Can Iowa finally field a competent offense in 2025? The Hawkeyes think they have their quarterback in FCS transfer Mark Gronowski, but there have been false hopes under center before. Expert David Eickholt from Hawkeye Insider joined Bud Elliott on the Cover 3 College Football Summer School series to break down what success looks like for Iowa this fall with those offensive upgrades.
What are the stakes for Iowa in 2025?
Iowa found out competing for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game was much more difficult without divisions following conference expansion. Expectations have reset now that the Hawkeyes cannot rely on the cushion of the weaker Big Ten West, but that has not changed the steady approach under long-time coach Kirk Ferentz. Fixing the offense continues to be the hot topic in Iowa City, where the Hawkeyes have not produced a top-35 scoring unit since 2008 (!!). The arrival of FCS national champion quarterback Mark Gronowski gives Iowa hope that its offensive identity might finally evolve.
“I think vibes are relatively high,” Eickholt said. “I think if Iowa doesn’t land Mark Gronowski from South Dakota State, I think they’re at a completely different point. But they addressed him in the portal. They got Sam Phillips from Chattanooga, looks like he could be a deep threat and add some real speed to that wide receiver room. (Offensive coordinator) Tim Lester has flat out said, they want to redo the passing offense.”
Some of those changes showed up in the spring, but Gronowski was held out as he recovered from shoulder surgery. His return in fall camp is critical for an offense that has long been Iowa’s Achilles’ heel.
Breakout player everybody needs to know
Although Gronowski is a dual-threat quarterback, his talents are less impactful if Iowa does not…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/iowa-football-2025-win-total-big-ten-outlook-and-whether-offensive-upgrades-finally-pay-off/
Author : Cody Nagel
Publish date : 2025-05-22 17:33:00
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