Four weeks of college football have seen the Hawkeyes jump from No. 20 to No. 14 in the AP Poll. Iowa has been nationally ranked in each of the season’s first five weeks.

However, Iowa has only been challenged one time. On the road in Ames, the Cyclones presented the Hawkeyes with a mighty challenge. The Hawkeyes held on to win in Ames, 18-17.

Before facing the Cyclones, Iowa was able to make oddsmakers happy. Iowa covered the spreads Las Vegas presented them against Miami (OH) and Rutgers.

For most fans, Hawkeye victory in week five isn’t their primary concern. Covering the spread will likely be on the minds of most Hawkeye fans in week five. Right now, Iowa is listed as a 23.5-point favorite at home over Middle Tennessee State.

How do the Hawkeyes cover the 23.5 point spread this week? They continue to throw the football. This season, Nate Stanley has thrown 93 passes through three games. Last year, Stanley had only thrown 79 passes through three weeks. 

The 2019 Hawkeyes seem more committed to the pass than ever before. Weapons such as Tyrone Tracy, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and Brandon Smith have incentivized throwing the ball for offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. While Iowa is not a pass first offense, they have thrown the ball around 46 percent of the time. 

The wide receiving corps has also seemingly done the impossible. To a certain degree, the gap left by tight ends Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson has been filled. In fact, Iowa’s passing game might be better in 2019 than it was in 2018.

Expect the Hawkeyes’ explosive receivers to find and convert on many scoring opportunities on Saturday.