Iowa Football Head Coach Kirk Ferentz was adamant that the team needed the bye week last weekend.
The squad had four straight weeks of camp followed by five weeks of games, and needed the break to get healthy and recharge.
The Hawkeyes have suffered injuries to multiple key players on both sides of the football, including starting quarterback Mark Gronowski.
Gronowski was injured on a scramble early in the fourth quarter in the loss to Indiana and was seen limping off the field into the blue tent. He emerged from the tent and exercised on the bike, but was not able to return.
During his weekly press conference, Ferentz discussed Gronowski's health and availability for this week against Wisconsin, but would not commit to naming the starter for Saturday.
Ferentz stated that about a week ago, he was far less optimistic about Mark's status than he is right now. His progression has been encouraging, and he has returned to normal practice.
Ferentz also noted that Gronowski was medically cleared a week ago, which paved the way for him to play on Saturday.
He did not officially name Gronowski the starter, but did list him as QB1 on the Week Seven depth chart.
Ferentz said he will know more Friday, but said Gronowski is the "clear starter."
Backups Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski split reps with the first team during the bye week as Gronowski was recovering, and Ferentz is adamant that both could fill in if necessary.
If Gronowski is unable to go, Ferentz noted that Brown has the "inside track" because he has been on campus longer and practiced during all of spring ball.