Mark Schlabach: Big 12, SEC continue to dominate way-too-early Top 25 Part 3 - ESPN

Mark Schlabach: Big 12, SEC continue to dominate way-too-early Top 25 Part 3 - ESPN: "19. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa won six of its last seven games -- spoiling Penn State's BCS title hopes in the process -- to end the program's recent slide with a 9-4 record in 2008. The Hawkeyes have to replace tailback Shonn Greene, the country's second-leading rusher with 1,850 yards last season, and star defensive tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul. But with quarterback Ricky Stanzi and one of the country's best offensive lines coming back, Iowa might be good enough to challenge Ohio State and Penn State for the Big Ten title. Iowa lost four games by only 12 points combined last season. The Big Ten schedule is difficult, with road games at Penn State on Sept. 26, at Wisconsin on Oct. 17, at Michigan State on Oct. 24 and at Ohio State on Nov. 14."

I am not too worried about replacing Shonn Greene. Shonn has always stated he couldn't have won the Doak Walker without his OLine and it will be as good or even better this year. Everyone knows about Jewel Hampton but Jeff Brinson (redshirted last year) has done some things in practice that have him compared to Shonn. Jeff is supposedly a North/South runner like Shonn and will initiate contact like Shonn. Time will tell with Jeff but we have heard some very good things about him in practices. Then there are a couple true freshman (Wegher and Rogers) that might see some PT in the backfield.

The DLine will be just fine without King and Kroul. We will miss them but we have a few kids eager to put on a display like King did every down. Klug is the one with some experience. He relieved King in one game and came away with the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award. Binns is becoming a force at DE so that might just move Clayborn or Ballard to the inside. There are a couple other young players getting props in practice that might emerge at the other DT position.

Ricky should shine his Jr year. We all thought Jake would his Jr year but he didn't. Granted comparing the Sophomore years isn't fair to Jake considering the OLine he had his Soph Year. But last year Jake was an experienced QB and Stanzi wasn't. Stanzi outdid Jake in every category except Turn Overs. Ricky had some costly ones last year. But then again Ricky had the game winning drive against PSU. I still believe if Ricky would have played every down in 2008, the Hawks would have won 2 more games.

Yes, the schedule is tough but it is just as tough as last years. We didn't get to play Michigan last year and now we do where they should be a little bit improved. I still don't think they have a chance playing at Kinnick. Wisky is going to have another down year IMO. Playing at PSU, at MSU, and at OSU is where the debate lies. If the Hawks can win one or two of those then they could be Big Ten Champions.