Could the Big Ten/ACC/Pac-12 alliance end the Cy-Hawk game? Iowa mailbag (2024)

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Man, it’s good to have football to discuss this time of year.

I just think back to a year ago when the Big Ten season was shut down and we all wondered if there would be a spring season or a winter campaign at neutral-site Midwestern domes. Thankfully, the powers that be changed their mind on Sept. 16, 2020, but it was filled with such turbulent chaos, it’s nothing I’d like to experience again.

I’m thrilled to get your football-related questions entering Iowa’s final free weekend. Then it’s back to a full Kinnick Stadium. Let’s get to your questions.

Note: Submitted questions have been edited for clarity.

What does the alliance between the B1G, Pac-12 and the ACC mean for nonconference scheduling in football and basketball?

Adam, Melbourne

Could the Big Ten, ACC, Pac-12 alliance kill off the Iowa State game? Can’t imagine anyone wants to see Iowa vs. Oregon State or Washington State.

Matthew F.

Scott, much talk about super conferences, alliances etc. To expand your zone, how do you see this working out for the Olympic sports at those schools?

Ross B.

What’s stopping football from breaking away from the NCAA? The top 64 teams could sell out to Amazon or something. NCAA could still govern other sports. Schools still get money from Amazon rights, and March Madness and conferences still exist.

Josh S.

With everything happening how does the Big 12 survive? With them being left out do you think coaches might consider looking at other coaching jobs when they come available?

Danny S.

The Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC need to get “The Alliance” on some apparel and fast. We don’t know how long this is going to last, but the linking of arms has some Star Wars elements to it. I’m not sure who is Luke Skywalker or Han Solo, however.

I wrote about the alliance’s scheduling elements a few days ago. Once the leagues figure out exactly how to adjust their future football schedules, then they’re going to work together to add nonconference games against one another. For the Big Ten and Pac-12, the primary question revolves around staying at nine league games or dropping down to eight. Most athletics departments demand seven home games each year for financial reasons and very few would agree to more than 10 Power 5 games in a given season. So, each program might have one, maybe two, alliance-related games annually when it starts.

As for basketball, the Big Ten and ACC have a longstanding annual challenge and this alliance only solidifies that arrangement. Perhaps the Pac-12 enters into a similar series with one of the leagues or it’s just simply a way to generate and guarantee more games through the league offices. Ultimately, fans win with more competitions involving the alliance. As for Olympic sports, this is where the Big Ten benefits the most. The conference collegiality could lead to better schedules in track and field or baseball and softball. Likewise, it could lead to challenge-type events in wrestling.

The big question locally is what does the alliance mean for the Big 12 and specifically for the Iowa-Iowa State rivalry? Long term, that’s undetermined. The Big 12 will exhaust every avenue to maintain a seat at college athletics’ power table. That could lead to expansion, but its remaining members likely will seek refuge with another major conference, too. If even a few of those schools find new homes, the league is doomed. If they stick together, they could reform and maintain an important voice moving forward. But if the revenue falls, it’s going to be difficult for any of those Big 12 holdovers to keep their best coaches.

Iowa and Iowa State have a football contract through the 2025 season, and Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren said the alliance will not affect previously scheduled games. But what happens in 2026 and beyond remains to be determined. There’s a vocal minority of Iowa fans who would like to end the Cy-Hawk, and the alliance gives them hope it could happen soon. I will say, there’s no real benefit in losing Iowa State if you’re going to play Boston College, Wake Forest or Washington State instead. Based on the fluidity and emotions surrounding the situation, I’d rather punt than speculate on future Cy-Hawk matchups.

As for breaking away from the NCAA, it’s a greater possibility today than I would have guessed a few years ago. But college athletics needs a neutral umbrella structure in charge of governance and enforcement. Right now, the NCAA provides that to some degree.

Do you think former Hawk Bret Bielema can get things turned around at Illinois? He inherited a great situation at Wisconsin following a HOF coach in Barry Alvarez. Bret stunk it up at Arkansas and in the SEC. And is this a “test” situation for him, meaning if he does do well in Champaign over the next 2-3 years and Ferentz does step down, is Bielema on the shortlist for Iowa’s next head coach?

Cameron W.

If Kirk Ferentz retired tomorrow, who are your top 5 candidates to succeed him?

Bryan P.

We’re hitting all of the moratorium topics today. In years past, when I joined Marc Morehouse on the “On Iowa Podcast,” we’d slap a moratorium on two questions when we reached the football season. The first was on the future of Iowa-Iowa State. The second was speculation on who replaces Kirk Ferentz. I’ll make you guys a deal: we’ll start the moratorium after this mailbag through the end of the season unless there’s a legitimate reason to bring it up again. We then can revisit the future of those two topics in January.

Bielema ended up in a good landing spot. Illinois has piddled around forever with only a few sporadic decent seasons. He can turn that program into an annual bowl participant with a few tweaks. With development, Illinois could become an occasional divisional contender. If he’s in it for the long haul, he can build it into a consistent winner. For Bielema to earn lasting notoriety, staying at Illinois is his best bet. He was in Alvarez’s shadow at Wisconsin and following two of the Big Ten’s most accomplished coaches at Iowa would just make him third on that list. My advice to him would be to stay at Illinois, build a winner and reap all of the acclaim for doing it from the ground up.

As for replacing Ferentz, my first call would go to Kentucky coach Mark Stoops. He’s an Iowa alum and he’s at a school that might win a divisional title once a generation. At Iowa, he’d have a 50-50 chance every year. Plus, he recruits like crazy in Ohio and wins at a basketball school.

I’d want to interview former Iowa defensive back Jay Norvell, who is doing an excellent job at Nevada. I’d like to talk with Kansas first-year coach Lance Leipold, who was successful at Wisconsin-Whitewater and then Buffalo. I’d consider Iowa native and Kansas State coach Chris Klieman, but I’d want to know how much collegiality there was on the recruiting trail over players considering both schools before committing to that interview. I’d also like to look closely at a few MAC coaches like Kent State’s Sean Lewis or Ball State’s Mike Neu.

Among the outside coordinators, I’d definitely want to speak with Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and Iowa State offensive coordinator Tom Manning. Internally, I’d talk to special teams coordinator LeVar Woods, offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz and defensive line coach Kelvin Bell. By the end of the season, a few other names could emerge.

Seems when you look at former Iowa players in the NFL, they tend to bunch up on the same teams every year (Packers being the one that comes to mind first). Kirk is a long time removed from NFL coaching rumors, but he and the Iowa staff have good connections at certain organizations. Is that indicative of the NFL scheme or is that more relationship/trust-based between a GM and Iowa? Does the Iowa coaching staff spend time at NFL camps each offseason? That seemed to be a big deal 5-10 years ago.

Dan G.

Kirk’s relationships with NFL personnel go back 30-plus years. It’s everything from knowing the “small people” in the early 1990s with the Browns to the general managers who swing through the facility to scout his players today. Some NFL teams become more comfortable with players from specific colleges, like Indianapolis with Iowa in Ferentz’s first decade. They loved Dallas Clark and Bob Sanders and it was a real bummer for them when they missed on Jonathan Babineaux by one pick in 2005. They also took Pat Angerer a few years later.

Teams like the Packers, Lions, Broncos and Ravens tend to invest time and resources in Iowa players, whether they are draft picks or free-agent signings. While only a few Iowa players are considered overly athletic, they all tend to check boxes on work ethic and their ability to adjust to an NFL scheme. There’s no real variance between their skill set and performance. That’s useful for teams, who prefer to use boom-or-bust chances on highly athletic prospects.

Iowa’s coaches haven’t been able to visit NFL clubs the last two offseasons because of COVID-19. My guess is they’ll be out in droves next spring.

Do you think this is the year Justin Britt can finally live up to his early hype by the coaches? Seems like he may be dinged again. What is more surprising: Mason Richman winning the LT job or Nick DeJong winning RT?

Ryan H.

Britt has immense upside if he can stay healthy. He has great size and athletic ability. He has the potential to line up alongside center Tyler Linderbaum and guard Cody Ince and form the best interior trio of any offensive line in the Big Ten or perhaps nationally.

I’m not surprised by either revelation at tackle, frankly. Richman vaulted into the two-deep last year as a true freshman and former offensive line coach Tim Polasek touted him as someone likely to become an asset very quickly. DeJong’s path was different as a former walk-on, but he’s always been a good athlete. I did think Jack Plumb was going to win one of the jobs, but an intense competition among the three wasn’t unexpected.

What’s your prediction on roles for Keagan Johnson and Arland Bruce at receiver? Will they be major players or more backup roles??

Steve L.

I’d say a combination of both. Based on the limited information that has left Fortress Kinnick since our only open practice, it looks like Johnson and Bruce are running as the fourth and fifth receivers. Johnson is more of an X-receiver right now, while Bruce can perform a variety of tasks. One of them might be returning kickoffs next week, and Bruce could be running wildcat, too.

With inexperience at offensive tackle and Shooter (Kyler Schott) missing some time, who from the TE and RB rooms could potentially be our best “6th OL” to help in pass-pro situations?

Kaleb W.

The committee approach is how Iowa would handle secondary blockers, and that’s definitely the case here. Chances are, the tight ends might chip on a defensive end but still end up in a route. Any of the running backs are capable of helping out but if I had to pick one, it’s fullback Monte Pottebaum. Although Tyler Goodson does his share of picking up blitzers, I’d prefer Goodson to run pass routes except in a pinch. Pottebaum is a killer blocker, too.

How long of a leash does Kirk give Spencer Petras to start the year? With a seemingly capable backup in Alex Padilla and great skill position players, it doesn’t seem like Iowa can afford to let Petras go too long if he isn’t performing. If Petras struggles against Indiana, would Kirk make a switch going into such a big game against ISU?

Zach P.

Based on what I’ve seen, Petras has won the job. Sometimes players improve over the course of their careers, and this wouldn’t be the first time a quarterback has gotten better entering his second season as a starter.

It would be foolish to make him look over his shoulder after every throw wondering if he’s going to get pulled. I’m sure Indiana’s secondary is going to give him some issues; the Hoosiers are very good. But unless he’s like 5 of 23 with three interceptions, Petras is going to start against Iowa State, too. Because of the league ramifications, the Indiana game is more important than the Iowa State rivalry. But if Petras is 5 of 23, then I’m sure I’ll have a very detailed story coming out of the Iowa-Indiana game and those questions will be asked repeatedly.

In spring 2020, Northwestern logged all 15 spring practices prior to COVID-19 shutting everyone else down and canceling spring practices (which, as we know, Ferentz has pointed to as detrimental to Petras’ development). How many practices did the other B1G schools get in before COVID? In my opinion, that’s the primary reason Northwestern went from the outhouse in 2019 (1-8) to the penthouse in 2020.

Kent P.

You bring up a good point, Kent, about Northwestern fitting in its spring practice before the shutdown. Iowa operates differently than the Wildcats; it prefers a long building season followed by football practice after spring break. It’s possible Northwestern’s spring ball helped it look sharp for early-season games against Maryland and Iowa, the latter of which decided the West Division crown.

I’ll say this for Northwestern, however. The Wildcats had a very good defense in 2019 coupled with one of the worst Big Ten offenses I’d seen in several years. Snagging a transfer quarterback in Peyton Ramsey, a new coordinator and a sharpened offensive scheme made a world of difference in 2020.

Not to go team-by-team last year, but only a handful of schools were able to get more than a few practices into the 2020 spring. Ferentz mentioned multiple times that unless your team had a returning quarterback or a physically gifted roster, the 2020 season was going to be a rocky road. If Iowa simply had Nate Stanley for one more year, the disjointed chemistry of early 2020 would have been mitigated.

What matchups are you most looking forward to when Iowa squares off with Indiana on Labor Day weekend?

Dan H., Sioux City, Iowa

I’ll start with the most impactful one-on-one matchup which is Indiana receiver Ty Fryfogle against either of Iowa’s cornerbacks. Fryfogle was a third-team All-American last year and named the Big Ten’s receiver of the year. In eight games, Fryfogle had 721 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. We all know how Purdue receiver David Bell has chewed up Iowa the last two seasons, and Fryfogle has the ability to do the same.

Next is how Indiana running back Stephen Carr gets yards against the Hawkeyes. Indiana’s rushing attack ranked 116thnationally last year at 3.13 yards per carry. Carr started three games for USC last year. Two seasons ago, Carr played in the Holiday Bowl against Iowa and caught three passes for six yards.

Finally, I’m intrigued by how Iowa’s receivers compete against Indiana’s tremendous secondary. The best matchup could be Iowa’s Tyrone Tracy against Indiana’s Tiawan Mullen, a first-team All-American last year. Mullen did a little bit of everything with 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and four pass breakups. But Tracy is an Indiana native and a playmaker.

It seems like there is significant depth in the secondary this year, particularly at cornerback. Do you think that results in a shorter leash if one of the starters is having a rough game? Or do you think defensive coordinator Phil Parker will trust in the experience of those guys to bounce back quickly?

Kevin C.

Parker has a good feel for his players and usually knows how and when to incorporate replacements. Two years ago, Parker inserted Riley Moss for a struggling Matt Hankins against Purdue and was rewarded when Moss intercepted a pass and broke up another. But to Parker’s credit, Hankins was back in the starting lineup the next game. Sometimes cornerbacks, just like pitchers, have off days.

With a veteran unit, I’m not sure there will be many rough games, but Parker won’t be afraid to push Terry Roberts into the lineup if necessary. Roberts has played like a starter during the spring and summer and would be in most years if Iowa didn’t have two defenders with multiple years of starting experience.

If Iowa State beats Iowa this year and with NIL now in place, do you foresee a shift in power in the state of Iowa? ISU players will have a pretty large market in the Des Moines area. Coach Matt Campbell also seems to be a decent recruiter.

Phil C., Milwaukee

That’s a good question, Phil. Iowa State’s ability to turn the Des Moines market into a fan toss-up was impressive. That goes beyond Matt Campbell and speaks to how athletics director Jamie Pollard has built Iowa State from an after-thought into a marketing powerhouse in central Iowa. The Hawkeyes are playing catch-up in Des Moines, although they’re hardly out of the public eye.

Iowa largely has Eastern Iowa to itself, and there’s enough of a population base in Linn and Johnson counties (just shy of 400,000 people), the Hawkeyes will be fine when it comes to NIL. There also will be some players who gain endorsem*nts from central Iowa or statewide businesses.

As for Campbell, he’s one of the nation’s best football coaches and recruiters. Whether he stays at Iowa State for 20 more years or 20 more weeks, Campbell will be a formidable foe for Iowa in every facet.

Does Kirk Ferentz have a chief of staff? I was surprised to see Nebraska coach Scott Frost had one — at 300-plus Gs. Like analysts, an example of bloat in college football.

Tim B.

Every program has a different title for that position, and the official term at Iowa is director of football operations. Paul Federici has worked in that role for the last 13 years and previously served as director of athletic training services for five years.

Federici coordinates just about everything associated with Iowa football, including practice schedules and on-field activities as well as off-field topics. He works as the primary conduit between the media relations staff and Ferentz and sets up times and dates for media days, interviews and other details. It’s an important position, and Federici’s 2022 salary is $226,000 according to his most recent two-year contract, which was obtained by The Athletic.

How does the Jaziun Patterson commitment affect the RB room?

Matthew F.

Patterson is a nice pickup for the Hawkeyes. Rivals rates Patterson (5-11, 190) as a four-star prospect, the No. 15 running back nationally and No. 226 among all players, while the 247Sports’ composite lists him as a three-star. Either way, he’s a solid addition for the Hawkeyes in the 2022 class and he should be an early enrollee.

It’s difficult to say how he fits in after so few opportunities to see Iowa’s other five scholarship running backs in action. Let’s examine the possibilities. Tyler Goodson is a junior and has NFL potential. If he puts together another season worthy of first-team All-Big Ten honors, it’s possible Goodson will leave for the NFL. Primary backup Ivory Kelly-Martin is a fifth-year senior with the option for another year based on the NCAA’s COVID-19 eligibility allowance. It’s far too early to tell what happens there, but I’m not going to predict a sixth college year for a running back.

If those two players exit, Patterson’s competition starts with Gavin Williams and Leshon Williams, both of whom currently are redshirt freshmen. They each looked the part during the spring and summer. Current true freshman Deavin Hilson displayed some impressive athletic ability in Iowa’s open practice two weeks ago. It’s unclear whether he will stay at running back beyond this year. Overall, it appears to be a four-person competition — if Goodson leaves early for the NFL.

Any word or rumors on an alternate uniform for this fall? I believe Iowa typically does an alternate every other year as of late.

Luke R., Cascade, Iowa

Iowa usually has at least one alternate uniform per season, although they’ve been more subdued lately because of the $1,000 helmets designed to prevent concussions. As recently as 2017, Iowa could get access to the other helmets, which enabled them to tailor an entire uniform, like against Ohio State that year. Last year with COVID-19, there was no sense in adding the expenses associated with uniform changes when the fans weren’t allowed inside Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa already has picked out its themes for its seven home games, but it hasn’t unveiled any type of uniform or date. I do think the Hawkeyes offer up one or even two alternate uniforms this year. The black-and-gold stripe game takes place Oct. 9 against Penn State. Two years ago, Iowa wore gold-colored uniforms. The traditional blackout game is set for Nov. 13 against Minnesota, and Iowa often wears all black for that game and an American flag TigerHawk. I would anticipate something special associated with those games.

What’s the most rewarding and most challenging part of your job?

Kyle D.

Well, Kyle, there are a million paths of which I could gallop on this topic, but I’m going to start and end with one word: people. This profession has given me access to some of the best human beings on the planet, whether they are athletes, coaches, fans or my fellow media members. I’ve been truly blessed to have so many great conversations over the years. I’ve enjoyed so many aspects, from chatting with scoreboard operators at high school baseball games in the 1990s to side conversations with league officials today. There aren’t enough superlatives to express how grateful I am to have such wonderful and supportive readers. To all of you, thank you.

As for the negatives, well, it usually involves social media. But I’ll save those gripes for another day.

(Top photo: David Purdy / Getty Images)