Football '08: Media Day at the University of Iowa

Kirk Ferentz introduced the 2008 Iowa Hawkeye Football team today at Iowa's Media Day event in Iowa City. In December 1998, when Kirk Ferentz arrived in Iowa City, Iowa was missing parts in the offensive and defensive lines. Today, Kirk Ferentz is confident about the offensive and defensive lines as Iowa in '08 season.

After 12-13 record the past two seasons plus off-the-field issues the past two seasons, as well, it will be interesting to watch unfold a new team that basically got started in March 2008, during spring drills.

What has been missing the past couple of years. One missing part has been a Ferentz on the roster. Iowa welcomes three JUCO transfers and 24 high school recruits, including C James Ferentz, the 2nd son that will play under Coach Ferentz. The Hawkeyes are allowed to have 105 members at camp before classes begin.

I believe having one his own sons on the team, will increase his level of effort as a parent. The Hawkeye football team has always been a family in the eyes of the players, but having a blood relative on the team always seems to bring out the best in Kirk Ferentz. It has at Iowa, thus far.

My early take for '08 is Iowa will improve from last year's 6-6 (4-4 in the Big Ten record) for 2008. Iowa returns the 2nd largest group of letterwinners from '07, behind the Big Ten's top program, The Ohio State Buckeyes. Iowa played 31 true or redshirt freshmen last year.

• 5-3 in the Big Ten has been my early expectation for '08

Often, a football team improves most, between game 1 of the season and game 2. Though, I don't think that it is necessarily true that a player improves most between his freshman and sophomore season. A year of experience is better than no previous Big Ten experience on your resume.

peace