The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers are the two teams in the Big Ten West that have generated the most preseason buzz this offseason.
Count Big Ten Network analyst Anthony Herron as one that’s firmly in the Hawkeyes’ camp to make it to Indy.
With the Big Ten Network crew on hand in Iowa City on Friday for the network’s league camp tour, the spotlight was shining squarely on the Hawkeyes’ hopes in 2023. Herron took that opportunity to share why he’s picking Iowa to win the West over Wisconsin and others this season.
"I believe they're the favorite to win the West this season."
Anthony Herron shares why @HawkeyeFootball is his preseason pick to get to Indy. ⤵️#B1Gtoday x @BigAntHerron pic.twitter.com/nCqXY9QBkr
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 18, 2023
“I believe they’re the favorite to win the West this season. At least in my mind they should be. And, we’ve seen the history that Wisconsin has and how they’ve been one of the teams that have dominated this division over the years. But, in the last edition of the West, we can be confident, we should be confident in what Luke Fickell will build in Madison, but, when we’re talking consistency, continuity, proven commodities, there’s no team in the West that has more of that this season than the Iowa Hawkeyes.
“Between the leadership of Kirk Ferentz, coordinators at all positions. And not just Brian (Ferentz) on offense where yes they have growth on offense as we just got done discussing, but the spectacular defense, the fantastic special teams led by LeVar Woods as well. So, coordinators intact each side of the ball at a high level, so I do believe the Iowa Hawkeyes are the pick to click in the West and I’m not really sure that there’s a strong case to be made elsewhere. It won’t shock me if Wisconsin bursts onto the scene with Phil Longo’s offense and all the talent that returns on defense that should be better, but as far as what I know, the tangible evidence that was there from years past coming into this season, Iowa’s the surest bet,” Herron said of Iowa.
While some will understandably poke fun at offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz and the Hawkeyes’ offensive shortcomings of late, Herron’s continuity argument applies across the board for Iowa. It applies to each of the coordinators and assistants.
It also applies to several key stars such as wide receiver Nico Ragaini, tight end Luke Lachey, and cornerback Cooper DeJean to name a few.
Up front offensively, the Hawkeyes return Connor Colby, Logan Jones, Mason Richman, Beau Stephens, Nick DeJong and Tyler Elsbury with starting experience. On the defensive side of the football, Iowa brings back names like Logan Lee, Noah Shannon and Joe Evans.
Sprinkle in the transfer portal additions for the Hawkeyes—quarterback Cade McNamara, tight end Erick All, offensive linemen Rusty Feth and Daijon Parker, wide receivers Seth Anderson and Kaleb Brown and linebacker Nick Jackson—and Iowa fans have something to be excited about.
In cleveland.com’s annual Big Ten media preseason poll, the Badgers narrowly edged the Hawkeyes out for the top spot in the West. In fact, Iowa finished just one point behind Wisconsin in the voting. The Hawkeyes picked up 16 first-place votes from the media in the West.
Meanwhile, in the preseason Associated Press Top 25, Wisconsin checked in at No. 19 and Iowa at No. 25 nationally. In the preseason USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, the Hawkeyes were the first team out and were receiving the most votes nationally. Wisconsin ranked No. 21 in the preseason USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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