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Iowa football: 3 reasons the Hawks could make the CFB Playoffs in 2019

By Andrew Wade

AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 14: Wide receiver Nico Ragaini #89 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes for yards as defensive back Lawrence White #11 of the Iowa State Cyclones defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 14: Wide receiver Nico Ragaini #89 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes for yards as defensive back Lawrence White #11 of the Iowa State Cyclones defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 7: Wide receiver Tyrone Tracy #3 celebrates with tight end Nate Wieting #39 of the Iowa Hawkeyes after a touchdown during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on September 7, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 7: Wide receiver Tyrone Tracy #3 celebrates with tight end Nate Wieting #39 of the Iowa Hawkeyes after a touchdown during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on September 7, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

The offense is great

Led by senior quarterback Nate Stanley, this offense has looked phenomenal. And if you’re reading this and saying, “well it was against Miami of Ohio and Rutgers, and Stanley sucked against Iowa State”, stop right there.

I know it’s easy to look good against Miami of Ohio and Rutgers, but I’m more concerned with what the offense did that made it look good. This offense is dynamic and features an aerial attack we haven’t seen from the Hawkeyes in quite some time. The wide receiver group has been so good that much-hyped four-star transfer Oliver Martin was relegated to just two snaps against Iowa State.

And if you think Nate Stanley is the same Nate Stanley after the Iowa State game, you’re just wrong. I wrote an entire article on it, but Stanley played really well against Iowa State considering the weather conditions, and through three games he has thrown zero interceptions. His accuracy still needs improvement, but it’s gotten better as he has raised his completion percentage 4 percentage points to 63.4% this season. You might again point back to playing weak teams, but last year his completion percentage in his first three games against FBS opponents was 55.4%.

Furthermore, the rushing attack looks revived with Mekhi Sargent leading the way. Behind him, Toren Young and freshman Tyler Goodson have been monsters. The entire rushing attack is averaging 4.4 yards per carry, which is just .1 yards below the number deemed necessary for the Hawks to be successful by offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz.

So things are looking good for the offense, and at this time, I would say the Hawks have a top-3 offense in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and Wisconsin.

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