Quarterback
A new starter at QB is a trend that's marked the Kirk Ferentz era. For the fifth straight season a new name will lead the offense, but for the first time it won't be a senior. The likely heir apparent to Nathan Chandler will be true sophomore Drew Tate, the most prolific passer in Texas high school history. Tate felt that starting four years in a spread offense at Robert E. Lee High, the same school that wrought Ell Roberson, helped him see the field better and adjust more quickly to the college game than expected. Ferentz has officially made this a four-man QB derby, with sophs Eric McCollom, Cy Phillips and Jason Manson also in the mix. Don't expect the talented McCollom, who saw time at receiver before suffering an undisclosed injury, to be kept off the field if Tate wins the job.

Running Back
Jermelle Lewis, who missed the first seven games last year due to knee surgery, will take over for two-time 1,000-yarder Fred Russell. Lewis eventually averaged 5.2 yards per carry, an encouraging sign that the knee is fine. And he's multi-dimensional (Russell caught just six passes). Redshirt freshman Albert Young should be the backup. With 4.4 speed, Young should also be a target for Tate. As a sophomore two years ago, Lewis teamed with Russell to form the most productive backfield duo in school history. Lewis and Young should resemble that one-two punch, complicating things for opposing defenses.

Wide Receiver
This group needs some work, but the talent will surface with Tate at the helm. The Hawkeyes were 11th in the Big Ten in passing offense, thanks to injuries. The injuries did present an opportunity to develop several of this campaign's returning WRs, and good thing - last year's leading receivers are gone. Soph Calvin Davis has deep threat potential. He will stretch the field, for he won nine in-state track titles (100 meters in 10.73). Lining up opposite Davis will be Ed Hinkle, a possession guy who began '03 atop the depth chart, but was limited to six starts due to a groin injury. These two have the jets and the mitts to spread defenses and open things up for the running game and underneath routes. Others on the depth chart bode well for speed and hands, so expect more and you will likely see such - just wait for time to aid the learning curve for all on this side of the ball so the WRs can flourish.

Tight End
Junior Mike Follett and senior Tony Jackson, though not starters, played in every '03 game and will split time this fall. Follett is a former outside backer who runs the 40 in 4.6 and should be a part of the passing scheme. Jackson, on the other hand, is a 265-pounder who will be used primarily to open holes for Lewis and Young.

Offensive Line
There's plenty of beef, but little cohesion up front for a unit that's reloading for the second straight year. Seven 300-pounders are among the 10 linemen likely to fill top two slots on the depth chart. That doesn't include center Brian Ferentz, the head coach's son who returns after missing the final seven games due to a knee injury. David Walker is back at left guard after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3. RG Pete McMahon is the lone senior up front. Mike Jones filled in nicely at left guard for Walker but will be moved to left tackle to replace graduated Outland Trophy recipient Robert Gallery. There's more experience here, overall, than last fall. Even without Gallery, this unit can pave the way for a gritty running game and keep pressure off a young QB. But a few injuries would be like sugar in the gas tank for a group that still has to learn how to play together.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
This gutted O has enough holes to fill a doughnut factory. But victories in the recruiting wars have turned a rebuilding year into a reloading one. With more speed at the skill positions, and several Big Ten defenses on the makeover, this unit might even be that much more successful in the 'W' column. It will certainly be more balanced, with the tight end and running back spots more involved in the passing game, as well as a dual backfield threat. There's depth everywhere, a silver lining in some of last fall's injuries. And there are variables, with McCollom a possibility to line up anywhere. Despite its youth, Iowa will fare much better than eighth in the conference in offense.

Defensive Line
The front-four will be quick and interchangeable. Left end Matt Roth was the Big Ten's No. 2 pass-rusher with 12 sacks. The rest of the line is minus two starters, but returnees Jonathon Babineaux, Tyler Luebke, Matt Neubauer and Derreck Robinson each got starts inside. Each of the four has also seen time at end, and Neubauer is a converted linebacker. Babineaux, a former end who moved inside last year and started the first seven games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury, will move back outside. But expect the staff to constantly shuffle the deck to utilize the overall speed of this group and overwhelm slower O-lines. Finishing eighth in the entire NCAA for rushing defense may not occur, but results will be similar in impact. Early tilts with ASU and Michigan will make for trial-by-fire lessons that will pay off in the campaign's ladder half.

Linebacker
All-Big Ten backers Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge are back to form one of the most fierce LB duos in the Big Ten. Hodge calls himself the "Hitman," and with 4.5-40 speed, he has the range to take out anybody from the Mike position. Greenway moves over to the strongside. Hodge led the Big Ten in tackles, and Greenway was third, indicating the hogs up front are allowing these guys to roam free and clean up the garbage. So, unless this year's bigmen can also garner constant double-teams, don't expect the same production levels. Senior George Lewis, a senior, could be a weak link next to Hodge and Greenway.

Defensive Back
This could be the best defensive backfield in school history, even with the losses. The Big Ten's top scoring defense was somewhat vulnerable to the pass, but that won't again be the case. Juniors Antwan Allen and Jovon Johnson are back at the corners. Johnson, an undersized playmaker, is the top cover guy. He was second in the conference with six picks as a soph. Allen is a solid open field tackler. Free safety Sean Considine, regarded as the brains of the secondary, returns as well. The last role could be filled by juco-transfer Wallner Belleus, a cover corner who dominates in bump-and-run coverage. Expect this unit to be the defensive barometer all can follow.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Iowa runs a basic 4-3, with two-deeps their pass-coverage of preference. Fast and experienced are the two adjectives that keep popping up here. There's no reason this defense, which carried this team in '03, won't be stronger. Especially with an offense that puts a little less pressure on it. The D gave up some yards, especially through the air, but led the Big Ten in scoring defense, red-zone defense and fourth-down stops. Finding an adequate weakside backer and a strong safety are the keys, as are more defensive TDs (only two last year, both fumble returns). But there's plenty of young talent around to fill any holes. Expect plenty of three-and-outs and good field position for the O.