Iowa sits at 1-1 (0-0 Big Ten) on the season following a disappointing loss to Iowa State in the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry game.
While the loss to Iowa State hurts more than most, Iowa showed subtle improvements between weeks one and two.
The passing game was still underwhelming, but starting quarterback Mark Gronowski looked more comfortable, and the offense was able to sustain a few long drives.
In rivalry games, you can disregard rankings, home-field advantage, and any history entering the game, because they will always be hard-fought. The offense was outgained by the Cyclone offense (214 to 238), but the sustained drives were encouraging.
While it is all doom and gloom in Iowa City right now, here are three reasons why Iowa can turn it around this season.
The defense is still solid
In the same old story for the Iowa program, the defense is heavily relied upon to make up for the inadequacies on the offensive side.
In the first two games of this season, the defense has surrendered only 23 points in two games, but Iowa sits at 1-1.
The defense has also allowed 415 total yards (207.5 yards per game average), and held a high-octane Iowa State offense to 16 points.
There are never any question marks about a Phil Parker-coached defense, and after a slightly down season last year, the unit appears to have achieved elite status once again this season.
Mark Gronowski is becoming more comfortable
Despite what the first two games have shown on paper, Gronowski is a good quarterback and football player.
He transferred to Iowa after throwing for over 10,000 yards and 90 touchdowns, and he possesses the talent to succeed at the FBS level.
While he has yet to fully display his abilities, he improved from Week One to Week Two.
During Iowa's first game against Albany at Kinnick, Gronowski was anxious and missed multiple throws he normally makes because he played tight.
We are only two games into the season and need Gronowski to step up and play like the quarterback we know he can be, and if he can take command of the Iowa offense, the squad can turn it around.
The running back room is versatile and deep
The Iowa rushing attack was on full display during the Week One victory over Albany. After starting running back Kamari Moulton went down with an injury, the trio of Terrell Washington Jr., Jaziun Patterson, and Xavier Williams stepped up in a big way.
Iowa racked up 310 rushing yards on 53 attempts as a team, with Williams leading the way. Williams tallied 122 rushing yards and a touchdown in the victory over Albany.
In Week Two, Iowa was held to 131 rushing yards, but was led by Patterson, who tallied 60 rushing yards on 11 attempts.
We do not know the extent of Moulton's injury, but Iowa is still set up for success in the running game with a solid trio of talented running backs who all bring something different to the table.
A dark cloud is looming over Iowa City following a brutal loss in Ames. Still, Iowa remains in the mix in the Big Ten Conference with zero conference losses and a favorable stretch of games ahead.
Those games include Rutgers and Wisconsin, with a chance to upset Indiana in-between.