Toby Rows Top 25...No. 10 Iowa

Originally Published: Aug 25, 2010 12:7 PM CDT

Ricky Stanzis stats dont blow you away. They never have (17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2009). But the Iowa quarterback is a winner. Hes 18-4 as a starting quarterback for the Hawkeyes and hes back in 2010 to try to lead Iowa to a Big 10 title.

Kirk Ferentz wants to run the ball down your throat. Sophomore tailbacks Adam Robinson, Brandon Wegher and Jewel Hampton will hope to combine to be as spectacular as Shonn Greene was in 2008. Receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is in line to become Iowas all-time leading receiver. Iowa will be pretty good on offense...not great...not explosive...but pretty good.

The Hawkeyes could be nasty, however, on defense. Eight starters return from one of the best units in the country. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn is a game-changer and a sure-fire NFL first-rounder. Hes a one-man wrecking crew. All four starting defensive linemen are back. The only question is how will they make up for the loss of linebacker Pat Angerer who was the heart of the 2009 defense.

Iowa is always great on special teams. Punter Ryan Donahue and kicker Daniel Murray will be Ray Guy and Lou Groza watch listers.

The schedule has worked out great for the Hawkeyes. They get Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State all in Iowa City. The road is paved for them to win the Big 10. But they wont. Theyll lose to the Buckeyes late in the season and a road game either at Arizona or at Michigan.

Prediction: 10-2