Iowa celebrates with the Heartland Trophy defeating Wisconsin in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Iowa and Iowa State football fans were close to hitting the panic button around this time last month. Losses at Penn State and Ohio, respectively, left supporters of the Hawkeyes and Cyclones feeling despondent — not just because of the end result, but how those particular road trips transpired.

Here we are a month later, and suddenly, the 2023 season outlook doesn’t seem so bleak. Iowa has three consecutive victories since the Happy Valley debacle; none were flashy, of course, but the bottom line is that head coach Kirk Ferentz’s squad — with an offense decimated by injuries — now stands at 6-1 and has the inside track to a third Big Ten West championship since 2015.

Iowa State is following a similar trajectory, with three victories in the last four weeks. Back above the break-even mark at 4-3, head coach Matt Campbell’s team is off this Saturday as the Cyclones prepare for a manageable upcoming stretch against Baylor, Kansas and BYU.

Both Iowa and ISU are currently 3-1 in the conference. Is everything copacetic? Of course not. There are still plenty of question marks and a fairly obvious ceiling to the bottom line in both camps.

If I had offered the Hawks this position after the Penn State shellacking and done the same for the Cyclones after the Athens mess, though, optimists and cynics alike would’ve taken both in a heartbeat. Offenses were sputtering. Injuries were mounting. Confidence in the coaches was waning.

Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) makes a catch against Cincinnati cornerback Jordan Young (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Sometimes — maybe even begrudgingly — you have to simply stop and give both Ferentz and Campbell credit. As I’ve pointed out before, there are a lot of similarities to what they do and how they get the job done. The defenses have been stellar. Special teams are strong. Very few style points, but last I checked, football is about winning first and foremost.

Critics have valid points when it comes to highlighting everything the Hawks and Cyclones aren’t. It’s frustrating, and at times even boring, to watch teams grind out victories. Iowa currently ranks dead last in the country in total offense. Iowa State, at No. 112 out of 133, isn’t much better.

But take a deeper dive into some quieter statistics. The Hawks are among the nation’s leaders in punting and fewest penalties. The Cyclones rank near the top in interceptions and completion percentage defense.

Flashy? Nope. Gritty and necessary to winning? Both programs still have plenty of those overlooked and underappreciated boxes checked.

I understand Iowa and Iowa State could be playing a much more entertaining brand of ball. And yes, better offenses would open up a whole new world of possibilities.

As it stands today, though, Ferentz and Campbell are focused on their teams being tougher and more physical than the vast majority of their opponents. That style travels, and it rarely slumps.

Neither squad will win out or necessarily contend for championships as this season progresses. Points — and even yards — are often at a premium. Injuries have taken their toll. But there are dozens of programs who would trade places with the Hawks and Cyclones today for this kind of identity — and stability.

Being mildly annoyed by the laborious nature of the process is understandable. Just don’t take the luxury of success for granted. It ain’t always pretty, but the glass that appeared to be half empty a month ago in this state is now looking fuller by the day.

Eric Pratt is Sports Editor at The Messenger. Contact him via email at sports@messengernews.net, or on Twitter @ByEricPratt