Penn State is an excellent team, but god damn is Iowa god awful on offense.
Cade McNamara was insane for transferring to Iowa. He should've went to Wisconsin or Florida or Alabama. He's better than what he's shown at Iowa. I agree. That situation is just so bad any QB would stink there. I agree. They have no skill talent whatsoever, I disagree. the OL is iffy, accurate description - sometimes good, in some ways and Brian Ferentz is the play-caller OC It is not just his play calling - it's his schemes. Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would suck there.
Brian Ferentz, an O-Lineman by trade, is Offensive Coordinator, and QB Coach. This Iowa offense is a bit wonting on the O-Line. However, this O-Line is not as bad as it showed against Penn State. A big part of the problem is the O-Coordinator does not play to all the strengths of the personnel.
Iowa has Kaleb Brown, a 4* receiver from the transfer portal from Ohio State. I think he was targeted once this season.
When your O-Line is imperfect, there are things you can do with your QB, such as the 5 or 7 step sprint out, launch and pass, on timing routes either to a TE, or a curl pattern to a WR. The D-Line cannot target the pocket QB on a sprint right or sprint left. It adds an element of deftness, but this simple play is not in the Iowa playbook.
The O-Line is better this year than last, but it completely collapsed against Penn State. That said, the O-Coordinator needs to adapt, but the most incapacitated O-Coordinator in FBS P-5, cannot adapt.
I am convinced this is more of a coaching problem than a talent problem.
