Gridiron Heroics
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Two LSU Tigers Participating in 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl
    • Why the Dallas Cowboys Won’t make it to the Super Bowl Next Year!
    • Social Media Reacts to Tyler Huntley Pro Bowl Selection
    • Utah Locals in Super Bowl 57
    • Derek Carr Gives Hilarious Response To Being Added To Pro Bowl Roster
    • 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Pre Senior Bowl Edition
    • Sports Betting Now Live In Massachusetts
    • BREAKING: Tyler Huntley Replacing Josh Allen On AFC Pro Bowl Roster
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Our Writers
    • Write for Gridiron Heroics
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Gridiron Heroics
    JOIN OUR FB GROUP
    Gridiron Heroics
    Home»College Football»Iowa Hawkeyes»3 Questions Facing the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2022
    Iowa Hawkeyes

    3 Questions Facing the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2022

    Joe FisherBy Joe FisherAugust 11, 2022Updated:January 18, 2023No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Seth Benson Iowa football
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Iowa Hawkeyes are fresh off appearing in the Big Ten Championship last season but to get back to that game there are hurdles they need to overcome. The schedule ahead is difficult and the West Division has its share of contenders. These are the three questions the Iowa Hawkeyes face this season.

    Where is the run game?

    Gavin Williams Iowa Hawkeyes

    Listen, Iowa is always going to be a run-first team. More often than not, Iowa is going to be good on the ground too. That is its bread and butter. But in 2021, the run game was not what the Hawkeyes are used to.

    The Hawkeyes averaged 123.8 yards rushing per game last season. By itself that does not sound bad. For an NFL team it would be a recipe for winning football. This is not the NFL. It’s the Big Ten. Iowa’s production on the ground was only good for ninth in the conference and 102nd in the nation. If Iowa is going to grind through this season, the run game has to come along.

    Can the defense force turnovers again?

    Iowa football defense ISU

    Of course Iowa’s defense is going to force some turnovers, but what it did in 2021 was on another level. The Hawkeyes led college football with 25 interceptions, returned 3 for touchdowns and scored on a fumble recovery.

    It is no secret the offense struggled last season. That tells you how much this defense really made up for those struggles. Takeaways and stops were the key in several games, notably against Iowa State and Nebraska. If the offense is not going to greatly improve, the defense will again have to make up for it with short fields, takeaways and forcing punts.

    Will Petras show growth?

    Spencer Petras iowa

    This is the one Hawkeye fans are chewing over the most. While Spencer Petras takes the brunt of the criticism online, there are several factors that stymied the offense last season. One, which was mentioned above, was the lack of a run game.

    This speaks to a lack of creativity and adaptability in the offensive scheme. Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz has heard his share of criticism as well, no doubt. Do not expect the scheme to change though. Just look at what an anonymous Big Ten coach had to say about Iowa’s offense.

    “They do what they do, they do it well and they do not care if you think they should do it different.”

    The truth is Petras does need to improve on progressing through his reads, listening to his internal clock and reacting to pressure. At the same time, the offensive line needs to hold up, especially on the interior. The running backs have to hit their assignments in pass protection and the receivers need to find a rhythm with their quarterback. If that comes together, even marginally better than a year ago, Petras will look like a different player.

    Related

    For More Great Football Content

    Follow us on Twitter at @GridironHeroics for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Football news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

    Checkout our latest podcast!

    [powerpress_playlist limit=1]
    2022 Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa Football
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Joe Fisher
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn

    Joe Fisher is an experienced journalist in the realms of sports and news. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism in 2017. At the time he was already published by The Des Moines Register and working for the Big Ten Network - Student U. After graduation he immediately began his first full-time journalism job with an award-winning newspaper, The N'West Iowa REVIEW. Joe has since become a freelance writer. He shares time between news and sports. He is passionate about basketball and football in particular. He began writing for Gridiron Heroics in the summer of 2022, covering Iowa collegiate football and the Big Ten.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    College Football

    Two LSU Tigers Participating in 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl

    By Tyler EschetteJanuary 31, 20230
    Dallas Cowboys

    Why the Dallas Cowboys Won’t make it to the Super Bowl Next Year!

    By Jamie MalloyJanuary 31, 20230
    AFC East

    Social Media Reacts to Tyler Huntley Pro Bowl Selection

    By Robin AdamsJanuary 31, 20230
    AFC West

    Utah Locals in Super Bowl 57

    By Tyla-Ann WrightJanuary 31, 20230
    FOLLOW US
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    READ MORE
    2022 college football season 2022 Fantasy Football 2022 NFL season Alabama Crimson Tide Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Big Ten Browns Buffalo Bills BYU BYU Cougars BYU Defense BYU football BYU Offense Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns College Football Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Fantasy Football Football Green Bay Packers Indianapolis Colts Jalen Hurts Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings NCAA New England Patriots New Orleans Saints NFL Ohio State Buckeyes Pac-12 Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks SEC Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tom Brady Washington Commanders
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    © 2023 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.