VIDEO: Morgan talks Bulaga, NFL and Iowa O-line

Iowa offensive line coach Reese Morgan discusses a number of topics here.

At first, he's answering a question about former Iowa center and now Tampa Bay Buccaneer Rob Bruggeman. At about 20 seconds, I ask about OT Bryan Bulaga and what he needs to focus on to make that NFL talk real. Morgan talks about technique in the run game and some other things, but also praised Bulaga's work ethic and how seriously he takes everyday and every minute out on the practice field and in the film room.

This was obviously before Bulaga was injured in practice last week. He sat out Saturday's scrimmage with either a right knee tweak or a hamstring. He ran sprints and coach Kirk Ferentz said it wasn't serious.

At 1:40, Morgan answers a question about center, breaking down the candidates more or less. FWIW, I think it's senior Rafael Eubanks. He played well Saturday and there wasn't a lot of rotation going on.

OL Dace Richardson is a tremendous story, coming back from two lost seasons because of knee realignment. Morgan gets that question at 2:20.

At 2:50, he talks tackle Markus Zusevics, guard Adam Gettis and guard Riley Reiff, who, because of injuries and performance, started at guard during Saturday's scrimmage.

Finally, at 4:03, I asked if the NFL/Bulaga talk made coaches sweat a little bit. It's probably one of those good problems, in a way. At 4:31, an umbrella comes out of nowhere.

Hawkeye thought of the day -- The starting O-line Saturday was junior walk-on Kyle Haganman at left tackle, Reiff at left guard, Eubanks at center, Gettis at right guard and Dace Richardson at right tackle. Dan Doering rotated at RG. Andy Kuempel also played some guard. Will this be the OL on Sept. 5? Maybe. Depends on Bulaga's health. Do you sit him for UNI if there's a doubt? Probably. Junior Julian Vandervelde could miss at least the first two games. He still isn't practicing after a June biceps surgery. Right tackle Kyle Calloway is suspended for UNI because of his OWI arrest, but he's also been resting an IT band strain (runner's knee).

It could go this way vs. UNI:

LT -- Bulaga

LG -- Reiff

C -- Eubanks

RG -- Gettis/Doering

RT -- Richardson

And then vs. ISU, it could be closer to what was expected:

LT -- Bulaga

LG -- Richardson

C -- Eubanks

RG -- Gettis/Doering/Reiff

RT -- Calloway

And then vs. Arizona full speed ahead with the top lineup (again, depending on Vandervelde's recovery; he might not have much if any contact in at this point):

LT -- Bulaga

LG -- Richardson/Reiff

C -- Eubanks

RG -- Doering/Keumpel/ Gettis

RT -- Calloway

Three more weeks of practice, but these seem to be the names locked in.

Big Ten thought of the day -- Is Illinois coach Ron Zook on the hot seat? Randy Beard from the Evansville (Ind.) Courier and Press seems to think so. Zook's overall record is troubling, just 18-30 heading into his fifth season. But he did deliver a 9-4 and a Rose Bowl in 2007. This season, he's got QB Juice Williams, WR Arrelious Benn and a new OC in Mike Schultz.

Hot seat? I think it's a year too early for that, but a New Year's Day bowl might be what it takes to keep the backside chilled.

Of course, Hawkeye people know that the Kinnick renovation is being paid for with luxury seating. The Gazette's Scott Dochterman reported in late July that Iowa might have one or two unsold suites this season. At Minnesota's brand spanking new TCF Bank Stadium, this is a problem. Sales of luxury seating is $2 million below budget right now. The economy and an alcohol ban are being blamed. Hawkeye people know you could imbibe away at the Metrodome. There's a joke here that I'm going to walk away from.

National thought of the day -- Paul Gattis of the Huntsville (Ala.) Times calls out SEC non-conference schedules. . . . What's not to like about Vanderbilt? . . . Arizona offense widely panned after weekend scrimmage. 

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