Most people are lowering the ceiling on the 2022 season based on the 2-1 start for the Hawkeyes?
We have seen some real ugly movements this September, as the 2022 season kicked off. The national media has certainly put Iowa out their for a bunch of jokes.
As @TomKakert wrote about the offensive line, we will start with Tyler Elsbury. While only playing limited snaps, it sure seemed like he played well and the PFF grades reflected that. Could Elsbury be an option at guard moving forward? It seems like he's earned the shot at more snaps.
Mason Richman is starting to dust off some of the rust after missing part of fall camp due to injury. He's now elevating his play at left tackle. Jack Plumb was limited due to a nagging injury, but did well in his ten snaps.
Whether it be Iowa on offense or on defense, the teams under Kirk Ferentz are built in the line of scrimmage. And, in 2022, the offensive line has not been up to any minimum standard or expectation, so far.
Iowa over the last 23 seasons has used the following: establish the run, stop the run, create pressure on the opposing QB, along with strong special teams and strong defense overall. Iowa's passing game is often built off play action.
But, the Iowa offensive line needs to step up and perform. While the upside at QB isn't all-league, Spencer Petras can throw the long ball better than Nate Stanley. In 2017-2019, Iowa couldn't find a way to Indy.
Right now, Indy should remain the goal. The non-conference struggles don't impact Iowa or Wisconsin, and each team is still at 0 in the Big Ten heading into their road openers.
Is Minnesota going to win all their B1G games now?
Tough news with their top WR out now for the season. A sixth year guy, who was playing with several more for PJ Fleck.
Last year, Minnesota took losses at home to Bowling Green and Illinois. Iowa's opponent this week has lost 19 straight home games in Big Ten play, so can Iowa notch #20.
The Hawks are not among the list of 19. Hope for Rutgers fans on Saturday night, as they prep for their RED OUT!
Illinois, Nebraska and Purdue all have one B1G West loss, while Northwestern is 1-0, a win at Rutgers puts Iowa tied for first place heading into October.
Does Wisconsin open at Ohio State with an upset win?
Does Michigan State have enough to take Minnesota down at home in East Lansing?
Iowa has plenty of concerns right now. But, Kirk Ferentz teams usually improve over the course of the season.
Can Iowa begin to stack some positives, and team wins, heading into Big Ten play?
Iowa's offense can improve greatly, if they can put a serviceable offensive line unit together. Getting the right five guys and making the snap on time has been a grind over the past three games though.
There are enough playmakers to step up, if they stay, get healthy and keep improving over the course of 2022. It will be a great test on the offensive staff and Kirk Ferentz.
Eliminating the vertical passing game every other week, since the Penn State game last year has been frustrating to watch.
It was used against Minnesota last year. Otherwise, Indy wouldn't of happened last year.
As one writer pointed out this week, the Iowa Hawkeyes endured a four hour weather delay on Saturday night to emerge from the non-conference slate with a 2-1 record thanks to a 27-0 win over the Nevada Wolfpack. While the raw numbers aren’t incredibly remarkable in the context of what Incarnate Word was able to do against Nevada the week prior, what we saw from the Iowa offense was undoubtedly better than anything we had seen this season to-date before Saturday.
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