Believe it or not, the season is already halfway over! If it seems like the Hawks have only had a few offensive series all year, it's because it's true (the Hawks rank 127th of 133 in time of possession). Zero off-season changes have led to a continuation of last year's offensive futility. Since Kirk doubled down on his OC, QBs coach, OL coach and WRs coach, we shouldn't have expected anything different. While the Hawks are 5-1, they could very well be the worst 5-1 team in the country and have survived based on having a MAC level schedule. So how are the position groups stacking up compared with the rest of the country?
Quarterback: F. The Hawkeye passing attack ranks 131st out of 133 D1 programs. The only teams worse are the 2 service academies who run a wishbone offense. Statistically, even Spencer Petras, college football's worst QB last year, would be an upgrade this year. While Hawk fans can make excuses with injuries, that just doesn't cut it in major college football. For example, lowly U of Arizona is playing their backup freshmen QB and he's completing 73% of his passes. Lowly Iowa State is playing their backup freshmen QB and he's completing 60% of his passes. Cade & Deac, in contrast, are completing just 45% of their mostly short passes. Iowa's completion % and yards per attempt rank last in the Power 5. It begs the question, if QB play consistently remains this bad year after year, who is coaching these guys (Cade & Deac are 4 star prospects as was Padilla last year)?
Running Backs: D+. The Hawkeyes, "known for their running game," rank just 108th out of 133 programs in rushing yards and 97th in yards per carry. Although Iowa has a relatively high profile RB in Johnson, he's been hurt much of the year. None of Iowa's backs rank in the top 100 in yards per game, total yards, or yards per carry. With Johnson back and Patterson coming, the Hawks have a good chance at improving their grade by year end.
Offensive Line: C-. The Hawkeye OL was atrocious last year. Staff picked up two grad transfers to improve the group and the returning starters guys were expected to get bigger, stronger, and better. Sadly, the transfers have been busts and the returning players haven't improved much. While the pass protection seems slightly better (Hawks rank 59th in sacks given up), the run game still gets stuffed at the line of scrimmage more often than not (Hawks rank 97th in yards per carry). As a result of the line play, the Hawks rank 131st on converting 3rd downs.
Wide Receivers: F. Given the number of stories written about Iowa's "improved" WR room in the offseason, this could be the most disappointing position group of all time at Iowa. As a reminder of just how bad things have become, take Nico Ragaini. Back in 2019 when the Hawks had WR threats like Smith-Marsette & Smith, it was actually Ragaini who led the team in catches with 46 catches for 440 yards. This year, Ragaini is on pace to finish with just 16 catches for 158 yards! You can't make this stuff up. What about those highly touted grad transfers? They have a combined 5 catches for 75 yards and 5 drops. Then there's media darling Vines, who has 9 drops to 7 receptions this year. By comparison with what other teams are doing, Missouri has a single WR who already has 54 receptions. The nation's 100th most productive WR has 24 catches. The ability to get open, which isn't difficult most places, eludes this group of WRs...and the ability to catch the ball is even worse.
Tight End: B+. Iowa's TEs were expected to be elite this year. Lachey is a potential 1st round draft pick and All was all Big 10 TE two years ago. Anything less than a stellar season would be a disappointment. Sadly, Lachey started fast but is out for the season. All has had his ups and downs with inopportune drops and fumbles, but appears to be trending in the right direction (that or he's all we have and is being targeted twice as much as a TE should). All has 19 receptions, which ranks 2nd among Big 10 TEs. However, by comparison, Georgia's all-American TE has 37 catches.
Kicker: A-. Stevens is irreplaceable. Like last year, he has been so incredibly consistent. He ranks 14th in field goals made, and 57th in field goal percentage, and has solid range from 50 yards+. In addition, Iowa is the only team in college football where the opponents have returned just 1 kick all season due to his booming leg.
Quarterback: F. The Hawkeye passing attack ranks 131st out of 133 D1 programs. The only teams worse are the 2 service academies who run a wishbone offense. Statistically, even Spencer Petras, college football's worst QB last year, would be an upgrade this year. While Hawk fans can make excuses with injuries, that just doesn't cut it in major college football. For example, lowly U of Arizona is playing their backup freshmen QB and he's completing 73% of his passes. Lowly Iowa State is playing their backup freshmen QB and he's completing 60% of his passes. Cade & Deac, in contrast, are completing just 45% of their mostly short passes. Iowa's completion % and yards per attempt rank last in the Power 5. It begs the question, if QB play consistently remains this bad year after year, who is coaching these guys (Cade & Deac are 4 star prospects as was Padilla last year)?
Running Backs: D+. The Hawkeyes, "known for their running game," rank just 108th out of 133 programs in rushing yards and 97th in yards per carry. Although Iowa has a relatively high profile RB in Johnson, he's been hurt much of the year. None of Iowa's backs rank in the top 100 in yards per game, total yards, or yards per carry. With Johnson back and Patterson coming, the Hawks have a good chance at improving their grade by year end.
Offensive Line: C-. The Hawkeye OL was atrocious last year. Staff picked up two grad transfers to improve the group and the returning starters guys were expected to get bigger, stronger, and better. Sadly, the transfers have been busts and the returning players haven't improved much. While the pass protection seems slightly better (Hawks rank 59th in sacks given up), the run game still gets stuffed at the line of scrimmage more often than not (Hawks rank 97th in yards per carry). As a result of the line play, the Hawks rank 131st on converting 3rd downs.
Wide Receivers: F. Given the number of stories written about Iowa's "improved" WR room in the offseason, this could be the most disappointing position group of all time at Iowa. As a reminder of just how bad things have become, take Nico Ragaini. Back in 2019 when the Hawks had WR threats like Smith-Marsette & Smith, it was actually Ragaini who led the team in catches with 46 catches for 440 yards. This year, Ragaini is on pace to finish with just 16 catches for 158 yards! You can't make this stuff up. What about those highly touted grad transfers? They have a combined 5 catches for 75 yards and 5 drops. Then there's media darling Vines, who has 9 drops to 7 receptions this year. By comparison with what other teams are doing, Missouri has a single WR who already has 54 receptions. The nation's 100th most productive WR has 24 catches. The ability to get open, which isn't difficult most places, eludes this group of WRs...and the ability to catch the ball is even worse.
Tight End: B+. Iowa's TEs were expected to be elite this year. Lachey is a potential 1st round draft pick and All was all Big 10 TE two years ago. Anything less than a stellar season would be a disappointment. Sadly, Lachey started fast but is out for the season. All has had his ups and downs with inopportune drops and fumbles, but appears to be trending in the right direction (that or he's all we have and is being targeted twice as much as a TE should). All has 19 receptions, which ranks 2nd among Big 10 TEs. However, by comparison, Georgia's all-American TE has 37 catches.
Kicker: A-. Stevens is irreplaceable. Like last year, he has been so incredibly consistent. He ranks 14th in field goals made, and 57th in field goal percentage, and has solid range from 50 yards+. In addition, Iowa is the only team in college football where the opponents have returned just 1 kick all season due to his booming leg.
