Keep an eye on "my" Hawks...

The Washington Post has been running through its College Football Top 25 for the past week, and yesterday, they profiled #17 in their poll, "my" Iowa Hawkeyes.

The Hawkeyes look positioned to challenge Ohio State for the Big Ten championship. At the center of it is [Drew] Tate, who passed for 2,828 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. The star quarterback wants to make the most of his senior campaign in which he has at least an outside shot to win the Heisman Trophy.

I could be biased, but they're looking like a contender. The wide receiving corps worries me, with Ed Hinkel and Clinton Solomon gone. (Oh, Adrian Arrington - you could've helped your home state Hawks...) But if Albert Young picks up where he left off last season, the running game will be in great shape, and could make up the difference.

And the defense has to recover from losing Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge, but have a couple of juniors ready to step in those linebacking slots. But every starter returns on the defensive line, and the veteran safeties should compensate for the inexperience at cornerback.

Ultimately, in Kirk Ferentz we trust. The only thing that should keep Iowa from being a perennial Big Ten power is Ferentz deciding he'd like to ply his trade in the NFL. But he's already turned down some great offers, so maybe he's a Hawkeye lifer. Fingers (and corncobs) are crossed.

Okay, carry on. I'll keep my thoughts of Iowa City and fried pork tenderloin sandwiches to myself...