Phil Parker’s defense had an uncharacteristically high number of missed tackles in Saturday’s 32-20 loss to Michigan State. It was a key factor in Iowa allowing the most yards in a game since 2019.

Iowa football looked like a mediocre team Saturday and is firmly on track to fall short of the Hawkeyes' expectations for the season.

Just when it seemed this Iowa football team had patched up several important holes, another wave of problems arrived Saturday night. The final product was a 32-20 dud at Michigan State, a game in which the Hawkeyes struggled offensively but played even worse defensively.