Iowa Hawkeyes College Football Picks 2009

Written by Steve Hastings

Friday, 04 September 2009

Iowa Hawkeyes College Football Picks 2009: After an impressive 2008 season that included a win over No. 3 ranked Penn State and a 31-10 thrashing of South Carolina in the Outback Bowl, the Hawkeyes have the NCAA taking notice. With a stacked defense, one of the nation’s best offensive lines, and many key offensive players returning, Iowa could be a sleeper in the hunt for the 2009 national championship. The college football picks experts at online sportsbook SBG Global has the Iowa State Hawkeyes listed at +8500 odds to win the 2010 BCS National Championship Title.

# Iowa Hawkeyes College Football Picks 2009

20 UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
2008 Season Record: 9-4
2008 Final Rank: 20
Returning Starters on Offense: 7
Returning Starters on Defense: 8

Pros: With the exception of star running back Shonne Greene being drafted to the New York Jets and the interior defensive line being gone, the 2009 squad is stacked with talent. The offensive line may be the strongest unit for Iowa. Tackles Bryan Bulaga and Kyle Callaway are future NFL linemen and will overpower opposing defensive lines. The guards are also impressive. With experience and tons of natural talent, the loss of Greene shouldn’t be too much of a loss and severely affect the running game. The line will give plenty of running room for Jewel Hampton who will be taking Greene’s place. Hampton established an impressive 5.1 ypc with seven touchdowns behind Greene and will get the bulk of the carries in 2009. Leading receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is returning and so is quarterback Richard Stanzi who had an impressive season tossing 14 touchdowns and establishing a 134.85 QB rating in his first full year as a starter. The defense is also stacked with talent and experience. Last years defense which finished 12th in total defense and 9th against the run returns linebacker Pat Angerer who totaled 107 stops in 2008. The defense also returns six of its back seven starters from last season, so the linebackers and secondary will be very strong for the Hawkeyes.

Cons: Stopping the run and the schedule. While most of the Iowa “D” is returning, two of the biggest reasons for Iowa’s success on defense last season are not back with the team. Defensive tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul were the heart and soul of the Hawkeyes defense and will be sorely missed. Iowa’s 9th ranked rushing defense in the nation was due to King and Kroul filling up the middle, allowing the rest of the defense to guard the pass and keep up with opposing offenses. Karl Klug and Mike Daniels will be replacing the two and have very large shoes to fill. The schedule is also something that is not in the favor of the Hawkeyes. Big 10 powerhouses Penn State and Ohio State, along with Michigan State who finished among the top teams in the conference, will all be playing Iowa on their home fields.

The college football picks odds makers at SBG Global have the Iowa Hawkeyes +440 odds favorites to win the Big 10 Conference Title.

Overall Outlook: Iowa is definitely a sleeper in the Big 10 in 2009, and could have a very impressive season. The talent is there, while the schedule is as tough as a Big 10 schedule can get. But the Hawkeyes finished the 2008 season on a high note and look to ride the momentum into this year.

Keys to Success: Karl Klug and Mike Daniels. If the replacements for departed stars Mitch King and Matt Kroul can stop the run for Iowa, then the Hawkeyes will be in good shape. If the two struggle, the defense will look a lot different than it did a season ago. Stopping the run was the strength of the Iowa defense, with the passing defense placing in the middle of the Big 10 pack. Iowa knows how to play defense with run stoppers in front, and familiarity will help last seasons 9th ranked rushing defense. If Iowa can’t stop the run, the defense will have to find a new identity and a place to hide. Iowa ranked 9th in the nation in rushing defense allowing only 94 yards per game. Iowa outscored opponents 91-27 in the first quarter in 2008. Iowa ranked 5th in the nation in scoring defense last year. Iowa returns six of its seven starters at linebacker and in the secondary from 2008. Iowa recorded only one home loss last season. Iowa’s Big 10 opponents has a 22-28 record from 2008 that will be playing at Iowa in 2009 is 22-28.

Online Sportsbook SBG Global has posted the following odds to win the 2010 BCS National Championship: Alabama +2200
Arizona St +7000
Arkansas +7000
Auburn +9000
Boston College +7500
California +2200
Cincinnati +8500
Clemson +7500
Colorado +8500
Florida +150
Florida St +4000
Georgia +7500
Georgia Tech +1200
Illinois +4500
Iowa +8500
Kansas +4500
Kansas St +8500
Kentucky +8500
Louisville +8500
LSU +3200
Miami FL +3200
Michigan +8500
Michigan St +1700
Missouri +8500
Nebraska +4500
Notre Dame +1200
Ohio St +800
Oklahoma +650
Oklahoma St +2700
Oregon +4500
Oregon State +6500
Penn St +1500
Rutgers +4500
South Carolina +8500
South Florida+5000
Southern Cal +600
Tennessee +8500
Texas +650
Texas A&M +8500
Texas Tech +6500
UCLA +8500
Virginia Tech +1700
Wake Forest +8500
North Carolina +4500
West Virginia +6000
Wisconsin +6500
Field (All Others) +1200