Gotta admit, we had them there for a moment.
I was having a conversation with my dad the other day, and as it usually does, the topic of Iowa came up. More specifically, El Assico came up. Comparing this year’s loss to last year’s, he said something I found rather apt: “Iowa State didn’t win those games, Iowa lost them.” In my preparation for this article, I found that quote coming back to me time and time again. Reviewing the film, watching the highlights, reading the stats. We really had them there
for a second, didn’t we? Things finally started to look up. The slow mesh was working, Gronowski was throwing lasers to future used car salesmen, Jaz was finally in the game. We really had them. Then, in typical Iowa fashion, it all fell apart in the 4th and we lost on Konrardy field goal.
Of course, this isn’t Cheap Seats or Monday Musings or any other semi-sarcastic, relatably emotional, and surprisingly well written opinion piece (shameless I know but please, go read Cheap Seats and Monday Musings. They’re incredible). This is game preview. We move on. We keep going. In the wake of it all, when the dust settles, we don’t look back. We ask what’s next.
UMass is the definition of a get-right game. The Hawks are back in Kinnick after a 16-13 loss to Iowa State, and are should be eager to prove themselves. Two messy offensive performances in back to back weeks marred by inconsistent receiver play (and even more inconsistent QB play) have left a sour taste in the mouths of the Hawkeye faithful, backing the Hawks into a corner. Without a stellar performance against UMass, doubts will never be assuaged, and calls for benchings and firing will only grow louder and louder as the season progresses. So, what should we expect?
THE OFFENSE
Is it time for Brown?
After Gronowski’s disappointing debut against Albany, Iowa fans were expecting an excellent performance from the senior signal caller against Iowa State. A performance they never got. While it must be said that Gronowski did not play especially poorly (minus the Wetjen interception, though I’d argue Kaden was equally at fault), #11 definitely did not impress against our rivals. More importantly, he didn’t win. With 10 games left in the season and 10 games left in Gronowski’s college career, the clock is running out. If Gronowski fails to excel against UMass, who is likely a worse opponent than UAlbany, calls for his seat will come pouring in, and the pressure will only continue to mount as the Hawks continue on to Rutgers. For our more casual football fans (if you read this far and consider yourself a casual, I applaud your ignorance and thank you dearly for your time), here’s an easy cheat sheet. Introducing the all new Bench-O-Meter, the easiest way to tell if you should be buying your QB’s jersey or calling for his public execution on X.
THE BENCH-O-METER – Current Status: Safe(?)
Minimum Req. Stats v. UMass – 150yds passing, 50yds rushing, 3 All-Purpose TDs.
UMass is not a good team. They will be playing us in Kinnick, at night, with second stringers. Suffice it to say, if Gronowski doesn’t drop at least 21 points HIMSELF, his job will be in question. Not by Kirk Ferentz, of course, but to everyone else: his teammates, his opponents, his fanbase, and most importantly, himself.
Whatever happened to the triple option?
I’ve been saying this for years (as Sr can attest), Iowa should genuinely consider adopting the triple option. Hear me out. The Iowa State game didn’t only cast doubt on the QB room, it highlighted MAJOR concerns with the WR room. Multiple drops led to stalled drives and 3-and-outs, often times leaving Gronowski out to dry. Losing RVZ before the start of the season appears to have been a much bigger hit than expected, leaving a massive question mark behind in Iowa’s passing game. Who’s Gronowski’s primary target? Who is the most reliable receiver? With Ostrenga out for the rest of the season, how will the other TEs step up? Should we even pass the ball? What if we utilized the raw athleticism of our team and ran an effective triple option offense relying heavily on our run game? What if we fully embraced Gronowski’s athletic ability by running the triple option? Have we thought about the triple option?
Guys?
THE DEFENSE
It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
As Iowa prepares for another year of high level defensive play accompanied by “complimentary” offense performances that would give the average Big 12 fan a stroke, confidence is seemingly lacking this year in this defense’s ability to carry this team to a positive record. To be clear, the defense performed exceptionally well against Iowa State. No notes. Great work. Iowa State’s biggest gains were on miracle catches and 55 yard field goals. However, this Iowa defense is without a defining superstar, and none of the players on the defensive side of the ball have truly made names for themselves (except for the linemen). I, frankly, have full confidence in this unit to drag this offense to a bowl. I actually think the offense is going to improve, but I also predicted this team to go 11-1, so do with that what you will. Still, it’s important to remind this Phil Parker unit: it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Hope you’re hungry…
UMass announced prior to this Saturday’s game that they would not be playing most of their offensive starters. This Iowa offense, after shutting down Rocco Becht for three quarters, is going to face the 2nd string QB at UMass. At home. At night. This is an all you can eat buffet. One can only hope this Iowa defense is hungry. This fanbase definitely is. As unsportsmanlike as it is to say, after taking that loss to ISU on the chin, I would love more than anything to see this Iowa defense score relentlessly. I expect turnovers, I expect fumbles, I do not expect nor want a clean game. And neither should you.
Swallowing the pill of the ISU loss was tough. But sometimes, you have to get worse to get better. Something about this team gives me hope. And endless, totally biased, and frankly disheartening amount of hope. I look at this offense and I see a better road ahead, one lined with touchdowns and rivalry wins. I see the remnants of legendary defenses in this unit, along with the ability and desire to honor their legacy. This is an Iowa team that, in all likelihood, will only continue to improve as the season moves along. Of course, improvement is easier said than done, and just as this team has the potential to go out and actually do something this year, it also has the potential to get stuck in the mud and die a slow, painful death. Let’s hope for the former.
As always,
GO HAWKS!
