The low-hanging fruit storyline surrounding the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2024 is its offense. How much can Iowa improve in 2024?
That’s been the question facing the Hawkeyes each of the past two seasons. After finishing with the nation’s worst total offense and its second-to-last scoring offense a season ago, questions and concerns surrounding the Iowa offense are once again prevalent.
This time around, though, Iowa at least has change on its side. First-year offensive coordinator Tim Lester takes over the Hawkeyes’ offensive reins after previously serving as the head coach at Western Michigan and last year as an analyst with the Green Bay Packers .
In its preseason look at the Big Ten’s burning questions for 2024 , 247Sports’ Carter Bahns asks if the coordinator changes will pay off at both Iowa and USC .
Offensive and defensive ineptitude at Iowa and USC, respectively, was the difference between those teams pushing as dark horse Playoff teams last season and finishing closer to the middle of their respective conferences.
Both programs made high-profile moves on their coaching staffs when the Trojans fired Alex Grinch and the Hawkeyes parted ways with Brian Ferentz . The replacements — D’Anton Lynn and Tim Lester — are significant upgrades on paper, and if they deliver immediate progress, these teams could wreak havoc on the Big Ten race. – Bahns, 247Sports .
Time will tell on how quickly or if Lester can restore the Iowa offense. Ultimately, Iowa will need to execute better along its offensive line and get improved quarterback play from likely graduate starter Cade McNamara.
Still, it has to help Iowa to just have fresh ideas in the building from Lester and the change might be a morale booster as well.
However, until Iowa and Lester deliver consistent results, there will be naysayers nationally that remain pessimistic .
Fans will get their first look at Lester calling plays in Iowa’s 2024 season opener versus Illinois State on Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. CT from Kinnick Stadium. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network .
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