DaytonDailyNews.com

DDN predicted order of finish: 9th

Scouting the Hawkeyes

2007: 6-6, 4-4 Big Ten

Last 5 years: 39-23, 23-17 Big Ten

Last bowl: 2006 Alamo, Texas 26, Iowa 24

Coach: Kirk Ferentz

Starters returning: 4 offense, 6 defense

Positive vibes: The front seven on defense should be stout, led by four-year starters at defensive tackle in Mitch King and Matt Kroul. Sophomore Derrell Johnson-Koulianos could be among top receivers in Big Ten.

Negative vibes: The Hawkeyes averaged a league-low 18.5 points per game last year. Tailback position was wiped out by graduation and is a huge question mark.

By the numbers

6.13 Yards per passing attempt for junior quarterback Jake Christensen last year, the lowest mark in the league.

31-7 Kirk Ferentz's record at Iowa from 2002-04, including a pair of Big Ten co-championships.

19-18 Ferentz's record since then, including a 6-6 mark in '07 that ended with a home loss to Western Michigan.

Schedule

Aug. 30 MAINE BTN noon

Sept. 6 FLORIDA INT'L BTN noon

Sept. 13 IOWA STATE BTN noon

Sept. 20 Pittsburgh TBA

Sept. 27 NORTHWESTERN noon

Oct. 4 Michigan State noon

Oct. 11 Indiana TBA

Oct. 18 WISCONSIN TBA

Oct. 25 Bye

Nov. 1 Illinois TBA

Nov. 8 PENN STATE TBA

Nov. 15 PURDUE TBA

Nov. 22 Minnesota BTN 7 p.m.