Iowa’s Week 8 depth chart didn’t give Minnesota much of anything to work with, and that’s exactly the point.
Kirk Ferentz and company are keeping the quarterback picture tucked away heading into the Floyd of Rosedale game out of the bye week. Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown are both still in the mix, and the Hawkeyes’ latest depth chart does little to clarify which one will get the first crack at running the offense.
Hecklinski helped create the uncertainty with a strong showing against Washington, enough to keep him firmly in the conversation for more snaps. Brown, meanwhile, is working back from a sprained AC joint, which left him limited to emergency third-string duties on the road against the Huskies. For now, Iowa is leaving the door open.
There was at least a little movement elsewhere on the offensive side. Evan James handled a return against Washington and gave Iowa a short field, but he also muffed a punt that the Hawkeyes were able to recover. That seems to have opened the door for Vander Zee to move back into the role of the steadier punt return option.
On defense, Xavier Styles continues to trend upward. His play over the last few games has earned him a starting spot at safety alongside Zach Lutmer, with Anthony Hawkins listed behind him. The way things are set up, though, it would be no surprise to see all three involved in some form.
There’s also a question at running back after L.J. Phillips left the Washington game late with a lower-leg injury.
Iowa’s depth chart lists Xavier Williams behind starter Kamari Moulton. It’s not clear whether that reflects Phillips’ injury status, especially after he already missed time earlier this season, or whether it’s simply a placeholder while Iowa gets ready for Minnesota with all of its backs potentially available.
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Kirk Ferentz is starting to come up in a conversation that once seemed unlikely, too, with analyst Brandon Walker already floating him as an early Coach of the Year candidate if Iowa keeps this pace. There is still plenty for the Hawkeyes to clean up before any bigger talk becomes meaningful, but the combination of results, schedule and overall team play has given the season a different kind of edge, one that keeps Iowa fans watching every week a little closer than usual. [Read more 🡒]
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Hank Brown is expected to be available after missing the previous game with an injury, which gives Iowa another layer of stability heading into the matchup. The game will be on FS1 and streamed on Fubo, and while the betting line points in Iowas direction, the Hawkeyes will still need to handle a Minnesota team that tends to make opponents earn everything. [Read more 🡒]
Hawkeyes Land Big Recognition As One Iowa Star Keeps Making History
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The broader Iowa sports picture kept piling up, too. Kylie Welker added to her own growing legacy with a third straight gold medal at the Under-23 World Wrestling Championships, and Iowa womens basketball reportedly got the better of Oklahoma State in a closed-door scrimmage. For a program that loves to point to breadth as much as depth, it was the kind of day that reminded everyone how many places Iowa keeps showing up in the national conversation. [Read more 🡒]