Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/558473
VOLUME 25, ISSUE 6 105 Down Decade O ne of the modern Big Ten's most time-tested, quietly suc- cessful coaching eras may be on the ropes. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz enters the 2015 season probably having to do some- thing big to dispel thoughts that his leadership has run its course. Ferentz built on the foundation that predecessor Hayden Fry established for the Iowa program, but in Ferentz' decade-and-a-half reign, things have plateaued. It's been five years now since the Hawkeyes won more than eight games, a level of success many pro- grams would happily accept, but a de- parture from the four double-digit-win seasons Iowa posted under Ferentz's direction earlier. That slip toward average — under- scored by a 7-6 2014 season in which Iowa lost three of its last four — com- bined with some off-the-field con- troversies and on-the-field struggles against rival Iowa State have put Fer- entz on the clock, if not the chopping block, particularly now that an exor- bitant long-term contract has reached the point where a move might be man- ageable. Ferentz's buy-out is now only about $10 million. "I think it might get to the point where they can't afford to keep him," said Tom Kakert of HawkeyeReport. com, the Rivals.com site that covers Iowa. Iowa, Kakert said, may have to win upwards of nine games this season in order for Ferentz to see Year 17 at Iowa. Maybe it happens, with a soft home schedule and user-friendly league slate in general — Iowa ducks Mich- igan, Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State — maybe greasing the Hawkeyes' path to at least a .500 sea- son. The biggest games come on the road, where they'll meet Iowa State in a crucial game for Ferentz, as well as Wisconsin, Northwestern, Indiana and Nebraska. Those are the games that might be the difference between Iowa's once-iconic coach staying and going come this winter. There are major questions Iowa will have to answer, though. 8/30 NORTHERN IOWA . . . W, 31-23 9/6 BALL STATE . . . . . . . . W, 17-13 9/13 IOWA STATE. . . . . . . . L, 17-20 9/20 at Pittsburgh . . . . . . . W, 24-20 9/27 at Purdue . . . . . . . . . . W, 24-10 10/11 INDIANA . . . . . . . . . . . W, 45-29 10/18 at Maryland . . . . . . . . L, 31-38 11/1 NORTHWESTERN. . . . . W, 48-7 11/8 at Minnesota . . . . . . . L, 14-51 11/15 at Illinois . . . . . . . . . . W, 30-14 11/22 WISCONSIN . . . . . . . . L, 24-26 11/28 NEBRASKA . . . . . . . . . L, 34-37 1/2 TENNESSEE . . . . . . . . L, 28-45 Who's in Charge? COACH KIRK FERENTZ Record at Iowa: 115-85 (15 seasons) Record vs. Purdue: 8-4 Iowa Iowa should be strong in the running game, with lead back Jordan Canzeri (pictured) teaming with LeShun Dan- iels. But the Hawkeyes have questions on the line. Iowa Hawkeyes 2015 OPPONENT PRE VIE W N OV. 21 • K I N N I C K S TA D I U M, I OWA C I T Y • T I M E: T BA • T V: T BA 9/5 ILLINOIS STATE 9/12 at Iowa State 9/19 PITTSBURGH 9/26 NORTH TEXAS 10/3 at Wisconsin 10/10 ILLINOIS 10/17 at Northwestern 10/31 MARYLAND 11/7 at Indiana 11/14 MINNESOTA 11/21 PURDUE 11/27 at Nebraska 2014 Results (7-6) 2015 Schedule G O L D A N D B L AC K 'S E A R LY L I N E : I O W A - 8 After winning at least 10 games each season from 2002-2004, Iowa has taken a hit among the Big Ten pecking order in the last 10 years. OF NOTE: Iowa averaged just 3.54 penalties per game in 2014, tied for the third-lowest average in the nation along with Air Force. 2005: 7-5 2006: 6-7 2007: 6-6 2008: 9-4 2009: 11-2 2010: 8-5 2011: 7-6 2012: 4-8 2013: 8-5 2014: 7-6