Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz talked about the basics in an appearance at Big Ten media day. He says they have to fill some holes on both sides of the line to have success this season. “If you look at our football team, we have two outstanding senior defensive tackles, two outstanding offensive tackles. So the discussion really starts kind of there,” Ferentz says. “The good news is I think we have good players that are working hard to try to follow those players. Follow in their footsteps. They’re progressing. And certainly what we do in the next month is going to be really important for our development as a football team.”

Once the fill in the spots on the lines, they need to work on depth. “We need to develop depth at the quarterback position, receiver position as well. Defensively, the two defensive tackles, replacing those guys, developing depth there. The linebacker spot, we lost Quinton Alston, our middle linebacker. We feel pretty good about the group we have, and then a safety spot at the back end. So those areas are things we’ve been addressing,” Ferentz says.

Tight end Jake Duzey was injured in spring practice, but the coach is optimistic they’ll get him back. “The only good thing that came out of that was it’s not going to be a season-ending injury. So his rehab has gone very well. He’s making good strides,” according to Ferentz. “I think where we’re at right now, the next four weeks will be really critical how the four weeks go for him. And we’re optimistic. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, but we’re optimistic he’ll be able to return sometime in September.”

Iowa is picked to finish 4th in the Big Ten West this season.

(Learfield Sports)