This is correct, and the article is spot on regarding schedules.
Iowa's schedule is front-end stacked, with all the good teams already having been played (although we have some pretty decent teams in Indiana, Nebraska and Minnesota, depending on which of them show up to play - all of them have put up some decent games this year, particularly Nebraska).
To criticize Iowa based on 'who they are going to play' is absolute nonsense. They've played a schedule FAR more difficult than several of the Top Ten darlings (TCU, Baylor, FSU), and put in some style points along the way. It would be refreshing for some of the ESPN pundits to point this out.
Sorry that the preseason polls and narrative doesn't fit reality at this point in the season. Oregon sucks. USC sucks. Ole Miss is sketchy. Duke is good. Stanford is looking pretty solid. Pitt looks good.
Iowa is being penalized in the media for playing good teams that no one thought would be good. None of the Top 10 is being penalized for playing crappy teams that were SUPPOSED to be good, but just aren't.
I think most realize that Iowa's season still hinges on CJB staying healthy the rest of the way. He has clearly elevated the play of those around him; still, it's nice that Wiegers is getting in some reps and it'll benefit us greatly to put teams away in 3 quarters to get him more time on the field.
This team is developing some significant depth, with younger players stepping in for those out with injuries, and getting more playing time during entire quarters after the win has essentially been sealed. That is how you build a solid program- you get LOTS of playing time for your non-starters, so when they are called on to start in big games, they are much better prepared. And that is what is happening this year.