Iowa
12-2 in 2015
8-0 in the Big Ten
1st in the West
Reason to believe: The core of a team that shocked America (and horrified a few pundits) by going undefeated until the Big Ten title game returns. The Hawkeyes have the Big Ten West's top passer in C.J. Beathard and top pass defender in cornerback Desmond King. Running backs LeShun Daniels and Akrum Wadley will continue to do damage behind a veteran offensive line. Linebacker Josey Jewell is a ballhawking stud. Crossover games against Rutgers, Penn State and Michigan are certainly manageable, with the Wolverines visiting Iowa City.
Reason for doubt: Iowa's 45-16 thumping by Stanford in the Rose Bowl was alarming. The game effectively ended (35-0 at halftime) before the sun set. Was it just a bad game for the Hawkeyes, or did it reflect something greater? And will it give these Hawkeyes doubt before facing another top-10 team?
Big hole to fill: You wouldn't know it based on the NFL draft (only center Austin Blythe was picked, and he went 248th), but the Hawkeyes did lose some standouts on the defensive line in Nate Meier (10 { tackles for a loss) and Drew Ott (7 {).
Breakout player: Matt Nelson has the frame (6-foot-8, 270 pounds) and desire to make a huge impact at defensive end. He played in 13 games as a redshirt freshman.
Season is a success if: Iowa has by far the fewest question marks of any team in the West. So unless the Hawkeyes make a return trip to Indy, they won't get much love.
_Teddy Greenstein
