Iowa Hawkeyes
(6-7, 8th in the Big Ten)

Key returnees: DE Ken Iwebema, RB Albert Young, LB Mike Klinkenborg

Player to watch: Yet another QB in this spot, but it seems that no contender other than Michigan in the conference is completely confident in its quarterback. Hawkeye Jake Christensen replaces Tate at the helm of the offense, and his ability to get the job done will determine where Iowa finishes.

Reason for optimism: After a rare down year last season, the Hawkeyes appear poised to regain their standing as an above-average Big Ten squad. QB Drew Tate is gone, but he never quite realized his potential, and the team returns all of its receivers, its top running back and eight defensive starters. Iowa also misses both Michigan and Ohio State on the schedule.

Reason for pessimism: The Hawkeyes have a tough early stretch on their schedule, with road trips to Wisconsin and Penn State as two of their first three conference games. Also, nobody yet knows whether some of the key returnees are actually as good as they were projected to be out of high school.

Bottom line: Iowa won't get through Madison and State College unscathed, but the schedule is unconscionably easy after Oct. 6, and the Hawkeyes should breeze to an impressive Big Ten record. 9-3.