Analyzing how new Iowa OC Tim Lester, 'Drive to 325' could impact Hawkeyes 2024 record
Iowa‘s ‘Drive to 325’ became famous last season after offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz had a stipulation in his contract mandating his unit score a minimum of 25 points per game (325 total points in 13 games).
Ferentz and the Hawkeyes were not able to get this done, averaging a 15.4 points per game in 2023 to represent the Big Ten’s worst scoring offense.
The conference will look a little bit different this year and so will Iowa’s offense, with the program hiring former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester as their new offensive coordinator. And with that in mind, On3’s Andy Staples spoke on what Iowa achieving a 2024 ‘Drive to 325’ would mean for the outcome of their 2024 season.
“Well remember, and I’ve said this multiple times, and not just about Iowa. I’ve said it about Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois. What does it look like now that they’re not trying to win the Big Ten West now that they have to compete with the Big Ten at large?” Staples asked.
Next season the Big Ten Conference adds USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington into the fold and also gets ride of divisions. Making schedules more challenging and a trip to the conference championship game more difficult.
Largely thanks to Iowa’s defense, the Hawkeyes were able to win the Big Ten West last year. Finishing the regular season with a 10-2 record and making a trip to the Big Ten championship game. But can a strong defense yet again and an offense that can average 25 points per game return them to the title stage?
Under those circumstances, Staples forecasts the Hawkeyes starting the season 4-1 with wins over all of their non-conference opponents along with Minnesota but suffering a loss to Ohio State. But things could get tricky in Week 7 versus a new conference opponent.
“Washington, see this is where it gets tough,” Staples said. “If you’re driving to 325, you’re playing Jed Fisch‘s Washington team, we don’t know exactly what that’s gonna look like yet. I feel like you’ve got a really good shot, especially if your defense and special teams are as good as they always are.”
Iowa’s 2024 schedule also features a trip to UCLA and matchups versus many Big Ten opponents they defeated last year without a sustainable offense. Which leads Staples to believe that the a ‘Drive to 325’ in 2024 could lead to quite the season for the Hawkeyes.
“Hey, if they drive to 325 you may be talking about a 9-3, 10-2 Iowa team. You may be talking about a team trying to compete to get in the Big Ten title game, you may be talking about a 12-team playoff contender,” Staples said. “Holy crap! That would be something. So good luck to Cade McNamara as he returns to health and returns to the helm of the Iowa offense. Because yeah, if you can drive to 325, this can be a very special season.”
McNamara returns at quarterback for Iowa after the Michigan transfer suffered a season-ending injury last year. As he and Lester will look to rejuvenate Iowa’s offense and potentially take the program to unexpected heights in 2024.