The first ever college basketball game was played on January 18, 1896, when the University of Iowa invited student athletes from the new University of Chicago for an experimental game. Final score: Chicago 15, Iowa 12, a bit different from the hundred-point scores of today.

"If (offensive coordinators) know what you are in, they have answers to stuff," Koenning said. "The old days of lining up in the I formation and saying our Jimmys are better than your Joeys, and we want to beat you into submission, nobody wants to do that anymore. Everything is about space. If you have guys that can’t compete in space then you’re going to be struggling."

Iowa, meanwhile, is currently tied with Michigan atop the Legends Division at 2-0, with just Northwestern (2-1) serving as a threat.

BTN and Dish Reach Agreement!

What all this boils down to is that Iowa's offense has no identity. To be fair to Greg Davis, this problem didn't start with his hiring...it started one year ago as Iowa found itself down by 3 scores to Pitt. Iowa went no-huddle and had one of the biggest and best comebacks in its history. Iowa won the game, but it was the start of major problems for the Iowa offense.

Kirk Ferentz became intrigued by the no-huddle and liked it so much that he decided to use it again the next week against Louisiana Monroe. It was successful enough that he trotted it out against Penn State...and it was disastrous. So, the no-huddle was canned for the season.

When Greg Davis was hired, he told us how Kirk Ferentz wanted to use some more no-huddle. Brian Ferentz teased on Twitter about the tempo of the offense and we saw quite a bit of it during the open practices.

And now, in the first two games, we've seen Iowa employ the no-huddle at times.

Here's the big problem though. Iowa's coaches have no idea how to run a no-huddle offense.

6. Hawkeye running backs: Iowa might be flying under the radar entering 2012, but everyone knows about the Hawkeyes' woes at running back, thanks to the work of AIRBHG (h/t Black Heart Gold Pants). Another offseason of attrition leaves Iowa with several unproven options entering Saturday's opener against defending MAC champ Northern Illinois at Chicago's Soldier Field. Fans are most intrigued to see true freshman Greg Garmon, a four-star prospect out of Erie, Pa. Although Iowa's offense will have more of a passing lean this fall, the program always has been at its best with a reliable ball-carrying option.

Veteran offensive lineman Robert Gallery,... announced his retirement Friday.
The 32-year-old Gallery had struggled in training camp. On Friday, he was flicked to the side by defensive lineman Vince Wilfork in one-on-one rush drills, landing on his backside. That highlighted some of his struggles.

Tim Brewster's Postition Switch

Every week Minnesota head football coach Tim Brewster switches jobs with a Minnesota fan to get a better look at the life of working class Minnesotans in the 21st century. One week he might be a laborer on a dairy farm, the next he could be a receptionist at a doctor's office. The one place he won't be is on the Minnesota sideline; this is a vastly better situation for Minnesota fans. What will Tim learn about life in the heartland? Tune in to find out.

Iowa State at Iowa (-5)

Vegas lines involving Iowa always list the exact number of points Iowa will score on that day behind the team. This line clearly means Iowa will win 5-4, because they are Iowa and are capable of doing amazing things with just five one-point safeties off blocked extra points. (All courtesy of Tim "Verti-bro" Hanley, walk-on special teamer with a nine-foot wingspan and a severe case of vertigo.)

Meanwhile, Zook has landed at Iowa State, where the Cyclones opted for head-coaching experience over the hot coordinator, Texas defensive guru Gene Chizik.