Iowa's Kirk Ferentz: Year 17 and "never been kissed" as head coach ...

Iowa City, IA -- The University of Iowa is coming off a "disappointing" season a year ago. Whether it be athletic director Gary Barta, head coach Kirk Ferentz, the team or the Hawkeyes' fans, the 45-28 defeat to a young and upcoming Tennessee Volunteers' squad, ending with a 7-6 record wasn't what many had expected for the Hawkeyes in 2014.

On Saturday, Kirk Ferentz conducted his 17th Media Day,
 as head coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa's Kirk Ferentz is the dean of Big Ten football coaches. He is entering his 17th season as head coach in 2015, after a total of 25 years in the Big Ten, with his first nine seasons, as Hayden Fry's offensive line coach, where Ferentz helped Fry and Iowa to their first Rose Bowl trip in the modern era and thirty years ago, Iowa's last #1 ranking in the college polls.

In 2015, Iowa is seeking first division title and date in the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time ever. Wisconsin was the inaugural Big Ten West champion last season, fueled by a 26-24 win at Iowa. The Hawkeyes were +10 underdogs and played catch up all game long.

The Orlando Sentinel writer Matt Murschel sees Iowa has a potential Top 25 team, listing the Hawkeyes at #26 in the preseason. In his outlook he suggests, "That said, there is plenty of youth and an early favorable schedule to help the team put together a strong run."

Ferentz has lead Iowa to four Top 8 finishes in the final AP Polls, with the highest finish a #7 ranking at the end of the 2009 season. The Hawkeyes opened the season at 9-0, the best start in Hawkeye history. In 2002, Iowa finished 8-0 in the Big Ten, the only undefeated conference season in the modern era, but the Hawkeyes came up short in the Orange Bowl against up and coming USC, at the time.

In 2009, the Hawkeyes capped off Ferentz' highest finish with a 24-14 Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech. In 2010, AD Barta extended Ferentz a ten year contract extension. After four Top 8 finishes, two Big Ten co-championships, a refurbished historic Kinnick Stadium, the extension was affirmed.

However, Iowa has finished only 34-30 over the past five seasons overall, with a 1-3 bowl record. The Big Ten record is only 19-21 in the Big Ten, with one winning season at 5-3 in 2013.

Throughout the BCS and now the College Football Playoff, the Iowa Hawkeyes have been shut out for 25 years from the Rose Bowl. It has been thirty years, since Iowa's last #1 ranking in the polls. Iowa is 1-1 in BCS bowls, and ...

The lows have many Hawkeyes fans bedazzled lately about Kirk Ferentz and the direction in Iowa City ...

In his 17th University of Iowa football media day, head coach Ferentz remained steadfast. The Hawkeyes are committed to being a Big Ten championship-caliber football team. 

So, what can we expect for the 2015 season with the Iowa Hawkeyes?

“Our focus remains on fundamentals, the basics, the things that make teams successful,” Ferentz said. “Whether it’s on the football field, in the classroom, or their citizenship; those things haven’t changed an awful lot over the years.”

• Iowa has better position groups in most areas compared to last season
• Depth is always a concern with programs, like the University of Iowa
• Balance on offense, as the Hawkeyes seek to improve running game
• Balance on defense, as Hawkeyes seek to improve rush defense and pass rush
• Improved special teams, as Hawkeyes return experience and may better utilize play-makers
• Better communication, coordination from a coaching staff entering 2nd, 3rd, 4th season
• A favorable schedule, unlike any season at Iowa, since division play kicked off, in 2011
• A hungry Black & Gold squad ...

Ferentz was an offensive line coach in the NFL for six years, prior to being hired at Iowa in December of 1998. After the bowl loss to Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Bowl, the Iowa coaching staff visited the returning roster and made a bold and important decision at quarterback. Ferentz announced a two-deep, in January, after the bowl game, which was a departure from past seasons.

“I believe we have a strong foundation in place right now, and feel good about the adjustments we’ve made since January,” Ferentz has told the media.

2015 Leadership Group: 16 Iowa Hawkeyes looked to be the
corner stone (leadership) of this edition of Hawkeye Football.

"The 2015 Leadership Group is led by a number of seniors who stepped forward as leaders throughout our winter program and spring practice," said Ferentz. "This senior class, along with the underclassmen named to this group, will be counted on to lead the way during the summer and into next season. I look forward to working with this group, as their leadership will play an important role in our program's success."

The seniors are OL Austin Blythe, RB Jordan Canzeri, DL Darian Cooper, FB Adam Cox, TE Jake Duzey, WR Jacob Hillyer, PK Marshall Koehn, DB Jordan Lomax, DE Nate Meier, DE Drew Ott, LB Travis Perry, FB Macon Plewa and WR Tevaun Smith. The junior class is represented by QB C.J. Beathard and RB LeShun Daniels, Jr., and LB Josey Jewell represents the sophomore class.

The Hawkeyes opened fall camp Thursday, with their first practice.  Saturday the team completed its third practice -- its first in pads. Ferentz has been impressed with the players’ retention early in camp, and he has seen maturation since spring ball in April.

“It’s a reflection of what they’ve put in with the strength and conditioning and they have been in tune football-wise,” he said. “That’s a key thing in college football, if you’re not improving weekly and daily, you’re going to be in trouble, especially in our program. We need guys to keep climbing the ladder.”

This is an Iowa team to be keeping an eye on, in the Big Ten West division race for 2015.

The schedule is very favorable, like the 2002 season, Iowa avoids the defending Big Ten champion in the regular conference season and the top dog in the Big Ten. Unlike 2002 season, Iowa doesn't play Michigan, Michigan State or Penn State either, in the regular conference season, which only makes the schedule deemed more favorable.

In 2002, Iowa was 5-0 over Indiana, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin.
Three others, who dot the 2015 Big Ten schedule are Illinois, Maryland and Nebraska. The new Big Ten presents an interesting opportunity for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The last time Iowa traveled to Wisconsin (2009) and Nebraska (2013), the Hawkeyes took care of business.

For the first time in three seasons, Iowa has a clear cut starter under center in junior C.J. Beathard. The Hawkeyes are hoping for a junior campaign, like former junior QB Matt Rodgers, who lead Iowa to a Big Ten title, after a disappointing 5-6 record during the 1989 season.

Ferentz has been impressed with the growth of Beathard as a leader.

“His demeanor is different,” said Ferentz. “He’s a much more mature guy, and he has accepted the responsibility. When you play quarterback there’s a lot of responsibility that goes with that. He has embraced it, is excited about it, and has played well in three days."

Iowa 2015 Quarterbacks:

• 16 C.J. Beathard, junior, lead Iowa to a comeback victory at Pittsburgh and 1-0 in this only previous start, after backing up former two-year starter, departed Jake Rudock, now at Michigan, as a fifth year senior
• 8 Tyler Wiegers, redshirt freshman, rated by Phil Steele (PS) as Iowa's top recruit in the Class of 2014. Wiegers is 6-4 222
• Two new freshmen bring a Beathard/Rudock feel to the class, as 11 Ryan Boyle is a playmaker runner/thrower, while other is Hawkeye legacy 18 Drew Cook, son of former Iowa TE Marv Cook is another good option down the line in the quarterback mix in Iowa City
• Less experience behind Iowa's starter, but more offensive balance at the position should have Iowa fans more excited for a possible breakout run for the Hawkeyes ...

C Austin Blythe 63 and QB C.J. Beathard 16 lead the battery
for the Iowa Hawkeyes on offense entering 2015. 

Ferentz says it is a race against time to get the five offensive linemen ready for the Sept. 5 season opener against Illinois State.

The offensive line always sets the tone, during the 25 years Kirk Ferentz has either lead the offensive line under Fry or lead the Hawkeyes as head coach. His son, Brian Ferentz, enters his fourth season at Iowa, as offensive line coach. This will be his first season as running game coordinator. Rumor last season was he got a trail run during Iowa's 48-7 win over Northwestern at Kinnick.

The Hawkeyes broke out in 2002, which was Iowa's fourth season under Ferentz, as head coach. It was also Iowa's fourth season under each coordinator. In 2015, Iowa will be in the fourth season under offensive coordinator Greg Davis and defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who has coached Iowa's secondary, beginning in Ferentz's first season in 1999.

Iowa doesn't have the 2002 offensive line, but Iowa doesn't have the schedule they faced in 2002 either, for the 2015 season. Iowa does have one of the better OL freshmen classes in the Big Ten in 2015, but they also have a good mix of letter-winners and players ready to serve as "next man in" at Iowa.

Iowa returns four players with experience on the interior of the line in seniors Austin Blythe, Jordan Walsh, sophomore Sean Welsh, and Eric Simmons, another senior. Two sophomores Ike Boettger and Boone Myers are on top of the depth chart at offensive tackle, with Ike on the right side and Boone on the left side.

The interior line play during the past five seasons has been very up and down, so 2015 will start with experience on the interior.

• 63 Austin Blythe, senior, an Iowa native, on the Remington and Outland trophy award watch lists, will anchor the 2015 Iowa offensive line. Playing both center and guard; started 31 straight games over the past three years and has 35 career starts
• The two guard positions will be likely sorted out by returning starters 73 Sean Welsh, sophomore and 65 Jordan Walsh, senior; while 58 Eric Simmons, senior, former freshman JUCO center at Iowa Western, another Iowa native
• Who else could figure in the mix for the Iowa Hawkeyes?
• Two new freshmen to keep an eye on are future center 78 James Daniels, a former Ohio State legacy offensive lineman; and 68 Landan Paulsen, one of two native Iowan twins. His brother will red-shirt, due to elbow injury. Two new freshmen rated top newcomers by PS
• Juniors 74 Mitch Keppy and 73 Ryan Ward are former Illinois preps, while redshirt freshmen 59 Ross Reynolds and 76 Dalton Ferguson, walk-on, both Iowans provide depth at guard

The offensive tackles for 2015 and beyond?

“It’s tougher to evaluate guys without pads on, but today was an encouraging start for us in the morning,” said Ferentz of an offensive line replacing two NFL Draft selections on the outside. “We have the makings, but it’s a matter of a race against the clock between now and that first game week.

“That will continue for a while. We have to be ready for some ups and downs, just like anytime you break in new players at new positions. C.J. doesn’t get that hall pass… the tackles do, not C.J.” 

• 52 Boone Myers, sophomore, Iowan, is next man in at Left Tackle, who as PS writes "former walk-on with a lot  of potential for success" ... Iowa is a program, like Alabama and Wisconsin known for providing offensive line talent for the NFL
• 75 Ike Boettger, sophomore, former Iowa high school quarterback and tight end at Right Tackle, who played as an extra TE last season and filled in for injured Outland Trophy winner Brandon Scherff (#5 NFL draft pick) early in 2015, at left tackle
• Depth begins with 64 Cole Croston, junior likely is the swing man early at offensive tackle, as #2 at left tackle. Two redshirt freshmen, 69 Keegan Render and 70 Lucas LeGrand provide depth, with junior 73 Ryan Ward, an option?

What type of offense will Iowa display in 2015?

It likely starts with QB Beathard, like in 2013, when QB Rudock scored five rushing touchdowns, and was asked by OC Davis to be a run-pass threat. In the bowl game vs. Tennessee, QB C.J. Beathard rushed for a career-high 82 yards on eight carries. Beathard completed 13-of-23 passes for 145 yards and a career-high two touchdowns (31, 18).

Running backs for 2015:

RB LeShun Daniels, Jr., 29 ran for his
first TD vs. UNI in '14 opener.

• 29 LeShun Daniels, Jr.,, junior, scored the first rushing touchdown of 2014, but was injured much of the season. Daniels is certainly a more prototypical running back to departed Mark Weisman, Iowa's top RB from 2012 to 2014
• 33 Jordan Canzeri, senior,  rushed 12 times for 120 yards vs. Tennessee, his second career 100-yard game. He has 1,089 career rushing yards, and is the 45th player in program history to amass 1,000 or more career rushing yards. He takes over the 3rd down back role of departed Damon Bulock
• Iowa has a better running back corp for 2015, than last year. Two sophomores are on the watch list, as 25 Akum Wadley, rushed for 100 yards vs. Northwestern, while converted wide receiver/athletic 32 Derek Mitchell, Jr. brings size and depth to the rotation. Ferentz always stresses ball security and some of Iowa's young RBs had trouble with fumbling in 2014



RB Jordan Canzeri 33 rushing
for 120 yards vs. Tennessee
in TaxSlayer Bowl vs. UT.

• Iowa's lone newcomer is freshman 23 Eric Graham from Alabama, with redshirt freshman 35 C.J. Hillard from Ohio, also here for depth

 Fullbacks are back and healthy again?

• Iowa has two solid senior fullbacks in 42 Macon Plewa and 38 Adam Cox, who was outstanding bulldozer in the running game during the 2013 season, but was injured all of 2014
• This has become a walk-on position at Iowa, where players elevate from no-name to possible star, like Mark Weisman. Iowa has a list of youngsters who will battle for future playing time over course of the next 12-16 months

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends for 2015:

Junior WR Matt VandeBerg
with his fist career TD vs.
Tennessee in TaxSlayer Bowl.

Will senior TE Jake Duzey 87 be back for the opening of
Big Ten play @ Wisconsin in 2015 on October 3rd?

Iowa needs more explosive plays on offense under Davis. Whether it be 12 yards or more rushing the ball or 16 yards or more in the passing game, Iowa's running backs, tight ends and wide receivers need to step up for C.J. Beathard in 2015. 

Iowa's top returning wide receiver
is senior Tevaun Smith 4, needs
to step up as the go-to WR for Iowa.

Iowa has two senior wide receivers and two senior tight ends that lead the receiving corp heading into 2015. The top returning Big Ten TE is senior Jake Duzey, who is back, but will miss possibly 4-6 games, due to a knee injury in the Spring. While senior WR Tevaun Smith is the top play-maker on the outside heading into 2015.

• Split end is lead by two seniors with 4 Tevaun Smith (4 career TDs) and 87 Jacob Hillyer (3 TDs) for 2015. Smith is a Toronto, Ontario, Canada, native led Iowa in receiving yards (596), ranked second in receptions (43), and hauled in three touchdown receptions
• Slot receivers are likely 89 Matt VandeBerg, junior, and 3 Jay Scheel, a redshirt freshman, who didn't begin to practice with the team, until bowl preparation. VandeBerg caught his first career touchdown pass (18 yards) in the fourth quarter vs. Tennessee. He had the longest pass play of returning WRs with a 44 yard catch at Pittsburgh
• Former running back 10 Jonathan Parker, sophomore, moves to wide receiver, after playing a lot of times in the slot in the rushing game. Parker scored on a 60 yard run (8.8 per carry) from the slot position as a freshman last season, but had trouble holding on the football at times
• Iowa has four non freshman wide receivers competing for playing time: junior 83 Riley McCarron, senior JUCO transfer 20 Andrew Stone, sophomore 86 Andre Harris and JUCO transfer 5 Ronald Nash, sophomore. Two other players down the road are 15 redshirt freshman Joshua Jackson, who was originally signed as a DB and walk-on 14 Connor Keane, sophomore.
• Iowa signed three new freshman at wide receiver with 6 Emmanuel Ogwo, 9 Jerminic Smith and 82 Adrian Falconer. WR coach Bobby Kennedy would like to see freshmen step up and contribute in 2015.
• Iowa has three tight ends with experience lead by 87 Jake Duzey, senior, 80 Henry Krieger Coble, senior and 46 George Kittle, junior. Duzey is on the Mackey watch list for 2015 and had a career day for a Hawkeye TE when Duzey recorded 138 yards (six catches, one touchdown) receiving against Ohio State in 2013, the most by a tight end under Ferentz. The other two have shown glimpses of of explosive play, while at Iowa
• Due to two senior TEs and Duzey's injury, redshirt freshman 20 Jameer Outsey has moved from LB to TE. Outsey was projected at either position out of New Jersey in 2014
• Sophomores 81 Jon Wisnieski and 86 Peter Pekar are expected to provide depth in 2015 at the TE positon. Iowa has a couple a true freshmen with 85 Nate Vejvoda and walk-on 98 Nate Wieting

Often in College Football, defense wins championships the old saying goes. Four of the last five seasons have shown inconsistencies there for Iowa. The sum of all the parts need to work together, whether it be offense, defense or special teams.

We learned in 2005, that defensive line play is essential; and goes lock, stock and barrel with a solid linebacker play for Iowa. We learned in 2014, the importance experience and depth has in the linebacker corp, after Iowa had to replace three NFL quality linebackers.

2015 defense ...

Iowa's most experienced unit is the secondary. Ferentz likes the experience the Hawkeyes have back for 2015. Three fourths of the starting unit is back. All upperclassmen lead by free safety senior Jordan Lomax, and junior corner backs Desmond King and Greg Mabin, but he says the unit needs to be better.

Iowa returns all but one starter back in the secondary,
lead by senior FS Jordan Lomax 27 in 2015.

• Juniors 14 Desmond King and 13 Greg Mabin are back at corner back for Iowa in 2015. Fellow junior 28 Maurice Fleming may be the top back up CB in 2015, after a career performance in the bowl game.
• Senior 27 Jordan Lomax is back at free safety, but the new strong safety 19 Miles Taylor, who was one of two true freshmen to shine in special teams last season. 37 Brandon Snyder is expected to be an option at either safety postion and should play a big role on special team, as a redshirt freshman. 
• 12 Anthony Gair, junior, returns, after one start last season at free safety. Senior corner back 7 Sean Draper is back, as well. Iowa has depth in the secondary for 2015. Sophomore 26 Kevin Ward is another back-up safety, as a walk-on out of Illinois
• In early pictures, it appears King is working with true freshman 11 Michael Olemudia. Two redshirt freshman of interest are 5 Omar Truitt and 21 Jalen Embry, who was held out last year, due to academics. A walk-on to watch down the road is 8 Isaiah Kramme, freshman

“We gave up too many big plays, and it’s not just the secondary, it’s a team thing,” he said. “We’ve got to get better on the perimeter. We got hurt on the perimeter, run or pass, and in the running game.

Those are things on our radar now.

“We’ve got to harden up a little bit, and with the secondary being a more experienced group, we should be able to do that."

In 2015, sophomore Josey Jewell 43 is back now to anchor at MLB,
along with junior CB Desmond King 14 and senior DE Drew Ott 95.

In the bowl game last season, LB Josey Jewell led all players with a career-best 14 tackles. After starting 2014 injured, Jewell is penciled now at MLB, after making his fourth career start, as a redshirt freshman. He replaces the departed ILB Quinton Alson (11), who with CB Desmond King (10) also reached double-digits in tackles, during the bowl game. CB Maurice Fleming (5) and new OLB Ben Niemann (4) recorded career bests in tackles vs. Tennessee.

The defense needs to improve in 2015, no question.

After a youth movement at Linebacker last season, Ferentz says a core of five -- sophomores Ben Niemann, Josey Jewell, and Bo Bower and seniors Cole Fisher and Travis Perry -- should solidify the linebacker corps in 2015 with redshirt freshman Aaron Mends being a wildcard. Jewell and Bower were starters as redshirt freshmen.

"All of them played with confidence in the spring and have had good summers,” said Ferentz. “We have some good competition there and we have position flexibility. I’m seeing some good things at that spot, and we’ll be more experienced further down the road than a year ago at this time.”

• Sophomore 43 Josey Jewell is expected to lead the middle linebacker position in 2015
• Sophomore 41 Bo Bower moves from outside linebacker to inside weakside linebacker for the Hawkeyes
• Sophomore 44 Ben Niemann, after an outstanding true freshman season on special teams, moves to the outside linebacker position, where his athletic ability should be a strength in pass defense
• Seniors 39 Travis Perry and 36 Cole Fisher provide depth at most of the three positions in 2015
• Redshirt freshman 31 Aaron Mends will most likely play a big role on special teams. 
• Iowa signed four new freshmen linebackers lead by 48 Jack Hockaday, out of Missouri; and two Texans in 21 Justin Jinning and 22 Angelo Garbutt. The fourth is Iowan Nick Wilson. Top walk-on newcomer is Iowan Brady Ross.

Iowa returns starting DEs, in seniors Drew Ott 95 and
Nate Meier 34, on the outside of the 2015 D-Line.

Iowa needs to replace both DTs in
2015, leading the effort is junior
Jaleel Johnson 67, who finished season
with a QB sack in the bowl game.

The defensive line returns two starters outside, but two new defensive tackles step forward, after graduation of two, two-year starters.

• 95 Drew Ott, senior, is the top defensive end for Iowa and was named to the 2015 football preseason Big Ten Players to Watch List, along with the Nagurski award list
• 67 Jaleel Johnson, junior, is the top defensive tackle back for Iowa Hawkeyes and will step into one of the two open positions in 2015. He is a four star recruit out of the Chicagoland area
• 99 Nathan Bazata, sophomore, is the likely second new defensive tackle for 2015
• 34 Nate Meier, senior is the returning defensive end on the other side, complementing Ott. Three of the four defensive linemen projected starters for Iowa played 8-man football in high school
• The reserve defensive tackles heading into 2015 are 56 Faith Ekakitie, junior, and JUCO transfer 61 Kyle Terlouw, senior. Iowa would like to see former #3 DT 97 Darian Cooper, senior, back from double knee surgery, but he is not cleared for practice yet
• The next men in right now at defensive end are redshirt freshmen 96 Matt Nelson and converted LB 40 Parker Hesse. 49 Melvin Spears, senior, has only 3 tackles in 3 seasons
• Others who could emerge are 72 Brant Gressel, sophomore DT and 93 Terrence Harris, redshirt freshman DE, while others are expected to redshirt in 2015

In a perfect world, Ferentz says the freshmen would redshirt, but he is open to anything if the newcomers can contribute to victories this fall. 

Special teams have played big over the years, especially in 2002-2004, 2008 and 2009, Ferentz's five top seasons at Iowa.

“We want to win now, so we’re going to try to get them ready,” he said. “We have an open mind. If a linebacker can do something dynamic covering or blocking kicks, we’d be open to that. The guys on the perimeter have an opportunity. Anybody that can help our football team win games, that’s what we’re interested in.”

• Senior placekicker 1 Marshall Koehn, an Iowan, returns, after winning open position last season over 2 Mick Ellis, sophomore, out of Texas. Koehn came on strong later in the Big Ten season with 43 touch-backs in 68 kick-offs. Redshirt freshman walk-on Miguel Recinos, another Iowan seeks an opportunity down the road at Iowa
• Senior punter 16 Dillon Kidd has a good opportunity to finish as the #1 punter, after splitting time last season. Iowa has not punted well in recent seasons. Koehn may get a strong look. True freshman walk-on 7 Colten Rastetter, another Iowa boy
• Last year, Iowa was green on special teams with basically everyone knew, except a part-time punter.
• Sophomore 97 Tyler Kluver is back, after his first season in the role of long snapper for Iowa. Kidd was the new holder in 2015, after transferring in from a JUCO. His father was a Big Ten punter and had a long career in the NFL
• Iowa may reboot at kick returner, after the unusual turnover by 10 Jonathan Parker, sophomore, who had a 54 yard return and averaged a respectable 22.1 yards per kick as a freshman? Could junior CB 14 Desmond King emerge here?
• Ideally, you want to move the chains on punt returns, so a 10 yard average, is often a goal. 89 Matt VandeBerg, junior, averaged 6.8, with a long of 23 yards, in his first season. Again, could King or a newcomer emerge on special teams?

Could we see junior CB 14 Desmond King play a role as
a kick or punt returner in 2015? 

The final game of the 2014 season marked the 200th game at the University of Iowa for head coach Ferentz. Ferentz is 115-85 (.575) in 16 seasons as Iowa's head coach. The 115 wins rank second all-time in program history, behind Hayden Fry. Fry totaled 143 wins in 20 seasons.

Bottom line, a run for a birth in the Big Ten title game
and a successful bowl game would be good for Iowa in '15.

With seven wins each season over the next four seasons, Ferentz is on pace to tie Fry over 20 seasons. However, as Ferentz well knows, the Iowa fans want a championship-caliber team in Iowa City, again. The last real challenge for a Big Ten title was in 2009.

There it is again. Ferentz is focused on winning games, he’s committed to fielding a Big Ten championship-caliber team.

“The fans deserve a good football team,” he said. “That has always been the goal. I, our staff, and players understand that. We’re working hard to provide them what they deserve.” 

The New Big Ten: East, West and eight B1G games ...

Next year, the Big Ten Conference will join the Pac 12 and Big 12 conferences with a nine game conference schedule. For now, year two of the B1G West and East divisions, each team will play an eight game conference schedule, with six division opponents and two cross-over games.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (24-0 over last 3 years, reg. season)
2. Michigan State Spartans (18-6)
3. Wisconsin Badgers (17-7)
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers (17-7)
5. Michigan Wolverines (12-12)
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (12-12)
7. Maryland Terrapins (4-4, one year)
8. Iowa Hawkeyes (11-13)
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers (11-13)
10. Rutgers Red Knights (3-5, one year)
11. Northwestern Wildcats (9-15)
12. Indiana Hoosiers (6-18)
13. Illinois Fighting Illini (4-20)
14. Purdue Boilermakers (4-20)

Penn State's QB Christian Hackenberg.

The Big Ten East is loaded with two preseason Top 10 programs: Ohio State and Michigan State for 2015. Further, Penn State is a program coming off probation, with renewed enthusiasm lead by a talented junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg back in 2015.

New Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh
is back in Ann Arbor for 2015.

Michigan welcomes a new head coach, with former Wolverine quarterback Jim Harbaugh, back in college football, after four seasons in the NFL. The Wolverines are 12-12 over the past three seasons in Big Ten play. It has been 11 seasons, since the Wolverines last won a Big Ten football title.

But, the conference has a different feel today, with seven programs in the East and seven other programs in the West. The path to the title is far different today. Ohio State is the defending National Champion, winner of the first College Football Playoff.

The path to a Big Ten football title is no longer like 1981, 1985, 1990, 2002, 2004 and the one game short path in 2009, that the Iowa Hawkeyes nearly pulled off, falling in OT in Columbus. It comes down to a final game, between the two corresponding division winners. Something the Iowa Football program has not come close to obtaining over the past four seasons.

Since 2011, the Big Ten Championship Game has determined the sole football champion of the conference. The first three seasons, the winners of the Leaders vs. Legends battled for the title. Last year, the East vs. West unfolded with Ohio State winning for the first time, under head coach Urban Meyer.

• 2011 - #15 Wisconsin 42, #11 Michigan State 39
• 2012 - Unranked Wisconsin 70, #14 Nebraska 31
• 2013 -  #10 Michigan State 34, #2 Ohio State 24
• 2014 - #6 Ohio State 59, #11 Wisconsin 0

Who takes care of business in 2015 in the Big Ten West?

Mike Riley was 58-63 in the Pac 12
over his 14 seasons as head coach.

Paul Chryst (19-19, 3 years at Pitt)
returns to his alma mater and hometown.

Both Nebraska and Wisconsin welcome new head coaches for the 2015 season. Mike Riley arrives in Lincoln, after 14 seasons as head coach at Oregon State, under two stints, with a 4 year break in the NFL. Paul Chryst returns to his hometown of Madison, after three seasons as head coach at Pittsburgh.

October will be very interesting in Big Ten West play, as Wisconsin plays both Iowa, then at Nebraska to kickoff their 2015 Big Ten schedule. Nebraska travels to Illinois, before hosting the defending division champs in Lincoln. The 2015 contest will be the first meeting, since Wisconsin's 70-13 win in the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis.

The Iowa defense returns 7 starters
from last year's group, here against
Wisconsin.

Iowa is lead by the dean of Big Ten football coaches, as Kirk Ferentz enters his 17th season as head coach. Iowa has finished 7-6, 4-8, 8-5 and 7-6 over the past four seasons and has not won a bowl game, since 2010.

The Hawkeyes actually were in the division race heading into the final two games at Kinnick Stadium last year, but lost 26-24 to Wisconsin, then lost 37-34 in OT to Nebraska to finish 4-4 in the Big Ten West.

Defense is often the key to success in the Big Ten. The top programs generally rank high in defense. Defense often fuels programs like Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Nebraska, the four programs that have played in the Big Ten title game over the past four seasons.

Junior QB Mitch Leidner is back
leading the Golden Gophers in '15.

One program that will likely build success off their defense in 2015 is the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Coach Jerry Kill enters his fifth season at Minnesota, coming off his first winning Big Ten
season at 5-3. However, the Golden Gophers have not beat Wisconsin, since 2003, falling 34-24 in Madison, last season.

The 2015 College Football
TSN preview considers
Minnesota the Big Ten's
"underrated" program, while
Northwestern's receives the
"overrated" program tag.

The Golden Gophers offense must replace six starters, including their top rusher and four of five top receivers. The mix of ball control, defense and special teams will be the formula for the 2015 Gophers.

The Golden Gophers open the 2015 season on Thursday night in TCF Bank Stadium against a Top 4 team, with the TCU Horned Frogs coming to town. The Big Ten schedule will be a taxing as well, with a Big Ten game back to back on the road at Northwestern and Purdue, followed up with a Big Ten home opener vs. Nebraska. The out of division games are at home with Michigan, followed up with a game at Ohio State. The Golden Gophers travel to Iowa City, then finish of the Big Ten campaign with Illinois and Wisconsin at home.

Sophomore RB Justin Jackson
is back to build on his 1k season.

Northwestern has fallen on tough times with back to back to back 5-7 seasons under Pat Fitzgerald, who is entering his 10th season as head coach in Evanston. This was after a 10-3 season in 2012, with a 34-20 Gator Bowl win over Mississippi State.

Six starters are back on offense in 2015, including their leading rusher on the ground. But, the Wildcats are the only Big Ten West program, who have a question on who the #1 quarterback will be in 2015?

The offensive line has two new starters and was not highly regarded in 2014. The defense returns eight starters, but special teams are not highly regarded and the leader of the linebacker unit, Chi Chi Ariguzo has departed, leading questions in this unit for 2015.

The Wildcats open the 2015 season with Stanford coming to Ryan Field on Saturday of Week 1. Northwestern also travels to Duke in Week 3 of the 2015 College Football season.

Illinois is coming off their first bowl season, along with a win over Northwestern, under fourth year coach Mike Beckman. The Fighting Illini return junior QB Wes Lunt, along with seven other offensive starters. The offensive line will have to do a good job protecting their quarterback.

Junior QB Wes Lunt needs to remain
healthy, after missing five games, due
to injury in 2014.

Senior RB Josh Ferguson is one of eight
returning Illini offensive starters back.

Injuries are always a part of the game, and the Illini lost sophomore WR Mike Dudak to a knee injury during spring drills. Others will need to step up now in 2015.

The Fighting Illini return seven starters on the defensive side and have brought in a new co-DC Mike Phair, from the NFL.

Special teams should be decent heading into 2015, as well. The Fighting Illini face a challenging Big Ten schedule with a trip to Penn State and a date again with Ohio State. The Illini have a road trip to Tobacco Road and a date with North Carolina in the non-conference.

Lunt is the only letter-winner back at quarterback in 2015. So, durability will be very important for the former Oklahoma State quarterback, who has yet to complete a full season.  First year players back up the talented quarterback for the Illini.

Purdue enters their third season under coach Darrell Hazell. The Boilermakers are 1-15, with a 38-27 road win over Illinois last season. Otherwise, there continues to be a lot of work for the Boilermakers.

Eight starters return on offense, with seven starters back on defense. Special teams should be experienced, as well, for Hazell's third season.

The Boilermakers open the 2015 season on the road at Marshall on Sunday of the opening weekend. In Week 3, Virginia Tech comes to West Lafayette for another non-conference game. Indiana State and Bowling Green are the other two non-conference games in '15.

The Big Ten season opens with a road trip at Michigan State, then Minnesota comes to West Lafayette, followed by a road trip to Wisconsin. The Boilermakers will be battle tested in the first half of 2015.

The 2015 Media Days and Kickoff Luncheon is approaching in Chicago ...

Iowa will bring three seniors to Media Days, along with the dean of the Big Ten Conference with head coach Kirk Ferentz, in his 17th season ...

Nebraska is bringing three juniors compared to their neighbors to the East, along with first year head coach Mike Riley ...

Minnesota is bringing their junior starting quarterback and two seniors, along with head coach Jerry Kill, entering his fifth season ...

Wisconsin will bring their junior running back and two seniors, along with new head coach Paul Chryst ...

Rosemont, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced today the 42 players scheduled to attend the 2015 Big Ten Football Media Days and Kickoff Luncheon presented by Allstate and BMW, held Thursday and Friday, July 30 and 31, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago.

For a complete list of players, link to the complete story ...

The Dog Days of Summer are arriving soon in Iowa ...

The heat will soon arrive, with the coming of the Summer of 2015 ...

Iowa Football has been out of sync, since the Big Ten added divisions with Nebraska, then Maryland and Rutgers joining the conference.

Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes were 0-3 in the Legends/Leaders ...

Year one of the B1G West was a disappointing #4 finish last season, with a completely void trophy case.

The 2015 season is clearly one where opportunity knocks for Iowa. 

The Hawkeyes will depend on a strong group of seniors and key players stepping into new roles as starters on both offense and defense ...

Quarterback play is always important for a Big Ten offense ...

Junior QB C.J. Beathard will lead the Iowa offense in 2015,
 with the transfer of Jake Rudock to Michigan.

• WR 4 Tevaun Smith is one of the senior leaders for Iowa in 2015. A player to watch!
• LT 52 Boone Myers replaces Outland Trophy winner Brandon Scherff at left tackle
• LG 56 Eric Simmons, one of three seniors who could anchor the Iowa interior line?
• C 63 Austin Blythe is the senior anchor in the Iowa offensive line in 2015
• RG 65 Adam Walsh is a senior returning for his final season as a starter in the offensive line
• RT 75 Ike Boettger, like Myers, is a sophomore tackle who will flank the outside in '15!
• TE 80 Henry Kreiger Coble is a senior TE, who showed skills early as a frosh vs. Michigan
• QB 16 C.J. Beathard replaces two-year starter Jake Rudock. Higher risk-reward factor in '15!
• WR 89 Matt VandeBerg is a junior, who has hit the field running, since Day 1 in Iowa City ...
• FB 42 Macon Plewa or 38 Adam Cox should provide a solid 1-2 blocking punch at fullback!
• RB 33 Jordan Canzeri, senior, and 29 LeShan Daniels, junior, are back, and now healthy at RB

Iowa has some other factors on offense in 2015.

• Senior TE 87 Jake Duzey is expected back mid-season from off-season knee surgery. Duzey is the top returning TE in the Big Ten for '15! As a sophomore, scored an 85 yard TD at Ohio State ...
• Junior TE 46 George Kittle is another of the Iowa TEs to keep your eye on in 2015!
• Returning starter LG 79 Sean Welsh, a sophomore, is back, after a spring leave of absence
• 78 James Daniels, a true freshman lineman from Ohio, could emerge among the top Big Ten offensive line freshmen class Kirk Ferentz assembled in the off season for the Hawkeyes
• Two sophomore running backs may make noise in the 2015 running game, with 25 Akrum Wadley, only RB to run for 100 yards during the regular season; along with converted WR 32 Derrick Mitchell, Jr., looking to be in the mix in the ground game!
• Sophomore 10 Jonathan Parker was used in the slot last season. He has been moved from RB to WR, as fourth year OC Greg Davis does need others to step up at wide receiver in '15!
• Senior WR 17 Jacob Hillyer is the third most experienced wide-out back for the Hawkeyes

The Defense for the Hawkeyes ...

Junior DT Jaleel Johnson will be counted on to lead the new
interior defense for the Hawkeyes, with two vacancies from 2014.

• DE 34 Nate Meier, senior, heads into second season as a full-time starter, after arriving as LB
• DT 67 Jaleel Johnson, junior, was top backup at DT last season, as he steps up full-time in '15
• DT 98 Nathan Bazata, sophomore, he saw more action late in '14 as a redshirt freshman
• DE 95 Drew Ott is the anchor of the Iowa defensive line, now as a senior. 10.5 career sacks
• Iowa has five players to watch at starting linebacker, including two seniors with 39 Travis Perry and 38 Cole Fisher ... this unit dropped in 2014, after the departure of three strong seniors in 2013, with James Morris, Anthony Hitchens and Christian Kirksey departed ...
• WLB 41 Bo Bower, sophomore, who will move inside, after starting outside last year.
• MLB 43 Josey Jewell, sophomore, will move into the middle, after Quinton Alston's departure
• OLB 44 Ben Niemann, sophomore, solid special teams as a true freshman last year steps up
• CB 14 Desmond King, junior, is entering his third season as a full-time starter for the Hawks! 
• CB 13 Greg Mabin and 28 Maurice Fleming, both juniors, are King's two sidekicks for 2015!
• SS 19 Miles Taylor, sophomore, like Niemann, played special teams as a true frosh in '14
• FS 27 Jordan Lomax, senior, is back lead the secondary in his senior season, after making the move to safety from CB in 2014. Junior 12 Anthony Gair is a very capable back up for Lomax.

Other defensive players to watch in 2015 for Iowa:

• Senior DT 97 Darian Cooper is seeking a come back from a major knee injury that cost him the 2014 season. The jury is still out, but he one of 13 seniors on the Football Leadership Group for 2015. Iowa has tweaked the leadership group, heading into Ferentz's 17th season as dean the Big Ten football coaches.
• Two juniors 55 Faith Ekakitie and 61 Kyle Terlowe look to provide depth inside for Iowa
• Two youngsters 98 Matt Nelson and 40 Parker Hesse, both redshirt freshmen, will back up at DE for the Hawkeyes. Nelson is a bright young player, while Hesse is a converted LB.
• Two young linebackers 31 Aaron Mends and 20 Jameer Outsey, both redshirt freshmen, are expected to help in special teams.
• Redshirt freshman 37 Brandon Snyder will push newcomer Miles Taylor at strong safety. Sophomore 26 Kevin Ward looks to gain some time at safety, as well.
• Iowa will like have some young players step up to help in special teams, as well as on the defensive side of the football in 2015.

Special teams are supposed to be special, if Iowa is going to raise bar ...

Senior placekicker Marshall Koehn returns for the Hawkeyes,
after a 2014 unit that was young compared to this season.

• PK 1 Marshall Koehn, senior, could be among the strong placekickers back in '15 in Big Ten
• PT 16 Dillon Kidd, senior, became the new punter during the second half of the Big Ten season, last year. His father was a good one at Northwestern and Kidd needs to step up in '15!
• KR 10 Jonathan Parker, sophomore, was benched in 2014, but showed some good stats, before the mental lapses.
• PR 89 Matt VandeBerg, junior, role is the snag, catch and field the kick; then move forward for 10+ ... he is very capable and a player to watch in special teams, and as a wide receiver in '15!

The Big Ten West is far more open, unlike the East, where
Ohio State and Michigan State should dominate for #1.

The Big Ten West is open in 2015, with no real clear cut favorite? 

Senior C Austin Blythe will lead the Iowa offensive line in 2015

Unlike the 2015 Big Ten East race or the Big 12, any of the seven Big Ten West teams could come up and surprise in 2015. 

McIllece Sports gives every team in the Big Ten West a shot for the division title. Only Wisconsin and Nebraska have won a division, among the seven West teams. The Badgers and Cornhuskers each welcome a new head coach and new staff members in 2015, so neither coach has won a division either in the Big Ten. It is clearly fair to say "opportunity knocks" for the Hawkeyes and everyone in the B1G West in 2015 ...

Senior DE Drew Ott is the leader of the Iowa defense in '15.

Phil Steele sees six strong players leading Iowa, as they head into 2015. The annual Phil Steele preview magazine hits news stands on June 27th.

Fish or cut bait for Hawkeye fans in 2015?

Head Coach Kirk Ferentz won his first Big Ten title in his fourth season.
Iowa DC Phil Parker and OC Greg Davis, enter their fourth seasons,
as coordinators in 2015 for Ferentz, his 17th as head coach.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have a very favorable schedule, like the 2007 edition. Over the years, Iowa Football has stepped up and has fallen flat on their face, as well.

This appears to be a season, where opportunity knocks apply, given the many questions with the other six Big Ten West programs.

Last year was the 125th season of Iowa Football. They finished a disappointing 7-6. 

Back in 1989, Iowa's 100th season of college football, the Hawkeyes finished 5-6 under coach Hayden Fry, after eight straight bowl seasons, under the legendary coach at Iowa.

The following season, Iowa rebounded and won the Big Ten, after a five year drought. It was the last of three Big Ten titles under Coach Fry.

Could this be another rebound season for Iowa? The Hawkeyes have not won a division title before. This is season number five.

Welcome to the dog days of summer here in Iowa ...

Iowa survives 11 inning affair to advance to play Missouri State again

Springfield, MO -- The Iowa Hawkeyes and Oregon Ducks took 11 innings to finish, with Iowa advancing in the loser's bracket with a 2-1 win. Up next, the winner's bracket champion, Missouri State, who beat Iowa on Saturday 5-3.

Missouri State took an early 1-0 lead after the first inning in the 7:00 first pitch in Springfield.

Iowa Baseball Team wins first NCAA Tournament game in 43 years

Hawkeyes advance in winners bracket on Saturday

Springfield, MO -- #2 seed Iowa defeated #3 seed Oregon 3-1 to advance in winner's bracket of the double elimination Springfield Region. It was Iowa's first win in 43 years, since the 1972 trip to the College World Series in Omaha.

Tonight's game between #1 seed Missouri State and #4 seed has been postponed due to weather. Iowa will face the winner tomorrow night at 8:05 p.m. in Springfield. Weather impacted the Iowa-Oregon game, as well. But, they were able to get the game completed.

NCAA Baseball Regional for Iowa: Hawkeyes face Oregon on Friday in Springfield, MO

How 'bout those Hawkeyes?               

Iowa City, IA - The Iowa Hawkeyes are headed to Springfield, MO for the NCAA Regional baseball play, as a number two seed. The Hawkeyes will open on Friday, in the second season, under Iowa's new baseball coach.
                                                    

Iowa Hawkeyes (39-16)
NCAA tourneys: 4 (last one in 1990)
CWS appearances: 1 (1972)
Region: Springfield, MO
Opponents: 1. Missouri State; 3. Oregon; 4. Canisus
NCAA opener: 2 p.m. ET Friday vs. Oregon
Factoid: The Hawkeyes are in the NCAA tourney for the first time since 1990.
Twitter: @UIBaseball - Source: Big Ten Network

The Hawkeyes will face third-seeded Oregon at 1 p.m. (CT) at Hammons Field. Missouri State is the top-seeded team in the regional and the No. 8 national seed. The Bears will face No. 4 seed Canisius -- the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion -- at 6 p.m.

Iowa is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1990 and the fourth regional appearance in school history. The Hawkeyes boast a No. 29 RPI and finished runner-up in the Big Ten with a 19-5 record. Iowa is 39-16 overall -- the most wins for the program since 1985.

Iowa head coach Rick Heller is taking the Hawkeyes to his
first NCAA Tournament, in his second season at the helm.

Iowa head coach Rick Heller will be taking his third Division I team to NCAA Regional play (Northern Iowa, 2001; Indiana State, 2012). He is one of five active coaches to bring three different Division I schools to NCAA Regional play and one of eight all-time.

Oregon used a late season surge to earn an at-large berth, as the Ducks won their final five series in Pac-12 play and nine of their last 10 games overall. Oregon closed out the regular season with a key series win, taking 2-of-3 games at home against Pac-12 champion UCLA -- the top overall national seed.

Sophomore Cole Irvin is the Ducks' Friday night starter, going 2-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 74 innings. The southpaw has allowed 40 runs (33 earned) on 73 hits and has 42 strikeouts to 22 walks.
Offensively, Oregon has a .254 team batting average with just one player hitting above .300. Mitchell Tolman leads the team with a .329 average with team-highs in hits (72), runs (42), and RBIs (40). He is slugging .475 and reaching base at a .462 clip.