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Are we beginning to see the fall of the mighty Phil Parker-led Iowa defense?

Iowa has always been a defensive powerhouse, but this season that house has begun to crumble a little bit.

By Ericka Brockish

Oct 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) celebrates a fumble recovery after forcing Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to lose the ball during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium.
Oct 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) celebrates a fumble recovery after forcing Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to lose the ball during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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If there is one thing that is associated with Iowa football, it is stellar defenses. Defensive coordinator Phil Parker has built a reputation as one of the best defensive coordinators in college football, consistently putting out defenses year in and year out that suffocate opposing offenses, which is perfect for Iowa, which is also known for having an offense that struggles.

Going into this season, there were a lot of questions about what the offense would look like, and a lot of people just figured the defense would be as it always is, which is dominant. There were a few questions about cornerback positions, but no one paid too much attention to them because Parker always finds ways to get it done with his defense.

Now, halfway through the season, the Iowa defense has looked way more mortal than it ever has under Parker, and the offense is playing to its regular subpar level. Through seven games this season, the Hawkeye defense has allowed an average of 19.6 points per game to opponents, their highest in the last five years excluding the 2020 season due to the shortened season and players having the ability to opt out.

Here are Iowa's average points per game allowed in the last five seasons excluding the 2020 season:

  • 2023: 12.2 points per game
  • 2022: 14.4 points per game
  • 2021: 17.3 points per game
  • 2019: 13.2 points per game
  • 2018: 17.4 points per game

When the offense is unable to consistently, the defense has to be able to hold opposing offenses, but right now, the Iowa defense is struggling to do that. It was really no surprise that Iowa allowed over 30 points to Ohio State, as they are the top team in the Big Ten. However, allowing 32 points to Michigan State was not something anyone would have expected.

A big reason Iowa has allowed so many points in games is their missed tackle percentage. According to PFF, Iowa is averaging six missed tackles per game, with 38 missed tackles on the season. Heading into the Michigan State game, the Spartans were averaging about 11 missed tackles per game. After the Spartans beat the Hawkeyes, Michigan State had three missed tackles while Iowa had 19.

The Hawkeyes defense also had their streak of not allowing 400 or more yards to opponents snapped this season. The Iowa defense went 32 straight games, not allowing over 400 yards to an opponent, and when they faced Ohio State, that streak was broken. Not only did Ohio State have over 400 yards against Iowa, but Michigan State did as well with 468 total yards.

Clearly, something is going on with Phil Parker's defense, some of it could be injuries, which they have faced this season, most recently with star CASH Sebastian Castro going down. However, Parker has been able to cope with injuries in the past. Some offense might just be starting to crack the code against Parker, and the Hawkeyes can't afford that with the way their offense continues to play.

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