Three things to watch as head coach Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes begin the season.

By Jordan Hansen
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The offensive playmakers

Since the first depth chart was released in January, it was obvious that Iowa’s offense would look different.

The change was mostly because graduation, though a certain Michigan

transfer also helped C.J. Beathard become the “new” face of the program. Not that he — or any of this years starters, really — haven’t been around, it’s just they’ve been waiting in the shadows or haven’t been the primary target.

Beathard, of course, is the “new” quarterback with just one start under his belt. Running back/freight train Mark Weisman is gone, leaving LeShun Daniels Jr. and Jordan Canzeri to pick up the slack.

Wide receiver Tevaun Smith is in his senior year, but four of the top-five yardage leaders from last season are gone or injured, in Jake Duzey’s case.

“I’m gonna do whatever I can on my side,” Smith said. “I know there are going to be a lot of opportunities on my side to get the ball.”

Smith should have plenty of chances to get the ball thrown his way, and he will be the primary go-to target this season.

That being said, Smith still doesn’t have very many receptions from Beathard.

Going a step further, the offense is chock-full of new players who haven’t spent much of time working together. After questionable performances during the spring game and Kid’s Day, the hope for Iowa is the team’s training camp fixed the cohesion among the group.

The coaching staff, however, seems to be pleased with how the summer has gone.

“We have a lot of newcomers, like every year and like every team, and we’re eager to see what they do,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said, “They’ve progressed, I think, well.”

King, Lomax and the secondary

Cornerback Desmond King and safety Jordan Lomax will run the show this season in the defensive backfield. The pair has played in a combined 59 games, with 38 starts. Lomax is the lone senior of the group, while King — a junior — is undoubtedly the best player in the secondary.

That said, the two aren’t surrounded by new players. Junior cornerback Greg Mabin started last season as a junior, and sophomore safety Miles Taylor played sparingly as a true freshman.

They’re expected to be the backbone of the defense and will likely have to pick up slack for some of the still-young linebackers.

“You just have to be a strong leader and come out here every day and work hard,” Lomax said. “I just want to continue to get the defense riled up. The closer we get as unit, the better we’ll play.”

Blythe, Walsh, lead the line

Austin Blythe and Jordan Walsh, both fifth-year seniors, bring plenty of experience to an Iowa line that will start three sophomores at the other positions.

It’s a story that will decide the season, because the success of the offense depends on how quickly (or scarier, if) the players become a solid unit.

Boone Myers and Ike Boettger will take the tackle spots, and Sean Welsh will hold down the other guard spot. The coaches and players have been optimistic when talking about the youth on the line, but during Iowa’s open practices, they have looked overwhelmed at times.

“I think we’re a great unit, and I think we’re ready to prove it on Saturday,” Blythe said. “We’ve heard a lot of the noise, and we want to respond to it and play well.”

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