IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — There’s been a lot of talk about the Iowa Hawkeyes lately. Almost none of it’s been positive.

A disturbing number of now-former Hawkeyes have gotten in trouble with the law in the past year, angering the fan base and leading the team to search for a “life skills” coach to help keep players out of trouble.

Two of those ex-players, Cedric Everson and Abe Satterfield, have been charged with second-degree sexual abuse in an alleged assault at a residence hall last October. Their trial is set for Nov. 3, and that case, along with an independent investigation into how the university handled it, threatens to hang over the team all season.

And oh yeah, there’s all that losing.

Iowa’s been stuck at six wins in each of the past two seasons, and 2007 ended with a whimper: a 28-19 home loss to lowly Western Michigan that shut the Hawkeyes out of a likely bowl bid.

Coach Kirk Ferentz enters his 10th season in Iowa City under more scrutiny than ever. Ferentz isn’t on the hot seat yet, but there’s little doubt that his chair has gotten warmer.

“It will be a distraction if we let it be one,” Ferentz said of the numerous off-the-field issues the program has endured. “The best thing we can do right now is do what we’re supposed to do. Pretty simple. On the field, off the field, in the classroom.”

Iowa’s biggest challenge will be to improve an offense that couldn’t get out of its own way in 2007.

The offensive line was inexperienced and ineffective, the wide receiving corps was devastated by injuries and suspensions and, predictably, quarterback Jake Christensen struggled.

Though it wasn’t all Christensen’s fault, the coaching staff put him on notice by listing sophomore Rick Stanzi as the co-starter. Stanzi was hampered by a shoulder injury that kept him out of the start of fall practice, making it highly likely that Christensen will open the season behind center.

Whoever ends up taking the bulk of the snaps should have more to work with this year thanks to the return of Iowa’s top receiving options; tight end Tony Moeaki and wide receiver Andy Brodell. Both missed the bulk of last season after being injured in the Big Ten opener at Wisconsin.

The offensive line, which let up a mind-boggling 46 sacks last season, returns intact and should benefit from an added year of experience. There are serious questions at running back, though.

Shonn Greene, who returns to Iowa after a year at a junior college sorting out academic issues, is favored to emerge from a crowded group of contenders. Junior college transfer Nate Guillory and a trio of true freshman backs will also get their shot at playing time.

“We have a young football team right now, but it’s team that has experience, so it’s kind of a rare combination,” Ferentz said. “The key for this team is going to be making the kind of improvement you expect younger players to make, (and) then also demonstrating consistency, which can be a problem or a challenge with younger teams.”

Iowa lost six starters from a defense that ranked 12th in the nation last year at just 18.8 points allowed per game. But the Hawkeyes should again be strong there.