Purdue opponent early outlook: Iowa
As the 2023 football season nears closer, GoldandBlack.com will provide a mid-summer outlook of each of Purdue’s opponents. Today, it’s Iowa, who figures to compete in the Big Ten West yet again this season.
2022 RECORD: 8-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
HEAD COACH: Kirk Ferentz (186-115 in 24 seasons at Iowa)
KEY PLAYERS: QB Cade McNamara, RB Kaleb Johnson, CB Cooper DeJean
HISTORY VS. PURDUE: Purdue leads the all-time series with Iowa 50-40-3, helped largely by a 20-game win streak over the Hawkeyes from 1961 to 1980. In more recent memory, Purdue enters after winning four of the six matchups under Jeff Brohm. The highlight came in 2021 when Iowa entered the game ranked second nationally in the AP Poll. Purdue picked off four passes to fuel a 24-7 upset, the first of two top-five upsets by the Boilermakers that season. The Hawkeyes got the better of Purdue last season, however, winning 24-3 in a windy Ross-Ade Stadium.
ABOUT THE HAWKEYES: The Hawkeyes continued their role as the Big Ten’s ultimate Jekyll and Hyde team in 2022, boasting one of the nation’s top defenses along with one of the nation’s worst offenses. While opponents averaged just 13.3 points against Iowa (second-fewest in the country), the offense finished 123rd nationally (out of 131) by scoring 17.7 points per game.
To solve the offensive woes, Iowa landed former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara. McNamara led Michigan to a Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff appearance in 2021 before losing the starting job to the perceived higher-upside JJ McCarthy in 2022. Though viewed by Michigan as a “game manager,” the Hawkeyes hope he can lead their ground-heavy offense to more consistent production this year.
The Hawkeyes lost some receivers from last year’s team, but Ohio State transfer Kaleb Brown could become a top target alongside experienced veteran Nico Ragaini. The Hawkeyes also added a former target of McNamara’s in tight end Erick All, who comes to Iowa City after missing much of 2022 with an injury.
Though the passing game still presents questions, both of Iowa’s top tailbacks, Kaleb Johnson and Leshon Williams, return, and they’ll run behind four returning starters on the offensive line. The pressure is on for Iowa’s offense to improve following intriguing contract stipulations for offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz.
Iowa’s defense overcame offensive ineptitude to dominate opponents in 2022. Though two first-round draft picks departed from that unit, seven starters return. The secondary should continue as a strength, as star corner Cooper DeJean and former five-star safety Xavier Nwankpa will embrace critical roles. Defensive coordinator Phil Parker remains one of the best in the business, and this defense figures to give opposing offenses fits again in 2023.
It all likely comes down to the offense for Iowa. If McNamara can provide stability and move the chains for the Hawkeyes, they could be viewed as the favorite to win the Big Ten West. If not, it should make for another rocky season with questions about the coaching staff and direction of the program.
More: Athlon on Iowa, HawkeyeReport’s “Fearless Forecast”
Previous previews: Fresno State, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Wisconsin, Illinois
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