The Iowa Hawkeyes were the butt of many jokes in 2023. Their offense was bad, only scoring 15.4 points per game. Many jokes flew around social media about how little production the Iowa offense had. However, the team still went 10-4 overall and 7-2 in the Big Ten. Their defense was stingy and an elite special teams helped them take down their opponents. Going into 2024, what questions need to be answered for the Hawkeyes?
Can The Iowa Hawkeyes Experienced Offense Score Points?
The Iowa Hawkeyes were in the basement of many offensive rankings in 2023.
Points Per Game | Yards Per Game | Points Per Play | Yards Per Play | 3rd Down % | |
Number | 15.4 | 235.4 | 0.249 | 3.8 | 29.41 |
Ranking | #130 | #133 | #126 | #133 | #125 |
Under 30% on third down is not a way to win games. The good news for the Hawkeyes is they return many starters. Quarterbacks Cade McNamara and Deacon Hill, tight end Luke Lachey, wide receiver Kaleb Brown, and the running back trio of Kaleb Johnson, Leshon Williams, and Jaziun Patterson are all returning. They have lots of reps together, which should help ensure continuity. This offense could improve dramatically if they all can take a step up.
Can The Iowa Hawkeyes Defense Duplicate Last Season?
The Iowa Hawkeyes were the reverse USC Trojans in 2023. Here is where Iowa ranked defensively last season.
Points Per Game | Yards Per Game | Points Per Play | Yards Per Play | 3rd Down % | |
Number | 14.8 | 281.9 | 0.207 | 3.9 | 31.28 |
Ranking | #4 | #5 | #3 | #1 | #16 |
When you look at these numbers, it is easy to see why the team was able to go 10-4. It is bonkers that one of the worst offenses in college football was outscoring what their defense allowed. More good news for the Hawkeyes comes on the defensive side of the ball. According to ESPN, they have returned 80% of their production from last year. If they can dominate again and the offense can get to the middle of the pack, this team will be tough to beat.
How Does The Team Replace Elite Special Teams?
Another reason the Iowa Hawkeyes were able to win in 2023 was their special teams. Cooper DeJean returned punts and put the team in good positions to score. However, they won the field position battle with their punter, Tory Taylor. He punted 86 times in 2023, which led the nation. His 4,181 punting yards broke an 85-year-old record.
Taylor’s ability to flip the field mitigated the impact of a bad offense. Teams were consistently starting deep in their own territory. People noticed his impact. One Big Ten coach voted him as the Big Ten’s best player. It may seem ridiculous to take about the punter as one of the big questions, but it was a huge part of their success last year.
The Iowa Hawkeyes have a long history of winning. They also have an identity of being a tough defensive team with a subpar offense. Can they change the narrative and surprise some people in the Big Ten?
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Matt has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his primary focus, Matt can talk about any sport anytime. He is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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