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Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

There aren't many people in Big Ten circles who aren't giving Nebraska a legitimate shot to win the new West Division title this season, and we'll have plenty of opportunities to talk about the Cornhuskers and their chances a little later. But what about the Iowa Hawkeyes?

Iowa is coming off of a quietly impressive 8-5 record from 2013, which included a 5-3 mark in the Big Ten (tied for second in the Legends Division). Kirk Ferentz, seemingly always rebuilding an Iowa team that falls just shy of really making noise in the Big Ten, is at it once again in 2014. Iowa has added some impressive recruits over the past couple of seasons, and the Hawkeyes will have just enough returning talent this season to make things very interesting in Iowa City.

If the Hawkeyes can get through the first half of their schedule that bears a striking resemblance to a frosted, cake-like confection, while getting past potential losses at Pitt and against Wisconsin, it's possible Iowa could be staring a division title squarely in the face when the Cornhuskers come calling on November 28.

Even if Iowa does manage to trip up at Pitt or at home against Wisconsin—or, more devastatingly, against any of the cream puffs on the 2014 schedule—there's still the option to have an impact on the playoff picture, from the standpoint of a spoiler.

And if Iowa can't find a way into the Big Ten title game, is there any better consolation prize than to keep Nebraska out, too?