A lot can change in three weeks. Coming off its win over #3 Penn State, the Iowa football program was ranked #2 in the nation, was the clear favorite to win the Big Ten West, and looked like a team that could legitimately make a push towards the College Football Playoff. Now, the Hawkeyes are nursing a two-game losing streak, are winless against Big Ten West opponents, are functionally eliminated from playoff contention, and will need help from other teams in order to earn a trip to Indianapolis.
The source of Iowa’s struggles is not difficult to identify.