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Iowa Football: Can Hawkeyes win wide open Big Ten West in 2019?

By Dante Pryor

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Offensive lineman Keegan Render #69 and defensive back Jake Gervase #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes carry the Cy-Hawk trophy after the match-up against the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Offensive lineman Keegan Render #69 and defensive back Jake Gervase #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes carry the Cy-Hawk trophy after the match-up against the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes calls a play during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes calls a play during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

It’s time for Nate Stanley to step up

The offense had their moments last season. They put up 63 points on Illinois, 48 against Minnesota and 42 against Indiana. Then they had their moments last season. They mustered only 13 points against Iowa State (though they won),17 points against Wisconsin and 10 points against Northwestern.

Nate Stanley was really good last season, throwing for over 2,800 yards and 26 touchdowns. Much like the offense he ran, Stanley had his moments, and then had those other moments. He was spectacular against Indiana, throwing for 320 yards and six touchdowns, but was awful against Penn State completing a meager 37 percent of his passes for 205 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Stanley has all the measurables of an NFL quarterback — he’s 6-4 and 240 pounds with a big-time arm; if Iowa is going to have a chance at a Big Ten championship he’s going to have to play like it especially with Noah Fant and TJ Hockenson in the NFL.

They have two good receivers in Brandon Smith and Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and a trio of running backs that combined to rush for over 1,900 yards, but if they are going to be dynamic on offense Stanley has to be the man.

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