[bears9]

1. With so many players having been arrested, does that point to a disconnect on the team, perhaps caused by some players not having enough respect for the coaches?

It makes you wonder because every time a player gets arrested or cited for breaking some law, it reflects poorly on the Iowa coaches. It's sort of like betraying your parents' trust, because just like coaches, parents can't be with their kids 24 hours a day.

You also worry about team morale because nobody likes an environment where being punished or lectured to is a common occurrence.

2. How big of a concern is the situation at running back?
Real big unless junior college transfer Nate Guillory is a star waiting to happen and if Shonn Greene comes back this fall in excellent physical and mental shape and if Jevon Pugh simply comes back.

Greene currently is attending junior college and will rejoin the team this fall, assuming his academics are in order. He didn't play football in junior college last fall, so it will be nearly two years since Greene last played in a game when he enters the 2008 season.

As for Pugh, who played sparingly as a true freshman last season, there is speculation he won't be on the team this fall. In fact, some reports already have him returning to his home state of Florida.

That means either an incoming freshman or a walk-on might have to play a significant role at running back next season. Nothing against incoming freshmen or walk-ons, but you'd like to have more firepower and experience at such an important position.

3. Will somebody actually challenge Jake Christensen for playing time at quarterback this spring or by next fall?

If the answer proves to be no, you hope it's because Christensen has made marked improvement since last season rather than it was his position once again by default.

Redshirt freshman Marvin McNutt is an intriguing prospect at quarterback, but he is at a disadvantage because Christensen is two years older than him and has more experience.

In other words, it's probably Christensen's job to lose more than McNutt's job to win.

4. Will junior tight end Tony Moeaki be able to pick up where he left off last season?

There is no reason he can't if his injuries heal properly. The good news is that Moeaki hurt his arm and hand last season rather than a knee. He also had emerged as Iowa's go-to receiver when he was injured against Wisconsin in the fourth game of the season.

5. Is there enough quality depth among the receivers to make up for the losses of Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman?

The key word with that question is quality. There still are plenty of receivers on the team, even without Douglas and Bowman, but none are what you'd call a stud receiver, at least not yet.

Senior Andy Brodell is dependable and explosive when healthy and sophomore Derrell Johnson-Koulianos could be a star-in-the-making, but they both have their faults, too.

6. Is it reasonable to think that the two cornerback positions will be equal to last season despite having new starters?

That might be asking too much because there are few things more difficult than playing cornerback. Charles Godfrey and Adam Shada were both seasoned veterans last season, and they still struggled at times.

It also doesn't help that sophomore Jordan Bernstine, who is considered one of the favorites to start at cornerback next season, is out this spring because of injuries.

7. Linebacker has been a strength for Iowa during most of Ferentz's time as head coach. Will that again be the case this coming season despite the losses of Mike Klinkenborg and Mike Humpal?

It very well could be if junior A.J. Edds and sophomore Jacody Coleman continue to develop and if a third starter emerges this spring. Edds started every game last season as a sophomore and is one of the most talented players on the team. He also has a presence about him that makes him a good leader.

Coleman showed last season as a true freshman that he wasn't intimidated by his surroundings.

People assumed there would be a huge decline after Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge used up their eligibility at linebacker in 2005. But that really wasn't the case. Humpal and Klinkenborg weren't in the same class as Greenway or Hodge, but they were stars in their own right.

8. Is there reason to be concerned about the kicker position?

Yes, unless there is a way to get Nate Kaeding back on the team without the NCAA finding out. Daniel Murray and Austin Signor both had their moments last season but not enough to say that either is reliable.

9. Is the offensive line closer to being a strength than a weakness at this stage?

It's neither at this point. But with so many experienced offensive linemen returning, it's hard to imagine it being a weakness.

10. How would you evaluate Iowa's 2008 schedule?

It always helps getting to avoid both Michigan and Ohio State, but remember we said the same thing about last season and look what happened. Perhaps the best thing is that Iowa doesn't play Western Michigan this season, and it faces Iowa State at home.

It'll be hard for this Iowa team to win at Pittsburgh in the fourth game, which makes defeating Iowa State the week before more important than usual.

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