Iowa football: Five reasons Iowa can make a playoff run

Vertical Passing Game

One of the biggest surprises of this season is the development of the vertical attack in the Iowa football program. I wish I could pinpoint a specific reason but it’s really just a situation of the stars aligning.

First, Nate Stanley is beginning to show that development that got fans so excited after a breakout sophomore season, which culminated in an outstanding performance against Indiana where Stanley threw six touchdowns against the Hoosier defense. He was appropriately award with numerous honors after the game including the Walter Camp FBS Player of the Week.

Furthermore, he has thrown for over three hundred yards three times this season which ties Drew Tate for the most three hundred yard passing games in a season. Brian Ferentz is not afraid to rely on Stanley’s right arm and it’s working wonders so far.

Second, the Iowa football team features two of the top tight ends in the nation, which we will get to later.

Third, Iowa finally has dynamic receiving threats at the wideout position. Ihmir Smith-Marsette is a speedster who can take the top off a defense. He is averaging 18.2 yards per reception this season.

Opposite of him is Brandon Smith who is providing something I have never seen from an Iowa football receiver. He has the unique ability to win any jump-ball situation, similar to current Denver Bronco Courtland Sutton. Watch the below video courtesy of IowaOnBTN for evidence of what types of ridiculous catches he can make.

This is huge for the Iowa offense. Historically, Iowa was forced to rely on a strong running game and a turnover-free passing attack to build leads and then sit on those leads with a stout defense. When they got behind, however, they didn’t have the weapons to make those come backs. Now they do. There is more room for error with this team.