As a transplanted Hawkeye, I’m sure I follow Iowa football more closely than anyone else on FishDuck.com or the Our Beloved Ducks forum. Here are a few things you should know about this year’s Hawkeye football that even Mr. FishDuck took a break from his gaming fun at online sports betting to learn.
Phil Steele’s 2025 College Football Preview
This is my go-to mag, as each year Steele has what he calls his “Roulette Chip Pick.” This is a team not ranked, not on most folks’ radar and a team that has surprised when the season is over. His “Roulette Chip Pick” this year…Iowa.
He also ranked Iowa’s special teams unit No. 1 in the country. Speaking of special teams, the Ducks would be well advised not to kick to Kaden Wetjen. He has returned five punts and kickoff returns for touchdowns in his career at Iowa, and with just a small opening–can be electric.
Iowa’s Offense
This is no longer an offense that is simply offensive, as the playbook now has more options than sending in the Australian punter. The nepotistic nightmare tenure of Kirk Ferentz’s son Brian as OC (offensive, indeed) is two years in the rear-view mirror.
Ferentz has brought in Tim Lester (Green Bay Packers, Western Michigan). Lester is now in his second year, and it appears that Ferentz is now willing to turn the offense over to him.
QB Mark Gronowski is a runner and a thrower. (Courtesy of Iowa Athletics)
The biggest news for Iowa this year is they acquired Mark Gronowski through the portal to play QB. Gronowski played four years at South Dakota State, where he was the Walter Payton award winner his junior year. One report said that Mario Cristobal was looking at Gronowski before he settled on Carson Beck. (Or, perhaps Gronowski was smart enough not to want to play for Mario?)
Gronowski was slow out of the gate for the Hawkeyes, and it looked like it was going to be the Cade McNamara fiasco 2.0. However, he has settled in and seems to be getting better each week. He has the most wins (54) of any QB in NCAA history.
Iowa’s Two Losses
Iowa’s two losses merit a closer look. The first was when Iowa State kicked a 54-yard field goal with under two minutes to play to secure a 16-13 victory. At the time, Iowa State was ranked No. 16, and is still in the Big 12 conference title race.
The other loss was to current No. 2 in the nation, Indiana, 20-15, in the final minutes at home. Uncharacteristically, Iowa’s defense gave up a long pass play late when a corner slipped before he could make the tackle. The Hawkeyes were in a Cover-Zero defense to stop the quarterback scramble on third down, thus no free safety was there to back up the fallen defensive back.
Gronowski went down with an injury midway through the third quarter, which had a massive impact on Iowa’s ability to move the ball late. Iowa was not over-matched; they played the Hoosiers straight up. The game was theirs for the taking, and had Gronowski not gone down–we might have had a different outcome.
Oregon will need to keep an eye on No. 15, Reece Vander Zee. (Courtesy of Iowa Athletics)
Where Our Beloved Ducks Have the Advantage
The Ducks have a talent and depth advantage by a mile. This is not even close. Heck, it’s headline news if Iowa signs a four-star.
Also, Iowa has very little in terms of a deep threat. If Iowa does have a deep threat, it is probably Reece Vander Zee. He has been injured for most of the year, but he did return for the Minnesota game, and made one excellent catch on a well-thrown ball from Gronowski. However, it’s just as likely as not that Gronowski will overthrow his deep receivers.
Oregon’s DBs and safeties should have little trouble covering the deep ball and securing a good pass defense.
Environment
The weather in Iowa in November can be anything. Right now, the extended forecast calls for rain and temperatures in the mid-60s, which is warm Autzen-like weather for this time of year.
The atmosphere at Kinnick Stadium will be a challenge, as the Hawkeyes have quite the winning record at home. It may not be Ohio State or Autzen loud, but it will be a factor.
The Hawkeyes are known for splaying very tough defense. (Photo Courtesy of Iowa Athletics)
My Prediction
The first line I saw had OBD favored by two, and I was surprised Oregon was not favored by more. Iowa’s last couple of wins have been impressive, or maybe Vegas is not as sold on OBD as they were earlier in the season. If a prediction is just based on talent, Oregon wins big. However, I will be surprised if the Hawkeyes do not give the Ducks all they can handle. Lanning and crew had better have them ready to play.
Do look for Phil Parker (Iowa DC) to blitz Dante Moore early and often. Has Moore improved since the Hoosier game? I expect Coach Parker to test often and find out.
Do give me your thoughts in the only free, civilized Oregon football message board out there, the Our Beloved Ducks forum!
Don Marsh
Eugene, Oregon
Top Photo by Tim Schoon, Courtesy of Iowa Athletics
I am a transplanted Hawkeye who loves the Ducks because they realize there is more to football than just defense. Owner of Emerald Bridge Club with wife Sherri, and is a past State Champion in Horseshoes.