Iowa football: Five observations in win over Purdue

IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 19: Wide receiver Nico Ragaini #89 of the Iowa Hawkeyes breaks a tackle during the second half by cornerback Simeon Smiley #29 of the Purdue Boilermakers on October 19, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 19: Wide receiver Nico Ragaini #89 of the Iowa Hawkeyes breaks a tackle during the second half by cornerback Simeon Smiley #29 of the Purdue Boilermakers on October 19, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 19: Running back Tyler Goodson #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the second half past safety Brennan Thieneman and Defensive lineman Jack Sullivan #99 of the Purdue Boilermakers on October 19, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 19: Running back Tyler Goodson #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the second half past safety Brennan Thieneman and Defensive lineman Jack Sullivan #99 of the Purdue Boilermakers on October 19, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

Offensive struggles continue

Purdue’s defense is not good.

In fact, they have one of the worst defenses in the country. I get the struggles at Michigan and against Penn State. Both of those teams pride themselves on dictating the outcome of the game with their defense. Purdue does not, and yet, the Iowa football team STILL struggled.

Keith Duncan kicked four field goals in this game because the Iowa football team couldn’t get it done on Purdue’s half of the field time and time again.

They did manage to get two touchdowns in the second half, but honestly, against a team like Purdue who is 81st in the nation in points allowed per game, I expected better.

And it sounds like Kirk is getting annoyed by this as well.

"And that was the frustrating part to drive the ball like we did and then not be able to finish drives. We’re going to have to keep working at that."

If the Iowa football team wants to actually compete for a Big Ten West title (which they are very much still in the hunt for), they have got to clean things up on offense.

If they don’t, we could be looking at another 8-4 Iowa football team.