2003: 10-3 overall, 5-3 Big Ten (T-4th)

Coach: Kirk Ferentz 32-29 in 5 years at the school

Returning starters: 10; 2 offense, 7 defense, punter

Players to watch: RB Jermelle Lewis (241 yds., 46 att., 1 TD), QB Drew Tate (6-11, 55, 1 TD, 0 Int.), OT Pete McMahon, LB Abdul Hodge (141 tackles, 11 sacks, 13 TFL), LB Chad Greenway (132 tackles, 11 TFL), DE Matt Roth (12 sacks, 16 TFL)

Hot topics: Tate, a prep phenom from Texas, becomes the third starting quarterback in three years. The big three on defense -- Hodge, Greenway and Roth -- will set the tone for a typically rough, tough, bunch of Hawkeyes.

Cold facts: Iowa basically keeps starting from scratch without skipping a beat. Eventually you'd think the inexperience would catch up with the Hawks, especially on an offense missing tackle Robert Gallery and welcoming back only two starters.

Overview: Ferentz has proven himself to be one of the best coaches in the Big Ten. Somehow he'll find a way to get it done again, even though it means replacing Gallery, 1,000-yard rusher Fred Russell and 2002 Groza Award-winning placekicker Nate Kaeding.

--Jon Spencer

Originally published Wednesday, September 8, 2004