IOWA CITY — Take a look at the Iowa offense, and some key elements are certainly there.
Marvin McNutt is a big-play wide receiver with 16 career touchdown catches. Marcus Coker took over at running back late in his freshman season and looked like he stopped the revolving door at the position. Quarterback James Vandenberg doesn't have much experience, but that's only because Ricky Stanzi was entrenched and not because Iowa didn't have confidence in him.
And the Hawkeye offensive line, once again, looks strong.
"We've got some veteran guys back on offense," tackle Riley Reiff said. "But everybody has to be working hard and on key to make the offense work. Hopefully we can get there."
Reiff, who at one time had committed to play at Nebraska, emerged last year as a solid starter and — heading into his junior season — is an All-America candidate whose name is popping up on NFL draft lists.
"I'm a long way from where I want to be, and I just want to come out and help this team in whatever way I can," Reiff said.
Reiff, second-team All-Big Ten in 2010, combines with fellow tackle Markus Zusevics to give Iowa one of the league's better tackle tandems, with James Ferentz — among the league's top centers — anchoring the unit up front.
"We are a little more (experienced) than we were a year ago," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of the offensive line. "We have four guys (including guard Adam Gettis) who are older, and have played, who are confident."
Iowa has had 10 linemen earn either first- or second-team All-Big Ten honors the past three seasons.
But Iowa offensive linemen like Reiff don't seem to get too caught up in anything beyond getting ready to play the next game.
"All we can control is our work ethic, our tempo and what kind of attitude we bring out there every day," Reiff said.
They seem to relish blocking for a guy like Coker.
"He's a good back, a big back and a good player," Reiff said.
The offensive most valuable player of the Insight Bowl, Coker rushed for 219 yards in a win over Missouri and finished with 622 overall in limited action. He started four of the final five games after missing parts of the season with injuries.
"One of the most impressive things he did last year was the way he was at practice," coach Ferentz said. "Because when he was able to get back on the field from a health standpoint, it was clear that he had paid attention. It's unusual when a player improves when he's not practicing, but he did that."
Still, Iowa finished eighth in the Big Ten and 52nd in the nation in total offense (382.9 yards per game) and seventh and 70th in rushing (148.4).
A solid running game would help take the pressure off Vandenberg, who played well in two starts for an injured Stanzi in 2009, but attempted only eight passes last season.
"Sometimes players get positioned behind other good players," Ferentz said. "And the quarterback position is one of those where it's hard to play the No. 2 guy."
Vandenberg — 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds — is similar in size and style to Stanzi. "We really like James," Reiff said. "He's a good passer. And he followed Ricky, so there are a lot of the same traits.
"He knows what he's doing and we're going to go out there and do our best every play."
Meanwhile, Reiff spends little time focusing beyond this season. Ferentz said Reiff knows the NFL will still be there.
"He needs to worry about getting better, and I know that's what he's thinking about," the coach said. "I know how Riley is. He's not worried about that stuff."
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