I think Iowa is going to have a very good team this year. They will probably finish 2nd or 3rd in the Big Ten. I would pick them higher except they play Ohio State on September 30th.
I am worried that the team will not be quite ready by that point of the season.
I am not worried about the new linebackers. I think they will be fine. I am not worried about the new cornerbacks. They have the potential to be much better then the old guys and I think they will be fine by the fifth game of the season.
I am worried about the wide receivers. I think they are going to be very solid Big Ten receivers and make a lot of really nice plays. Maybe even enough to have a chance in the Ohio State game. Where I think the problem might arise is their down field blocking.
Iowa uses their receivers to spring the running backs and other wide receivers turning a 8 yard gain into a touch down. They have to be tough. But most importantly, they have to know how to find their guy and hit him. There will be a couple true freshman getting a lot of playing time at the receiver position. In addition to learning the routes and adjusting to the speed of college, they are going to be asked to set blocks that enable the big plays.
I am not sure if they will be ready by the Ohio State game. We will not play anybody before then that can come close to the speed and athleticism of the Ohio State defense. This will be the game where the new receivers see what college football is really like.
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