Iowa vs. FIU: What 2 Watch 4

After a successful open to the 2008 campaign, Iowa now welcomes one of the worst teams in Division 1 football to Kinnick this week. Florida International should provide another opportunity for the Hawkeyes to improve and work out any kinks before next week’s rivalry game with Iowa State. Iowa fans shouldn’t expect FIU to put up much more of a fight than Maine showed, but here is a list of five things to look for on Saturday. True Freshman Last Saturday’s 46-3 win over Maine gave the Hawkeye coaching staff a chance to give seven true freshmen some good experience and game action. The most impressive of those freshmen was certainly tailback Jewel Hampton. Hampton stepped into the backfield during the second half and immediately brought the fans to their feet with a 19-yard touchdown run on his first career carry. Hampton ended the day with 68 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns. It should be interesting to see how much playing time Jewel receives against FIU and if he sees any action in the first half this week. Also watch for freshman receiver DeMarco Paine to start becoming more involved in the passing game on offense. Shaun Prater and Willie Lowe saw some significant time last Saturday on defense, especially in Iowa’s dime and nickel packages. With FIU expected to show more of a spread passing attack than Maine, Prater and Lowe may see an increased amount of playing time which will definitely prove beneficial down the road. Quarterback rotation Of course Iowa fans all over the state have been busy this week comparing the play of Jake Christensen and Rick Stanzi. Most would agree that both quarterbacks played pretty well in the win over Maine and both certainly have room for improvement. Christensen will get the start again against Florida International and we should expect a rotation similar to what fans saw last Saturday. Both QB’s will get more playing time and another chance on Saturday to separate themselves from one another. Hopefully after Saturday everyone will have a better, more solidified idea of who can expect to take the most snaps against Iowa State. Special teams coverage On Saturday, the Hawkeyes may face the most prolific punt returner they will face all season. FIU’s freshman sensation T.Y. Hilton will certainly be one to watch on special teams. Hilton was the top player in the Golden Panther’s last recruiting class, and the freshman from Miami took no time making his prescience known against Kansas last week. Hilton took KU’s first punt of the game, also the first of his career, back 74 yards all the way for a score. Iowa’s punt coverage team will be tested on Saturday, and sophomore punter Daniel Murray will need to excel at getting maximum hang time on his kicks. Hilton has been compared to a young Devin Hester and is probably the biggest threat FIU will put on the field. Jordan Bernstein is back Sophomore cornerback Jordan Bernstein missed the Maine game due to injury but has been practicing all week and is expected to be ready to play on Saturday. Bernstein started on defense for Iowa during the second half of last season, but his playing time this year is up in the air. He is currently listed at #3 on the depth chart at cornerback this week behind Amari Spievey and previously mentioned true freshman Shaun Prater. How much Bernstein sees the field and how he looks in his first action of the season will surely be something to keep an eye on. Will Moeaki dress? Speaking of injuries, probably the Hawkeye most fans want to see back on the field is tight end Tony Moeaki. Moeaki suffered a foot injury during fall practice and is working his way back towards game shape. After missing nearly three weeks of practice, Tony was expected to put the pads back on this week and start working with the team again. It is very doubtful that he will see any game action against FIU, but everyone is hoping that the senior tight end will be back to full strength in time for next week’s showdown with the Cyclones.