Iowa 2021 Football Preview

2020 Recap

Iowa began the season with a pair of tough losses. The Hawkeyes lost the season opener to Purdue 24 -20, in a game where they led most of the fourth quarter before Purdue scored the game winning touchdown with 2:15 to play. The next week, Iowa built a 17 – 0 first quarter lead, but could not muster any offense and lost 21 – 20. The two close losses were a tough start to the season, but Iowa showed toughness bouncing back the rest of the way.

Iowa would leave little to chance the next three weeks, running off convincing wins against Michigan State, Minnesota and Penn State. The offense averaged over 40 points per game during this stretch while the defense surrendered just under 12. Iowa had hit their stride and the team was playing it’s best football heading down the homestretch.

Iowa closed the season with a rivalry win over Nebraska, an easy win over Illinois and a dominant defensive performance in a 28 – 7 win over Wisconsin. Covid protocols would keep the Hawkeyes from playing in a bowl game, but Iowa had recovered from the tough start and put together a strong six game win streak. The team has momentum going into the 2021 season and will look to continue to play like they did to close 2020.

2020 Leaders

Projected Starters

Reasons For Optimism

Excellent Back Seven on Defense

Iowa’s defense was dominant in 2020 and most of the back seven is back in 2021. The Hawkeyes held opponents to 16 points per game, good for second in the Big Ten and a league best 4.34 yards per play. Leading tackler Nick Niemaan is gone, but the other six starters in the back seven are back. If Dane Belton stays at the “Cash” position more often, the Hawkeyes will have two linebackers on the field most of the time anyway and both Benson and Campbell played a significant role in 2020. With the entire secondary back on the back end, Iowa will have a strong back seven that will solidify the defense and limit big plays in 2021.

A Stout Offensive Line

This applies just about every year and 2021 will be no different, Iowa’s offensive line should be very good again. Tyler Linderbaum is the best center in college football and will be the anchor of the offensive line. At tackle, Jack Plumb was good in 2020 and will move over the left side in 2021, while Cody Ince who was one of the best guards in the country will kick out to right tackle. Both have shown they have the ability to succeed at their new position. Iowa will be breaking in two new guards, but both players are promising players. Kyler Schott started two games in 2020 and played in five overall. He was solid in the reps he received and appears to be ready for a bigger role. Britt was a key reserve who saw action in four games and should be comfortable as a starter in 2021. The offensive line in Iowa is a strength every year, 2021 will be no different.

Running Back and Tight End

A good offensive line makes life easier for the running game and can help set up the play action pass. Iowa’s two best offensive skill players in 2021 will be running back, Tyler Goodson and tight end, Sam LaPorta. Goodson is a proven runner who will be able to do damage behind the Iowa offensive line and force defenses to commit extra defenders to stop the run. This should open up opportunities for LaPorta on play action passes. It’s a simple formula, but it’s proven and Iowa has weapons in the right positions to employ it. The Hawkeyes will be able to lean on Goodson and LaPorta until play-makers emerge on the perimeter.

Causes For Concern

The Defensive Line Lost Plenty of Talent

Iowa returns most of the back seven on defense but lost several key contributors from the defensive line. Iowa lost three starters from the defensive line including star defensive end, Chauncey Golston and star defensive tackle, Daviyon Nixon. The duo tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks a piece and combined for 22 tackles for loss in 2020. It’s a tall order to replace one player as productive these two, replacing both will be a huge challenge. Zach VanValkenburg is a solid defensive end, but new players will need to emerge at the other three defensive line spots to make up for the lost production on the defensive line.

Spencer Petras Needs To Play Better

Spencer Petras was in his first year as a starter in 2020 and he was serviceable. Petras managed the game and took care of the ball for the most part, but he needs to show significant improvement to lead Iowa to the Big Ten Championship. Petras only averaged 6.4 yards per attempt last season and completed just 57 percent of his passes. With just nine touchdown passes in eight games, he was not threatening defenses in the passing game enough to keep them from keying on the running game. Petras will need to be better in 2021 for the play action passing game to yield big plays and keep the defense honest.

2021 Schedule

Top 25 Players

2021 Projection

Iowa’s schedule starts tough with a home game against Indiana and then a trip to Ames to take on in-state rival Iowa State. Indiana returns a good team from 2020 and Iowa State is one of the best teams in the Big 12. The schedule will ease up some after that with Iowa likely to be favored in every game except maybe against Penn State until the bye. The Hawkeyes will come out of the bye with back to back road games against Wisconsin and Northwestern that will likely decide the Big Ten West Title. The season ends with a Friday game against rival Nebraska, but the Huskers have not yet seen the success they had hoped for under Scott Frost. A nine win season is probable and the right nine could get Iowa to the Big Ten Championship Game in 2021, but with progress at quarterback Iowa has the ability to get to double digit wins.