The Hawkeyes enter their first bye week with a 3-2 (1-1 Big Ten) record, and the bye week could not have come at a more opportune time.
Iowa has dealt with multiple injuries to its offense through the first five weeks of the season, resulting in inconsistencies.
Offensive coordinator Tim Lester stated that it is challenging to create a game plan when you are unsure who will be healthy every week.
Running backs Kamari Moulton, Jaziun Patterson, and Xavier Williams have all suffered injuries throughout the first five weeks, alongside wide receivers Seth Anderson and Reece Vander Zee.
Anderson was listed on the depth chart for the Indiana game last weekend, but was a late scratch from the lineup.
During Saturday's loss to Indiana, starting quarterback Mark Gronowski went down with an injury early in the fourth quarter, and Hank Brown was thrust into duty.
Iowa cannot stay healthy on the offensive side of the football, and Lester pointed to that fact as a main reason why the offense has struggled with inconsistency.
During this week's coordinators' press conference, Lester provided Hawkeye fans with some good news, stating that injured wide receiver Reece Vander Zee is "close" to a return.
Lester also said they are hopeful he will be back soon, and it will be a huge benefit to the offense when he returns.
Vander Zee injured his foot in a freak incident during the last week of practice before Iowa's first game against Albany, and has not taken the field all season.
If Vander Zee returns after the bye week, it gives the Hawkeyes a big target on the outside who can stretch the field with his size and speed.