Iowa’s first bye week has come and gone, which means the Hawkeyes are moving on with non-stop football every week until Nov. 2.

Through this first part of the season, some Hawkeyes have risen above the rest. The Daily Iowan’s Pregame staff debated and made a comprehensive list of the team’s most valuable players in each phase.

Offense — OL Tristan Wirfs

Anything Iowa has done on offense this season would not have been possible without Tristan Wirfs.

Iowa’s star tackle has been an indispensable piece of an offensive line that has been forced to cope with injuries.

When left tackle Alaric Jackson went down with an injury in Iowa’s season-opener against Miami (Ohio), Wirfs flipped from the right tackle slot to the left side.

He has continued to move back and forth between the two positions.

It’s not an easy switch considering the footwork and technique involved, but Wirfs makes the move seamlessly.

Thanks to Wirfs’ efforts along with the rest of the offensive line, the Hawkeyes have rushed for 519 yards through three games, pushing three different backs over the 100-yard mark.

Defense — CB Michael Ojemudia

The Hawkeye defense has picked off two passes this season. Two of those interceptions are courtesy of cornerback Michael Ojemudia.

Ojemudia serves as the rock in the secondary Iowa desperately needs. Although injuries have overtaken the unit — a list that includes Matt Hankins, Kaevon Merriweather, Julius Brents, and Riley Moss — Ojemudia has been steady.

Each season, it seems as if Iowa has a breakout player in the secondary — Desmond King in 2015-16, Josh Jackson in 2017, and Amani Hooker in 2018. All three have moved on to the NFL.

This could be Ojemudia’s turn.

In addition to his 2 interceptions, Ojemudia has racked up 7 tackles and broken up two passes.

With all of the turmoil the secondary has been through, Ojemudia patrolled his side of the field the only way defensive coordinator Phil Parker could have wanted.

Special teams — K Keith Duncan and P Michael Sleep-Dalton

Iowa’s special teams earned a special two-for-one with its MVPs.

Kicker Keith Duncan and punter Michael Sleep-Dalton have been instrumental in all of the Hawkeyes’ games this season.

Duncan leads Iowa with 32 total points. He’s 8-of-8 on field goals and 8-of-8 on extra points, and he has only gotten better as the season progresses.

In Iowa’s win over Miami, he nailed a field goal and 5 extra points. In the Hawkeyes’ victory over Rutgers, Duncan hit 3 field goals and 3 extra points. Duncan then became a hero — for the second time — in Iowa’s Cy-Hawk win on Sept. 14, making four field goals.

Duncan made won kick in each quarter to score 12 of Iowa’s 18 points in its 1-point win. He made kicks when it was dry and wet, when it was sunny and dark, from each hash, and in the middle of the field.

Sleep-Dalton’s performances have been equally impressive.

Colten Rastetter improved on the punting front last season, but Sleep-Dalton has taken it to a new level.

He’s averaging 46.4 yards per punt this season and has put three boots inside the 20-yard line with two against Rutgers and one against Iowa State.

Sleep-Dalton’s ability to pin opponents deep has been imperative for the Hawkeyes, and he will continue to help Iowa immensely if it continues.