4. Iowa College Football Preview 2021: Defense
– It would’ve been nice if leading tackler LB Nick Niemann and DE Chauncey Golston were still around for their super-senior years, and losing star DT Daviyon Nixon early to the NFL stings, but there’s a good chance that eight of the top 11 tacklers are back on a defense that finished eighth in the nation overall and was a killer against the run.
– There isn’t a ton of bulk on the interior of the line, but there’s a good rotation and size at all four spots up front. Golston was the main pass rusher outside and Nixon was the main man inside, but as always, the line has a slew of 270ish pound active defenders who’ll battle against the run. It would be nice if there was a 320-pound brick wall of an anchor inside, but Noah Shannon and Yahya Black should get the job done.
– The Hawkeyes always play around with their defensive alignment, but watch out for them to get faster and more athletic by using S Dane Belton even more in a bit of a hybrid position. There’s good size and thump from the lineabackers – even with Niemann done – and the secondary has an All-Big Ten talent in safety Jack Koerner and veteran corners.
– What You Need To Know: Offense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Iowa Schedule Analysis