Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says every season is a new challenge but if this year’s version of the Hawkeyes can learn to prepare like last year’s team it could be another successful season. The Hawkeyes take a number-17 national ranking into Saturday’s opener against Miami of Ohio after a banner 2015 campaign in which they finished 12-0 in the regular season.

Ferentz says the key is to focus on the current challenge and not the big picture. The Hawkeyes will be heavily favored against a Miami team that struggled to a 3-9 record in 2015. Quarterback C.J. Beathard returns for his senior season and is healthy following off season surgery. Beathard showed the ability to make plays with his feet even when he was banged up in 2015.

The Hawkeyes open the season with a true freshman walk-on kicker. Ferentz says he did not even know who Keith Duncan was when the North Carolina native visited the campus.

(Radio Iowa/Learfield Sports)