Iowa should have at least one All-American. And, what an anchor he should be for the 2021 Iowa Football program on offense.
100 years ago Iowa had three All-Americans by season's end. However, player accolades are not the main goal.
Individual player performance is what matters. In 2015, Iowa witnessed an impressive performance from the apex of the Iowa offense, in the performance at center. In the 2012 loss at Indiana, Iowa's interior offense was dominated.
Five players back on offense (2015, 2021) and eight/seven starters back on defense in 2015/2020, but we know Iowa lost their #1 DE early to injury, so seven were able to contribute on defense. Iowa needed to retool at the OTs and in the D-Line back in 2015 and of course, in 2021.
Iowa did have a more favorable schedule in 2015. The Hawkeyes have a similar schedule, except that some of the 2021 opponents have gotten better, since Iowa's one and only journey to Indianapolis. Oh, and the 9th B1G game match up with Penn State, unlike 2015, is in play. It will be in Kinnick.
Iowa does get 5 home and 4 away in the Big Ten. Like in 2015, at Wisconsin, at Northwestern and at Nebraska in the West. Indiana and Maryland are flipped home and away from 2015.
Apparently, they are breaking down the season today, for the Hawkeyes.
Let's call it a manageable schedule, since the Hawkeyes at least don't open with two B1G West opponents right out of the gate, like the 0-2 start in 2020.
Can Indiana stop a decent passing game?
Iowa is Iowa. It’s going to try running the ball with star RB Tyler Goodson working behind yet another good line, but the real improvement should come with more from QB Spencer Petras. He’s not going to start winging the ball all over the yard, but he’ll give it a shot against a Hoosier secondary that allowed over 240 yards per game.
In 2015, it was a tight 35-27 game for CJ Beathard and Company (-7 favorite). Flip to 2018, Tom Allen’s first season, Nate Stanley threw 6 TD passes and Iowa rolled 42-16 (-4 favorite).
So, Petras needs to manage this season opener well. The Hawks need to come out and execute. Thankfully, enough of the roster appears to be on track to be available for opener.
Special teams should help Iowa, with Tory Taylor back at punter. This year, with fans in the stands.
Why do you seek a guy from GA to discuss #18 Iowa vs. #17 Indiana
The GA guy apparently likes Minnesota, since he has this tweet pinned to his page.
