Hawkeyes: 3 keys, prediction and how to tune in to matchup against Troy

IOWA CITY Iowa faces the Troy Trojans for the first time in program history on Saturday.

Both teams disappointed in the early going of the 2024 season.

Iowa Hawkeyes mascot Herky carries a flag during an NCAA college football game at Kinnick Stadium against Iowa State, Saturday, Sept.

7, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Iowa suffered a second-half unravelling against rival Iowa State and lost 20-19 in week two and Troy opened the season with back-to-back losses to Nevada and Memphis.

With both teams looking to get right before the start of conference play, here are three keys for Iowa in its final nonconference matchup.

Getting the ball in Kaleb Johnsons hands made for Iowas most effective strategy on offense through the first two weeks .

The junior running back racked up 306 yards and four touchdowns on 36 attempts against Illinois State and Iowa State and broke off runs of 64, 54, 37, 27 and 26 yards.

Iowa should not struggle to move the ball against Troys 94 th ranked defense, but the Hawkeyes can rebuild their offenses confidence by leaning on the Hamilton, Ohio product against the Trojans.

Through its first two games, Troys defense struggled to slow the run, allowing 214 yards to Nevada and 211 yards to Memphis.

The Trojans rank 14 th -to-last in rush defense in the nation, giving up 212.5 yards per carry on the ground, and third-to-last in yards allowed per rush with opponents netting 6.75 yards per attempt.

Going off key No.

1, a healthy ground game can help open up passing lanes and set up opportunities in play action for quarterback Cade McNamara.

The graduate senior flourished in the second half of Iowas season opener as the offense built confidence and put him in positions to succeed.

In the second half against Iowa State, the Hawkeyes forced McNamara to through in disadvantageous situations.

Of McNamaras 10 pass attempts in the second half against the Cyclones, five came in clear passing situations with the Hawkeyes facing a third and 7 or longer or a second and 13.

Though dictated by the game-script, Iowa failed to help its quarterback by forcing him to pass in situations where the Cyclones expected him to.

Despite the rough day, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz quickly put to rest any quarterback questions following the loss.

Against Troy, the Hawkeyes need to set McNamara up to succeed and rebuild his confidence lest they head into Big Ten play with increasing calls from the peanut gallery for backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan.

Troy faces quarterback uncertainty heading into its third game of the season.

The Trojans lost starting quarterback Goose Crowder, a West Virginia transfer, to a shoulder against Memphis last week.

His status remains up in the air heading into the matchup against Iowa.

Matthew Caldwell, a transfer from Gardner-Webb, replaced Crowder and threw for 113 yards on 11-of-19 passing.

Regardless of who starts, the Hawkeyes can pick on Troys lack of experience under center.

Combined, Crowder and Caldwell own just seven starts (five at the FCS level).

The Hawkeyes forced three turnovers against Illinois State's offense led by a pair of inexperienced signal callers and cruised to a 40-0 win.

Kickoff time: 3 p.m.

(CT) Line: Iowa -20.5 TV: FS1 Stream: Fox Sports App Prediction: Iowa 34, Troy 0 Hawkeyes: Iowa not overlooking pilfered Troy in 'bounce back' game Hawkeyes: Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson pushing forward and focusing on the little details Hawkeyes: Response is key for Iowa after setback loss to Iowa State Get local news delivered to your inbox!.

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