Behind The Box Score

A year after winning the Big Ten’s only bowl game, the Iowa Hawkeyes are out to upset the Ohio State Buckeyes and show the nation just what they are all about. Kirk Ferentz has his team focused on the Buckeyes, even resorting to putting Buckeye decals all over the equipment in the weight room.

For a team led by a quarterback not recruited out of high school by Ohio State in Ricky Stanzi, the focus on this Iowa team is unlike any other in recent years. Being the only team in the Big Ten to beat Penn State last season, the Hawkeyes pose as a major threat to any team on their schedule. Even with the loss of RB Shonn Greene, this team should still be improved as they hope to trump Ohio State the week before Michigan.

The Hawkeyes have always been in the shadow of the Buckeyes, note the 2002 season where Iowa shared the Big Ten championship, played in the Orange Bowl but that season, Ohio State defeated Miami in the National Championship Game. With a sophomore quarterback in Terrelle Pryor, and a very inexperienced defense, Iowa has a solid chance of upsetting Ohio State in Columbus. Look for a high finish in the Big Ten from this team, as Ferentz has these group of guys playing harder than ever and each player on the team has November 10th circled on their calendars in big red ink.