Mo.,and 3 all conference defenders, Iowa is getting the nice rating. I agree that we will look so-so early on due to O-line struggles,and that could remain that way thruout...which could mean losses at Az,and elsewhere.

There are always teams who fall from grace,and get labeled huge disapointments...I am just praying that team is not Iowa.

 

[tm3308]

Good post. I'm not saying Iowa won't be good. Just that I don't see them as a Top 5 team early in the season. Had we not lost Bulaga, I could have seen us worthy of a spot. Iowa football is all about the offensive line. As great as KF is, he's not a miracle worker. It will take a little time for the less experienced guys to get going on the OLine. KF's methods seem to be about technique and repetition. I am confident he will get them where he wants them to be. But it may be a little ugly early on. People expecting 42-0 blowouts at the beginning of the year because we are a Top 5 team are going to be disappointed.

I'm not going to say who I think should be in the Top 5, because that wasn't the point I was trying to make. I'm not trying to say Team A or B is better than Iowa and deserve to be ranked higher. As others have said, it's just a preseason poll(by SI no less) and those are normally based on the previous years results and returning starters. I think it's great publicity to have the Top 5 ranking. I just hope people on here temper their enthusiasm a little. Because I think it will take a little time before we start hitting on all cylinders.

I was kind of surprised by Oregon's ranking. 19 returning starters off of a 10-3 team. I think I would have had them higher than #8(if this is in fact the criteria they are going by). Yes they lost their QB for the year. But they return their entire offensive line so that should be a benefit. Bama at #1 with only two defensive starters returning also was an eye opener.

Not only did 'Bama lose 9 defensive starters, but I believe it was SI that actually said their DEFENSE would be a strength this year. WTF?

 

[hawkeye2188]

Its nice to see Iowa in the top 5, but i think they truley belong at 8 or 9, if the OL gels and is good then yea they deserve a top 5, but at the moment they have holes to fill.

 

[hawkeye2188]

Not only did 'Bama lose 9 defensive starters, but I believe it was SI that actually said their DEFENSE would be a strength this year. WTF?

Bama reloads like OSU and USC, and they have a great defensive minded coach in Saban.

 

[tm3308]

Bama reloads like OSU and USC, and they have a great defensive minded coach in Saban.

9 starters? Come on. How did that work for USC last year, even with a defensive-minded coach in Carroll? 'Bama may have a good defense again, but it won't touch what they had in 2009. Not even close.

 

[whammer33024]

combine statements 20, 21 and 25. hawkeyemike in 20 got it right. obviously the people that post on this site pay more attention to iowa. they know where the hawks are strong, and they know where the hawks are weak. right now, the main concern is in the offensive line.

now, using hawkeye2188's logic with saban, then KF is a hell of an O-line coach and therefore we have nothing to worry about, correct? but burky says he's not a miracle worker but not many people are that worried about bama's defense. going back to the point that we don't really know what saban has down there so we just assume he's going to be fine. you don't think the bama fans are worried about their defense?

i'm with tm3308, bama's defense may be solid again, but it won't be 2009's defense. you can't lose that many starters and be THAT good again the next year.

i'm predicting a number 8 ranking to start the year...a couple close wins and we fall to 12 and have to work our way back up the rankings as the team begins to gel together. which is why i have us pegged in the rose bowl and not the national championship