Iowa Season Storylines:
- The Brian Ferentz experiement:
While Iowa City is home to one of the most effective defenses in college football, it’s also home to one of the most disappointing offenses. Longtime signal caller and son head coach Kirk Ferentz, Brian Ferentz has led the Hawkeyes to 17.9 PPG this season, ranking seventh-to-last in the country. Even with a slight “resurgence” scoring 24 or more in three straight contests they still rank 124th best in the sport.
With such an elite defense, many people nationally are questioning the nepotism at play, as you could argue Brian Ferentz is holding Iowa back tremendously. If they even had a relatively competent offense, the Hawkeyes would likely be atop the Big Ten West. While many also thought this season could be the end of Brian’s reign calling play, I think the recent hot streak will be enough to keep him around.
- The Spencer Petras experiement:
Ferentz’s playcalling should face much of the blame for Iowa’s struggles, but the fact that they continue to roll out Spencer Petras every game to put together some of the worst quarterbacking in America is more than enough to hold this offense back. The senior QB ranks 109, out of 114 eligible QBs in passing efficiency. His 1:1 QB to INT ratio is atrocious and his 29.5 QBR is one of the lowest marks in the sport.
I personally am beginning to truly feel bad for Petras. He is consistently being put in positions to fail, and the Iowa coaching staff is doing nothing to change it. Ferentz’s stubbornness to not use to transfer portal and bring in a competent QB is another major factor that is desperately holding this team and program back from more success. Gophers fans could complain about Tanner Morgan all they want, but the fact that Petras has played three complete seasons at this level is borderline idiocy.
- One of the best defenses in CFB:
Iowa’s defense ranks as one of the best units in college football. Allowing 13.9 points per contest, it ranks 5th best in college football. Its secondary has allowed 172.1 yards per game, ranking 10th best in the sport. Lastly, its 88.6 rushing yards allowed per game ranks 8th best in the sport, making for a truly complete defense.
Led by All-American linebacker Jack Campbell and long-time defensive coordinator Phil Parker, the Hawkeyes’ elite defense has kept them in virtually every game they’ve played this season. If their defense was even slightly above average, I think this would be one of the worst teams in college football, but the fact that they’re able to consistently limit their opposition to season-low totals will continue to carry them in every game they play.
Gophers’ path to victory:
A top of the Gophers’ whiteboard of keys before this game should be turnovers. Whoever wins the turnover battle in this game will come out on top. Both of these teams desperately struggle to play from behind while they’re awfully tough to beat when they have the lead. An early bounce or late first-half blunder could play a major impact on this game.
The margin for error on both sides of this game will be incredibly small. We obviously know both teams will want to rely on their running game and elite defense, while not asking much out of their QBs. With temperatures expected below 20 degrees by kickoff time, it is fair to assume these gameplans will be the same.
With all that being said, P.J. Fleck needs to have his best game as Gophers head coach in order for Minnesota to bring the Floyd of Rosedale back to Dinkytown. No waisting timeouts, no questionable fourth-down decisions. He will need to coach smart and intelligent in order for Minnesota to win this game. I believe this was the biggest must-win game preseason, and I still believe that now. With a win on Saturday, the Gophers’ season will look a heck of a lot better.