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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, August 20, 2009

CFB: Top 25 Countdown: No. 24 Iowa


By Randall Perry
McClatchy Newspapers

No. 24 Iowa

Coach: Kirk Ferentz

Record at school: 70-53, 10 years

Last season: 9-4, 5-3 Big Ten

Bowl game: Beat South Carolina, 31-10, in the Outback Bowl

Overview: Kirk Ferentz is second to Joe Paterno in longevity among Big Ten
coaches. Only Hayden Fry, who coached the Hawkeyes for 20 years, has coached
longer at Iowa. Ferentz signed an extension with the school that runs
through 2015.

Key returnees: QB Ricky Stanzi, Jr.; WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Jr.; TE
Tony Moeaki, Sr.; OT Bryan Bulaga, Jr.; LB Pat Angerer, Sr.; CB Amari
Spievey, Jr.

Why Iowa is dangerous: It has a solid offense. Ricky Stanzi started as a
sophomore at quarterback and passed for 1,956 yards. Wide receiver Derrell
Johnson-Koulianos was a main target and junior offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga
is an emerging star. Defensively, the Hawkeyes were 12th in the country
overall. Linebacker Pat Angerer and cornerback Amari Spievey had productive
seasons.

Why Iowa is vulnerable: Running back Shonn Greene decided to skip his senior
season and entered the NFL Draft. The Doak Walker Award winner and Big Ten
MVP rushed for 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. Defensively, the
heart of Iowa's line, tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul, were seniors last
season and have to be replaced.

Prediction: Iowa's record will look much as it did last season, possibly
worse. The Hawkeyes have conference road games at Penn State, Wisconsin,
Michigan State and Ohio State, and home games against Arizona and Michigan
won't be pushovers. Iowa should be bowl-eligible, but playing on New Year's
Day is not likely.