The Pylons -- UNI

A look at the look at Iowa-Northern Iowa

1. What does this game mean?

The NFL has four preseason games. The University of Iowa has the University of Northern Iowa. That's not meant to be a knock on the Panthers. They are a gold standard program in FCS, perfectly capable of jumping up and biting the Hawkeyes. Every team has a game one and a first time out. This is it for the Hawkeyes.

Some teams leave themselves a bit bigger obstacle on that first step (Oregon?). You can certainly argue the idea of scheduling an FCS team, but then there's always Appalachian State. You remember, 2007, season opener at Michigan's "Big House." In this case, the Hawkeyes don't want to be anything like Michigan.

"Oh yeah. All you have to do is say Appalachian State and I will finish that sentence, too," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "That's the same Michigan team that beat Florida that year. Everyone knows the story of Appalachian State and Michigan, but the rest of the story is four months later, they beat Florida when everyone thought Michigan was going to get their tail kicked in that one. It wasn't like they were a dog team. They went up there and won. That's all you need to know."

UNI is without its top two running backs (Derrick Law and Taylor Brookins) and top receiver from last season (Josh Collins suffered a torn ACL this week), but it should provide the Hawkeyes a decent read on where they are, especially offensively.

2. Where should you point the binoculars?

There are a ton of hot spots to watch. First and foremost is running back followed closely by offensive line. How will left cornerback hold up? Will DC Norm Parker gear his defense to help out that spot? What's going on at wide receiver? CB Amari Spievey returning punts? Is Daniel Murray the kicker?

RB -- Junior Paki O'Meara is the man -- to a degree. He's Iowa's most experienced RB. He's logged carries, been in the system and is versed in the blocking. He's first this week, but Ferentz has said it'll be a committee effort. Freshmen Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher will have a say. How much? Maybe a package to use Wegher's talents out in space? 

LCB -- This week and Iowa State, it's Willie Lowe and Micah Hydle, a true freshman. Shaun Prater will be in the mix for Arizona. Will Norm tweak things? Probably not, but it's a thought.

WR -- Is DJK healthy? What will Keenan Davis' role be?

CB -- If Spievey is Iowa's best KR and PR, Ferentz will use him at both. The point is to win, not worry about the team's top corner getting hurt. Spievey showed a talent for special teams at Iowa Central, where had two KR TDs and four blocked punts. Remember, Iowa is 0-for-6 years on kick returns for TDs.

K -- I'm thinking it's Murray's job and Mossbrucker redshirts. The duties could be split, but that doesn't make sense, does it?

3. Who's number __?

I've written about UNI's DE James Ruffin (44) plenty this week. You get the idea on him. I also like LB Josh Mahoney (47). He made 139 tackles and three INTs last season. He's a coach-on-the-field type (double major in English and economics). Interesting kid. Last summer, he traveled to Nicaragua for a class and community service. He's a preseason FCS all-American.

On offense, after QB Pat Grace (13), you will notice WR Jarred Herring (83). He earned honorable mention all-Missouri Valley as a true freshman last year. He averaged an impressive 19.13 yards a catch. His standout dimension is speed. He won the MVC 100 meters last spring.

4. Ferentz's Hubba Bubba gum falls out if . . . (I think it's Hubba Bubba)

The O-line doesn't perform. For this game, there are four new starters compared to last year's line, which turned out to be top three (or maybe two) in the Ferentz era. There is experience in fifth-year seniors C Rafael Eubanks, G Dan Doering and T Dace Richardson, but G Adam Gettis is making his first career start. T Kyle Calloway (suspension) returns next week and G Julian Vandervelde (shoulder/arm) will eventually be back. UNI's front seven might be the Panthers' strength. And, of course, everyone is going to be dissecting the living daylights out of Iowa RB.