Iowa football: 5 keys to the Hawkeyes winning the Big Ten in 2023

1. Cade McNamara takes control

The last time Iowa came in to a season with a quarterback that legitimately got people excited, that struck fear into the opposition, may be… James Vandenberg in 2011? Maybe Ricky Stanzi in 2010? Brad Banks in 2002?

Regardless of which you’d pick, you’re looking at a player that hasn’t worn black and gold in over a decade. Kirk Ferentz has always sought quarterbacks that can comprehend a pro-style offense and have a strong enough arm to make all of the throws on a route tree. What that has transitioned into is a boring, statuesque quarterback that is incapable of leading a comeback or keeping a defense honest on the early downs to prevent a loaded box.

The Hawkeyes have had three quarterbacks in school history that eclipsed 3,000 passing yards: Ricky Stanzi in 2010, James Vandenberg in 2012, and Chuck Hartleib in 1988. They’ve never had a quarterback with over 3,500 yards. Last season 38 quarterbacks in the FBS went over 3,000 yards and 18 of those went over 3,500.

Enter Cade McNamara.

McNamara has the leadership skills that Ferentz has always looked for in a quarterback and will most likely be a Captain for the first coin toss of the year against Utah State. He led Michigan to the College Football Playoff just two years ago, he has a strong arm and isn’t afraid to use his legs to extend plays. He is the quarterback that we’ve all been waiting over a decade for.

The biggest feather in his cap will likely be that Brian Ferentz now has a major incentive to score more points. Perhaps that will lead to a game plan that might actually keep a defense guessing rather than coming out and running on first and second down and then coming out in a five-wide formation on third and long.