Cade McNamara may not be the problem in Iowa's offense in the first half vs. Minnesota

We might have been wrong about Cade McNamara this entire time.

Well, probably not completely wrong, but Iowa's offense being so flat this season might be on another part of the offense, not so much of McNamara.

In the first half of Iowa's matchup against Minnesota, the Hawkeyes were able to score just one touchdown after an interception by the defense gave them a great field position. Of course, it was because of the great running ability of Kaleb Johnson that the Hawkeyes were able to punch it in for a touchdown, but the rest of the Hawkeyes' offensive drives have not gone so well.

The Minnesota defense came ready to defend the run game with Johnson in the backfield, and because of that, McNamara has had to throw the ball more. Normally, McNamara is one to struggle with the passing game, but now it looks like it hasn't been all his fault. The offensive line is struggling against this physical Golden Gophers pass rush.

The offensive line has barely given McNamara any time to make good decisions and quality throws. They have even struggled to create space for Johnson to have quality runs and be patient to find his space to go off for chunk yardage.

The Minnesota defense has focused more on getting to the quarterback quickly instead of having tight coverage on the receivers, and it has seemed to work. McNamara is just 7-for-13 for 16 yards and no touchdowns. He is averaging just 1.2 yards per throw and has -13 rushing yards. He has been unable to get away from pass rushers and extend plays. Minnesota's game plan has worked so far, as the Iowa offense just can't get going.

The rushing game is currently doing everything for the Iowa offense yet again, as Johnson has 88 yards on 12 carries, averaging 7.3 yards per carry and a touchdown.

The defense for Iowa had done all it could to keep the Hawkeyes in this game, but they were on the field for the majority of the first half. The Golden Gophers scored 14 points in the first half after scoring just 12 points the entire game in this matchup during the 2023 season. Iowa also allowed more than 14 points just twice during the regular season in 2023, and they have done it twice already in three and a half games.

Iowa will have to come up with some game plans for this Minnesota defense because they came up with a game plan, and they are executing it to perfection. Adjustments need to be made in the locker room at halftime, or else Iowa will be heading home with their second loss of the season.