Iowa was a 14.5-point underdog for a reason, and it definitely showed against Ohio State.
Everyone was riding high after a solid road win over Michigan in week four, and everything came crashing back to earth after a poor performance in week five. Ohio State easily looked like the better team from start to finish, and the Hawkeyes were exposed in two of three phases. If it weren't for the special teams unit, this game would have been even more of a laugher, and we have five eye-opening takeaways from the Hawkeyes' bad showing in a 31-14 week-five loss to the Buckeyes.
Iowa's offense might not have turned the corner we thought it did
The rushing attack has been asleep for the last three weeks, but Iowa has found ways to score points. Iowa State showed the blueprint for shutting down Iowa's offense in week two, and the rushing attack hasn't gotten going since. If opponents shut down the running game and send pressure, it's all over. Michigan and Ohio State did that, and Iowa could easily be 0-2 over the past two weeks. The offense got multiple lucky breaks, with some tipped balls bouncing its way and Michigan beating itself. The last drive was impressive, but it was fool's gold.
Iowa mustered only 238 total offensive yards, far less than what a bad Illinois team did in week four. Of Iowa's 238 total yards, only 39 came on the ground, which raises multiple questions about Iowa's offense moving forward. Although Iowa has multiple playmakers on the outside, the offense has traditionally thrived when it uses the run to set up the pass. Ohio State has a good defense, but Iowa's offense didn't look ready for the challenge. The offensive line was exposed again, and Brown easily had his worst game since he was forced into the Indiana game last fall.
Ohio State is a very good team, and Iowa wasn't expected to be in this game, but we have to worry about the offense moving forward, given how Brown and the rushing attack played.
The old Hank Brown popped up again, and it wasn't good
Brown was a revelation through the first four weeks, validating Kirk Ferentz's decision to name him the starting quarterback. In the win over Michigan, Brown did well, finishing with 227 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, but he did a complete 180 against the Buckeyes. He missed throws all game and looked like his feet were in cement when the Buckeyes sent pressure. The offensive line had a bad game, but Brown was a statue in the pocket. Brown finished with 132 passing yards and one interception, completing 44 percent of his pass attempts (12/27). Whether it was another poor rushing performance, Tim Lester's playcalling, or Brown not hitting his targets, the offense was awful.
Michigan has a good defense, and the passing attack finally got it going late, including a game-winning touchdown drive, but that disappeared in this game. Brown stood still in the pocket and relied on his arm strength to complete passes, but consistently throwing off his back foot created multiple off-time throws. We hadn't seen it until now, but Brown's performance was eerily reminiscent of his Indiana game and his time at Auburn. The coaching staff clearly liked what Brown brings to the table, but if the offensive line and running game struggle so badly, they might have to pivot. Brown earned the job, but he isn't as mobile or as willing to throw downfield as Jeremy Hecklinski is.
Brown is solid at making quick or play-action passes, but if the run game keeps defenses honest, those passes aren't effective. Hopefully, it was a fluke and Brown returns to form, but Ohio State definitely exposed some major issues with him and the offense.
We could easily see another QB competition if Brown's struggles linger
We have consistently said Iowa's offense was against Ohio State, and the best drive of the game was when backup quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski was under center. Brown left the game at the end of the third quarter with cramps and didn't return. In limited duty, Hecklinski completed all five pass attempts for 67 yards, earning a 95.0 quarterback rating (QBR). It was a small sample size, but Hecklinski looked better than Brown and pushed the ball downfield. Hecklinski's first three passes were all over ten yards, including a 15- and 18-yard pass. It was a clear case of too little, too late for the offense, but Hecklinski was effective.
Brown's best attribute is that he is smart with the football and doesn't turn it over, but he is often too cautious. He also lacks Hecklinski's running ability, which comes in handy when the running game isn't producing. Brown won the job for a reason, but that doesn't mean we can't have the conversation. Hecklinski adds a different element, and he isn't afraid to get out of the pocket. When Brown escapes and attempts to throw on the run, negative things tend to happen.
There is little doubt that Brown will be the starter against Washington in week six, but if he struggles again, the noise will get even louder.
Iowa's defense hasn't been good against good opponents
Iowa took care of business in weeks one and three against much weaker opponents, but Iowa State exposed the defense in week three. Everyone chalked it up to the Cyclones' new scheme, and it was hard to prepare for over 80 new players, but those same concerns resurfaced against Michigan in week four and now against Ohio State in week five. A major issue for the defense is Iowa's inability to get pressure on the quarterback from the front four, and Bryce Underwood and Julian Sayin had all day to throw. Without any pressure, opposing offenses have gotten almost anything they have wanted, which is very concerning. Iowa's defense has given up 1,168 total yards, including back-to-back games of over 400 yards.
This is not the defense we have come to expect with Phil Parker at the helm, and something has to change quickly if the Hawkeyes want to get back on track. Michigan and Ohio State are both solid opponents, but giving up 429 and 484 yards respectively is unacceptable.
The offensive and defensive lines have a lot of work to do
Iowa has struggled in the trenches over the past three weeks, and Ohio State took full advantage. Sayin had all day to throw the ball, and he and Jeremiah Smith carved up the defense. Iowa gave up 30 points for the first time at home since 2016, snapping a 66-game streak. Sayin finished with 324 passing yards and three touchdown passes, and Ja'Kobi Jackson (72 rushing yards) and Bo Jackson (70 rushing yards) both had 70-plus yards on the ground. On the other side, Iowa had another poor rushing game, tallying only 39 rushing yards, and the passing game wasn't much better. Brown and Hecklinski combined for 199 total passing yards and one interception.
Iowa wins and loses games in the trenches, and the last three weeks have exposed both lines' inexperience. The defensive line replaced all four starters, while the offensive line replaced three out of five starters, and it's starting to show. It is still early in the season, but the poor play on both lines is concerning, and the program has to figure it out moving forward. It is all doom and gloom this week, but Iowa still has a chance to have a great season if they address some of these issues.
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