Iowa has been adamant all week that they aren't looking past Northern Iowa to a tough week four matchup against Michigan.
Multiple players have said they aren't underestimating UNI, which has a talented roster, and will definitely play with a chip on its shoulder. The Panthers roster is full of in-state players, including starting quarterback Jaxon Dailey (Pleasant Hill), and they won't roll over in this game. Iowa has a lot of things working for it, and if they play the way we know they can, this should be an easy victory for the Hawkeyes.
No. 1: Stop the pass
Northern Iowa hasn't run the ball effectively in its first two games of the season against Eastern Washington and Drake, compiling 264 total rushing yards. They do have seven rushing touchdowns this season, but the offense uses the pass to set up the run. Dailey already has 529 passing yards this season, so he is the key to their offense, and if Iowa can limit the big plays downfield, they should easily win this game. Dailey will be fired up for this game, and the Iowa defense can't let him get going early.
The Panthers' offensive line has already allowed seven sacks, and Iowa must take advantage. They don't have to sack Dailey every possession, but pressuring him and making him feel uncomfortable all game will lead to success. Iowa is solid at linebacker and in the secondary, so if they can stay in their lanes and force the UNI offense into check downs and off-schedule passes, they will be in a great position to not only dominate the game, but put up another shutout.
No. 2: Re-establish the running game
Iowa State's defense held Iowa's rushing attack in check in week two, which normally doesn't happen. The Hawkeyes managed just 93 yards on 29 carries against the Cyclones, much lower than the 289 rushing yards they had in week one. Iowa State did an excellent job mixing up defenses and pressures, confusing the offensive line, but the Hawkeyes have hopefully learned from the game and plugged up some of those holes.
The Hawkeyes will be without L.J. Phillips Jr. and potentially without starting running back Kamari Moulton in this game, so Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil, Braeden Jackson, and Brevin Doll will carry a much larger workload. If the offensive line has learned from its week two mistakes, the Hawkeyes will establish the run early and often, taking pressure off whoever is under center at quarterback. Iowa's offense goes as the rushing attack goes, and if they fail to establish the ground game, it won't be as easy as everyone thinks. The offense shouldn't struggle, but getting the running game going early is extremely important.
No.3: Play like you are the better team
UNI isn't a slouch, but Iowa has a talent advantage at nearly every position. The Hawkeyes are favored by 38.5 points for a reason, and they need to play like it. That isn't disparaging Northern Iowa, but Iowa has the more talented team, and it simply needs to execute the game plan like we all know they can. Iowa has the advantage on the offensive line, at the skill positions, and in the secondary, and they must take advantage of it.
Iowa can't afford to look past UNI to Michigan, or it will face a much tougher fight. Northern Iowa won't go away quietly, and the Hawkeyes must snuff out any chance they think they have. Get the run game going early to open up the passing game, use the star power in the secondary to force some interceptions, and get through this game unscathed.
Iowa is the better team, and they must play like it in week three at home.
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