THAT is how you bounce back from a loss!
Iowa was reeling after a heartbreaking 13-10 loss on a walk-off field goal in week eight. Nothing went right for the Hawkeyes against the Golden Gophers last week, and they completely flipped the script in a 30-0 win with College Football Playoff implications. If Iowa had lost, the Hawkeyes would've been on the outside looking in at the CFP for another year. With 110 wins, Iowa has the most in the CFP era without an appearance, and they did what they could to move the needle.
Iowa got the bounce back performance it needed to keep its playoff hopes alive
This was a massive victory for the Hawkeyes for multiple reasons. It was not only a big rivalry game with the Heartland Trophy on the line, but it also had major mental and CFP implications. Iowa could not have played worse last week, but they were somehow in it until time expired. They could have easily let one loss snowball into two or more, but they stayed the course and got back on track. A combination of bad quarterback and offensive line play and poor play calling doomed Iowa against Minnesota, both of which were rectified this week.
Hank Brown's timing was on point, and he looked locked in from the start. Credit Tim Lester for tailoring the offensive game plan to exploit Wisconsin's aggressiveness in stopping the run game, and credit Brown for making the throws he hasn't made over his past two games. He still relies a little too much on his arm, throwing off his back foot or underthrowing receivers, but he made the plays when they mattered and looked in control.
When Iowa's offense can make the easy plays and not beat itself, the defense will do the rest.
Iowa's defense is back to playing at the level everyone has come to expect
The Hawkeyes' defense started slowly, with issues up front pressuring the quarterback. Over Iowa's last three games against Washington, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, the defense has been stifling and has played like Iowa's defenses of the past. The linebackers remain Iowa's biggest strength, with Jayden Montgomery and Cam Buffington showing why they are one of the best duos in college football. With the defensive line getting more pressure and Phil Parker blitzing more frequently, the defense isn't budging.
The unit held Washington to -3 rushing yards in week six and Minnesota to 208 total offensive yards in an inexcusable loss to Minnesota, before shutting out Wisconsin. Parker has his unit locked in, and if the offense can do enough, Iowa becomes even scarier. The defense remains the most consistent unit from year to year, proving Phil Parker is the best in the business. Iowa doesn't regularly get top high school recruits, but finds the right players and develops them in the system. Parker continues to get the most out of the guys he has, and that doesn't get enough praise.
With the defense leading the way, the Hawkeyes are right back in the CFP picture and have a favorable end of the schedule to get the job done.
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