The Big Analysis -- UNI

This is the big, fat look at the game. Some of this shows up in the paper, all of it shows up here.

When Iowa has the ball

Northern Iowa's defense is led by senior end James Ruffin. The 6-foot-4, 263-pounder is on the Ted Hendricks Award watch list (nation's top DE) and the Buck Buchanan Award (top defensive player in FCS). Last season, Ruffin led the Panthers with 10 sacks and has 14.5 for

his career. He led the Missouri Valley Conference with 18 tackles for loss to go along with 69 tackles and three forced fumbles.

Linebacker Josh Mahoney also returns. He led the Panthers with 139 tackles last season. Elijah Hodge, brother of former Iowa linebacker Abdul Hodge, transferred in from Wisconsin. The 6-1, 227-pounder is listed as the starter at middle linebacker. The Panthers are replacing four starters in the secondary, which will include a pair of freshmen corners, Terrell McBride (former Cedar Rapids Jefferson prep) and Andre Martin. UNI's rush defense was 20th last season with 107.1 yards a game.

The Panthers have enough size up front and experience at linebacker to challenge the first phase of the Hawkeyes' possible four-man running back by committee.

Coach Kirk Ferentz announced this week sophomore RB Jewel Hampton is out for the season with a knee injury. Paki O'Meara, Adam Robinson, Brandon Wegher and Jeff Brinson will chunk up the carries, probably in that order.

QB Ricky Stanzi will have a healthy Tony Moeaki at tight end, a very big deal. Moeaki could be one of the Big Ten's best if he avoids health issues. Iowa's wideouts are largely unproven - former QB Marvin McNutt and true freshman Keenan Davis - but have potential.

Iowa's offensive line will have four new starters in the lineup today. Yes, they have started, but not last season, when Iowa's O-line jelled into one of the conference's best. This unit has some proving to do.

Advantage: Iowa

When UNI has the ball

UNI coach Mark Farley picked a bad week to suspend all of his running backs. Applaud the move, though. He had to suspend Derrick Law (public intox/trespass) and Taylor Brookins (marijuana possession) for arrests Saturday. This, however, leaves the Panthers with redshirt freshman Carlos Anderson, a player Farley loves but also one with no experience and who's 5-8, 172 pounds.

Quarterback Pat Grace, a Walter Payton Award (FCS top player) candidate, has been nicknamed the “White Rhino” by teammates. He's big (6-2, 240) and rushed for 618 yards and 11 TDs last season. This is a game that's going to ask him to throw, perhaps testing someone who might be Iowa's No. 3 left cornerback. Grace's passing numbers were terrific, too, throwing for 2,041 yards, 14 TDs and compiling an efficiency rating of 145.76.

On the line of scrimmage, the Panthers are led by center Austin Steichen (6-3, 305), who's a preseason FCS all-American. Sophomore WR Josh Collins led the Panthers in receiving with 32 catches for 502 yards (15.7 a catch) and a touchdown. On the other side, sophomore Jarred Herring might be one of the fastest wideouts Iowa sees this season.

The big offseason move for Iowa's defense has been junior Christian Ballard's switch to tackle. The 6-5, 285-pounder gives Iowa's front four a ton of flexibility. Sophomore DE Broderick Binns moves into the lineup. He's a pass-rush specialist who made a lot of plays in little playing time last season. Sophomore Mike Daniels, a strong 270-pound tackle, becomes first off the bench, with sophomore Lebron Daniel backing up the end spot.

Junior Jordan Bernstine's season-ending ankle injury set back the left corner spot. Sophomore Shaun Prater's two-game suspension begins today. It's up to sophomore Willie Lowe and true freshman Micah Hyde.

Advantage: Iowa

Special teams

UNI kicker Billy Hallgren is a preseason all-American, returning with 108 points from last season. Collins (punt) and Herring (kick) are dynamic in the return game.

We'll see who won the kicker battle in Iowa's camp. It seemed headed toward junior Daniel Murray, but sophomore Trent Mossbrucker made huge strides in leg strength. CB Amari Spievey will also be unveiled as a punt and/or kick returner. He's a shutdown corner but also has game-changing potential with the ball in his hands.

Advantage: Iowa

The Scoreboard

For Iowa, this is an offensive line mix that no one saw coming when the boys were pouring Gatorade on their coach in Tampa. Dace Richardson's rise from two years off (knee realignment surgery) to starting right tackle today is incredible, but it's also two years off. Center Rafael Eubanks is back after sitting behind Rob Bruggeman last season. After missing most of last season with a broken wrist, senior Dan Doering has emerged as a first-teamer. Julian Vandervelde (surgery) and Kyle Calloway (suspension) will change the lineup when they return, but this is largely it for a couple games.

Of course, all eyes will be on Iowa running back, but look closely at the O-line. The cement isn't quite dry there.

Iowa 41, UNI 7