Keep it on the ground
The running game was atrocious against Michigan State, but in all fairness, the Spartans have a stingy run defense (96 yards per game, third-best in the Big Ten).
Running back Akrum Wadley can’t turn the running game around all by himself, however, and Iowa should — and could, Kirk Ferentz has said — look to two of its other tailbacks: Toren Young and Ivory Kelly-Martin.
A backfield-by-committee approach may be just what the doctor ordered to cure the rushing woes; against North Texas, when Wadley and James Butler left with injuries, Iowa turned to Young and Kelly-Martin to dismantle the Mean Green’s defense in the second half.
But North Texas isn’t in the Big Ten, and that win is in the past. Illinois remains up next for Iowa, and the Black and Gold could unravel the Illini defense with a heavy dose of the run.
Illinois ranks dead last in the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed per game, giving up 179.5 a contest and a 4.2 average yards per carry.
The first three games of the season were successful for the Hawkeyes’ ground game. During that span, Iowa averaged 180 rushing yards per contest (putting that into perspective, that stat would rank in the top half of the conference if Iowa had run at that clip for the past two games).
Plus, Iowa’s offensive line is still meshing, and time will help. As the linemen develop chemistry and health no longer becomes a concern, the running game will improve.
A good running game opens up a successful aerial attack, and with an offensive balance, the Hawkeyes are bound to get back on track.
– By Adam Hensley
Air it out
After mustering just 19 yards on the ground against Michigan State, the Hawkeyes’ offense was simply unable to get the job done against the Spartans.
It was the second time Iowa has run for fewer than 100 yards in as many games.
The running game was supposed to be the bread and butter for Iowa’s experienced backfield and offensive line, but injuries to James Butler and numerous players on the line have put that notion on pause.
To get their offense going again, the Hawkeyes have to open up the passing game and let Nate Stanley and his receivers go to work.
While he has missed some open deep balls, Stanley has been relatively consistent at a position that needs consistency.
Stanley ranks fifth in the Big Ten with a 150.9 quarterback rating and is tied for second in the conference with 12 touchdown passes.
He has also been a solid decision-maker, throwing only 1 pick through five games.
A key question entering the season was about the players Stanley would throw to, but they have held their own when the team needed someone to step up.
Nick Easley has been a pleasant surprise for many fans, leading the team with 20 receptions while also ranking second with 222 receiving yards. He’s also been a scoring machine, finding the end zone three times on the season.
Noah Fant has also been a threat at tight end, racking up 3 touchdowns as well.
Akrum Wadley has been effective out of the backfield, and Matt VandeBerg has shown what he can do in past years.
When it comes to giving the offense a much-needed jump-start, the coaching staff should look no further than activating a potentially dangerous air attack.
– By Pete Ruden