The Iowa passing attack has done enough to get the job done, but they might be called upon more frequently in week four.
The offense has had a revolving door at quarterback as Kirk Ferentz and the coaching staff attempted to figure out who the starter should be. After three weeks, Hank Brown earned the job, and the offense is moving forward with him under center. Iowa's passing offense hasn't been awful through the first three games, averaging 209 yards per game, and that should improve with Brown taking the reins. Although Iowa's passing game should improve, they face a tough test against a stout Michigan defense, but Tony Diaz isn't worried.
Diaz believes the offense will 'get what they want' against Michigan's man-to-man coverage
Michigan's offense has lagged way behind its defense, but they managed to win the first three games of the season. The Wolverines' defense allows an average of 220 yards per game, including only 123.7 yards through the air, but it isn't scaring Tony Diaz.
Tony Diaz on facing Michigan's man coverage: "We've just got to make plays. We're going to get what we want — we're going to get man on man. It's just, who's better at the end of the day?"
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) September 22, 2026
With a quote that has gotten under the skin of Michigan fans and media, Diaz said the offense is going to get what they want against Michigan's man-to-man defense, and they just have to make plays. He also said it will come down to who is better. Bold words from Diaz, and while his sky-high confidence is something Iowa fans admire, it has ruffled some feathers in the Michigan community. Iowa's passing attack hasn't wowed anyone this season because it frequently switched quarterbacks early, but it has still outperformed the Michigan passing attack.
With Brown locked in as the starter, the offense has plenty of weapons on the outside to make some noise, including Diaz. Diaz has been electric early in the season, leading the Iowa wide receivers group in receiving yards (201) and touchdown receptions (1), far outpacing the second-leading receiver. Iowa hasn't fully unleashed the passing game with the uncertainty at quarterback, and while there have been flashes of brilliance, the group has yet to break out. Iowa has the weapons on the outside, including wide receivers Tony Diaz, Reece Vander Zee, Jarriett Buie, and Evan James, along with tight ends DJ Vonnahme and Addison Ostrenga.
Iowa hasn't faced a defense as stingy as Michigan's, especially in the secondary, but Diaz is confident in their abilities. Michigan has been solid against the pass, but has struggled against good tight ends and has started games extremely slowly. If there is one thing Iowa does well, it's using tight ends in the passing game, and if they can do that effectively against Michigan, it adds another element. Iowa will be forced to pass with Michigan loading the box to stop the run, and heavily involving the tight ends and DJ Vonnahme isn't a bad strategy.
Diaz isn't lacking confidence, and it remains to be seen what he can do against an elite defense, but his talent speaks for itself, and he could have a breakout game against Michigan if Iowa features him early. He was targeted 13 times in week one and 12 times in week two before the offense altered the game plan in week three. The offense stuck with the run because UNI couldn't stop it, but that will change in week four. Diaz will have to live up to the target he just painted on his back, and if he does and the Iowa offense succeeds, it will prove that Iowa's offense is for real.
Add us as a preferred source on Google