Iowa Football: Are Hawkeyes serious Big Ten title contenders in 2020?

After an abnormal offseason on multiple fronts, Iowa football looks to turn its focus on the field. Can it contend for the Big Ten West crown?

The elder statesman of college football is head coach Kirk Ferentz, who became the longest tenured coach last season. He is the only coach in FBS to have started his current head coaching position before the 2000 season.

Ferentz has enjoyed success in Iowa City, compiling 162 wins in 21 seasons along with two Big Ten championships. However the last championship came in 2004. For all the success on the field Ferentz has accomplished, he faced his biggest challenge off the field this past offseason.

Not only did the team have to deal with the new realities of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the team faced a social justice reckoning. Several former players made accusations of racial discrimination within the program. This led to strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle’s exit after 21 years with the Hawkeyes. Ferentz, his staff and players have been working to make changes to the program’s culture.

So with the off the field issues and the on the field challenges, it should be an interesting season in Iowa City. Let’s preview this year’s edition of the Hawkeyes.