Iowa Football: Can Hawkeyes win wide open Big Ten West in 2019?

By Dante Pryor | Aug 16, 2019

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Offensive lineman Keegan Render #69 and defensive back Jake Gervase #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes carry the Cy-Hawk trophy after the match-up against the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

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IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats breaks a tackle in the second half from defensive end A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on November 10, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Can new-look defense be more effective?

This defense is anchored by defensive end A.J. Epenesa who will battle Chase Young and Kenny Willekes for defensive player of the year in the Big Ten this season.On the side opposite Epenesa will be Chauncey Golston and with Cedrick Lattimore and Brady Reiff in the middle, it’s going to be hard to double the former without getting beat by another one of their linemen.

Although they lose seven starters from last year’s team, they are deep and should have a good rotation to go along with Epenesa.

The linebackers are solid in Iowa’s new hybrid 4-2-5 scheme with freshman D.J. Johnson playing the “cash” position.

The Hawkeye secondary will be great once again even with the losses of Amani Hooker and Jake Gervase with Matt Hankins and Michael Ojemudia and Geno Stone in the defensive backfield.

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