Big Ten Football: Projecting The West Division

4. Iowa

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

I originally expected Iowa to have a say in the division title race, but the more I thought about it, they more I couldn’t convince myself.

That said, you’d think that losing All-Conference players on offense would hinder Iowa, but somehow Ferentz finds a way to keep the gold and black train humming.

Sophomore quarterback Jake Ruddock is perfect for the system Iowa runs and he’ll have the same punishing running game of 2013 helping him out.

The problems that should arise are on defense which knocks the Hawks back to No. 4. All of the menacing linebackers who helped hold teams to just under 19 points per game are gone. Whether or not the front four can hold up as the newbies behind them learn is key.

I see them dropping their game against Pitt along with back-to-back regular season losses to Wisconsin and Nebraska. The third conference loss is to…

Final Record: 8-4 (5-3)