2007 Iowa Hawkeyes Football Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Iowa Hawkeyes go as their offensive line and defense goes. That’s a big wait-and-see for this year’s group. The Hawks return three linemen in tackles Dace Richardson and Seth Olsen along with center Rafael Eubanks, who combine for 27 career starts. The other two spots are wide open with Kirk Ferentz most likely waiting until the closing weeks of summer practices to make his final decision. Iowa returns 14 starters this season and has a decent chance to make some noise in the Big Ten Conference with their favorable schedule.

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Ohio State and Michigan drop off of their schedule this season with road games at Wisconsin and at Penn State being their only really tough contests. For the first time in three seasons the Hawkeyes will have a new quarterback. Sophopmore Jake Christensen takes over after delivering a win in his only career start last season. Running backs Albert Young and Damian Sims give the Hawkeyes a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield. The duo combined for 1,443 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground last season.

Sophomore Dominque Douglas was a big bright spot at the wide receiver position. He led the nation’s true freshman receivers last season with 49 catches. He is a tall, lanky target for Christensen to catch even more balls this season. The upcoming season looks bright for receiver Andy Brodell as well. Brodell killed the Texas secondary in the Alamo Bowl, snagging six passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. A little more consistency from this guy will help Christensen out tremendously.

The Hawkeyes’ defensive line was hampered by injuries last season. End Kenny Iwebema missed much of the season due to shoulder surgery and Mitch King started fast but dealt with hamstring and ankle injuries in the second half of the season. They will both be back in action this season. End Bryan Mattison and tackles Matt Kroul and Ryan Bain also return. Depth on the D-Line is a big question mark, but freshman end Adrian Clayborn will help this mess out with quality playing time.

Middle linebacker Mike Klinkenborg earned second-team All-Big Ten by leading the Hawkeyes in tackles with 129 takedowns. Fellow senior Mike Humpal started the whole season at outside linebacker. He will move back to the inside this season where he is more comfortable. Sophomore A.J. Edds, who made one start on the outside as a true freshman last season, will resume at outside linebacker. Corners Charles Godfrey and Adam Shada are returning starters. They combined for 5 interceptions last season, but will need to improve in their passing defense after ranking 72nd in passing yards allowed per game last year. Both safety spots will be up for grabs through fall camp. The secondary will make or break this defense.

The Hawkeyes were sure to have a rigorous spring camp after losing four straight games to end the season in 2006. They will be in tip-top shape under Kirk Ferentz as the 2007 season gets under way. This team needs Christensen to step up at quarterback, the offensive line to move defenders around like they have in year’s past and their defensive line to make plays with four returning starters. The Hawkeyes will finish in the top half of the Big Ten and maybe even the #2 or #3 spot behind Michigan if these three things happen.

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