With the Rose Bowl on the line the Iowa Hawkeyes get set to battle Ohio State and the winner will book a trip to Pasadena. The Hawkeyes are a substantial underdog and will be without starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi who suffered an injured ankle in a loss to Northwestern. Redshirt freshman James Vandenberg takes the helm and it will be up to the Iowa defense to take some of the pressure off.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says they will have to play well on special teams and the offense will need to make some plays and protect the football. Ferentz says Ohio State is always really good on defense and this team is not exception. After a slow start the Buckeyes are playing their best at the right time and Ferentz says the performance of sophomore quarterback Terrell Pryor is a major factor.
He says Pryor has always been a phenomenal athlete and now has become a better quarterback. Ferentz says the Buckeyes have a good plan that allows him to run and throw. Ferentz says Vandenberg knows it will be a difficult atmosphere in a place the Hawks have only two wins in the last 50 years.
Ferentz says Vandenberg watches TV and has figured that all out, and says he is a quality guy and will be fine. It is the second time these programs have met with the Rose Bowl on the line. The first was back in 1956 and the Hawks posted a 6-0 victory in Iowa City.