The Hawkeyes' defense is ranked as one of the top 15 defenses in college football

The bye week could not come at a better time for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa stumbled to a 3-2 (1-1 Big Ten) record, and had two chances to upset ranked teams, but fell short.

The Hawkeyes could not hold off the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames during the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry game on September 6, and dropped a close Homecoming game to Indiana last Saturday afternoon.

Iowa has struggled with inconsistencies on both sides of the football, particularly on the offensive side. A large part of the struggles on the offensive side are due to multiple injuries to key players.

The Hawkeyes have yet to have a complete running back and receiving corps, with multiple starters being sidelined with injuries.

Every week the Hawkeyes have had a different starting running back, and starting wide receiver Reece Vander Zee has yet to take the field this season.

After last week's loss to Indiana, starting quarterback Mark Gronowski could be sidelined with an injury as the health concerns for the Hawkeyes continue piling up.

The group that has been the rock for the program through the first five weeks of the season has been the defense.

While the Iowa defense has not been forcing as many turnovers as in years past, it is keeping Iowa in games, as showcased by its performance last weekend against Indiana.

The Hawkeyes' defense held Indiana to 20 points (35 below their season average) and 337 total yards of offense (nearly 200 yards below their season average), and is being recognized as one of the best units in college football.

"College Football Report" ranked the Iowa defense as the No. 12 best unit in college football, just below Big Ten rival Michigan and ahead of SEC powerhouse Alabama.

Through the first five weeks of the season, the Iowa defense is ranked No. 15 overall in total defense (254.2 yards per game), No. 23 in scoring defense (15.6 points per game), and No. 6 in rushing defense (69.4 yards per game).

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