Monday depth chart tells no lies (this time)

IOWA CITY -- Iowa's depth chart has become somewhat disingenuous the last seven or so weeks with some of the names listed.

So, when all three linebackers spots were shifted around Monday, it raised a few eyebrows.

Senior Tyler Nielsen is listed as the starting middle linebacker, where he played against Minnesota last week. Sophomore James Morris, who was listed in the middle but played outside last week, is the No. 1 weakside linebacker. Sophomore Christian Kirksey, who has been the starting weakside linebacker all season, has been shifted to the strongside.

And it's all for real, according to Kirk Ferentz.

"I think at least going into this week, what you saw on the chart we released is what we plan on doing," Ferentz said. "Tyler will play in the middle, James and Kirksey on the outside, go from there."

Injuries have, for the second straight season, destroyed the best-laid plans at linebacker, but Iowa is now back to the three who at least started the season. They're in different positions -- a factor that could be driven by Nielsen's broken left hand -- but they're the originals.

Kirksey, who played some outside linebacker against Pittsburgh, believes this is a good combination.

"Each linebacker is ready," said Kirksey, who leads the Hawkeyes with 76 tackles. "Coach [Darrell Wilson] gives us the tips we need to know at each spot. It's new for me, but at the same time, I'm comfortable with it. I feel like I'm prepared."

Asked if he thought it was permanent or if he thought outside was the best spot for him, Kirksey deflected to helping the team.

"Wherever they need me to play, I'm ready to play and I just want to help the team," he said. "It didn't trouble me playing on the outside, but I also feel comfortable on the line of scrimmage."

Ferentz said he didn't want to make excuses, but did cite injuries as a key factor for Iowa's defense, which has watched its numbers drop across the board after sending four players to the NFL draft last year.

"All those things make it a more complex equation," Ferentz said. "You go from Algebra I to Calculus II. Those are the things you deal with.

"We'll go back to work. We're not going to come out with a new front, we're not going to one-gap it and play Tampa Two. We're going to play defense and see what happens."