ESPN highlights Iowa Hawkeyes as top-10 college football defense entering 2023

The Iowa defense is looking to build on a historic 2022. ESPN is a believer, tabbing the Hawkeyes as a top-10 defense nationally.

There are countless eyes on the Iowa Hawkeyes offense in 2023 and rightfully so. On the other side of the ball, there are questions as well, but of a different variety.

Offensively, the question marks are around getting any upward tick in performance after a disastrous 2022. Defensively, the question is geared toward Iowa’s ability to sustain such an incredibly high level of play shutting down opponent’s offenses after turnover in several key places.

There is a lot of promise and hope that this defense does just that and can finally pair it with a consistent offensive output. If the offense can turn things around even a little bit, it gives the Hawkeyes’ defense a bit more rest and doesn’t require them to be absolutely perfect every down.

That hope is permeating at ESPN as well as they believe the Hawkeyes are firmly among the nation’s top 10 defenses heading into 2023. ESPN broke down this unit and took a look at all things Iowa defense.