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Big Ten Football Spring Preview: 10 biggest questions and storylines

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer and Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh prior to the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer and Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh prior to the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Stanford Cardinal in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Stanford Cardinal in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Was Iowa’s Rose Bowl run a fluke?

The Iowa Hawkeyes were a Cinderella story last year as Kirk Ferentz led his team to the brink of the College Football Playoff after losing to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Iowa was stuck in 7-8 win purgatory with no signs of being able to get over that hump until last year when they advanced to the Rose Bowl against the Stanford Cardinal. Iowa was blown out in the game, but will there be a hangover that sees Iowa regress to that 7-8 win territory or can they repeat as Big Ten West champs?

Helping the case for the latter is the return of quarterback C.J. Beathard and Thorpe winner Desmond King. 12 wins may be a stretch but the division remains winnable if you can get to 10 wins.

Next: The Big Ten's most underrated player

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