IOWA CITY, Iowa — There have been so many questions we needed to cut up the mailbag into two elements. This one is football-centric, so right here is the second batch of questions. (Try the primary half right here.)

Observe: Submitted questions have been edited for readability.

Why are folks speaking about presumably changing Fran McCaffery, however by some means Kirk Ferentz’s title not often is talked about as a candidate for alternative? — J.M.

This debate will depend on your perspective. Clearly, J.M. — a frequent commenter on Iowa soccer posts — desires Ferentz out. Many others don’t. Let’s make this response about Ferentz fairly than evaluating him with McCaffery.

In neither sport is Iowa going to dominate the Huge Ten. Iowa is mid-level in price range and barely upper-level in income era. To that, Ferentz and Hayden Fry exceeded their weight class. With divisional play, the requirements have modified since Fry claimed three Huge Ten titles, together with two by means of ties. Ferentz has received two West titles and got here two factors from profitable a 3rd (2019) and a landing from a fourth (2022). No West group has overwhelmed the East within the Huge Ten title recreation. If that’s your normal of success at Iowa, then you definitely’re going to run by means of coaches like … insert your favourite crude analogy.

Ferentz has received 10 video games seven occasions with 5 top-10 finishes. He has 10 top-25 finishes, and in the course of the previous 5 years, Iowa ranks third amongst Huge Ten groups in general and convention wins. The Hawkeyes are 4-1 of their previous 5 bowl video games. Ferentz is tied for third with Amos Alonzo Stagg in Huge Ten-only wins (115), behind solely Woody Hayes (153) and Bo Schembechler (143). Ferentz is fourth in general wins by a Huge Ten coach (186) behind Hayes (205), Stagg (199) and Schembechler (194). Ferentz is also tied for essentially the most Huge Ten bowl victories with 10.

Now, Iowa may do higher in a ton of areas. The racial bias investigation was troublesome and painful. In discussing the state of affairs with greater than 100 mother and father, gamers and former gamers of coloration, most (not all) have been in favor of Ferentz remaining in place to attempt to construct a greater tradition.

Contemplating Iowa had the fewest switch portal departures after 2021 and tied for the second-fewest after the 2022 marketing campaign, I’d say the vast majority of gamers have purchased in. Once more, not everybody feels that means.

Followers have each proper to be upset concerning the offensive woes and the shortage of staffing modifications. It’s powerful to roll that emotional rock up the hill yr after yr and watch the offense fizzle. Final yr was a collapse in each space. However Iowa did common 31.8 factors per recreation in 2020 and had a quarterback throw 68 touchdowns from 2017-19. NFL tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant mixed for 28 landing catches in 2017-18.

Iowa quarterbacks have mixed to throw 28 touchdowns previously three seasons. The Hawkeyes ran for 4.6 yards per carry in 2020 and simply 2.9 final yr. Gamers make a distinction, too. Likewise, if Ferentz will get the entire blame for the offensive woes, he ought to obtain a lot of the credit score for the defensive success. Phil Parker does an impressive job, however Ferentz oversees all of it.

There have been years when it felt like Iowa left some meat on the bone, particularly in 2018. However there have been years the Hawkeyes overachieved, too. Such is life within the Huge Ten. Everyone seems to be justified in complaining, and I could also be on an island of 1, however Ferentz is without doubt one of the finest to ever do it within the Huge Ten. I’m not on the similar place with McCaffery.

Ferentz got here throughout (at his information convention) as unapologetic. He’s perhaps essentially the most defensive man in soccer, however he continues to point out that he doesn’t care about followers. Brian’s again and I don’t care about stats. Do you suppose that he will get motivation from proving he’s proper? Given his defensiveness, it needs to be exhausting for assistants to boost questions relating to his or Brian’s views. Do you get the sense of that while you speak to assistants? — Kyle Ok.

Do you foresee KF persevering with to be prickly with the media this season? — Jarrod S.

I’ve sat in 1000’s of reports conferences for practically 30 years, and I didn’t suppose Ferentz was out of line or overly defensive. He’s nonetheless offended concerning the state forcing by means of the settlement for the racial discrimination lawsuit; it’s solely his status that’s at stake. The state of affairs involving athletic director Gary Barta trimming Brian Ferentz’s wage and instituting metrics to make sure his employment was the primary time Kirk Ferentz has been overruled on personnel by his athletic director. He knew reporters would ask about each matters, and he answered these questions in restricted trend. No shock from me. You realize who can be a lot worse? McCaffery or wrestling coach Tom Manufacturers.

All coaches are cussed and need to be confirmed proper. Completely Ferentz would like to shove a fantastic offensive season in everybody’s ear — media, directors, unfavourable followers, you title it. I may see him using a bunker mentality after the pressure of final season. We’ll roll with it both means.

As for the assistants, none of them are going to name out the best way Ferentz shapes his employees, even when they vent from time to time. They like their jobs, too. The defensive coaches have restricted autonomy in order that they take care of points amongst themselves.

Do you may have a way of the standard of the No. 2 QB and general depth at that place? — Tom W.

Joey Labas proved he was as much as the problem within the Music Metropolis Bowl, so I consider he’s forward of the place Alex Padilla was a yr in the past. I haven’t watched Deacon Hill throw but so I’ll reserve judgment on how he matches. I wouldn’t overlook incoming freshman Marco Lainez III making a push to change into the backup in preseason camp, both. The employees has preferred him for a very long time, and Iowa isn’t afraid of leaping a real freshman into the No. 2 slot if vital.

In what stands out as the final yr of the B1G West Division, how do you see it shaking out high to backside this fall? It looks as if a continuity-vs.-flashy rent divide among the many members now. — Matthew W.

It’s an intriguing ultimate season. Minnesota and Illinois misplaced a ton of contributors. Illini defensive coordinator Ryan Walters left to change into the top coach at Purdue, which additionally seems to be rebuilding with new quarterback Hudson Card. Northwestern misplaced its 4 finest gamers to the NFL Draft, however I’ve seen Pat Fitzgerald work his miracles sufficient occasions to by no means rule out a bounce-back season.

I obtained in bother beforehand after I wrote Nebraska was “ranging from scratch” and Huge Pink Nation ripped me. Then new coach Matt Rhule used the very same phrase, and the state of affairs was defused. I don’t know what’s going to occur in Lincoln.

So, it’s all the way down to Iowa and Wisconsin. The Badgers are a wild card with the best infrastructure however a ton of newcomers for a very totally different scheme. Iowa tripled-down on its offense, which needs to be higher by default. The Hawkeyes’ protection is also the division’s finest unit. So, I’ll take Iowa to win, Wisconsin for second after which flip cash for 3 by means of seven.

GO DEEPER

How does Gary Barta stay employed? Ought to Iowa transfer on from Fran McCaffery?

Do you may have any most closely fits for the Hawks within the upcoming NFL Draft? Whether or not it’s for scheme, want or simply your individual private “like to see him right here?” — Jordan H.

I put collectively one in all these a number of weeks in the past, and I’ll once more when the draft will get nearer. Defensive finish Lukas Van Ness is finest served as a 4-3 finish with the potential to hurry from the inside or the sting. Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia or Seattle can be his most closely fits. New Texans coach DeMeco Ryans would get essentially the most out of Van Ness.

Most mocks have Jack Campbell within the 40s or 50s, however I consider he will get pushed as much as the excessive second spherical. He has all of it. He’d be good for Detroit and take that group to a different stage. I additionally may see Pittsburgh, Washington and Atlanta in play.

Tight finish Sam LaPorta has comparable intangibles as Campbell and in addition may find yourself within the second spherical. A couple of good places embody Cincinnati, Tennessee, Inexperienced Bay, Dallas and Miami. I’d prefer to see how LaPorta works with Joe Burrow and alongside that receiver unit.

Cornerback Riley Moss does his finest work in zone protection along with his eyes on the quarterback. He has good ball expertise and a burst as soon as the quarterback releases the ball. Pittsburgh’s zone protection can be a fantastic match for him. He may see taking part in time immediately in sub-packages and on particular groups.

Kaevon Merriweather is a conventional security who may match nearly anyplace. One of the best spot for Merriweather is a cash-strapped group with few draft picks. Minnesota sums that up, plus a necessity within the secondary. If the circumstances are proper, Merriweather could make a group and maybe play immediately.

As for seemingly free brokers Seth Benson, John Waggoner and Monte Pottebaum, it’s all about alternative. Benson will get plucked immediately, and if it’s in a 3-4, he has a shot. Once more, I’ll go along with Pittsburgh. For a slimmed-down Waggoner, Minnesota gives an honest shot with a brand new scheme and the chance of some undrafted free brokers making the roster. With solely half the groups using a fullback, Pottebaum faces a tricky highway. Chicago is constructing a brand new tradition with a defensive-minded coach, and Pottebaum may change into an impression particular teamer and occasional fullback.

How carefully ought to B1G followers monitor the Pac-12 media rights take care of regard to additional B1G enlargement? Since B1G soccer divisional play, which East groups has Iowa performed the least? — Tri Ok.

I believe everybody ought to take note of the Pac-12 since you’re speaking concerning the potential collapse of an influence convention and a companion since 1947. If a number of colleges bolt for the Huge 12, the Huge Ten has a call. The college presidents largely should not in favor of additional enlargement, but when the Pac-12 breaks aside, it have to be thought-about.

Iowa has performed Ohio State simply 3 times since divisional play started in 2011. They have been supposed to fulfill in 2011-12, however Legends and Leaders altered these schedules. They have been purported to play in 2014 at Kinnick, however flipping to East-West canceled that recreation, too. Then in 2020, they have been scheduled to play in Columbus, however that was canceled when the schedule modified.

If the 3-6-6 alignment will get authorized, Iowa would face three groups yearly and the others twice each 4 years.

(Prime picture: Steven Branscombe / Getty Photos)