With more ranked teams looming, Iowa football’s bye week means more improvement is needed

IOWA CITY — The key word is “almost.”

The Hawkeyes almost had a fourth quarter, clinching field goal. The Hawkeyes almost tackled wide receiver Elijah Sarratt to stop a game-winning touchdown.

Iowa football almost beat No. 11 Indiana at home.

Despite playing one of its most complete games this season, Iowa dropped a gut-wrenching game to the Hoosiers at Kinnick Stadium, 20-15.

“It was one of those types of games in conference play that you're going to get,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “I think there were a lot of good responses out there. Certainly, some miscues that hurt us and put us in a tough position.“

Iowa’s seen “those types of games” twice now. The first one, just a week ago against the Scarlet Knights. That game gave the Hawkeyes a wealthy confidence boost.

This one, where nearly the exact same scenario played out for the first 45 minutes, ended in a home loss.

Iowa still hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent since shutting down Penn State in 2021 — now 11 consecutive games. It’s a frustrating statistic, especially since the Big Ten has ranked teams every season.

In Week 6 now, four of the top eight teams ranked in the AP Top 25 are Big Ten foes. Two of those teams, now-No. 2 Oregon and No. 7 Penn State, have trips to Iowa City on the calendar in a matter of weeks.

That also includes the Hoosiers, who slid up to No. 8 following the win.

In some cases, the Hawkeyes proved they can play with the top teams. They hung in there against Iowa State in Week 2 and again on Saturday. The problem, however, remains that key word.

Almost.

“We have to watch the tape, see what we can do better, and hopefully you use this bye week to our advantage,” cornerback TJ Hall said. “So that way, we can come back ready against whoever we got next.“

What will it take for Iowa to finally break hold of this winless grudge? Details, that goes for all three phases of the game, and it all needs to click at the right time. Even if Iowa’s offense is clicking, the defense and special teams have to as well.

That didn’t happen for those 60 minutes at Kinnick Stadium.

“The thing I shared with the players in the locker room that there is a lot of football ahead,” Ferentz said. “Not as much as we had a couple weeks ago, obviously, but a lot of football left.”

There are flashes of positive improvement, yes. The offense has made strides since the start of the season. When quarterback Mark Gronowski went down with a lower body injury, backup quarterback Hank Brown entered the game and did his best to keep his composure. The pieces weren’t in place for Brown to help Iowa finish off the game.

The word “almost” may haunt the Hawkeyes as they turn the page to the middle third of the season. There’s a realm of possibility the team’s record looks entirely different heading into this first bye, but that’s not the case.

Instead, Iowa’s left with a puzzle to figure out and a ticking clock until the next ranked opponent steps inside Kinnick Stadium.

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