Big Ten Football Preview Tour makes its 1st stop in Iowa City

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- It didn't take long for three Big Ten Network personalities to spout shining reviews of the University of Iowa football program following their visit to campus Wednesday.

"Best indoor facility in the Big Ten," BTN analyst Gerry DiNardo said.

"(Freshmen running backs) Greg Garmon and Barkley Hillcaught my eye this morning," said Tom Dienhart, senior writer for BTN.com.

"One thing you always know about the Hawkeyes when you look at them -- you're going to see a quality team," BTN analyst Howard Griffith said.

The Big Ten Network was in town for the first of its annual 12-stop tour around the conference for the Big Ten Football Preview Tour. Iowa's segment will be aired on the BTN on Thursday, Aug. 9, at 9 p.m. (CT).

"This is always a great stop," DiNardo said. "It's a fun place to come and (head coach) Kirk (Ferentz) and his staff treated us well. Practice didn't look much different; the names change, but we always say when we leave, that is one of the best practices we'll see during camp with the way it is organized and run. It was another great Iowa practice."

"This is always a great stop. It's a fun place to come and (head coach) Kirk (Ferentz) and his staff treated us well. Practice didn't look much different; the names change, but we always say when we leave, that is one of the best practices we'll see during camp with the way it is organized and run. It was another great Iowa practice." - Gerry DiNardo, Big Ten Network analyst

The Hawkeyes worked out inside their new indoor facility which provided an added treat to the BTN crew.

"First of all, the indoor practice facility is unbelievable," Griffith said. "It is well put together and well-designed."

"I know Kirk Ferentz pined for an upgrade facility-wise and he got it," Dienhart said. "I'll tell you what, this is spectacular."

Iowa returns 12 starters from a team that went 7-6 last season (4-4 in the Big Ten) and advanced to the Insight Bowl. The 2012 squad is heavy with underclassmen (81) and light at the upper end (40).

"If Iowa can answer questions at running back and along the defensive line, it could allow for a fast start to build momentum," Dienhart said. "If they can get the 4-0, 5-0 start, then they could be a dark horse in the Legends Division this year."

"If they can fix some of those (road) ills they had last year, there is no reason they shouldn't be right in the thick of things," Griffith said.

All eyes will be on a Hawkeye offensive backfield that returns running backs Damon Bullock (10 carries, 20 yards) and Brad Rogers (3 carries, 8 yards). True freshmen Hill and Garmon are already on the depth chart.

"(Garmon and Hill) hit the hole extremely fast," Dienhart said. "I saw them in some pass protection drills, going 1-on-1 with some of the linebackers and they stood up pretty well. For true freshmen without fully-developed bodies, they look like they have good strength to them, and their quickness was very apparent."

"They are going to be solid at the running back position, it's just a matter of time," Griffith said. "Clearly two freshmen are going to have an opportunity to contribute, and with freshmen, the key is to not put the ball on the ground, be able to pick up the blitz in the pass protection game, and catch the ball out of the backfield."

"My general feeling is there is talent there," DiNardo said. "It is hard to tell who is going to emerge based on one practice."

To read a recap of day by Dienhart, click HERE. To watch post-practice videos of Hawkeye players and coaches click HERE.

The University of Iowa football team will stage its annual "Kids Day at Kinnick" on Saturday, Aug. 11. Gates to Kinnick Stadium open at 11 a.m. (CT), with the team's practice scheduled to begin at noon. Iowa's 2012 Kids Day is presented by UI Children's Hospital and Kohl's Keeping Kids Safe.

The Hawkeyes kick off the 2012 College Football season on September 1st in Chicago's Soldier Field, as Iowa faces Northern Illinois for a 2:30 pm (CT) kickoff on ESPNU.

Iowa is a "wholesome" and "no-nonsense" program like Nebraska

Nebraska will likely be favored as the team to beat in the first Legends division race of the Big Ten in 2011. Gerry DiNardo of the Big Ten Network labels Nebraska as potentially the team to beat, while calling Iowa a "wholesome" and "no-nonsense" program like Nebraska.

The Big Ten Conference will hold its Media Day in Chicago on July 28Th and 29Th, including the 40Th Annual Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon. The SEC held its Media Day this past week to kickoff the beginning activities leading up to the 2011 College Football season. The Big 12, without Colorado and Nebraska, will kickoff on Monday and Tuesday.

Thirty-six student athletes will join head coaches in Chicago for Media Day. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, entering his 13Th season as head coach of the Hawkeyes, is bringing DT Mike Daniels, WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. and LB Tyler Nielsen. All three players are seniors for the 2011 Hawkeye football team.

The 2011 season will kickoff for the Big Ten on Thursday, September 1St in Madison.

• UNLV at Wisconsin
  7:00 p.m.
  ESPN (HD)

Wisconsin is the reigning co-champion of the Big Ten and represented the Big Ten in the 2011 Rose Bowl, losing 19-21 to TCU. Excitement in Madison is high with transferring QB Russell Wilson, from North Carolina State, competing for the open QB position in 2011. Wisconsin could be the team to beat in the Leaders division in 2011? DiNardo like the Badgers and "window" of opportunity.

The Hawkeyes finished 8-5 in 2010 and haven't won a share of the Big Ten, since 2004. Will the young Hawkeyes make noise in 2011? Iowa will start 2011 with a new QB, as junior James Vandenberg takes over the reigns, with Ricky Stanzi, Iowa's first 3-0 bowl winner as a starting QB, moves on to the NFL.

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Gerry DiNardo: It's the schedule that costs Iowa, but really... Penn State in '09?

The one thing that separates the three of them is the schedule. Iowa
has the worst schedule. If all three are contenders, Iowa plays both Ohio State
and Penn State away. Penn State is the opposite. It has the best schedule, and
plays Ohio State and Iowa at home. Ohio State plays one at home, one away.

If I'm pressed to pick one, I'll take Penn State, based on having a
returning quarterback (Daryll Clark) and the Big Ten schedule. We still don't
know what (OSU quarterback) Terrell Pryor is going to be like, what the offense
is going to look like.

Iowa, if (quarterback Ricky) Stanzi is going to continue to grow, and I
think they can replace those two middle guys on defense (Mitch King and Matt
Kroul) and if not, with the other nine back, they'll be all right. They have to
replace (Doak Walker winner) Shonn
Green, but with Jewel Hampton and Jeff Brinson, and with Stanzi in the
backfield, that combination can be productive." - Gerry DiNardo of
Big Ten Network

Gerry DiNardo: Penn St. looks to be superior in Big Ten - The Detroit News

It's hard to go against Ohio State, even if you like Penn State, since the Buckeyes have won a share or outright Big Ten title for four straight seasons. The Big Ten Conference returns the Top 4 quarterbacks from '08 in passing efficiency rating. The Top 4 come from Ohio State, Illinois, Penn State and Iowa. Ohio State sophomore Terrelle Pryor lead the Big Ten in passing efficiency in '08.

The bigger question one should ask DiNardo is: What about the O-Line and D-Line at the top schools? Further, defense wins championships more times than not in the Big Ten. While having a quality quarterback, with experience is vital, doesn't the Buckeyes fit that with Pryor coming into his sophomore season too?

Who's off the schedule in 2009 for Big Ten teams:

Penn State: Wisconsin and Purdue

Ohio State: Michigan State and Norhwestern

Illinois: Iowa and Wisconsin

Iowa: Illinois and Purdue

Michigan State: Indiana and Ohio State

Michigan: Minnesota and Northwestern

Northwestern: Michigan and Ohio State

Wisconsin: Illinois and Penn State

Minnesota: Indiana and Michigan

Indiana: Michigan State and Minnesota

Purdue: Penn State and Iowa

Certainly, Penn State is a team that has a nice schedule in 2009 with all four OOC games (Akron, Syracuse, Temple and Eastern Illinois) at home. But, is this really the best team in the Big Ten in '09? They must replace six starters on offense, 7 starters on defense and will break in a freshman placekicker on special teams for '09.

Hey Gerry, is Darryll Clark really the top quarterback in the Big Ten in '09?

peace