BEST ATTRIBUTE
Clearly, the savvy and passing ability of QB Drew Tate keeps this team afloat. Tate's steady development and heady play made Iowa's season a success. He was the Big Ten's second-highest rated passer with a mark of 133.6, and earned first-team all-conference honors as selected by the coaches.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
74.9 -- The corn-fed Hawkeyes normally have a huge offensive line and a slew of runners who can make big plays. This year, the offensive line is solid, but the running backs have fallen by the wayside and Iowa had the worst running attack in the country -- averaging 74.9 yards per game.

GAME OF THE YEAR
Iowa 30, Wisconsin 7 (Nov. 20) -- The Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers in the season finale, and when Ohio State beat Michigan the same day, it enabled the Hawkeyes to share the Big Ten title with the Wolverines. The Hawkeye defense thrashed Wisconsin with sure tackling, forcing four turnovers.

MATCHUP TO WATCH
LBs Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway vs. QB Marcus Randall -- The LSU quarterback combines mobility with arm strength. He threw two TD passes and ran for two more scores in the regular-season finale, a 43-14 win over Arkansas. Hodge and Greenway are tough, smart and aggressive. They will have to prove themselves when they go after Randall and also do a solid job in coverage.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"For the first time, the potential is there for guys not to be eligible. We're waiting for clarification on what we do. Do we pull a guy immediately out of practice if there's a problem?" -- Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz on the possibility of having to deal with academic problems of his players.

Copyright (C) 2004 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.