Kirk Ferentz is using a familiar strategy as the starting QB role remains up in the air

If you were expecting the quarterback situation to be sorted out by week two against Iowa State, you are sadly mistaken.

Iowa's starting quarterback dilemma has now stretched into the second week of the regular season, with both Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski still in the mix. Brown earned his first start as a Hawkeye last week against Northern Illinois, with Hecklinski getting some early playing time. With the starting role still up in the air, Kirk Ferentz isn't changing the strategy for week two.

Brown was named the week two starter, with Hecklinski 'expected' to get early PT

New week, same strategy for Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa offense as they continue sorting out who will be the long-term starting quarterback. Northern Illinois wasn't a true test of who should win the job, and Ferentz knows it, which might be why he is using the same strategy in week two.

Brown earned his second consecutive start, with Hecklinski "expected" to receive early playing time. It is unclear what led Ferentz to use the same strategy, other than simply using the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach. Brown clearly earned another start, but the week two matchup against Iowa State will be the real test before Northern Iowa in week three. Brown was slightly more effective than Hecklinski in week one, but it definitely wasn't a true test. Ferentz has kept everything close to the vest this week, but it wouldn't be surprising if he rides the hot hand a little bit more this week.

Iowa can't afford to let Iowa State come into their house and dictate the game, and that could happen if the offense fails to execute while the coaching staff sorts out the starting quarterback situation. The big test will come after Iowa's scripted plays are over and the real playcalling begins, and if Brown is rolling, he might not come out. Hecklinski hasn't been eliminated from the conversation, but we could see Ferentz keep Brown in there until halftime to make a more natural switch.

That strategy all goes out the window if Brown struggles to begin the game, and if that happens, we will see Hecklinski early. Brown has struggled in big games in the past, as evidenced by his second career start at Auburn, where he tossed three first-half interceptions and was immediately benched, and last season with Iowa, when he entered the game against Indiana after Mark Gronowski went down. Brown is obviously a much better player than he was then, and it will be interesting to see how he handles any kind of early pressure from the Cyclones.

There could be an interesting wrinkle in the starting QB battle in week two

CBS Sports senior college football writer Matt Zenitz noted in his post that Hecklinski is "expected" to receive early playing time, which is slightly different from last week. In week one, Ferentz said that both players WILL play, and they will be on a "pitch count." Before week two, it was changed to Hecklinski being expected to play. Hecklinski's situation is definitely worth monitoring, and the "expected" verbiage could mean Ferentz will go with the hot hand or give Brown a little more leeway before he pulls him.

Both quarterbacks have only been told they will play, but Brown seems to have the inside track to the starting job right now. Hecklinski has a lot more to prove this week than in week one, and while he didn't perform horribly, Brown played better and didn't take any snaps in the second half. This could be the final test for both starters, and they both need to take advantage of it and take command of the offense when they are under center. This whole situation has been confusing from the start, but it won't matter if Iowa beats Iowa State under the lights on Saturday night.

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