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Iowa Football: Hawkeyes’ 2017 season preview and predictions

By Connor Muldowney

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 3: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes waits with his team during a play review in the second quarter against the Miami (OH) RedHawks on September 3, 2016 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 3: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes waits with his team during a play review in the second quarter against the Miami (OH) RedHawks on September 3, 2016 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 8: Akrum Wadley #25 of Iowa carries the ball against Minnesota during the fourth quarter of the game on October 8, 2016 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Iowa defeated Minnesota 14-7. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 8: Akrum Wadley #25 of Iowa carries the ball against Minnesota during the fourth quarter of the game on October 8, 2016 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Iowa defeated Minnesota 14-7. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Offense

There has been a major change mad to the offensive side of the ball as Kirk Ferentz’s son, Brian Ferentz, is taking over as offensive coordinator, replacing Greg Davis who retired following the 2016 season. The younger Ferentz was a former Iowa lineman.

Obviously the biggest question mark is the quarterback position. Who replaces C.J. Beathard under center following an underwhelming 2016 season by the senior? It seems to be a two-man race between sophomore Nathan Stanley and junior Tyler Wiegers.

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Both quarterbacks were somewhat highly-recruited out of high school as Stanley was the 22nd-best pro-style quarterback in the 2016 class and Wiegers was 24th in the 2014 class. Neither had an impressive spring game, but there’s talk that the staff is favoring the younger gunslinger. It could be his upside.

In front of whoever starts at quarterback will be one of the best offensive lines in the country. How can I tell? Well, they were recognized last season with awards for being the best and they return all five starters. If that’s not a recipe for offensive success and confidence-building for a young quarterback, I’m not sure what is.

Tight end George Kittle’s departure will hurt, but senior Peter Pakar returns and could have a major impact. Combine him with sophomore Noah Fant and you have a solid duo.

At receiver, Matt VandeBerg returns after missing nine games due to a season-ending injury in 2016. He’s one of the best wide outs in the conference and he’ll be a force. Sophomore Devonte Young is expected to start alongside him.

Can Akrum Wadley live up to the hype?

Everyone knows how good the offensive line is, but Akrum Wadley might be the most underrated running back in the conference, if not the nation. LeShun Daniels had a heck of a senior year in 2016, rushing for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns, but Wadley finished with 23 more yards and the same amount of scores on 45 less carries.

That offensive line sure helped, but his 6.4 yards per carry were as much his effort as it was the big guys up front. Now that the backfield is squarely his, can he become the clear lead back and live up to the tremendous hype?

Defenses will be loading the box for the veteran running back with a first-year starter at quarterback and that could cause problems. He has the talent to respond and surpass the 1,500-yard mark.

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