BEST IN THE COUNTRY? As we sit a little over two months from actual kickoff to the 2016 season, magazines, predictions and rankings are rolling out. At ESPN.com, they asked their college football contributors to rank the nation's best units. Surprise, Iowa ranks #1 in something: the offensive line.
Perhaps this is a nod to 12-0 and Kirk Ferentz's reputation more than anything else. Iowa graduated two pretty damn good players from last year's squad in Austin Blythe and Jordan Walsh. Iowa was in experimental mode with the interior line during spring practice, putting returning guard and best offensive linemen Sean Welsh at center.