ESPN offers projection, burning questions for Iowa Hawkeyes, Big Ten West

Iowa’s burning question per ESPN: Will Iowa complete the “Drive to 325?”

After last year’s nightmarish offensive showing, Iowa amended Brian Ferentz’s contract and loaded it with incentives. The bar for those incentives, however, is hilariously low. Basically, if Iowa averages 25 points per game — an average that evidently includes points scored by awesome defensive and special teams units and still would have ranked a dire 85th in FBS in 2022 — he’ll get a hefty bonus. That means the Hawkeyes need to score 325 points in a 13-game bowl season (making a bowl, as they have for 10 straight years, also is a requirement) and 350 if they reach the Big Ten title game. – Connelly, ESPN.

Technically, Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz did receive a $50,000 pay cut from last season. Now, his base salary is $850,000 heading into the 2023 season as compared to the $900,000 figure entering 2022. His two-year rolling contractual agreement is gone as well.

But, as Connelly points out, the amendment to Brian Ferentz’s contract is positioned in a way to where he’d receive a hefty bonus if Iowa averages more than 25 points per game. A one-time lump sum bonus of $112,500 to be precise. Brian Ferentz’s two-year rolling contractual agreement would also return if Iowa reaches that 25 points per game threshold. Brian Ferentz would be due a base salary of $925,000 for the 2024 college football season.

It’s why I said initially that Brian Ferentz didn’t receive a pay cut, he likely received a $62,500 raise.

Back to the point at hand, though. Just like the 2022 offseason before it, yes, offensive improvement is the major talking point and big key heading into 2023.

However, it’s not really the Drive for 325 (or 350) that will define this season. It’s how much more than that Drive for 325 can Iowa deliver? How much have Cade McNamara and the rest of Iowa’s transfer portal facelift truly improved this offense? That’s what will define 2023.

If the answer is drastically, then Iowa is going to be a factor to win the Big Ten like Phil Steele is predicting. Iowa missing out on facing Ohio State and Michigan is certainly a helper.

One last trip around a Big Ten West that isn’t altogether imposing should be fruitful with a defense like the Hawkeyes possess. It’s once again up to offensive improvement to make lofty dreams a reality, though.