Cade McNamara. Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

Why analyst sees potential for Iowa to be ‘total fiasco’ in 2023

By Ethan Petrik | Last updated 5/17/23

Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt put Iowa at No. 22 in his preseason top 25, but he also believes the team could be a "total fiasco" in 2023.

The former Colorado quarterback expects the Hawkeyes' defense to be "fantastic." The offense, however, could be problematic.

In 2022, Iowa posted the 123 rd-ranked scoring offense, averaging 17.7 points. Despite the lame performance, offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz -- coach Kirk Ferentz's eldest son -- remains on the job, albeit with a revised contract.

Per an amendment made in February to his deal, Ferentz must lead the Iowa offense to 25 points per game while the team wins at least seven games. He also received a $50,000 pay cut, to $850,000 annually.

Iowa has amended Brian Ferentz's contract to be more incentive based.

Look at these ... ambitious goals. pic.twitter.com/7Txq6Eg8AP
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) February 6, 2023

“They have this arbitrary mark of 25 points,” Klatt said. “This is going to put an undue pressure on the play caller, Brian Ferentz. It is going to put undue pressure on Cade McNamara on the rest of the offense.”

This year's offense includes Michigan transfers McNamara at quarterback and Erick All at tight end.

Iowa, which finished 8-5 last season, opens against lightweight Utah State before facing Iowa State and another lightweight, Western Michigan.

If its offense underperforms through the first three weeks, Iowa could get hammered in Week 4 at Penn State in that school's whiteout game on Sept. 23.

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