Iowa has a solid case for owning the deepest running back room in college football

For those of you with any doubts about the Iowa rushing attack without Kamari Moulton and L.J. Phillips Jr., we can safely put those to rest.

Moulton and Phillips Jr. were both out with injuries against Northern Iowa, forcing Jay Norvell and the running back room to lean on their depth. Moulton has carried much of the backfield load this season, but Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil, Braeden Jackson, and O'Lantae Dean shared the load against Northern Iowa. All four are considered "reserves," but they guided the offense to a resurgent rushing attack in week three.

Iowa accomplished 2 rare feats during an offensive explosion vs. UNI

Moulton had 240 rushing yards heading into the UNI game, by far the most on the team. After suffering a late injury against Iowa State, Moulton was doubtful for the UNI game and ultimately did not suit up. While not having your leading rusher in the lineup drastically affects some teams, it was next-man-up mentality for the Hawkeyes as they accomplished a rare feat.

Iowa finished the game with 640 total offensive yards, the 10th most in program history, and the second most under Kirk Ferentz. Of those 640 yards, 422 came on the ground, ranking seventh all-time in program history. The rushing total is astonishing, but it's even more impressive that the Hawkeye offense did it without its top two options. Iowa relied on Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil, Braeden Jackson, and O'Lantae Dean, and they put on a show.

Williams led the backfield with 151 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on just six carries, while Braeden Jackson (125 rushing yards, 3 total touchdowns) and Nathan McNeil (111 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown) also had excellent games. Iowa also had three rushers go over 100 yards for the first time since 1983. We got a glimpse of what McNeil and Williams could do last season as freshmen, but the most surprising early story has been Braeden Jackson.

Jackson, the son of former Coe College and Buffalo Bills star running back Fred Jackson, has made a name for himself this season. Jackson has forced his way onto the field with his play and is becoming a weapon in the backfield and in the passing game. Jackson and the rest of his running back mates have become potential stars, and they are having a hard time getting on the field because of the group's depth. When Moulton and Phillips Jr. return, it will be interesting to see how Norvell divides the carries.

Iowa arguably has the deepest running back room in college football

The Hawkeyes have traditionally been known for having a solid rushing attack, but this year's group might be the deepest the program has ever been. The squad can easily go four, if not five, deep, with Moulton, Phillips Jr., McNeil, Williams, and Jackson equally capable of toting the rock. We also have not talked much about Brevin Doll or O'Lantae Dean, who have also contributed this season. It is rare for a team to have two legit running backs, let alone five, and the Hawkeyes have a chance to be one of the best rushing teams in college football this season.

Two of Iowa's first three opponents have not been in the same class, but the program has taken care of business and put up gaudy numbers. In the past, Iowa won these games by much less, putting up pedestrian offensive numbers. Those days seem to be long behind us. It is still too early to tell if the program will continue putting up these big rushing games, especially in the Big Ten, but it is encouraging that Iowa is crushing the weaker opponents on the schedule.

The program plays better in the latter part of the season, and with the offense already achieving such big games, the future is bright. Through Iowa's first three games, the program is ranked No. 10 in rushing offense, No. 30 in total offense, and No. 47 in scoring offense, which would be drastically better than last season if the numbers hold. The Big Ten schedule will be the real test, but Iowa's rushing attack is playing extremely well early.

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